Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 4-2

[LastOne2100]

This is the playoffs - the penalties will be few and far between, especially for the Leafs.

All the more reason that having effective special teams is so critical. It's cost us multiple series over the years.

At least the penalty kill has ended solidly so hopefully at least it's a wash.

 

[Gallagbi]

This is the playoffs - the penalties will be few and far between, especially for the Leafs.

Call me crazy, but I expect a huge spike in PPs this playoffs for us while we have an ice cold PP.

 

[stickty111]

This is what the "meaningless game" folks aren't getting.

These last 2 games weren't meaningless to our opponents. Funny that.

Oh we are getting it. It's just funny if we won, the narrative would have flipped.
Ottawa was playing their last game of the season. Winnipeg has been in a tail spin for a month now and needed this game more. Those games were meaningfull and they lost. What does that say about them? We have been locked into 1st place. The fact you think they are similar situations is sad.

 

[PromisedLand]

Why are you putting so much emphasis on 1 game? His whole body of work is excellent. I am not worried.

because he has been cooling off late

 

[Stephen]

This is what the "meaningless game" folks aren't getting.

These last 2 games weren't meaningless to our opponents. Funny that.

I mean just look at the 70s Canadiens. I'm sure they could have taken their foot off the gas, taken many nights off and not won 60 games or record 132 points and still win the Stanley Cup every year - but I think they wanted to win every night... I want to see that mentality from the Leafs. Because I see that mentality in other contenders we could very well be playing this summer.

 

[egd27]

Do you not understand the impact of getting the last change?

And when we may be playing in arenas with US fans, it’s likely better to limit the amount of games our opposition gets energized by them

You're getting cranky, go get some rest.

Let's get to the semi's before getting bent out of shape about home ice in a potential game 7 no less.

 

[CelticDruid]

Congratulations to our #34 Auston Matthews for winning the Rocket Richard Trophy.

 

[Gabriel426]

I don’t want to look it up, I think when our PP was clicking, Keefe actually split the Big 4 in two units, maybe he should get back to that.

 

[Stephen]

I don't - but these were easily winnable games that would've put us into a better position down the stretch if we make it that far.

We had more to play for than our opponents, still played the vast majority of our roster, and still lost both games.

I agree. What was Ottawa playing for the other night other than a worst draft position? The pleasure of beating another team.

 

[PromisedLand]

...but we scored 2 PPG against CLB?

not the 2 games we were shutout in the series I guess

 

[stickty111]

I don't - but these were easily winnable games that would've put us into a better position down the stretch if we make it that far.

We had more to play for than our opponents, still played the vast majority of our roster, and still lost both games.

Leafs had nothing to play for. Thats a fact. So these games mean more now then the others we played?

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

because he has been cooling off late

Seems like his teammates have been giving the opposition some pretty good chances point blank as well though...

 

[Menzinger]

I agree. What was Ottawa playing for the other night other than a worst draft position? The pleasure of beating another team.

That was probably that Ottawa team's most important game of the last couple months.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Okay, I don't agree, but Galchenyuk provides no defensive value anywhere on the ice...which is why he's not in the playoff lineup despite how hard he works. So I'm failing to see what your point is?

The point is you aren't going to get a complete player at a discount, so Galchenyuk brings some faults.

Leafs are going to need some players who are at least willing to get in the dirty areas and throw checks. We can't leave that for Foligno, Simmonds and Hyman alone. It's been the teams weakness up front.

Also, Galchenyuk can be a game breaker. He doesn't need to be with this team but he has the ability.

So Gally can bring the physical element from time to time on top of a physical game. He will also be motivated as well facing his former team.

I can't complain with Keefe wanting a strong defensive line and I understand that if Hyman and Foligno are on the top two, that Galchenyuk has a more narrow path to play.

When he has been at his best, he's been more impactful and a bigger pest for the other team than Mikheyev has been.

 

[egd27]

Had a chance to avoid Colorado or Vegas 3rd round. Better hope pit loses. Ugh. Typical

Yea, let's get there first FFS.

Besides, if you're actually gonna win the thing, you beat whoever gets put in front of you.

It's the one thing EVERY championship team has in common.

 

[Marshy]

I agree. What was Ottawa playing for the other night other than a worst draft position? The pleasure of beating another team.

It's concerning. People don't wanna be concerned that's on them.

 

[Stephen]

That was probably that Ottawa team's most important game of the last couple months.

It's funny because all their Leaf games seem to be a big effort while they roll over and die vs Edmonton like they get bonus money for McDavid's scoring totals.

As a maturing team I hope we get that killer instinct where we just want to kill teams every night.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

The Jets had 6 high danger chances at 5v5 that game. All 6 came with Rielly on the ice. If you really want to be worried about something, worry about Rielly being perfectly willing to give up free goals to the other team while playing close to half the game

 

[PromisedLand]

Seems like his teammates have been giving the opposition some pretty good chances point blank as well though...

this is what i dont get. when campbell lets in goals it is the defence but freddy lets in goals it is teh goalie

is it that his teammates deicde to play awesome defence but freddie lets them down and play terrible defence when campbell is in net?

 

[egd27]

Sure some teams will figure out your PP.

When every team does though, that is a strategic fail on the Leafs. They have the money to throw at the problem next year. It's not getting fixed this year because it's not the players on the ice that is the problem. It's an off-ice issue that will result in some house cleaning.

Can't the head coach make changes if the PP coach's tactics aren't working?

 

[Suntouchable13]

It's concerning. People don't wanna be concerned that's on them.

I guess we'll see in a week if there was something to be concerned about or not

 

[Gallagbi]

this is what i dont get. when campbell lets in goals it is the defence but freddy lets in goals it is teh goalie

is it that his teammates deicde to play awesome defence but freddie lets them down and play terrible defence when campbell is in net?

Campbell is playing like a starter is expected to, maybe slightly better

Fred's playing like an AHL callup. It's not more complicated than that

 

[Stephen]

It's concerning. People don't wanna be concerned that's on them.

I'm not super concerned with the last two games, but traditionally I haven't been comfortable with the personality of the team because I don't think they're killers.

 

[stickty111]

It's concerning. People don't wanna be concerned that's on them.

3 game sweep against a very good team in the Oilers? Means nothing.
Sweeping the Jets that would have given them life for first? Means nothing.
Last 2 games where everything is already locked in and losing? Means a lot

 

[BudForLife]

If the unspeakable happens it definitely wouldn't have a tiny bit of value.
If, on a more positive note, if there are a few upsets in the other divisions we may end up as the #1 anyway.

Why should we rely on other teams losing instead of controlling our own fate?