Pre-Game Talk: First Round Preview? Leafs @ Boston HNIC

[ToneDog]

Dermott def looks like the real deal. Holl, I expect to get sent down again when we are healthy, but Dermott has absolutely made it impossible to have him sit out.

Rielly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Dermott-Carrick
Borgman
Polak

This is my healthy D squad as of now

I believe somebody will need to go down once Rielly and Hainsey return. That might be Borgman.

 

[OVO16]

I believe somebody will need to go down once Rielly and Hainsey return. That might be Borgman.

Which would suck because I actually like Borgman and the physicality/grit that he brings. But Dermott is just too good right now.

 

[egd27]

I believe somebody will need to go down once Rielly and Hainsey return. That might be Borgman.

i don't believe Hainsey went on IR so someone has to go down only when either Polak or Rielly return.

I would imagine Holl goes first and Borgman goes second.

It's also possible that they find Polak's viral infection keeps him out for a while (wink wink) and only Holl goes back

 

[Joey Hoser]

I'd be really surprised if anyone but Holl is sent down.

 

[Kamiccolo]

Throw this one you think?

Bruins are a heavy team. Babs will want some sandpaper in the lineup.

 

[OVO16]

Lol we've been feasting to the Brooins for a while now. Hopefully it continues. Cant wait to see our players skate circles around that big ogre trash they still call a Defenseman in Chara

 

[OVO16]

Bruins are a heavy team. Babs will want some sandpaper in the lineup.

Hopefully its just Martin in for moore. Keep polak out

 

[LeafsNation75]

I believe somebody will need to go down once Rielly and Hainsey return. That might be Borgman.

That's what I believe will also happen.

 

[BTP]

Toronto 4-1.

Streak grows to 7.

 

[Kiwi]

Bruins are a heavy team. Babs will want some sandpaper in the lineup.

I prefer winning and icing the best team but sure let's add sandpaper

 

[Kamiccolo]

I prefer winning and icing the best team but sure let's add sandpaper

I'm with ya, just a prediction is all. I think Carrick and Borg are scratched and Polak and Hainsey come back in. Rielly misses the game.

 

[Kiwi]

I'm with ya, just a prediction is all. I think Carrick and Borg are scratched and Polak and Hainsey come back in. Rielly misses the game.

If what's happened recently isn't enough for Babcock to change his thinking I'm going to be lost for words

 

[LeafsNation75]

I'm with ya, just a prediction is all. I think Carrick and Borg are scratched and Polak and Hainsey come back in. Rielly misses the game.

If Hainsey is able to play and Rielly can not, I see Borgman as the healthy scratch. Based on the previous 2 games how can Babcock not keep playing Holl? Plus you don't change a lineup that has back to back shutouts unless it's a necessary and for the better.

 

[AppsSyl]

I think Babcock is going to ice the best line up. He will want to keep the momentum going. On top of that I think he wants to have a look at how we stack up against a hot Boston team who we are likely to face in the playoffs. This is a unique opportunity for both teams to battle each other while both teams are playing extremely good hockey.

 

[eddieO]

at the risk of sounding greedy, I'd love to see Komarov move to center and bring up Johnsson. he's better than Moore in pretty much every way

I’d like to see Johnsson too. If even for a cup of coffee. The only way I think that happens is if there’s an injury though.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I’d like to see Johnsson too. If even for a cup of coffee. The only way I think that happens is if there’s an injury though.

yeah probably. this is only speculation, but I don't think Babcock is very happy with Moore tbh. So maybe we'll see something if Komarov shows he can take over as 4C

 

[eddieO]

yeah probably. this is only speculation, but I don't think Babcock is very happy with Moore tbh. So maybe we'll see something if Komarov shows he can take over as 4C

Komarov moving to C would allow us to see more Kapanen (although I think we see more of him regardless), Leivo, Johnsson, and even Martin if Babcock wanted that. It also makes Komarov more valuable to us as he’s a fringe NHL-er at this moment tbh. I would argue Komarov at 4C is better than Gauthier.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Hopefully tomorrow night there won't be any goalie interference review calls for either team. However let's say a Leafs goal is scored and it happens to look similar to the one Boston got last night where two of their players pushed Jake Allen across the crease and away from the net, would that still be called a good goal? If the Bruins players can do that why shouldn't any Leafs players do that against Rask.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Komarov moving to C would allow us to see more Kapanen (although I think we see more of him regardless), Leivo, Johnsson, and even Martin if Babcock wanted that. It also makes Komarov more valuable to us as he’s a fringe NHL-er at this moment tbh. I would argue Komarov at 4C is better than Gauthier.

I would have to agree. Gauthier was brutal in his stint. Only Soshnikov was a worse NHLer for us this year. I like the idea of using our 4 LW to swap Johnsson and Martin and Leivo, and having Komarov/Kappy to round out the line

 

[eddieO]

Komarov’s just hitting the age wall in my opinion. Some players adjust (like Marleau) and some don’t. Oh well. I like the guy and can see him as a coach at some point.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Komarov’s just hitting the age wall in my opinion. Some players adjust (like Marleau) and some don’t. Oh well. I like the guy and can see him as a coach at some point.

yeah it's a shame he fell off the way he did, although he can still kill penalties. He really was a fan favorite and you can tell the team likes him. I just can't justify having him in the top 9

 

[Budsfan]

I doubt this means anything but could we maybe see ...

Gardiner/Zaitsev
Dermott/Holl
Borgman/Lilejgren

 

[Kiwi]

I doubt this means anything but could we maybe see ...

Gardiner/Zaitsev
Dermott/Holl
Borgman/Lilejgren

Liljegren isn't ready, at best he forces his way onto the Leafs roster out of camp next season

 

[Daisy Jane]

I prefer winning and icing the best team but sure let's add sandpaper

and you can do both, ya know.

 

[Daisy Jane]

Komarov’s just hitting the age wall in my opinion. Some players adjust (like Marleau) and some don’t. Oh well. I like the guy and can see him as a coach at some point.

yuppers.