GDT: Leafs@Blues 8PM SNO

[IPS]

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

Kappy's great when he's pursuing pucks, pressuring defenders, beating out icings, being a pest on the forecheck etc... and he's got some decent shooting ability, but he's got very little aptitude for playmaking. Nylander is a far better fit for Matthews.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

This irks me a bit. Matthews were talking about the players on the ice, saying they got outworked and outsmarted. They were outsmarted because we kept forcing the same kind of plays that didn't work. Matthews himself was one of them, constantly trying to walk in for a shot that they took away instead of adapting to how the game looked.

People are acting like any hint of criticism towards decision-making has to be on the coaches, but that's pretty absurd. The players aren't just mindless drones who carry out the coaching staffs orders. There's tactical directives, and there's on-ice decisions. Matthews was clearly referring to the latter.

Hi Nith,

I don’t want to debate but I will say I disagree and here is why. The rumours about Babcock having to go see Matthews and their heated discussion durig game 7 had given me skepticism as to their relationship. I hope you’re right because it would be better for the club if they were cooperating.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Kappy's great when he's pursuing pucks, pressuring defenders, beating out icings, being a pest on the forecheck etc... and he's got some decent shooting ability, but he's got very little aptitude for playmaking. Nylander is a far better fit for Matthews.

I think Kapanen is still a great fit, as long as the other linemate isn't Marleau. Kapanen is like an elite version of Hyman/Brown

 

[IPS]

I think Kapanen is still a great fit, as long as the other linemate isn't Marleau. Kapanen is like an elite version of Hyman/Brown

True.

Matthews needs his partner in crime back either way.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

I think Kapanen is still a great fit, as long as the other linemate isn't Marleau. Kapanen is like an elite version of Hyman/Brown

I personally wanna see what Kap/Matthews/Nylander would look like. However I know Babs is obsessive with his handedness so who knows if he'll play Kap on the left even if he has experience there previously. I think that line would be lethal.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

I think Kapanen is still a great fit, as long as the other linemate isn't Marleau. Kapanen is like an elite version of Hyman/Brown

I think you're underselling Hyman with that comparison. Kapanen is faster and has a better shot, not sure where else he comes that much ahead. Brown I have no argument with the comparison.

 

[standers]

Who's out from the 4th line?

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Who's out from the 4th line?

Most likely Ennis based on the practice.

 

[Torontonian]

Blues are playing some solid hockey right now. Good thing about Toronto is we always seem to show up against the good teams, and then we happen to play down to the other garbage teams we face.

Time to end their 10 game winning streak.

 

[Smif]

I would love to see Mitch with another shooting option on the LW.

Kapanen - Tavares - Marner

You could also easily line match these guys up against any teams top line.

 

[Marshy]

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

I cannot conceive of a way Marleau gets demoted to 4th line NVM benched. There is just no realistic way it happens.

Curing Blue and White disease doesn't apply to some players.

 

[cannucky]

I would love to see Mitch with another shooting option on the LW.

Kapanen - Tavares - Marner

You could also easily line match these guys up against any teams top line.

As would I but I think Johnsson would work better than Kap , more dig in the corner and more playmaking ability with plenty of speed and finish in him .

 

[Smif]

As would I but I think Johnsson would work better than Kap , more dig in the corner and more playmaking ability with plenty of speed and finish in him .

There's tons of combinations that I would love to see tried...

 

[BertCorbeau]

AJ back in?

 

[Kamiccolo]

Well we've got what, just over 20 games left? It's now time to stop the regular season shenanigans and get ready for the playoffs. That means refocusing how we have played, trying to get better and to a higher level. Trying to get back to how we were to start the year taking care of the puck. That goes for Babs too. Figure out the system and figure out the effort issue.

I'm nervous if this is the group that goes into the playoffs I don't think they win anything. Especially if we play Boston again this core will just lay over and give up.

 

[Burnie97]

AJ back in?

Yup... Pretty sure he will be. Babcock sounded fairly confident he'd be back.

 

[Smif]

Can't wait for my boy Mitchy to hit 70 points tn.

 

[MattySnipes]

Not expecting a win tonight against the red hot Blues. We never play them well too. On top they have an unknown goalie with no scouting report.

Expecting a solid 60 minute effort though with an emphasis on team defense. Want to see stronger games from Marner and Rielly.

 

[saffronleaf]

I absolutely detest that putrid second line. Swap Nylander for Marleau. Bury Marleau on the fourth line for good.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

12-1-1 is a great record for a third round goalie.

 

[saffronleaf]

Marleau is a turd and if he had any self respect he would retire immediately.

 

[Advanced stats]

Just saw this is the blues 7th game in 11 nights.

Hopefully the boys attack with speed tonight!

 

[Clark4Ever]

Kappy's great when he's pursuing pucks, pressuring defenders, beating out icings, being a pest on the forecheck etc... and he's got some decent shooting ability, but he's got very little aptitude for playmaking. Nylander is a far better fit for Matthews.

I'm a big Kappy fan, but I agree.

I think Babs has been hesitant because of the solid play of the 3rd line, but Johnson-Kadri-Kapanen is still a great 3rd line.

Nylander has played well enough as of late to be reunited with Matthews.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Ya know what pisses me off, people are saying every team had bad games like the one in Arizona...

Yeah tell that to Tampa and Boston.

They both haven't had a bad game in 2 months.

Be real and say that this team takes days off sometimes, and they gotta learn how not to. Whether that's on the Coach or players, it's time to figure it out, or we probably get cleaned out in the playoffs.

Since December 19 (2 months ago using your parameters):

Toronto: 15-9
Boston: 17-9 (obviously played 2 more games)
Tampa: 18-6

 

[Marshy]

Marleau is a turd and if he had any self respect he would retire immediately.

Please don't do that and leave us on the hook for his cap.