GDT: Leafs@Blues 8PM SNO

[IPS]

Ehhh not every team can play that method either. It seems the Leafs excel against "modern" built teams but struggle against any team with old school elements like Boston, the Wild, Blues, Red Wings, Islanders, etc etc. All games this year where that was the theme and the boys had no response.

That is why the playoffs are predictable. Babcock either is not willing to make changes to counter this or doesn't know how to counter it. If they face a team who tries to play with speed and skill they can beat anyone (which is why they look so good vs Tampa). However if they draw a team who can play that style of game, they will lose.

Difference between us and Tampa is they have pride and heart. Skill is the same but on that team all their stars play like Marner. On the Leafs, it's only JT and Marner most nights looking like they give a ****. Everyone else on the team is prone to nights off and that includes the 11+ million dollar Arizona man.

I can reference many, many games over the last 2 years against teams like Winnipeg, Nashville, Washington, etc.. where we utterly smoked them and their superior "grit/toughness" played little to no factor at all. When our team comes out ready for battle and are willing to engage, the grit/toughness is a non-issue.
https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/leafs-blues-8pm-sno.2611001/reply?quote=156761965

 

[Vaive50]

The first half of the season is a distant memory, STL is playing very well right now and that's what matters.

Well yeah, for sure now is what matters but anyone notice that this season, there are more than usual teams that really sucked in the first half but are on a tear right now with the Blues being on top of that list, then you have the Black Hawks, the Canes and the Flyers and sort of the Pens. I wonder if all or any of these teams will eventually start their losing ways again. And then there are teams that were tearing it up in the first half but now are just fading away now like the Habs, Avs, Wild and of course the Sabres.

 

[Budsfan]

 

[Leafs at Knight]

I didn't say we can't beat it, just that's the game plan against us.

Well damn, see you guys next year

 

[ToneDog]

I can reference many, many games over the last 2 years against teams like Winnipeg, Nashville, Washington, etc.. where we utterly smoked them and their superior "grit/toughness" played little to no factor at all. When our team comes out ready for battle and are willing to engage, the grit/toughness is a non-issue.

Yup but can you find playoff references cause I can't.

 

[Nineteen67]

I can reference many, many games over the last 2 years against teams like Winnipeg, Nashville, Washington, etc.. where we utterly smoked them and their superior "grit/toughness" played little to no factor at all. When our team comes out ready for battle and are willing to engage, the grit/toughness is a non-issue.

Engage? In what?

 

[Kamiccolo]

That's a collection of teams with very different systems put in place.

It's a collection of teams who have tried to build in roughly the same model independent of system. The point of the post was that many teams may try to play that style vs the Leafs, but only so many have the personnel to make it work.

I can reference many, many games over the last 2 years against teams like Winnipeg, Nashville, Washington, etc.. where we utterly smoked them and their superior "grit/toughness" played little to no factor at all. When our team comes out ready for battle and are willing to engage, the grit/toughness is a non-issue.

I wouldn't put any of those teams in the same category as the ones I listed besides maybe Washington, but even they have been retooled for the speed of the NHL.

 

[IPS]

Yup but can you find playoff references cause I can't.

5 playoff wins vs Washington and Boston. After that goon-show in game 1, the dynamic of the series definitely changed.

But I am curious, how does Boston's top-line cycle endlessly in our own zone? Rielly and Hainsey outsize Boston's entire top-line by a significant margin. So do a lot of our forwards.

 

[DarkKnight]

He says stuff like this and then proceeds to keep PM on the top line.





Yes it's nice to get kadri going but it's our #1 line, and is that what we'll be going into the playoffs with?

I suspect it changes before the playoffs. There is something to having three good lines rolling. Also, Matthews and Kap have shown to be an effective pair. Marleau never leaves the top nine, once we accept this reality, then things are less confusing.

I'm more concerned about getting the D pairing straight for the playoffs if anything. And finding a way to get Moore on the 4th line, we could use that jam come playoffs.

 

[DarkKnight]

What does that matter? The book is also out on Ovechkin. Doesn't mean anything

Kind of like this retort.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Leafs are going to end their win streak tonight

 

[Schooner]

He says stuff like this and then proceeds to keep PM on the top line.





Yes it's nice to get kadri going but it's our #1 line, and is that what we'll be going into the playoffs with?

Babcock says lots that I just roll my eyes at, but this has to take the cake. Nylander has probably been our best player, on both sides of the puck, the last 4+ games and to say this crap when no one else has to be accountable is beyond frustrating.

 

[Nineteen67]

He says stuff like this and then proceeds to keep PM on the top line.





Yes it's nice to get kadri going but it's our #1 line, and is that what we'll be going into the playoffs with?

Yep....Marleau was horrible in his own end against the coyotes. Benchable horrible.

 

[ToneDog]

5 playoff wins vs Washington and Boston. After that goon-show in game 1, the dynamic of the series definitely changed.

But I am curious, how does Boston's top-line cycle endlessly in our own zone? Rielly and Hainsey outsize Boston's entire top-line by a significant margin. So do a lot of our forwards.

That is just it. It is one thing to beat teams with "grit/toughness" during the season but it is much more difficult to beat them 4 of 7. Give a listen to Pang's assessment of the Leafs D. The game plan vs Leafs is to throw the puck in deep, battle and they will turn the puck over. If we can fix that, I like our chances better in the playoffs.

 

[Nineteen67]

5 playoff wins vs Washington and Boston. After that goon-show in game 1, the dynamic of the series definitely changed.

But I am curious, how does Boston's top-line cycle endlessly in our own zone? Rielly and Hainsey outsize Boston's entire top-line by a significant margin. So do a lot of our forwards.

They get hit, puck is taken, they pass to a wide open Pastrnak who taps it in the net.
I wish Marchand would go a little nuts, but I actually thinks he’s bored.

 

[IPS]

That is just it. It is one thing to beat teams with "grit/toughness" during the season but it is much more difficult to beat them 4 of 7. Give a listen to Pang's assessment of the Leafs D. The game plan vs Leafs is to throw the puck in deep, battle and they will turn the puck over. If we can fix that, I like our chances better in the playoffs.

how does Boston's top-line cycle endlessly in our own zone when Rielly and Hainsey outsize them significantly?

It's got nothing to do with grit/physicality. It starts with an S and ends with two L's. It's the actual reason why Boston beat us.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

I suspect it changes before the playoffs. There is something to having three good lines rolling. Also, Matthews and Kap have shown to be an effective pair. Marleau never leaves the top nine, once we accept this reality, then things are less confusing.

I'm more concerned about getting the D pairing straight for the playoffs if anything. And finding a way to get Moore on the 4th line, we could use that jam come playoffs.

I like Kapanen but a top line of Johnsson - Matthews - Nylander or even just switching Kapanen and Nylander would be a lot more effective. Kapanen has 2 5v5 assists in his last 44 games.

 

[Nineteen67]

how does Boston's top-line cycle endlessly in our own zone when Rielly and Hainsey outsize them significantly?

It's got nothing to do with grit/physicality. It starts with an S and ends with two L's. It's the actual reason why Boston beat us.

They create loose pucks and then go get them.

 

[ACC1224]

That is just it. It is one thing to beat teams with "grit/toughness" during the season but it is much more difficult to beat them 4 of 7. Give a listen to Pang's assessment of the Leafs D. The game plan vs Leafs is to throw the puck in deep, battle and they will turn the puck over. If we can fix that, I like our chances better in the playoffs.

Yeah it's no secret they don't like defending the cycle.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/blue-jackets-foligno-maple-leafs-dont-defend-well-hash-marks/
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/hrudeys-take-maple-leafs-issue-defending-hash-marks/

 

[8816 others]

how does Boston's top-line cycle endlessly in our own zone when Rielly and Hainsey outsize them significantly?

It's got nothing to do with grit/physicality. It starts with an S and ends with two L's. It's the actual reason why Boston beat us.

Swill? They are cramping up from drinking too much all at once? makes sense.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Just wanted to post this particular part again:

When the Leafs are trailing, it’s infuriating to have to play the Frederik Gauthier and Par Lindholm duo for a regular shift. Combined, they have three goals in 107 games, and that’s just not going to cut it come playoff time

Game #58 Review: Arizona Coyotes 2 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs 0 | Maple Leafs Hotstove

And Ennis sits
Moore on Marlies

 

[ShaneFalco]

This part too:

1. As per Corsica, Morgan Rielly played 16.1 minutes at five-on-five. Jake Muzzin and Travis Dermott each played 15.7 minutes, and Ron Hainsey was last among Toronto’s defencemen with 15 minutes. Basically, everyone was within one minute of each other, and that’s incredibly even usage. I just don’t see how these pairings could survive come playoff time, as I don’t see the even usage continuing. I have no idea what Babcock is doing here.

 

[ToneDog]

how does Boston's top-line cycle endlessly in our own zone when Rielly and Hainsey outsize them significantly?

It's got nothing to do with grit/physicality. It starts with an S and ends with two L's. It's the actual reason why Boston beat us.

Skill definitely has something to do with it but so does strength and ability to hit somebody. Somebody claimed we do not need to hit because we are real good at stick checking.

 

[Schooner]

I like Kapanen but a top line of Johnsson - Matthews - Nylander or even just switching Kapanen and Nylander would be a lot more effective. Kapanen has 2 5v5 assists in his last 44 games.

This is not a good stat when you are passing to a guy who is arguably one of the best finishers in the game

 

[ToneDog]

Yeah it's no secret they don't like defending the cycle.

Blue Jackets’ Foligno: Maple Leafs don’t defend well below hash marks - Sportsnet.ca
Hrudey’s Take: Maple Leafs have issue defending below hash marks - Sportsnet.ca

Many laughed a Foligno's comments because the Leafs beat them that night but he knows what he is talking about. I find it funny how some people sitting on their couches in front their computers think that they understand the game better than players (past and present) and media folks like McGuire who broadcast from between the benches of hundreds of hockey games a year and talks to hundred's of people in the game.