Pre-Game Talk: Game 5: Tampa @ Toronto - April 27th, 2023

[thewave]

just listed the road (for the Leafs) so now I'll do the home.

Keeping me busy on my day off!

Home:

Tied 1-1

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 53-41 Leafs
High Danger Chances: 27-12 Leafs
xGF%: 61.90%-38.10% Leafs
Goals: 6-5 Leafs

Powerplay:
Leafs: 4 goals scored
Bolts: 4 goal scored


Goaltending:
Bolts: .853
Leafs: .839



Road:

Leafs 2-0

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 59-52 Bolts
High Danger Chances: 28-21 Bolts
xGF%: 56.23%-43.77% Bolts
Goals: 7-6 Leafs


Powerplay:
Leafs: 2 goals scored
Bolts: 1 goal scored


Goaltending:
Leafs: .900
Bolts: .859

Vas has really chit the bed. No wonder he said he needs xray glasses. Sammy with the road 900 is pretty decent but I am so used to .910+ for top playoff performers.

Thanks

 

[seventieslord]

I guess I would have to see his face when he said it to be sure, but this sure sounds a little bit annoyed at how many bodies are in front of him, which sounds to me like blaming his weak ass defense. If that's the case.. you love to see it

 

[leafsfan5]

I'm curious, how is it normally? I might want to come back for round 3 or something, and I have no experience doing this. Do you have to get really lucky, or if you want in bad enough are you going to be able to get tickets?

This was my first time trying this year but I've heard it's been tough. For reference, 4 of my buddies and I tried to get tickets today. A couple of them had multiple phones going so we had around 7-8 attempts at getting tickets

Nonetheless, all of us came out empty handed lol. It was much easier last year from what I remember, now it's a shit show.

 

[seventieslord]

Series so far:

Leafs up 3-1

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 105-100 Leafs
High Danger Chances: 48-40 Toronto
xGF%: 52%-48% Toronto
Goals: 13-11 Leafs

Leafs slightly better overall in this back and forth series.

Powerplay:
Leafs: 35.3% (6 goals scored)
Bolts: 29.4% (5 goals scored)

Both PKs have been bad or both PPs good, however you want to spin it. Leafs with the edge again and much better since game 1.

Goaltending:
Leafs: .873
Bolts: .856

Leafs better here yet again at Sammy has battled and is over .900 after that first shaky game and Vasy has been reeling as his team hangs him out to dry on many of the goals and even a couple that have gone through him.

Things are still close enough that it's nice not to be tied 2-2 but an overall deserved 3-1 cushion for the Leafs right now considering they have been the better team in almost every area.

Thanks for posting.

It's almost pointless to include full series numbers for these kinds of things though, the majority of games one and two were garbage time and very little of what happened after the first period really matters for anything. Once a game gets out of hand you're really just going through the motions getting it over with.

Greatly appreciate the info.
Is there a breakdown for all this stuff after game one?

If you take out game 1, then take out game 2 as well.

EDIT: now that I have read further down, I see that you indeed did this

 

[Zybalto]

Vas has really chit the bed. No wonder he said he needs xray glasses. Sammy with the road 900 is pretty decent but I am so used to .910+ for top playoff performers.

Thanks

It's been a fun playoffs.

Only 4 teams have a .910+ save% and they are a combined 10-8.

 

[Maplebeasts]

I get not wanting to mess with a winning line-up but no Bunting and Liljegren still not getting a look over Holl is gross. Why is it so hard for Keefe to ice his best possible line-up?

 

[Leafblooded]

We are winning this game. There's no way we can lose this. Tampa is old, tired, broken and f***ing ugly. It's time to take them to the woodshed, bend them over dry, make them pucker, suffer, cry and die.

 

[Twine Tickler]

I get not wanting to mess with a winning line-up but no Bunting and Liljegren still not getting a look over Holl is gross. Why is it so hard for Keefe to ice his best possible line-up?

Holl has been playing well all series aside from game 1. And it is hardly like he was alone on that front.

I love Timmy just as much as the next person. I have been a huge advocate of his for a very long time and I will continue to be that. But at this current moment Justin Holl is playing better hockey and is far more useful. He is a huge part of our PK and has made some incredible blocked shots so far. He leads the team with 7 blocked shots on the PK. That is just something that is absolute not in Timmy's arsenal at this point in his career.

Not to mention, Justin was playing his best hockey heading into the post season whereas Timmy was playing his worst.

Timmy will be a huge part of our future, but he should not be in the lineup unless Holler has a run of bad games IMO.

Trust me, I get it, Holl is far from perfect. But he's better at boxing guys out at the top of the crease in comparison to Timmy. Given that games are typically won and lost in and around the blue paint in the playoffs, I am not surprised to see Holl in the lineup. I actually prefer it personally

 

[Mr_Fun]

If I become a supporter, do these ads that converge to the center of my screen disappear on my phone? Seriously, this is da woist.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Holl has been playing well all series aside from game 1. And it is hardly like he was alone on that front.

I love Timmy just as much as the next person. I have been a huge advocate of his for a very long time and I will continue to be that. But at this current moment Justin Holl is playing better hockey and is far more useful. He is a huge part of our PK and has made some incredible blocked shots so far. He leads the team with 7 blocked shots on the PK. That is just something that is absolute not in Timmy's arsenal at this point in his career.

Not to mention, Justin was playing his best hockey heading into the post season whereas Timmy was playing his worst.

Timmy will be a huge part of our future, but he should not be in the lineup unless Holler has a run of bad games IMO.

Trust me, I get it, Holl is far from perfect. But he's better at boxing guys out at the top of the crease in comparison to Timmy. Given that games are typically won and lost in and around the blue paint in the playoffs, I am not surprised to see Holl in the lineup. I actually prefer it personally

Isn't Holl something like 1GF - 10GA? I'm not a hater, and I know he plays tough situations but it does feel like he's always on the ice for Goals Against. Him and Gio just haven't been great, IMO.

 

[Smif]

Excellent.
Not that I expect it but don't care if he plays another game here.

I personally think his best days are still ahead. I see him as a perfect playoff player that elevates his game and I'm quite certain now he's learned his lesson.

If I become a supporter, do these ads that converge to the center of my screen disappear on my phone? Seriously, this is da woist.

I'm with you, 100%.

 

[Blanche Blanche]

You can't guarantee anything in life. Lafferty took a dumb penalty in Game 3. Nylander took a dumb penalty last game. Everyone is subject to it.

What we know is Bunting has been part of the top 6 in scoring for this team and provides an element that can be very beneficial.

We'll see how it turns out, but sitting out Bunting is playing scared instead of improving your team not playing perfect hockey. Keefe and the Bunting downers better hope they are right about it.

We know in the past
1. Refs do not help us. Never.
2. 50/50 calls never go our way
3. Bunting is a target.

We know as of right NOW
1. Refs are calling a fair game
2. 50/50 seems to our way
3. Bunting can’t be a target if out

We have always said… call the game fairly and we win. We have that now.

And giving Tampa a target will distract us more than them. They are vets ex champs. We have Demons to rid of.

I agree that Bunting is a top player though. But context is huge here. And this is the Leafs curse we are trying to break lol

 

[Maplebeasts]

Holl has been playing well all series aside from game 1. And it is hardly like he was alone on that front.

I love Timmy just as much as the next person. I have been a huge advocate of his for a very long time and I will continue to be that. But at this current moment Justin Holl is playing better hockey and is far more useful. He is a huge part of our PK and has made some incredible blocked shots so far. He leads the team with 7 blocked shots on the PK. That is just something that is absolute not in Timmy's arsenal at this point in his career.

Not to mention, Justin was playing his best hockey heading into the post season whereas Timmy was playing his worst.

Timmy will be a huge part of our future, but he should not be in the lineup unless Holler has a run of bad games IMO.

Trust me, I get it, Holl is far from perfect. But he's better at boxing guys out at the top of the crease in comparison to Timmy. Given that games are typically won and lost in and around the blue paint in the playoffs, I am not surprised to see Holl in the lineup. I actually prefer it personally

But this is just factually wrong. Holl has a 25 gf% at 5 on 5 and has 40 xgf% while being on the ice for a crazy amount of goals against so far. Even ignoring the first game he has still been averaging over 1 GA per game. Last year Liljegren was yanked after one bad performance in the playoffs. Holl has been statistically pathetic the whole series.

 

[Jojalu]

Isn't Holl something like 1GF - 10GA? I'm not a hater, and I know he plays tough situations but it does feel like he's always on the ice for Goals Against. Him and Gio just haven't been great, IMO.

Even strength it is 2 goals for 6 against.

 

[Smif]

I just want to add I hate how this guy who has done nothing but bleed blue and white has turned into a whipping boy. He yaps too much, sure, people liked it until this narrative of the refs hating him started. The Cernak hit was a fluke, he was trying to protect himself and messed up. Yes he deserved a suspension for it but people act like he was out head hunting.

My problem with Bunting is that he whines at the refs more than he chirps the other team, put yourself in the refs shoes, he's super annoying, it'd be so easy to say get in the box and get rid of this yappiness in front of my face.

He needs to channel his yappiness to the other team. Maybe it's because the refs don't punch him in the face when he gets annoying.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Woll starting?

 

[Smif]

Bunting is a momentum changer. Leafs have it right now but tampa could rally for cernak and bunting in gives them motivation. If leafs lose put bunting back in to take momentum back

This x1000. He's the perfect player to insert if we lose game 5.

 

[Maple Leaf]

put in lilgrin

 

[Smif]

Even strength it is 2 goals for 6 against.

Not gonna lie, I've been impressed with Holl's shot blocking on the PK. 5v5 I haven't noticed him in a good way imo.

 

[notDatsyuk]

the guy is the 5th best scorer on this team. It's not even a debate, he's been at every practice. ZAR / Lafferty and the entire 4th line has been dismal the past 2 games despite "winning lineup".

Lot of posters here are going to eat crow when bunting pots a nice goal thursday night.

Jarnkrok is appreciably ahead of him (and Tavares) in goals and points per 60 (5v5), and hasn't taken a penalty (dumb or otherwise) these playoffs.

 

[Jojalu]

Not gonna lie, I've been impressed with Holl's shot blocking on the PK. 5v5 I haven't noticed him in a good way imo.

He has blocked quite a few Stamkos one timers on the PK.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Early line rushes so far.

I'd swap JT and ROR, but otherwise I like it.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Woll starting?

There's a chance.

Spoiler: Definitely a chance

 

[crump]

Woll starting?

If you mean Samsonov starting to build a wall, then yes.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Jarnkrok-Matthews-Nylander
Knies-Tavares-Marner
Kerfoot-O’Reilly-Acciari
AstonReese-Kampf-Lafferty

Extra: Bunting, Simmonds​

McCabe-Brodie
Giordano-Holl
Rielly-Schenn

Gustafsson-Liljegren
Mete-Timmins​

Samsonov
Woll

Kallgren

​

The Nylander with Matthews people will be happy.

​