Pre-Game Talk: Game #7 Leafs (2-3-1) vs. Canes (4-0-0), 7pm Mon

[ToneDog]

That 4th line might as well have 3 Jason Allison's there....That is a painfully SLOWWWW line.

Hilarious how the Leafs end up trying what many fans have suggested for Marner/Nylander two seasons ago.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Chin up boys.

One thing we know for sure is that the Leafs won't embarass us again.

Thank christ he's trying some new lines. Keefe is worse than Babcock when it comes to line stubbornness. Never understand why these guys don't want to see as many different combos as possible in the regular season. Especially when they're always forced to try new combos in the playoffs that they've never tried before.

Anyways, here we go...

View attachment 473920

How do you know that for sure?

 

[Zybalto]

Just goes on to show the “the special kinda suck” talent you need in a GM to produce a shit show that has been orchestrated by Dubas

As good as many people think the Habs, Nashville and the Blue Jackets are (not many I dont think), the only decent team Andersen has faced has been the Islanders and he posted an .893 against them.

Gotta remember Andersen started last year 9-2-1 with the Leafs before his play fell apart (much like the previous collapse in his play).

Im low key rooting for him (not tonight of course) but his history the last 3 years of maintaining good play is awful.(as awful as the end of his playoff series)

 

[ACC1224]

How do you know that for sure?

He'll post that every day so eventually he'll be right.

 

[Zybalto]

Tougher schedule? C’mon that’s ridiculous to even broach after 5 games in 13 days. Don’t forget they got spanked by a SJ who played less than 18 hours earlier.

Started the season with 3 games in 4 night (including a back to back against a rested team) and has since had another back to back (against a rested team). Not many teams have had two this early.

and, yea, they outplayed San Jose as they should have and what did you think of Hutch in that game?

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Theres concern yes about the recent lack of finish TBH but I can understand the feeling from the players as they are working hard out there and if you outplay the other team it's hard to take questions on why you performed so poorly. Feels like 1/4 of the goals against this year have gone in off funny bounces and skates while the Leafs have been fighting and scratching for each goal and even after doing a great job getting traffic to the net, they are still getting unlucky hitting bodies or a goalie waves out his hand and it miraculously gets a piece. Top 5 team for scoring goals the last few years and just going through one of those stretches.

If they were getting outplayed I would be all in on the pile-on but they just haven't been. Most of the season they have been out working the other teams and if they keep it up, good things will happen. I cant imagine Matthews will sit on 0 goals very long as he gets into better game shape.

I get that frustration of playing better than opponents and not getting puck luck. However this isn't a one off thing and has been happening year after year so I think it points at an underlying issue. I expect as you mentioned that will get back to being a top scoring regular season team. However I see the same issues happening in the playoffs again.

I'm not ready to call it quits on the season either. I just am seeing warning signs already that are concerning me. Had such high hopes for this core but have been let down at every possible opportunity so I understand why so many have gone scorched earth

 

[notbias]

Man, I really wish Keefe wasn't as stubborn as I was told he was and he'd make a couple of changes like Switching Nylander and Marner.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

yes its based on multiple years of weighted and regressed stats.

also, these numbers are specific to their projected roles - so the number for a projected starting goalie isn't directly comparable to that of a projected 2nd or 3rd stringer.

Interesting so im guessing it is tricky to compare tandem goalies in general as they sit somewhere in between. Including last years stats definitely is important to get a meaningful sample size but it obviously doesn't give an accurate representation of their play this year

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Man, I really wish Keefe wasn't as stubborn as I was told he was and he'd make a couple of changes like Switching Nylander and Marner.

He just did.
Bunting - Matthews - Nylander
Kerfoot - Tavares - Marner

 

[Ziggdiezan]

As good as many people think the Habs, Nashville and the Blue Jackets are (not many I dont think), the only decent team Andersen has faced has been the Islanders and he posted an .893 against them.

Gotta remember Andersen started last year 9-2-1 with the Leafs before his play fell apart (much like the previous collapse in his play).

Im low key rooting for him (not tonight of course) but his history the last 3 years of maintaining good play is awful.(as awful as the end of his playoff series)

It is also really weird as Andy has been a historically slow starter. I feel like big goalies often are.

I have been following the Canes post games and they seem pretty pleased with his play.

 

[notbias]

He just did.
Bunting - Matthews - Nylander
Kerfoot - Tavares - Marner

sorry, I know sarcasm doesn't translate well through text, my mistake.

Just heard a lot this summer about how stubborn Keefe was and how he'd never split Marner/Matthews

 

[Dion TheFluff]

lines for tonight?

 

[SprDaVE]

lines for tonight?

 

[Nineteen67]

Started the season with 3 games in 4 night (including a back to back against a rested team) and has since had another back to back (against a rested team). Not many teams have had two this early.

and, yea, they outplayed San Jose as they should have and what did you think of Hutch in that game?

No travel, easy games not even remotely tough and you know it.

 

[Niagara Bill]

I wouldnt call him a failed signing but more mismatched as he couldn't keep up with the pace of those two. So frustrating to watch him kill the play over and over. He'll be far more effective in a 3rd 4th line role and will maybe even put up a good amount of goals as his shot does look good. Just need to give time for all the line shakeups to gel and hopefully no more overreactions around here (who am i kidding lol)

Of course he is a failed signing. Dubai made the decision to give up on speed and skilled players. He fits the new mold, but if you are slow in th league you better be real tough. So far he is a big Marner, soft, no shot, edge player.
He is a failure to date.

 

[Chief keefe]

Those lines look perfect to me. If Ritchie sucks there too trade him for a D and sign Ho sang.

 

[Nineteen67]

It’s very humid in Raleigh today and the Leafs had a late flight on Saturday. It'll be amazing if they can even make it to the arena and unfair to expect them to win.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I'm assuming he's basing that on the past 4 years.

So based on the last four years, you're already assuming that this season will be a write off? If that's the way you feel then OK I guess, I don't agree though.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

It’s very humid in Raleigh today and the Leafs had a late flight on Saturday. It'll be amazing if they can even make it to the arena and unfair to expect them to win.

The "third game in four nights" excuse is ready to go too.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I guess if you can't demote Marner to the 4th line, Ritchie is your only other option.

 

[Burnie97]

I like they did something to switchup the lines. I hope Nylander and Matthews light it up.

Marner needs to figure his shit out. I'm giving Matthews a couple more before I'll be wondering why he's not producing. He's had plenty of shots and chances so he'll get there.

I don't know if Marner and JT can reignite the chemistry they had before but fingers crossed.

This won't be an easy game. Need some timely goals with solid scruture on D, and Soup will have to be pretty damn good.

The Muzzin Holl pair though... f***ing switch something up there. They better be great tonight.

 

[zeke]

Interesting so im guessing it is tricky to compare tandem goalies in general as they sit somewhere in between. Including last years stats definitely is important to get a meaningful sample size but it obviously doesn't give an accurate representation of their play this year

The stats aren't supposed to tell us how good they've been the last 2 weeks but how good they are as players.

 

[Racer88]

...and yet to be at the top of the league for all of these things are a clear indication they are working hard.

So either the stats are so completely misleading that they are broken or a narrative cooked up by jaded fans could be wrong.

Personally, if you are outshooting/outplaying your opponents despite being on a much tougher schedule, you may be working hard but maybe it's just me. The Leafs/Knights/Avs and Bolts have all got off to roughish starts but I expect all 4 to go on runs soon and it's the Leafs that have, by far, the best underlying numbers of the bunch.

My money is on the stats being misleading

 

[Ziggdiezan]

The stats aren't supposed to tell us how good they've been the last 2 weeks but how good they are as players.

How good they were 2 years ago has less bearing on how good they will be in the future compared to more recent examples. Will have to wait for a full season of samples to see if their current performances are an anomaly or the new normal

 

[zeke]

How good they were 2 years ago has less bearing on how good they will be in the future compared to more recent examples. Will have to wait for a full season of samples to see if their current performances are an anomaly or the new normal

Yes and the numbers are weighted according to recency, amongst other factors.