Series Talk: Leafs vs Jackets- Series Preview and Discussion - MOD WARNING POST #816

[Bomber0104]

John Tortorella during intermission against the Leafs (circa 2011):

With [Phil] Kessel, if ya have a chance, finish him. He's a good player, but don't shit your pants on him. Don't play off of him. We have to try and take time and space from him.
And more importantly, it's the players away from the puck. Brian Boyle, we've done that f***ing coverage all f***ing year long. You've got that f***ing mic on, you can't f***ing think straight.

Fill in Kessel's name with Matthews/Marner and that's pretty much going to be Tort's gameplan for us in a nut-shell: a balancing act of coverage and high-pressure on our stars.

 

[LeafsNation75]

John Tortorella during intermission against the Leafs (circa 2011):


Fill in Kessel's name with Matthews/Marner and that's pretty much going to be Tort's gameplan for us in a nut-shell: a balancing act of coverage and high-pressure on our stars.

Matthews is a lot bigger and more physical than Kessel.

Even if they try to do something like that against Marner, at least Toronto still has Matthews, Tavares, and Nylander who can also score goals to defeat them.

 

[zeke]

John Tortorella during intermission against the Leafs (circa 2011):


Fill in Kessel's name with Matthews/Marner and that's pretty much going to be Tort's gameplan for us in a nut-shell: a balancing act of coverage and high-pressure on our stars.

Good game plan when the leafs' 2nd best forward was...Grabovski?

 

[Bomber0104]

Matthews is a lot bigger and more physical than Kessel.

Even if they try to do something like that against Marner, at least Toronto still has Matthews, Tavares, and Nylander who can also score goals to defeat them.

There's ample options for the Leafs, no doubt.

No reason we can't exploit at least one of their d-pairings.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Good game plan when the leafs' 2nd best forward was...Grabovski?

Don't forget about Joffrey Lupul. While he had some great games with them he was also injured a lot and missed a number of games, so anytime he was hit you never knew if that would take him out of the lineup.

 

[Mess]

When BJ's throw a 2-3 man aggressive forecheck then tire them out .. D to D and high and hard up da glass ... rinse and repeat ... once in a while we will catch them for a 3 on 2 or a 2 on 1 ... but I don't think they will do it often ... i think we have a much more difficult time with an aggressive neutral zone trap ... and again we need to switch things up on them and turn and Euro a few times and dump in a few times and maybe go 3 guys on one side of ice and bull rush a few times

Anticipating what Columbus will do against us and knowing our teams weakness its easier to predict what they will do, and playing to break up Leafs rush attack, neutralizing our speed attack seems fairly predicatble.

It would be much more difficult to design systems for the Leafs because you can't control how the opposition defends you. Its more about schemes to defend against the trap and an aggressive forecheck trying to catch them out of position, and create odd man attacks. However generally we're likely going to expect more dump and chase strategies when time and space is taken away from our Leafs and that will force Leafs to be more willing to take hits and to win puck battles.

However trap systems when executed effectively really nullify the skill of the opposition when you turn them it into a low scoring, tight checking, hard hitting affairs, and you have all 5 defender collapsing down low in their own zone in front of their goalie and boxing the opposition out of the slot and keeping them outside the face off dots on the perimeter.

This is not a new concept that face our Leafs as this has been done for decades.. The Jacques Lemaire led New Jersey Devils popularized the system in the mid to late '90s after they swept the high powered offensively skilled Detroit Red Wings in the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals, trapping the more talented team into oblivion. The 1995-96 Red Wings put up 62 wins and that was similar to the TB last year tying that wins record... Torts simply took an already successful defensive game plan and modified it to his own team today and the swept the Lightning with the same strategy.

Leafs winning the series might all come down to how effective they can be on the PP, and using their stacked 1st unit to generate the offense that is needed to make the difference in a short series. Teams can't trap a PP and skilled players excel when they have more time and space to operate. We've seen Boston use this against us in the past where 5v5 is played at even, so hopefully we can exploit Columbus this same way and specialty teams are the reason for our Leafs advancing to the playoffs.

 

[Merrrlin]

@Mess you do realize we have a coach, too...right?

These long novels you are writing about how Torts will do this and that...you make it seem like we are going up against the Jackets with no gameplan of our own.

 

[zeke]

Anticipating what Columbus will do against us and knowing our teams weakness its easier to predict what they will do, and playing to break up Leafs rush attack, neutralizing our speed attack seems fairly predicatble.

It would be much more difficult to design systems for the Leafs because you can't control how the opposition defends you. Its more about schemes to defend against the trap and an aggressive forecheck trying to catch them out of position, and create odd man attacks. However generally we're likely going to expect more dump and chase strategies when time and space is taken away from our Leafs and that will force Leafs to be more willing to take hits and to win puck battles.

However trap systems when executed effectively really nullify the skill of the opposition when you turn them it into a low scoring, tight checking, hard hitting affairs, and you have all 5 defender collapsing down low in their own zone in front of their goalie and boxing the opposition out of the slot and keeping them outside the face off dots on the perimeter.

This is not a new concept that face our Leafs as this has been done for decades.. The Jacques Lemaire led New Jersey Devils popularized the system in the mid to late '90s after they swept the high powered offensively skilled Detroit Red Wings in the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals, trapping the more talented team into oblivion. The 1995-96 Red Wings put up 62 wins and that was similar to the TB last year tying that wins record... Torts simply took an already successful defensive game plan and modified it to his own team today and the swept the Lightning with the same strategy.

Leafs winning the series might all come down to how effective they can be on the PP, and using their stacked 1st unit to generate the offense that is needed to make the difference in a short series. Teams can't trap a PP and skilled players excel when they have more time and space to operate. We've seen Boston use this against us in the past where 5v5 is played at even, so hopefully we can exploit Columbus this same way and specialty teams are the reason for our Leafs advancing to the playoffs.

So not a heavy forecheck then.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Anticipating what Columbus will do against us and knowing our teams weakness its easier to predict what they will do, and playing to break up Leafs rush attack, neutralizing our speed attack seems fairly predicatble.

It would be much more difficult to design systems for the Leafs because you can't control how the opposition defends you. Its more about schemes to defend against the trap and an aggressive forecheck trying to catch them out of position, and create odd man attacks. However generally we're likely going to expect more dump and chase strategies when time and space is taken away from our Leafs and that will force Leafs to be more willing to take hits and to win puck battles.

However trap systems when executed effectively really nullify the skill of the opposition when you turn them it into a low scoring, tight checking, hard hitting affairs, and you have all 5 defender collapsing down low in their own zone in front of their goalie and boxing the opposition out of the slot and keeping them outside the face off dots on the perimeter.

This is not a new concept that face our Leafs as this has been done for decades.. The Jacques Lemaire led New Jersey Devils popularized the system in the mid to late '90s after they swept the high powered offensively skilled Detroit Red Wings in the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals, trapping the more talented team into oblivion. The 1995-96 Red Wings put up 62 wins and that was similar to the TB last year tying that wins record... Torts simply took an already successful defensive game plan and modified it to his own team today and the swept the Lightning with the same strategy.

Leafs winning the series might all come down to how effective they can be on the PP, and using their stacked 1st unit to generate the offense that is needed to make the difference in a short series. Teams can't trap a PP and skilled players excel when they have more time and space to operate. We've seen Boston use this against us in the past where 5v5 is played at even, so hopefully we can exploit Columbus this same way and specialty teams are the reason for our Leafs advancing to the playoffs.

I concur ... it likely comes right down to PP ... and over 5 games our skill will show through ... the only way i see this going sideways is tending ... Keefe while a rook coach is a very smart and savvy guy ... he will make the in game adjustments necessary to win

 

[Martin Skoula]

Some of you are talking about Columbus as if they're the best defensive team in recent memory and Torts is some tactical genius.

They're a bubble team. They have the same goals against as the Coyotes. They're only even in the play-in because they have 15 OT losses.

For all the talk about how we're going to deal with their forecheck or whatever, did you stop to ask yourself how they're going to deal with back to back shifts of Matthews and Tavares cycling in their zone?

 

[Golden_Jet]

Some of you are talking about Columbus as if they're the best defensive team in recent memory and Torts is some tactical genius.

They're a bubble team. They have the same goals against as the Coyotes. They're only even in the play-in because they have 15 OT losses.

For all the talk about how we're going to deal with their forecheck or whatever, did you stop to ask yourself how they're going to deal with back to back shifts of Matthews and Tavares cycling in their zone?

So if they’re a bubble team then so are the leafs, since they’re tied, you’re comparing the GA with Arizona like it’s a bad thing, it’s tied for second best behind Boston.

 

[stickty111]

So if they’re a bubble team then so are the leafs, since they’re tied, you’re comparing the GA with Arizona like it’s a bad thing, it’s tied for second best behind Boston.

Your posts have been pretty much all negative, so it's tough to take you seriously. Making up silly stuff like system changes doesn't help your argument.
Lets not make the Leafs team useless.

 

[Martin Skoula]

So if they’re a bubble team then so are the leafs, since they’re tied, you’re comparing the GA with Arizona like it’s a bad thing, it’s tied for second best behind Boston.

Running the trap is what low budget teams have to do to survive, they can't afford the types of players you need to run a strong offense. Playing low-event hockey doesn't necessarily mean you're outplaying the other team defensively if you're neutering your offense more than you're stopping the other team. Their offense is the 3rd worst in the league and they're -8 in goal differential on the year.

It's one thing when Boston can play that kind of defense while controlling the game and scoring at will. When Arizona and Columbus do it to just barely tread water, they're not actually in control of the game, they're just trying to hold on until OT so they can get first round playoff revenue.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Some of you are talking about Columbus as if they're the best defensive team in recent memory and Torts is some tactical genius.

They're a bubble team. They have the same goals against as the Coyotes. They're only even in the play-in because they have 15 OT losses.

For all the talk about how we're going to deal with their forecheck or whatever, did you stop to ask yourself how they're going to deal with back to back shifts of Matthews and Tavares cycling in their zone?

Let's also remember this fact. Last year was the first time a John Tortorella coached team won a playoff series since 2013. These were the previous results of Tortorella's Blue Jackets teams in the playoffs.

In 2017 the Blue Jackets lost in 5 games to Pittsburgh.

In 2018 the Blue Jackets blew a 2-0 series lead after winning Games 1 & 2 on the road, losing to Washington 4-2.

 

[stickty111]

So if they’re a bubble team then so are the leafs, since they’re tied, you’re comparing the GA with Arizona like it’s a bad thing, it’s tied for second best behind Boston.

If the Leafs are a bubble team, so are the Jackets. Your just putting out anything to make them look better then they are.

 

[stickty111]

Well that’s obvious since there are 3 zones, where different game plans exist

Yup the Leafs will do that as well. Leafs likely go all out on attack in the O zone, and then shut things down in their blueline.
Wierd how the 3 systems things applies to the Jackets, but not the Leafs.

 

[zeke]

Over the last 2yrs, the Buttersoft Coachless No-Will No-D Dubas Leafs are 3-1-1 and have scored 3.40 goals per game against the Mighty Smashmouth Unstoppable Forecheck AND Unbeatable Trap Defensive Juggernaut Blue Jackets and their Ubercoach John Tortorella.

Midget Marner has 9pts in those 5gms. Supersoft Matthews missed 2 of them but still has 4pts in 3gms. Overrated Tavares missed 1 but still has 6pts in 4. Tough defensive Muzzin and Hyman only played 2 of the 5gms each.

The worst minuses on the team in those games were one Nazem Kadri (-2 in 3gms), and one Patrick Marleau (-5 in 3gms), the Grittastic Leaderbeans Vets everybody is so concerned about us not having now.


We are so screwed.

 

[stickty111]

Nowhere have I said that, you just make crap up.

Backchecking is part of team defence, not just hoping your defenseman gets the guy.
One example , backchecking allows a defenseman to step up into a player and stop him from entering your zone, not always backing in.

You have argued some things that don't even happen. Your making stuff up. Anyways pretty obvious who your cheering for from the 2 teams.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Over the last 2yrs, the Buttersoft Coachless No-Will No-D Dubas Leafs are 3-1-1 and have scored 3.40 goals per game against the Mighty Smashmouth Unstoppable Forecheck AND Unbeatable Trap Defensive Juggernaut Blue Jackets and their Ubercoach John Tortorella.

Midget Marner has 9pts in those 5gms. Supersoft Matthews missed 2 of them but still has 4pts in 3gms. Overrated Tavares missed 1 but still has 6pts in 4. Tough defensive Muzzin and Hyman only played 2 of the 5gms each.

The worst minuses on the team in those games were one Nazem Kadri (-2 in 3gms), and one Patrick Marleau (-5 in 3gms), the Grittastic Leaderbeans Vets everybody is so concerned about us not having now.


We are so screwed.

You obviously don't get it Zeke, once the playoffs start Columbus gets superpowers and playoff hockey takes over. They just don't try in the regular season.

Or wait, do they only turn into a playoff juggernaut once they actually qualify for the playoffs by beating us? I'm not 100% on when the transformation happens.

 

[stickty111]

Over the last 2yrs, the Buttersoft Coachless No-Will No-D Dubas Leafs are 3-1-1 and have scored 3.40 goals per game against the Mighty Smashmouth Unstoppable Forecheck AND Unbeatable Trap Defensive Juggernaut Blue Jackets and their Ubercoach John Tortorella.

Midget Marner has 9pts in those 5gms. Supersoft Matthews missed 2 of them but still has 4pts in 3gms. Overrated Tavares missed 1 but still has 6pts in 4. Tough defensive Muzzin and Hyman only played 2 of the 5gms each.

The worst minuses on the team in those games were one Nazem Kadri (-2 in 3gms), and one Patrick Marleau (-5 in 3gms), the Grittastic Leaderbeans Vets everybody is so concerned about us not having now.


We are so screwed.

Another thing is Torts will emply such a fantastic system, that he will do a 3 man heavy forecheck, and when it gets beat, those 3 players will get McDavid speed and set up the trap soon after. He is so amazing, that he can make his players do things no human can.

 

[LeafsNation75]

If the Leafs are a bubble team, so are the Jackets. Your just putting out anything to make them look better then they are.

Toronto also ended up #8 due to points percentage and Columbus was #9. So if anything the Blue Jackets were more of a bubble team.

 

[Golden_Jet]

If the Leafs are a bubble team, so are the Jackets. Your just putting out anything to make them look better then they are.

Agreed, that’s what I said.

 

[zeke]

Another thing is Torts will emply such a fantastic system, that he will do a 3 man heavy forecheck, and when it gets beat, those 3 players will get McDavid speed and set up the trap soon after. He is so amazing, that he can make his players do things no human can.

So I've heard! Like magic!

 

[stickty111]

You obviously don't get it Zeke, once the playoffs start Columbus gets superpowers and playoff hockey takes over. They just don't try in the regular season.

Or wait, do they only turn into a playoff juggernaut once they actually qualify for the playoffs by beating us? I'm not 100% on when the transformation happens.

They turn into a super team because they go up against a terrible Leafs team, because thats the next thing users come up.

 

[zeke]

You obviously don't get it Zeke, once the playoffs start Columbus gets superpowers and playoff hockey takes over. They just don't try in the regular season.

Or wait, do they only turn into a playoff juggernaut once they actually qualify for the playoffs by beating us? I'm not 100% on when the transformation happens.

I think its only when the other team gets .856sv% goaltending.