Post-Game Talk: Leafs Lose 3-2 in OT

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Things have a way of balancing out. Leafs came back 2 down and beat the Canucks and returned the favour yesterday.

You win some and lose some.

Leafs are supposed to be a way better team than Vancouver. Columbus isn't supposed to be better than us.
Besides, we really pressed in the 3rd to outplay Vancouver and tie the game up. Columbus did the opposite

 

[shortfuze]

This was probably answered many times but who was calling the game last night. And who was he working with cause it wasn’t Ferraro. Cuthbert and who?

 

[MapleLeafs9]

2 more minutes til Franson is back in TO

 

[Raging Bull]

This was probably answered many times but who was calling the game last night. And who was he working with cause it wasn’t Ferraro. Cuthbert and who?

Think it was Jamie McLennan.

 

[ACC1224]

Think it was Jamie McLennan.

Not a fan at all. IMO, he does not have a broadcast voice.
I'd take Millen over him anyday, Ferraro is far and away the best

 

[Duffman955]

This team is far from a finished product.

But on any given night, we have a chance to beat any team in the league. Young team will go through ups and downs. We should still comfortably make the playoffs

 

[scotian1]

When you watch the replay of the winning OT goal, note that Gardiner left the right side of the ice and went towards the puck carrier. Nylander was on the same side of the ice as the puck carrier. He did not switch quick enough to cover After watching the replay several times there is blame I feel to be shared.

 

[shortfuze]

Think it was Jamie McLennan.

Thanks, didn’t like him.

 

[al secord]

Still collecting points in phase 1 of the Cup run? Check.

8 playoff spots still awarded? Check.

In a playoff spot now? Check.

End panic.

I must have this panicker you speak of on ignore.

 

[Gallagbi]

Yes Willy should have been coming back full tilt to cover Werenski, instead he was just sort of drifting. But OK, if it becomes a 2on1 then Gardiner played the 2on1 very poorly. Instead of staying roughly in the middle of the two attackers as he should, he drifts all the way over to Panarin as he's approaching the blue line, this over-committing early leaves Werenski wide open, then as the pass is made, he immediately starts drifting over towards Werenski leaving Panarin wide open.



I believe different coaches will say different things here and it also depends on a few things (the angles and "handedness" of the attacking players probably being the main ones) so there's no easy 100% clear cut answer here but I think most would say something like this: You don't want to just stop the pass and let the guy with the puck have a breakaway, you want to stay roughly in the middle of the two so you're not giving the puck carrier a clear path down the middle and at the same time, you're making it difficult to make a pass. A full description of strategy would be a lot longer than this but I believe that's the general idea.

The problem is, it isn't a straight 2on1, it's a broke play because of the missed assignment. You can't expect the D to assume coverage will breakdown like that, he plays it correctly as a 2on2, then adapts to that breakdown.

 

[Gary Nylund]

The problem is, it isn't a straight 2on1, it's a broke play because of the missed assignment. You can't expect the D to assume coverage will breakdown like that, he plays it correctly as a 2on2, then adapts to that breakdown.

Yeah that's a fair point. I don't think he "adapted" as well as he could have but it all happened so fast from there so it's hard to assess too much blame to him for that. After watching it a few more times I think you're right, Gardiner is less to blame than I thought.

For anyone interested, check this out. It starts with Nylander seemingly in pretty good position but instead of skating hard to get between his man and our net, he just sort of coasts towards Gardiner's man and thus what looked to be a 2 on 2 becomes a 2 on 1. If he doesn't do that we're fine.

 

[ULF_55]

Maybe I've watched them too long because I had a feeling it wasn't over.

I also quietly screamed (wife doesn't like loud screams) wake-up when it was still 2-0.

The feel of the game was what I was going on not the stats.

 

[Battle Lin]

still dont understand why babcock is looking to play defense 3 on 3...literally only rielly jake zaitsev on D and matthews nylander marner kadri marleau jvr bozak should be playing in OT

 

[rent free]

we always lose to cbj at home. couldn't have expected a different result

 

[Pyrophorus]

One of the best 55mins all season.

 

[KIWILEAFFAN]

One of the best 55mins all season.

Yup. Sucks to lose that way but I agree. They were looking better than they have all season structure wise.
Hopefully they can keep it up as I reckon they will win a lot more games than I expected, playing like that.

 

[Slyfox]

I thought this was Gardiner's best game of the season. Going to be interesting to see how he plays with Carrick.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

One of the best 55mins all season.

They were getting outshot 20-10 early in the 2nd, so not exactly. From 30:00 to 55:00 they were totally dominant, though.

The surprising thing is that they didn't try to turtle and trap their way through the third period, and it was working well... until an unlucky break and an ill-advised stretch pass by Rielly.