IPS
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2017
- 15,598
- 24,864
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