Pre-Game Talk: Game 78: Leafs @ Sens

[Loosie]

Might as well start this now so I can post this and we can 'discuss'

Click to read more...

 

[JayfromNB1219]

Might as well start this now so I can post this and we can 'discuss'

I like that #2 PP...gives mitch a bomb 1-timer to use...it'll keep the PK honest...Tavares one side Marner the other (allowing Tavares to revert to being a playmaker who can finish) kadri and Marleau for puck retrieval and net front
PP#1- add some grit apparently...MAtthews on a half wall Nylander on the other Hyman and johnsson disturbing things in front...I like it

 

[X66]

Marleau on any PP is a bad idea at this point in his career.

Surprised he has a spot over Kapanen there.

 

[Frelimo]

This game is HUGE! I'm going to over-exaggerate what the results signify no matter what!


RE: powerplay - Has been a major disappointment since November. Feels worse than the numbers indicate too - because of long droughts and then they score multiple PP goals in a game. Feels way too late to be adjusting it to this extent though

 

[zeke]

I mean, the PP needs a shakeup.

and it's nice that Tavares if coming up instead of just being a crease guy.

but still - even less PP time for all the best players, and hyman/Marleau getting PP time instead of kappy/ennis/Moore.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I don't like the powerplay change. If you're going to split the units up, at least use your best offensive players. Otherwise it is a waste

 

[zeke]

probably looks like this:

Marleau

Tavares --- Kadri --- Marner

Muzzin



Hyman

Matthews -- Johnsson -- Nylander

Rielly​

 

[Blufreezy]

Marleau Tavares Muzzin .. that's one slow line if they give up short handed rushes

 

[FlareKnight]

It's worth a try if nothing else. The current units haven't been remotely good enough. They don't deserve to stick together as one unit with how bad they've been. At least there's a chance for one of these units to get hot and start being productive. Get back to the Matthews/Nylander combination for one and see if Marner/Tavares can do more without being able to just rely on Matthews being out there.

We're going to the playoffs regardless. But it'd be nice to beat the worst team in the league and not be embarrassed again. Hopefully not asking too much here.

 

[Fonzieleaf]

Marleau on any PP is a bad idea at this point in his career.

Surprised he has a spot over Kapanen there.

I agree, I much rather see Kapanen there over Marleau any day of the week. If Marleau was young and in his prime, then that would be a different story lol.

 

[ACC1224]

Might as well start this now so I can post this and we can 'discuss'

boooooooooooo

 

[WilliamNylander]

Dermott coming back to play the right side will be our saving grace this year.

Go into the playoffs with:

Rielly Hainsey
Muzzin Zaitsev
Gardiner Dermott

That's a solid top 6, with the flexibility to play Muzzin-Rielly if we need to. Muzzin really looks like he's coming into form as of late, he has been great.

 

[ACC1224]

Marleau on any PP is a bad idea at this point in his career.

Surprised he has a spot over Kapanen there.

Marleau will be in front of the net. Why would Kapanen suit that role better?

 

[zeke]

one key thing to note here is that muzzin has been a legit dramatic upgrade on gardiner as a PP point man.
what's become clear to me is that as great as he is at evens, Gards just isn't much of a PP guy.

Last 3yrs:

Mo Rielly: ES 1.30p/60, 0.92p1/60 ---- PP 6.50p/60, 3.18p1/60
Muzz (tor): ES 1.43p/60, 0.71p/60 --- PP 5.21p/60, 3.47p1/60
Gardiner: ES 1.17p/60, 0.70p1/60 ---- PP 4.05p/60, 1.47p1/60
Muzz (all): ES 1.03p/60, 0.56p1/60 ---- PP 3.85p/60, 2.52p1/60

who knows if Muzz can sustain this high level he's shown as a leaf, but even his total numbers with a far less potent Kings PP shows that he's a legit upgrade over Jake, and I think we have a big enough sample now to say that Jake just isn't very good as a PP point man.

 

[ACC1224]

Tavares
Nyander Matthews Marner
Muzzin

I'd do that and let them play the full two minutes.
(I like Rielly but think the threat of Muzzins shot is important.)​

 

[CelticDruid]

I like the change up on the PP as it needs a new look. Got rather stale. I've always been an advocate of playing the two top lines on the PP.

 

[Anthrax442]

 

[Loosie]

Dermott confirmed in and Sparks starting.

 

[La Masse]

Lucky me, get to see Sparks the only two times I see the Leafs live this year. Hope we pound them and clinch

 

[LeafalCrusader]

If he's not going to give the top unit 3/4 of the powerplay like Pittsburgh does there's no point in stacking it IMO.

 

[member 262271]

'Bout time Sparks gets a start. Good to have Dermott back too.

 

[ACC1224]

Booooooooooooooo

 

[Buds17]

I remember them clinching a playoff spot in a game against Pittsburgh a couple of seasons ago with McElhinney in net. Might make for a nice confidence boost to do the same with Sparks in net against Ottawa. Happy to see the blueline is one step closer to being fully healthy as well with Dermott's return.

 

[frizzer1]

If he's not going to give the top unit 3/4 of the powerplay like Pittsburgh does there's no point in stacking it IMO.

The top unit should be getting most of the pp time....pulling them off after 55 to 60 seconds doesn't give them time to get things going..
AND
Marleau and Hyman should never be on a pp.....never...just more stupidity from this franchise..

 

[MyBudJT]

probably looks like this:

Marleau

Tavares --- Kadri --- Marner

Muzzin



Hyman

Matthews -- Johnsson -- Nylander

Rielly​

I'd like to see Marner and Tavares flipped there. That gives one time options for everyone.