Pre-Game Talk: Leafs @ Red Wings Feb 1, 7:30pm ET

[Havoc]

I just want a convincing win against this team, they shouldn't be able to hang with us whatsoever when you compare these teams on paper. Hopefully Muzzin's first game gives the team a big boost and we go on to win this 4 or 5-0.

Just don't be too strict on your definition of convincing.

This is still the NHL regardless who you're facing.

 

[ShaneFalco]

 

[Zizzzzy]

Bell Awareness Day

 

[DarkKnight]

Will we ever play again? This trade is just making it lllooonngggeerr, anticipation wise.

 

[Nithoniniel]

Man, it's about time for some hockey again.

I HATE the 4F 1D PP. Always have. But I understand why we do it...we don't have that bomb from the point so why not maximize your potential with another forward. Except now...we do. So why not take Kadri off the 1st unit (where he's been largely ineffective anyway) put Muzzin and Morgan on the points, and shift Naz to the 2nd unit?

That's a bit odd. The 4F1D constellation has much better results across the board. Almost no teams use two d-men anymore, and outside Nashville those teams just don't have a lot of talent, and their PPs are not very great.

The bomb from the point is more impressive than it is effective.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Why do I have this bad feeling that the Leafs go with Andersen in Detroit and Sparks against Pittsburgh while Pittsburgh goes with DeSmith vs Ottawa and Murray in Toronto?

 

[barilko05]

Man, it's about time for some hockey again.


That's a bit odd. The 4F1D constellation has much better results across the board. Almost no teams use two d-men anymore, and outside Nashville those teams just don't have a lot of talent, and their PPs are not very great.

The bomb from the point is more impressive than it is effective.

That may be so. But it just seems to me (eye test, I know) that because of the open point on one side or the other because there's only 1 guy up there, teams can generally clear the puck much easier which results in less actual OZ time. Plus, our PP has become very stagnant and predictable anyway, especially the #1. Change it up for a game or 2 with the new guy. If it doesn't work...fine....then we're no worse off. You can always change it back.

 

[Mugzy97]

Why do I have this bad feeling that the Leafs go with Andersen in Detroit and Sparks against Pittsburgh while Pittsburgh goes with DeSmith vs Ottawa and Murray in Toronto?

Not going to happen

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

Feels like an eternity since the leafs last played. Can't wait for tom and f*** the bye week.

 

[Zizzzzy]

I hate this stupid bye week thing. Just give them more time off around Xmas and New Years like everybody else while we have World Juniors to watch. Giving them a week off only a few week after the NHL Schedule has gaps for holidays just makes for this gap where there inst much going on.

Lets hope Nylander is able to recharge during this break from that tough first half.

 

[Hockey Crazy]

Practice back on today?

 

[Nizdizzle]

Has anyone done the math to calculate which is longer, the offseason or the allstar break? Feels like the last game was forever ago...

 

[Hockey Crazy]

Has anyone done the math to calculate which is longer, the offseason or the allstar break? Feels like the last game was forever ago...

Enough with the math I go by the eye test. The break is 100% longer.

 

[2022 Stanley Cup]

At least one time I'll be happy that Connor Carrick got out of the press box then realize what's actually going on.

 

[Sinkkunaattori]

Who made this schedule man, Jets will have played 3, THREE freaking games before our first game back, what the hell.

 

[SprDaVE]

 

[Nooodles]

Whining about bye-week is getting more irritating than bye-week.
Only one more day guys. Every team has this. If we wouldn't, everyone would be crying why we wouldn't.

 

[Vaive50]

I hate this stupid bye week thing. Just give them more time off around Xmas and New Years like everybody else while we have World Juniors to watch. Giving them a week off only a few week after the NHL Schedule has gaps for holidays just makes for this gap where there inst much going on.

Lets hope Nylander is able to recharge during this break from that tough first half.

The bye week is a very stupid idea and now we play 15 games in 28 days with 3 B2B's.

BTW, Nylander doesn't need to recharge, he needs to simply continue where he left off against the Caps. Matthews is the one who needs to recharge, he has been pretty ineffective offensively ever since the Kronwall hit (oh and our first game is Detroit) compared to how he was before that, he hasn't been playing the hero role when we need a goal to tie the game since then.

 

[ShaneFalco]

 

[trufflepiggy]

Anyone going to the game in Detroit on Friday? what is the best bar to pregame?

Yes... I go the the bars at the arena.... just get there really early ... or Hockeytown cafe.... look for the guy in chainmail, and say hi!

 

[Burnie97]

No morning practice for these guys. It's been a tough week for them.....

Joking a side, I'm just glad to have some hockey back on soon.

These breaks feel pretty long mid season... Especially during this -30 and worse weather.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Excited to see how Muzzin changes our D

 

[Cor]

Will be interesting to see how the coaching staff have decided to do our D pairs.

 

[ShaneFalco]

THIS has to change:

Connor Brown is one of two forwards to play 500+ minutes at five-on-five this year and draw zero penalties. Five other forwards have drawn exactly one penalty, with Marleau among this group. While Frederik Gauthier did not have enough minutes to qualify, he’s also drawn only one penalty all season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Musings: Evaluating the Jake Muzzin Trade

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

Can you imagine what this board will look like if we lose this game?