Is Toronto Falling Into The Same Trap As Last Year?

[Oheao]

This is the third game in a row where Toronto were outshot, but managed to pick up the win with good goaltending and offence. Are they going back to the bad habits of the previous season?

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[Quarter]

That Canucks game probably shouldn't be mentioned considering the game was done and dusted halfway through the second. Carlyle's tactics to sit back and wait out the win have led to some comfortable games looking less so. Recent wins against Dallas and Washington also fall under the exact same scenario.

That being said, last night's win was thanks to Reimer and the D in front of him. They're getting better, but it's not a trend they'd like to see stay around.

 

[Addison Rae]

That Canucks game probably shouldn't be mentioned considering the game was done and dusted halfway through the second. Carlyle's tactics to sit back and wait out the win have led to some comfortable games looking less so. Recent wins against Dallas and Washington also fall under the exact same scenario.

That being said, last night's win was thanks to Reimer and the D in front of him. They're getting better, but it's not a trend they'd like to see stay around.

The Canucks dictated that entire game, from start to finish. Ryan Miller played like a Clouteir in his prime, Vancouver was clearly the superior team in that game in terms of possession and scoring chances.

 

[Quarter]

The Canucks dictated that entire game, from start to finish. Ryan Miller played like a Clouteir in his prime, Vancouver was clearly the superior team in that game in terms of possession and scoring chances.

The shots were 15-13 for Vancouver when the Leafs made it 4-0. They only took a complete stranglehold after Holzer was sent off for roughing Burrows.

And blame Miller all you want, but he shouldn't really shoulder anything in that loss. Two perfect shots and some laughable defense in front him were the reason why he was scored on... everyone seems to have looked that over though.

 

[Dylbot]

It's not the same as last year. Or at least, it's not nearly as extreme.

I haven't checked the stats, but I'm guessing the possession percentage is higher this season. They're generating much more on the cycle rather than the rush this time around.

They might get out shot by small margins here and there, but that isn't an indicator of much of anything alone. The wings game last night was an anomaly.

 

[spacemanatee]

as a panther fan, i certainly hope so since we're also fighting for a playoff spot.

 

[The Beyonder]

It's a tough schedule. Vancouver is a good team. Calgary shot-count was pretty even from what I remember, and they faced a tough and rested Detroit team on a back-to-back game. Every team will have games where they are out shot badly. But based on this year, it doesn't seem like last year. They are more aggressive on the point, which was one of the issues last year that contributed to constantly being out shot, they have better support and movement in their own zone compared to last year (they were hemmed a lot last year which contributed to the shooting deficits). Just based on watching them this year, I don't have the stats, but they are definitely not like last year in terms of being out shot. They give up a decent amount of shots against, but they are usually close, within maybe 2-5 shot difference on average.

 

[htpwn]

The shots were 15-13 for Vancouver when the Leafs made it 4-0. They only took a complete stranglehold after Holzer was sent off for roughing Burrows.

And blame Miller all you want, but he shouldn't really shoulder anything in that loss. Two perfect shots and some laughable defense in front him were the reason why he was scored on... everyone seems to have looked that over though.

The even strength shots after 2 were also 18-15. The shots after Vancouver pulled back into the game by making it 4-2? 3 a piece.

Essentially, Vancouver's 46 shots were largely a result of some beneficial officiating and the Leafs letting off the gas when up by 4. Once Vancouver pulled close, the Leafs shut it down.

As for whether Toronto is falling into the same "trap" as last year, the answer is both yes and no. The Leafs' play on the ice this year is noticeably better than last, including on defense. As well, whereas last year the Leafs would largely mirror Phil Kessel (when he got hot, the team, when he was cold, the team lost), this year's team has greater depth and is a more cohesive unit. However, the possession numbers are still in the bottom third of the league.

It should also be noted that last year's team improved as the year went on. Until about mid-late-December, the team fit the impression many have of them: Always hemmed, always getting outshot, relying on superhuman goaltending to win. But the ironic part is, if they had merely average goaltending down the stretch (either Bernier doesn't get injured or Reimer doesn't have a meltdown under the pressure), they likely make the playoffs. In other words, Corsi devotees will grimace at this statement, but that was likely a playoff team last year, derailed by a freak injury to it's No.1 goaltender. In the infamous 10 game skid, they actually out-shot their opponent in 8 of 10. If they can keep healthy this year, they should make the playoffs. At the very least, the talent is there to do so in a weak Eastern Conference.

 

[Steve]

To watch the game from far way, yes, it's exactly the same as last year. Being out shot and out played but still managing to get 2pts.

Their depth is much better this year and they are getting contributions from several lines now which is different.

Ultimately, if they keep it up, their depth will stop producing the way it has been and they will go on an extended losing streak and miss the playoffs.

 

[Hotlanta]

Last night's game was a lot like last year but that is one game against a strong possession team on a back to back. We aren't perfect but we have definitely improved.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Seems easy to say after last nights game; when you are stat watching.

So if they played like this and lost, we could have just chalked it up as a bad back to back game against a rested team. However, we won...so now we are doomed to crash and burn at some point.

Love that, golden logic there stat mongers.

 

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

It's not a trap, they're just in the middle group of teams when it comes to overall talent. If they stay as currently constructed they'll, again, flame out.

 

[SprDaVE]

It's not exactly like last season. It's better then last season.

But that game last night against Detroit was pretty bad. No way should we have taken the 2 points. It happens sometimes though that you play like crap and still win due to luck and goaltending. We lost a couple games this season when we dominated but just couldn't get bounces. We just played our 5th game in 7 nights (and 3rd in 4 nights) I believe, so it's understandable to a certain degree that the Leafs were just playing on fumes.

The games against the Nucks and Flames though were well deserved. They weren't perfect but we dominated for at least parts of the game and had possession for a good amount of time. The Leafs are pretty bad with a lead though and tend to freeze up completely.

The Leafs still get outshot (even if just barely) and still struggle with consistency game to game but it's certainly not as bad as last season. It's been better. I was pretty vocal last year about playing like crap and winning week after week, so I'm not blind to this team at all.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

They don't play Colton Orr or Frazer Mclaren anymore, they roll with 4 scoring lines and have great depth, takes alot of pressure+minutes from Bozak line.

On defense they make everyone play their correct side so Phaneuf a LD, Frason RD, ect.

Yes it was bad last night but as other posters said it was a back to back and played quite a lot of games recently against tough opponents. Not happy with the performance but not overly concerned.

 

[SprDaVE]

The Canucks dictated that entire game, from start to finish. Ryan Miller played like a Clouteir in his prime, Vancouver was clearly the superior team in that game in terms of possession and scoring chances.

Entire game? Hardly. Did you all ready forget the 2nd period that game where the Leafs completely dominated and Canucks didn't get a shot until around the 10 minute mark?

Selective memory must be a gift...

 

[Macman]

They are a much better team than last year although they still have troubling tendencies, such as sitting back and trying to protect a lead. The difference is they've been able to protect that lead this year. Nonis deserves a lot of credit for bringing in Santorelli and Winik and bringing back Komorov. They've made this a much tougher team to play against. The next month of mostly road games will tell the tale.

 

[SprDaVE]

They are a much better team than last year although they still have troubling tendencies, such as sitting back and trying to protect a lead. The difference is they've been able to protect that lead this year. Nonis deserves a lot of credit for bringing in Santorelli and Winik and bringing back Komorov. They've made this a much tougher team to play against. The next month of mostly road games will tell the tale.

That will be a big test for this team. January always seems to be the month where the Leafs lose a lot of games... so having a ton of road games around that time will be tough.

If they can survive that part, we should be fine.

 

[Scarbarian*]

Agreed, the Leafs should never be counted as a potential playoff until they actually clinch the playoff spot.

Santorelli and Winnik has been a big addition but it's sort of the same as last year.

 

[SprDaVE]

Agreed, the Leafs should never be counted as a potential playoff until they actually clinch the playoff spot.

Santorelli and Winnik has been a big addition but it's sort of the same as last year.

I don't think you'll find many, if any, fans of the Leafs that think that the playoffs are a lock until they actually clinch it.

We still expect some sort of collapse at some point. They've played well so far though.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

They look better this year. While they still get outshot, it doesn't seem to be nearly as bad as last year. They're also getting more players contribute offensively. They're still a pretty average team, but I think they'll make the playoffs.

 

[sharks9]

They're still in the bottom 3rd in possession while being top-5 in PDO but it's not as bad as last year so they probably won't collapse as hard. They should still expect some regression soon though

 

[KuleminFan41]

This is the third game in a row where Toronto were outshot, but managed to pick up the win with good goaltending and offence. Are they going back to the bad habits of the previous season?

This really isn't anything worth noting. Not counting Detroit and Vancouver, the shots since the Nashville game have been

Calgary 33 shots vs Toronto 29 shots 4-1 win
New Jersey 26 shots vs Toronto 32 shots 5-3 loss
Dallas 38 shots vs Toronto 40 shots 5-3 win
Washington 37 shots vs Toronto 23 shots 6-2 win
Pittsburgh 26 shots vs Toronto 27 shots 4-3 ot loss
Detroit 27 shots vs Toronto 28 shots 4-1 win
Tampa 28 shots vs Toronto 21 shots 5-2 win

If it was last season, each and everyone of those games would be 15-24 shots and being outshot by at least 20 each game lol

 

[Deuce Awesome]

The Canucks dictated that entire game, from start to finish. Ryan Miller played like a Clouteir in his prime, Vancouver was clearly the superior team in that game in terms of possession and scoring chances.

Nope

You guys had it from the Burrows snow shower on. Up until then the Leafs dominated, the nucks and refs made it interesting from then on.



Difference I see from this season to last, last season when Kessel wasn't scoring the team wasn't scoring. This season we have four lines who are a threat to put the puck in, so if one line is having an off game another one will pick it up.

The defence is slightly improved with Polak but not where I would like it to be.

This team right now is a bubble team, and will probably go into another two or three game losing skid where fans will be screaming for Carlyle's head again.

Might make the dance might not. Im not surprised either way. Much funner team to be a fan of this year though.

 

[LeafsNation149]

Not the same, this team is so much better than last seasons especially considering the defensive upgrades with Winnik, Komarov, and Polak and 2 of these guys have been injured for a while now. Once they come back Leafs should be back on track

 

[Space Coyote]

If I recall correctly this exact same thread was created couple days ago by a Canucks fan right after Toronto's win over Vancouver but it was shutdown quickly. The only difference today is its a Wings fan after a loss to the Leafs.