Post-Game Talk: Leafs are not in the ariZONEa

[Stephen]

There's no way Matthews is just in a slump.
Compared to his early season form before injury to now, completely different person.

I barely notice him on the ice anymore and the only times I do is usually for something negative.

Just take a break.

I notice him. He’s just ripping off low percentage shots and trying to dangle out of a phone booth and making soft plays with the puck when he needs to be powering through or showing some playmaking versatility.

 

[ECanuck]

it'll be okay once the Leafs decide to dig in and really try

I'm actually shocked that Arizona had over 30 shots. They were opportunistic.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Why werent they booing gardiner tonight?

Also someone explain some of the coaching decisions tonight

He is picking flowers on the IR.

Day to Day.

 

[DopeyFish]

one day maybe we'll actually you know... have a normal lineup without plugs on the top lines

that would be great

 

[Dough72]

this team is mentally fragile. It needs veteran leadership badly.

 

[ULF_55]

As much as I'm really peeved right now, Arizona, with a little help, earned that win.

Matthews shot has deserted him.

 

[Brownbeard]

Fire Babcock

 

[LastOne2100]

I hate to say it but Babcock is right.

They have to work harder.

I think this is a system problem also. Seems this system is adverse to puck possession.

 

[dubplatepressure]

No Gardiner to blame today

Empty net and he's got Hainsey and Hyman out there. Keep blindly supporting this coach.

Hyman - someone has to get the puck from the corner.

Hainsey - former OFD, and when Dermott and Rielly get off who is he supposed to put out? Zaitsev and Oz? They pulled the net with 2m left.

I'm not defending the whole, just these specific parts are not good examples of your point.

 

[The Apologist]

No Gardiner to blame today

Empty net and he's got Hainsey and Hyman out there. Keep blindly supporting this coach.

Well, one guy at least had a point tonight.

Remind me again who gave the puck away on the empty netter?

 

[Liminality]

Arizona Coyotes @ Toronto Maple Leafs, 2019-01-20

They're working and getting the shots but I think the players are in their own head.

 

[Daisy Jane]

well.
i guess it's better to slump now then like super down the stretch
however. there are issues. i hope Dubas has the guts to actually make some moves.

 

[Nineteen67]

Bring in Yzerman, let him pick the coach. You got the money Toronto. Do it.

Excellent idea...

 

[supermann_98]

Garbage, only thing we’re getting out of these games is we’ve learned Babcock’s shelf life as a coach ... right around 3.5 years

 

[Erdinger]

A lot of fans will overreact and act like the sky is falling.

A lot of fans will underreact and act like nothing is wrong in the slightest.

Welcome to leaf nation. There's literally nothing in between. And both sides are certain... certain... that they're the ones in the right.

Worst fanbase in sports I hear

 

[Stu]

I want 2018 Matthews back. Not remotely enough effort or quality.

 

[Bomber0104]

Bring in Yzerman, let him pick the coach. You got the money Toronto. Do it.

He'd keep Babcock...

And put Dubas in the corner and let him count shots.

 

[MattySnipes]

Such a mentally fragile team. I don't know what the issue is which makes it all the more confusing.

Is it coaching? Is it lack of work ethic? Bad luck? Unprepared? Thinking too much? Going on almost 2 months of terrible hockey. Love my team but boy it's been hard to watch this season.

Hope this bye week does wonders for them and they come back a different team, but I have my doubts.

 

[Duffman955]

it'll be okay once the Leafs decide to dig in and really try

Hopefully, some time this year.

 

[Slyfox]

this team is mentally fragile. It needs veteran leadership badly.

Whats Marleau and Hainsey playing who are playing top minutes doing?

 

[Superstar]

Matthews needs to get that pass through. Slumping hard

He should be driving to the net on that one. Nobody was there for him to pass the puck...the other Leafs player wasn't even skating that hard to accept it even if it went through.

 

[7even]

I would seriously consider sitting Matthews a game. His Give a f*** meter hit zero last week. He had a quote the other day that he's too good of a player for this streak to continue. Not sure you are Auston, at least not at this juncture.

 

[Cor]

Thank god the all star break is soon.

We just get have one more game against the

*checks notes*

Defending Stanley Cup champions

(Sigh)

 

[FelixPotvin29]

I think this is a system problem also. Seems this system is adverse to puck possession.

I agree.

 

[Leafy Undergrowth]

Just embarrassing. I get all pissy about the refs, but it doesn't seem like this team would be doing anything with them even if they were still getting the PP's.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

If you don't fire Babcock you have to at least fire his assistants, D.J. "Stretch Pass 4ever" Smith chief among them.