Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Oilers

[TheDoldrums]

I actually think these lines are perfect given who's in the lineup. I like Kase on the top line with Marner out, don't touch the Tavares line, Mikheyev will do well on the shutdown line, Liljegren on the second pair. Lots of good stuff imo.

We usually play the 4th line a decent amount but with Seney in this feels like a game they won't see as much time. Simmonds might get some extra shifts on other lines occasionally after special teams and such.

 

[Coachcorner]

Hyman's out for tonight. It's too bad as that was an interesting sidebar to this game.

Although last I heard he was singlehandedly outscoring our entire top 4 guys so I count ourselves lucky, or was that after the first 3-4 games? Either way, we still gotta contend with the grit and toughness of RNH and Puljujarvi so it won't be easy

Imagine how hard Bunting will gangsta this thang up now... that hy-man is out too. We just so hard... and gangsta sire. Others is not!

 

[stickty111]

 

[SprDaVE]

Mikheyev should be a boost in quality, especially on the PK.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

Oilers GDT looks like a playoff version. They care so much about this game it would be kina cute if it weren't so pathetic.

Well they are on a 5 or 6 game skid. Beating a quality team like ours should have a positive effect on their teams moral and can kickstart a bounce back from their team.
It’s not insanely important, but it does have some more value than any other game I’d say

 

[tom leafers]

Mikheyev should be a boost in quality, especially on the PK.

And a boost in unconverted breakaways as well.

Hopefully he has developed a bit more of a scoring touch this year

 

[stickty111]

This game might not happen at this rate. We are headed for a shutdown.

 

[BTP]

Yup. I doubt this game happens. If it does, may be the last game for a while. Ugh.

 

[leafsfan5]

Damn, was really looking forward to the game tonight

 

[Fogelhund]

Yup. I doubt this game happens. If it does, may be the last game for a while. Ugh.

I doubt that they postpone the game on one positive. Canes game postponed, four Canes players in protocol.

 

[stickty111]

I doubt that they postpone the game on one positive.

I feel like they should. One positive can turn into multiple positives pretty quickly. The Flames and Canes situation is pretty bad right now.

 

[Beaumaris]

Don't let Oilers fans convince you that goaltending has been the problem for them. They're right in the middle of the pack in team save percentage this year, and have a better record with Koskinen in net than without him in net.

They are simply a terrible defensive team. Also, not even that great offensively at even strength. They have the best PP in the league though.

Right on all counts,we must stay out of the penalty box.

 

[ACC1224]

I doubt that they postpone the game on one positive. Canes game postponed, four Canes players in protocol.

Lets hope not.

 

[Gary Nylund]

So maybe no game tonight? FML that would suck. On the other hand, err on the side of caution I say. Better to miss one game tonight then miss a bunch more later.

If we do play, welcome back Soupy! We didn't miss you much when we were steamrolling everyone but lately ... we miss you.

 

[leafsfan5]

I actually think these lines are perfect given who's in the lineup. I like Kase on the top line with Marner out, don't touch the Tavares line, Mikheyev will do well on the shutdown line, Liljegren on the second pair. Lots of good stuff imo.

We usually play the 4th line a decent amount but with Seney in this feels like a game they won't see as much time. Simmonds might get some extra shifts on other lines occasionally after special teams and such.

It'll be interesting to see how the third line works. If it clicks it can open up Kase for more offensive roles even when Marner comes back.

Make the 4th line Simmonds - Spezza - Kase and suddenly you have 3 offensive lines and a shutdown 3rd line

 

[ACC1224]

It'll be interesting to see how the third line works. If it clicks it can open up Kase for more offensive roles even when Marner comes back.

Make the 4th line Simmonds - Spezza - Kase and suddenly you have 3 offensive lines and a shutdown 3rd line

Spezza is currently suspended.

 

[leafsfan5]

Spezza is currently suspended.

I meant when he's back and the lineup is healthy

The cap will be the main concern though, I don't think everyone fits and we'll have to make some moves. Ritchie would be the odd man out with my lines

 

[MattySnipes]

Hopefully should be back from work by 9pm for this game. Playing the Oilers is always fun.

I don't think this game will be as much fun as that 3 game sweep from last year. Boy that was super fun. Think HFOil went into hiding after that.

Leafs have a wicked record there...believe something like 8-0-1.

GLG!

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[ACC1224]

I meant when he's back and the lineup is healthy

The cap will be the main concern though, I don't think everyone fits and we'll have to make some moves. Ritchie would be the odd man out with my lines

Got it. I thought with this being the GDT that you meant tonight.

 

[capfit9]

the fact that Mcleod was positive should be a huge red flag

 

[wingman75]

Lets hope not.

If all the other tests come back negative there would be no reason to.

I have to say, I am impressed with our groups committment to clearly not putting themselves in harms way when it comes to covid. Considering they live in, what the 4th lagest city in North America, they are clearly going over an above. Of course, we will get hit with it too at some point I would imagine... ugh.

I feel like we are definetly edging towards some changes being implemented (at least here in Canada) to the game day routine for both players and fans alike.

 

[Griffin76]

Engvall Kampf and Mikheyev should be an interesting line and I like Kase with Matthews. Big chance for Liljegren to take a step and Holl will hopefully have a flashback to when he single handedly shut down McDavid, Draisaitl and the entire Oilers team. Another advantage is them not having Zach "makes every line he plays on better" Hyman. Looking forward to this game. All that said would not surprise me if the Leafs pulled a real stinker.

 

[PromisedLand]

Oilers on a losing streak need a win, Meier reffing the game, what could possibly go wrong? right?

FML

 

[leafsfan5]

Saw a post on the Oilers board that I thought was fascinating:

Kampf, Kase and Bunting combined make less than Zack Kassian
Simmonds and Spezza combined make as much as Kyle Turris

We essentially have 5 of our most useful role players for the price of their 2 plugs. It's insane how bad the Oilers management has been at surrounding their stars with talent. Props to Dubas for being able to find these useful pieces at cheap costs