Post-Game Talk: Hockey is back - Leafs Win!

[ShaneFalco]

 

[TheDoldrums]

I'm not worried about the top 6 so I really just wanted to see good games from the 3rd line and Andersen. They delivered. Feeling good going into the weekend.

 

[ACC1224]

So having a long beard means you lolk like a bum? The standards some people have are unbelievable.

No having a beard like his makes you look like a bum.

 

[ACC1224]

The intent was to negate any 'home team' advantage for Toronto or Edmonton by having the designated home team for each game use that room.

Having said that, Montreal would probably have been happier in the visitor's room, as that's what they are used to when playing here.

I'm sure they were happy to have the home team perspective as a prep. It was beneficial for both teams.

 

[Strangle]

I can see how people would think that. My take is that it was good to acknowledge what has gone on around the world before getting back in to this whole hockey thing.

There is a lot I want to get away from again. Mostly politics.

 

[Strangle]

No, having a long beard like this makes you look like a bum:

If you’ve ever grown a beard before, you know you’ve gotta just let it go for a year then start taking back.

Its gotta be a beard before you turn it into a hipster thing sculpted, oiled, shaped, straightened, thing

 

[Papi 4 Hart]

Man some of the passing and tic tac toe plays. Mainly the Tavares goal and the Matthews shot in the slot were poetic. This is the fast paced, full length of ice movement and team work that will win us rounds.

 

[taurine330]

I really wish the NHL chose to partially finish the regular season, like 6 regular season games tondetermine the playoff matchups. I feel like this first series is going to be whoever makes the keast amount of mistakes wins.

With best out of 5 there isn't a lot of room for errors.

 

[taurine330]

So long for my money. Buying the jersey if he makes the big squad.

With that number. Definitely. My favorite Jersey number.

 

[taurine330]

Having vocal guys like Muzzin, Clifford and Campbell on the bench is something this team needed more of. Infectious.

Some how all of those players are former LA Kings.

 

[Voodoo Child]

Just happy to have hockey back.

JT, Kappy, Mo, Kerfoot, Mikheyev, Muzzin, Freddy, Robertson and Matthews were in fine form.

Willy was ok.

Mitch did not look too good.

Marincin was Marincin, where is Sandin?

Montreal thinks they're getting Lafreniere and that it makes them a contender.

 

[namttebih]

He was 19 in his first real NHL game

Schenn was 18 though.

 

[kevsh]

Not much you can do in Toronto hottest summer ever ... 27 days over 30 degrees ... last year we had 2

Not make it a hub city. (Kidding)

Seriously, yes, there isn't much if this heat continues. The one upside is with no fans in the arena it won't get nearly as warm - or at least nearly as quickly. At least it looks like the teams' starting times are spread out so there's no advantage by always getting the earliest start time vs. the last one.

 

[LeafParade]

Not worried about the forwards. The 4 lines should all do well, or at least more of those lines should be on vs. off each night. The question is whether the D will hold up as each round gets tougher.

 

[Zybalto]

Despite giving up the most PKs out of any teams that have played so far, the Leafs gave up the fewest high danger chances in their game compared with the other teams that have played.

Might just be a reflection of how superior the Leafs team is compared to Montreal but still encouraging going forward.

 

[Suntouchable13]

So having a long beard means you lolk like a bum? The standards some people have are unbelievable.

Personally, I don't care. I just like to laugh at it a little because I never expected such a beard from Elliot who was always clean shaven.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Not make it a hub city. (Kidding)

Seriously, yes, there isn't much if this heat continues. The one upside is with no fans in the arena it won't get nearly as warm - or at least nearly as quickly. At least it looks like the teams' starting times are spread out so there's no advantage by always getting the earliest start time vs. the last one.

I wish it was somewhere else too but even Edmonton it went to 35 today so ice is supposedly bad there too ...

 

[81Leafs50]

Mikheyev is the missing ingredient of Marner and Tavares' season. That line looks so different with Mikheyev being dominant. Matthews line made some plays that are ridiculous in the game that most people missed. Matthews and Nylander have too much chemistry not to be successful. the Leafs depth looks good. They will need it. Kadri missing the last two years hurt the Leafs big time. Unfortunately I do not see Robertson making the Leafs starting lineup for game 1.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Some how all of those players are former LA Kings.

Maybe 1 more of da 3 amigos can come soon and who knows maybe another Cup (we got 2 of them already)

 

[67Leafs67]

It was a great game for the Leafs, who looked really sharp and prepared for the most part. Lots of positives to take away, including Andersen looking like he was in solid form (the biggest factor for our series against CBJ in my opinion), Robertson making a good debut, the third line chipping in some offense, and the top six looking ready to dominate with a healthy Mikheyev injected back into the mix. Obviously some things weren't optimal, such as the PP, but overall, it was an encouraging game.

It will be different against Columbus, and not just because of the step-up from exhibition --> qualifier. Montreal loves to play a high-pace, back and forth game, and that plays right into our hands, which is probably why we've gone 7-2-2 against them in the last three seasons, and outscored them 44-30 in those 11 games (not including shootout goals). The Blue Jackets are not going to play nearly as open a game, and the chances will be fewer, and farther between, and the pace will be slower...unless of course we just impose our game on CBJ, which is a possibility. Still though, the high-end, game-breaking talent of Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander, Rielly, etc, was there tonight, all showing little flashes, and while systems and details might take time to get up to speed, that talent is ready to show up for Game 1. Should be great!

 

[The90]

I think people worry about this more than they should. You're not the only though so go ahead and worry all you want.

Awful sensitive aren’t we?

 

[Gary Nylund]

It was a great game for the Leafs, who looked really sharp and prepared for the most part. Lots of positives to take away, including Andersen looking like he was in solid form (the biggest factor for our series against CBJ in my opinion), Robertson making a good debut, the third line chipping in some offense, and the top six looking ready to dominate with a healthy Mikheyev injected back into the mix. Obviously some things weren't optimal, such as the PP, but overall, it was an encouraging game.

It will be different against Columbus, and not just because of the step-up from exhibition --> qualifier. Montreal loves to play a high-pace, back and forth game, and that plays right into our hands, which is probably why we've gone 7-2-2 against them in the last three seasons, and outscored them 44-30 in those 11 games (not including shootout goals). The Blue Jackets are not going to play nearly as open a game, and the chances will be fewer, and farther between, and the pace will be slower...unless of course we just impose our game on CBJ, which is a possibility. Still though, the high-end, game-breaking talent of Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander, Rielly, etc, was there tonight, all showing little flashes, and while systems and details might take time to get up to speed, that talent is ready to show up for Game 1. Should be great!

Yeah the game obviously wasn't all that significant but still ... Andersen, Rielly and Robertson all looked good and nobody got hurt. The PP sucking was perhaps the only negative.

Awful sensitive aren’t we?

About what?

 

[robertmac43]

Mitch did not look too good.

He looked fast and overall on it. Some timing stuff was off but I don't think he did anything to warrant 'not look too good'.

 

[crump]

I wish it was somewhere else too but even Edmonton it went to 35 today so ice is supposedly bad there too ...

Ice seems to be an issue on the later games. Hope they rectify it.

 

[Leafs1991]

Not just long, but completely raggedy and unkempt...you know, like a bum.

Theres nothing wrong with it. Looks great to me but you do you.