But it's not sustainable!!!
- Thread starter Holymakinaw
- Start date
- Status
Patience
Registered User
- Sep 8, 2013
- 672
- 0
Phil Kessel, JVR, Lupul, Kadri, Bozak, Bernier and Reimer are members of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team. I also don't get how them producing is a negative thing.
I wonder how many games Pittsburgh wins when Crosby and Malkin don't generate offense and Fleury doesn't play well.
hockeyes
Registered User
- Jun 15, 2013
- 5,130
- 3,051
I think the issue is more the fact that the team has been getting by on mostly talent, either goaltending or scoring goals on a low number of chances. That is certainly not a bad problem to have but it makes winning relied on at least one or two guys clicking that night.
The result is of course inconsistency since there isn't a solid system to fall back on during an off night.
To be honest though, I almost prefer this style, it's pretty unique in the league and makes the games entertaining to watch. I mean, they are battling with teams like Buffalo, Edmonton and Calgary for the lead in terrible stats yet somehow are light years better, obviously they have been doing something very different from most teams in the league.
I won't comment on it being sustainable or not as it doesn't really matter, it doesn't change what this team is.
The result is of course inconsistency since there isn't a solid system to fall back on during an off night.
To be honest though, I almost prefer this style, it's pretty unique in the league and makes the games entertaining to watch. I mean, they are battling with teams like Buffalo, Edmonton and Calgary for the lead in terrible stats yet somehow are light years better, obviously they have been doing something very different from most teams in the league.
I won't comment on it being sustainable or not as it doesn't really matter, it doesn't change what this team is.
Holymakinaw
Registered User
Sure. But then look at it that way for all the teams around us, to be FAIR.
We've "only" won 55 games the last two years. Boston has won 62. Montreal has won 58. Tampa has won 49. Washington's won 51. NYR have won 55. Ottawa has won 49. Philly has won 49. Islanders have won 45. Columbus have won 51.
Pittsburgh is the ONLY team in the east that has "killed it" the last two years, with 74 wins.
Compared to all the rest, we're right there with the better ones.
I could combine all the losses too, to make it look worse for everyone, but the NHL doesn't do that, so I don't see the point(outside of trying to make things look worse than they really are
)What I like is someone saying we have 27 losses....like the 6 points we gained in losing in overtime or shootouts don't count....say what you want....we have 21 losses.....maybe get rid of those darn loser points.....change the rules, call up Bettman.
Mess
Global Moderator
Leafs lead the NHL in circus time shootout wins and bonus points.
Is that something to brag about that you're winning in an individual skills competition event within a team game sport?.
Any word that Bettman's NHL will include the shootout in the playoffs, as that would increase the Leafs Cups odds as its significantly helping beating the regular season odds.
mashedpotato
full stack.
- Jan 10, 2012
- 2,153
- 385
No one is saying that the lineup you've put together is a bad thing.
What everyone is saying is that while the lineup is excelling, the team as a whole is not winning in a conventional fashion.
While winning is the most important aspect of the game, a close second is how it's done which speaks to the level of consistency; Ie., the more predictable the wins become and the overall better shape of the teams' game is as a result.
Right now, I'd say any given game is a toss-up as to whether or not we'll win because the team is so unpredictable - and that's the point of the thread. That's the point of every pundits' position : unless we get the Defensive zone coverage under control, we're winning but for how long?
I'm thrilled that we're winning. I'm entertained that we're doing it in such an excitable and surprising fashion.
I'm nervous that we can't expect to do it consistently.
Holymakinaw
Registered User
Last time I checked the same rules applied to every team in the league. We should apologize for being very good at shootouts, when some others have not been?
It's a part of the game.
Holymakinaw
Registered User
I never understood this concept of "deserving to lose/win" despite the outcome being the opposite. What you're saying is ultimately you wouldn't mind if the Leafs lost as long as they gave it their all.
Well sorry, that's unacceptable. If anything that would upset me even more if all their effort was for nothing. The mark of a winner is finding ways to get the job done against all odds, which is what the Leafs have been doing. There's no room in sports for this moral victory nonsense, leave that for the poorly written hollywood movies. No one is proud of being outplayed, but finding ways to win is something to be proud of.
And saying the Devils are simply losing because of a lack of talent is just an excuse. That's solely on them, and it was their choice to sign Kovalchuk to a ridiculous cap-circumventing contract and having to forfeit their 1st round pick. Now they have to deal with whatever consequences. By your own admission, they deserve whatever comes their way.
Patience
Registered User
- Sep 8, 2013
- 672
- 0
It takes the team's effort to make it to the shootout.
The shootout argument is the same hollow argument as the "goaltending argument" or "only win when Kessel is argument". It's the rules of the NHL.
P.S. The Leafs would still currently be in a playoff position if the shootout didn't count across the league.
This. I'm not sure how he thought that translated to me cherry-picking stats.
mashedpotato
full stack.
- Jan 10, 2012
- 2,153
- 385
With regards to "I'm nervous that we can't expect to do it consistently." I don't believe your statement is true.
Holymakinaw
Registered User
The last two years running, we have had winning records. That is not proof that we are going to win anything in the post-season, but it IS proof that we have consistently been able to post winning regular season records, for several years now. As of right now......It's a fact, Jack.
Patience
Registered User
- Sep 8, 2013
- 672
- 0
That can be said about 10 teams in the Eastern conference alone. I think what we have here is people complaining the team hasn't become a power house.
I don't think you bothered to read the OP. The point of this thread is that a team with an excellent top line and good goaltending is a good team (not saying great team) in the Eastern Conference. There's lots of room for improvement and that's actually a good thing. The team is winning while not playing particularly sound hockey. What happens when the team starts playing a better style?
leafs in five
Registered User
Patience
Registered User
- Sep 8, 2013
- 672
- 0
The ultimate cherry picking is ignoring the most important stats which are the results of the games in favour of minutia like shots on goal, face offs, puck possession, turnovers, etc.
Did you expect us to be 3rd in the Atlantic, 4th in the East, and 11th in the league at this point in the season?
ULF_55
Moderator
Sure. But then look at it that way for all the teams around us, to be FAIR.
We've "only" won 55 games the last two years. Boston has won 62. Montreal has won 58. Tampa has won 49. Washington's won 51. NYR have won 55. Ottawa has won 49. Philly has won 49. Islanders have won 45. Columbus have won 51.
Pittsburgh is the ONLY team in the east that has "killed it" the last two years, with 74 wins.
Compared to all the rest, we're right there with the better ones.
I could combine all the losses too, to make it look worse for everyone, but the NHL doesn't do that, so I don't see the point(outside of trying to make things look worse than they really are
OTL is a loss.
Mess
Global Moderator
Why is there no shootout in the playoffs?
Why do the rules of the sport change magically when the playoffs begin?.
Regular season success does not guarantee playoff success when you rely on an event that is no longer available to assist you to win.
Major league baseball doesn't break out into a home run derby when the game goes into extra innings, nor does the NBA revert to a slam dunk competition when the score is tied after regulation.
PS: At least Leafs don't have to be concerned about being outworked or outplayed in the shootout as everyone gets equal opportunities so SO wins help beat the odds of being outplayed for the first 65 minutes of the game.
ULF_55
Moderator
http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20142ALLSAAAll&sort=pointPctg&viewName=summary
Have to take into account games played and ROW.
Holymakinaw
Registered User
Yes, of course. Their 29 wins, points gained in 35 games played, 64 overall points, and current playoff spot is a wee clue of that.
Holymakinaw
Registered User
But until the teams below us WIN those games and pass us, it's irrelevant. We have 64 points, and only three teams in the entire eastern conference can say they have more at this point.
- Status
