Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 5-3

[Daisy Jane]

Question is, who is the guy? They guy coaching and demanding we trade for better or Lou?

Call me crazy but it seems almost as if Babcock has been practically throwing games since we picked up Pleks. I mean, these lines he is throwing out there are kinda weird and just the output. Makes me laugh even thinking of a grown man not getting what he wants and having protest in this way.

I don't think this.

you're crazy.

 

[Cams]

You know what, that pisses me off too. We all knew we needed a D. We all knew it. Most regulars here know I wanted to trade Bozak and JVr for assets to then get a D with. Seems I was right.

The Polak and sticking Nylander with bad mates thing sucks. Combos are so strange now that Matthews is gone.

I'm sure they tried - but what is your threshold of being OK with trading away to get the "D" you so covet? And really....a top 5 team probably shouldn't be selling. Who knows what the return would've been on 2 expiring contracts.... a bottom team sure isn't going to give up assets for a Bozak/Jvr..... one of the contenders isn't likely to give up a ton to another contender (leafs). It's not as easy as you seem to think.

 

[thewave]

I'm sure they tried - but what is your threshold of being OK with trading away to get the "D" you so covet? And really....a top 5 team probably shouldn't be selling. Who knows what the return would've been on 2 expiring contracts.... a bottom team sure isn't going to give up assets for a Bozak/Jvr..... one of the contenders isn't likely to give up a ton to another contender (leafs). It's not as easy as you seem to think.

Ya I get that. Teams would hold that piece hostage with inflated price knowing our dilemma.

 

[BertCorbeau]

You know what, that pisses me off too. We all knew we needed a D. We all knew it. Most regulars here know I wanted to trade Bozak and JVr for assets to then get a D with. Seems I was right.

The Polak and sticking Nylander with bad mates thing sucks. Combos are so strange now that Matthews is gone.

For all we know the Leafs tried but couldn't pull a deal together.

And besides that wouldn't have prevented Matthews' from getting hurt, and then the Leafs are rolling with Kadri - Nylander - Pleks - Moore down the middle

 

[thewave]

For all we know the Leafs tried but couldn't pull a deal together.

And besides that wouldn't have prevented Matthews' from getting hurt, and then the Leafs are rolling with Kadri - Nylander - Pleks - Moore down the middle

True enough, just saying. That Dman would be nice.

 

[Gary Nylund]

some teams just have that aspect. like for the longest time, San Jose couldn't beat Buffalo (either IN buffalo, or at home) either.for the most part, if we play the ducks, I'm betting on us winning, because we almost always beat them (it feels like)

Okay. taking this aside - (and i just had to watch TSN and sure enough it's "well i'd be concerned you're supposed to blow a team out like that") - again. bad teams just don't get their wins vs. bad teams. Boston and Tampa lost twice against Buffalo. it shouldn't be seen as an automatic win. (that's just my opinion anyway).

and as i am sure the sky is falling for some -
1: I'd rather the Leafs look sketchy now in the early part of March vs. the end of March first of april before the playoff start.

2: Yes the Leafs don't look as good with their number one goalie not playing so well - most teams tend to be a bit leaky in this regard, just putting that out there.

3: Could Andersen use some rest - sure but I feel this decision is made by the sports science department and Babcock's input and Andersen's input.

4: Was this game a litmus test/should we be scared? no from how this road game went - we should be 2 and 2. we should have won in Florida, didn't. and this game was picture perfect everything that went in, went in, for Buffalo (we had a few of those games ourselves). the Leafs now - have a week off with 1 league mandated no ice day to get said rest, to shore up on some systems, and more importantly get Matthews back so everything is a bit more balanced.

life is okay.
stop looking for the dirty side of the penny.

No game is an automatic win in the NHL.

 

[Daisy Jane]

True enough, just saying. That Dman would be nice.

reports were that the Leafs were trying to get another 1st rounder (and we only have a few candidates to do that) so they could use that into play for something (probably McDonagh), but the extra first plan fell through and Lou didn't want to overpay for McDonagh. there weren't a lot of moves to be made because some teams just weren't sellin.

 

[ToneDog]

True enough, just saying. That Dman would be nice.

We have known this since last year's playoffs. All season long I remained patient expecting it to be addressed by the TDL. Unfortunately for whatever reason, it was not. However as in last year's playoffs, I expect the D to elevate their game in this year's playoffs. Whether this is dreaming in HD or not is TBD.

Note: we did add Dermott before the TDL and he has played better than any D we could have acquired within reason at the TDL

 

[HamiltonNHL]

That garbage 3rd goal by Buffalo after Leo's second beauty goal ties it up 2-2 was the turning point in this dumpster fire game.

 

[ULF_55]

Plekanec

A comparison of trade deadline activity might be completely irrelevant to how the teams have played since.

Direct Competition:
Bruins: Nash, Gionta
Lightning: McDonagh (Miller - wash Namestnikov)

Other:
Jets: Statsny
Sharks: Kane

Many other trades, but of significance are the Bruins and Lightning, who the Leafs might have been in a battle for positioning. I'd say the battle could be compared to the battle between Florida and Toronto for 3rd. in their division. Boston for the season at .698 points percentage, and no reason to believe they will do anything different in the 5 games in hand on the Leafs, so it is reasonable they'll get 6-7 points from those games in hand, so that gap is more likely to be 10 points with 14 games left in the schedule.

Last night I didn't really see Johnson steal the game for the Sabres. He was just in good position and the goals that beat him were the result of good Leafs' play. Andersen was beat by some fortunate Sabres deflections, but I'm sure everyone would be praising the shots if they were going in the other end of the ice.

Sportsnet 960 was talking about the Flames loss against the Rangers the other night when they had 51 shots or something on net. They said for all the shots they didn't really think the Flames played well or really deserved to win. This is the hometown Sportsnet 960 crew who are cheerleaders.

The shot clock can be deceiving when one team is chasing the score the other team only has to defend, and when one team can't defend you don't have to exert so much effort into generating chances. Leafs have 11 wins when they outshoot an opponent and 24 wins when they are outshot.

The one thing Sportsnet 960 have talked about is the coaches refusal to shorten the bench when trailing. They rail against the coach using the 4th. line when trailing. I don't listen to Toronto sports radio ... not sure if the feelings are the same there.

Seemed last night whenever the Sabres applied pressure the Leafs broke.

 

[Gary Nylund]

reports were that the Leafs were trying to get another 1st rounder (and we only have a few candidates to do that) so they could use that into play for something (probably McDonagh), but the extra first plan fell through and Lou didn't want to overpay for McDonagh. there weren't a lot of moves to be made because some teams just weren't sellin.

That's interesting, I never heard this (except for the usual speculation from random posters here). Where did you hear these reports? Were they from reliable sources?

We have known this since last year's playoffs. All season long I remained patient expecting it to be addressed by the TDL. Unfortunately for whatever reason, it was not. However as in last year's playoffs, I expect the D to elevate their game in this year's playoffs. Whether this is dreaming in HD or not is TBD.

Note: we did add Dermott before the TDL and he has played better than any D we could have acquired within reason at the TDL

Yeah I said this earlier too - just look at Dermott as our deadline Dman acquisition, not too shabby.

 

[thewave]

reports were that the Leafs were trying to get another 1st rounder (and we only have a few candidates to do that) so they could use that into play for something (probably McDonagh), but the extra first plan fell through and Lou didn't want to overpay for McDonagh. there weren't a lot of moves to be made because some teams just weren't sellin.

Do the reports mention where the 1st was going to come from?

 

[BertCorbeau]

Do the reports mention where the 1st was going to come from?

IIRC the report was that St Louis was trying to move the 1st they acquired in the Statsny deal, and the Leafs were rumoured to be trying to acquire a 1st rounder .. So there may have been ties between the two teams.

 

[Pookie]

You're fond of saying that it's the crest that counts and now you're complaining about the name on the back not getting enough credit in a thread about a game THE TEAM played?

So much for you caring about "the crest". Hilarious!

What's hilarious is not knowing the difference between "complaining" vs an observation.

Looking to spend the day the same as all the others?

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

No game is an automatic win in the NHL.

Even in our last place finish we won 29 games.

 

[TOGuy14]

That is two garbage games in a row by the team.

 

[ULF_55]

Yeah I said this earlier too - just look at Dermott as our deadline Dman acquisition, not too shabby.

Dermott didn't fair well last night, but he looks like he could be the backbone of the left side.

I really like his game, wheels, smarts, strength, haven't seen enough of his shot yet, but from what I've seen he has the best skillset of all their defenders currently in the NHL bar-none.

 

[Mess]

Leafs (minus) Matthews (plus) Pleckane = loss to the 31st team in the standings.

Leafs are playing some really poor hockey the last week or so and going small at the TD seems to being having the opposite intended effects.

Without Auston this just doesn't seem like a very good team.

 

[Pookie]

Marner and Kadri draw the tough matchups leaving the easy matchup for Bozak's line, not sure how it's super hard to understand. Their line should be scoring goals.

I thought Kadri was the defacto shut down specialist? That line is struggling a little to keep the puck out. Kadri, during his slump was on the ice for 7 EV goals over that 20+ game period. Since being on with Marner, he's been on for 13. I think he is net positive is +2 over that time frame.

It's a pretty valid observation that this line is not as defensively responsible as it was since Marner has been on it.

 

[Nineteen67]

I've watched every game this season sonny. Open your eyes and watch a few yourself and you might realize that there are a number of very good players on this team.

I don’t think there is any question there are good players on the Leafs.
Their success, however, is predicated on Freddie being much better than anyone anticipated.

 

[Gary Nylund]

What's hilarious is not knowing the difference between "complaining" vs an observation.

With you it's usually impossible to tell the difference so I try to find humour in your perpetual complaining.

Looking to spend the day the same as all the others?

I suggest you lighten up and try a new attitude, maybe something like - every day is a unique experience, never to be repeated. Give it a shot, I can almost guarantee you'll be a happier person.

Dermott didn't fair well last night, but he looks like he could be the backbone of the left side.

I really like his game, wheels, smarts, strength, haven't seen enough of his shot yet, but from what I've seen he has the best skillset of all their defenders currently in the NHL bar-none.

I don't know if I'd go that far, haven't thought about it that much. He does look awesome though, I do believe he is the real deal.

Leafs (minus) Matthews (plus) Pleckane = loss to the 31st team in the standings.

Leafs are playing some really poor hockey the last week or so and going small at the TD seems to being having the opposite intended effects.

Without Auston this just doesn't seem like a very good team.

Oh relax. Without Auston we're obviously not as good but we've played a bunch of good games without him too.

 

[6ix]

It's clear Lou Lamoreillo doesn't have a clue how to work the deadline. We kept the wrong players and acquired the wrong players. Lou is pretty good in the off season/at the draft but he blew it this year. A 2nd round pick could of been packaged for a quality depth defenseman but instead he traded it for a bum 4th line center lol.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I thought Kadri was the defacto shut down specialist? That line is struggling a little to keep the puck out. Kadri, during his slump was on the ice for 7 EV goals over that 20+ game period. Since being on with Marner, he's been on for 13. I think he is net positive is +2 over that time frame.

It's a pretty valid observation that this line is not as defensively responsible as it was since Marner has been on it.

So that's why Bozak's line isn't scoring? Interesting theory.

I don’t think there is any question there are good players on the Leafs.
Their success, however, is predicated on Freddie being much better than anyone anticipated.

Their success is predicated on many things. And Andersen's stats ATM are almost identical to last season, nothing unexpected about that, not to me anyway.

 

[ULF_55]

Leafs (minus) Matthews (plus) Pleckane = loss to the 31st team in the standings.

Leafs are playing some really poor hockey the last week or so and going small at the TD seems to being having the opposite intended effects.

Without Auston this just doesn't seem like a very good team.

I think Matthews brings more than just points to this team. I've said it in the past, McDavid is the superior player, I just get a more solid feel from Matthews. McDavid reminds me of an Elf, and Matthews a Half-Elven.

 

[Zybalto]

So Buffalo is now up 2-1 against Tampa this year, won the season series against the Bruins 3-1 and is up 1-0 against the Leafs.

Beating the best teams in the Atlantic is seriously messing with their tank.