Pre-Game Talk: Maple Leafs @ Blue Jackets, October 4th

[Funk21]

Who’s playing goal? He better run Hutch out there, I will be pissed he plays Andersen playing the back to back.

 

[Daisy Jane]

Who’s playing goal? He better run Hutch out there, I will be pissed he plays Andersen playing the back to back.

it's probably going to be Fred friday, Hutch saturday

 

[Da Cool Rula]

I got Leaf fever. I want a game every night.
Currently sitting on chair in my man cave in bsmt sipping on brandy well looking at a black screen.

 

[crump]

I don't know why, but I feel you should play your #1 against divisional rivals, no? Actually I do know why. Because those points are crucial to getting into the playoffs and to getting home ice in the playoffs.

 

[PromisedLand]

I don't know why, but I feel you should play your #1 against divisional rivals, no? Actually I do know why. Because those points are crucial to getting into the playoffs and to getting home ice in the playoffs.

especially given the way the standings work now; divisional games are of paramount importance; if you win in regulation not only do you get 2 points but deny your divisional rival of any points and that is one game off the boards of the total 82 game schedule.

league should mandate that when divisional rivals play each other those games should not be back to back and if they have to be then both teams should be on back to back.

 

[PromisedLand]

My thoughts exactly!

WTF does a tired Leafs team always face a fresh Habs team, NOT FAIR!

Yup Precisely!!!

 

[PromisedLand]

Is spezza not one of the best FO men in the league?

he is and that is why Babcock's take on it was weird

 

[Suntouchable13]

My thoughts exactly!

WTF does a tired Leafs team always face a fresh Habs team, NOT FAIR!

Man, it's just the beginning of the season nobody is tired yet. Pro athletes can handle a back-to-back especially this early in the season. Such a short trip too. Come on.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

My thoughts exactly!

WTF does a tired Leafs team always face a fresh Habs team, NOT FAIR!

It's literally just the 3rd game, not midseason. We should still be pretty damn fresh at this point despite a back to back I would hope

 

[X66]

Allow me to post my first regular season rant. It effing sucks that Leafs have a back to back with a 2nd game against divisional rival in a 4 point game. Absolutely STUPID whoever made the schedule

Happens again later as well, next game against the habs is the same situation and one of the next bruins game same thing.

 

[PromisedLand]

Happens again later as well, next game against the habs is the same situation and one of the next bruins game same thing.

yup saw that and it absolutely ticked me off

 

[Leaf4Life79]

It's literally just the 3rd game, not midseason. We should still be pretty damn fresh at this point despite a back to back I would hope

That is not the point I am trying to make, this has been going on for more then the last couple of seasons 'leafs coming off back to back games facing the habs or other division rivals' it is simply not fair.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Totally fine with this kind of rotation on the bottom end of the lineup, IMO it's how things should be done early in the year.

I'm a fan of using your whole roster consistently. Rotate guys in so they actually play hockey once and a while.

Can't expect fringe guys like Holl and Marincin to sit 20+games and then come in and suddenly be able to play well.

 

[moon111]

Honestly, think criticizing the coach who's on the 4th line or 6th defenseman should be pretty much a mute point.
If I'm Dubas, would just want to know if I'm losing a potential asset or not. Otherwise, it's a non-issue.

 

[BigGulpsEh]

All the teams in the Atlantic division have back to back against each other built into the schedule.

This isn’t just a leaf thing. Stop with the excuses

 

[TML Dynasty]

Never really understood Babcock's goalie decisions. He always goes with Andersen on the front end of a back to back which I don't get. If you're playing a weaker team on the front end wouldn't you want to save your #1 guy for the second game? Not sure what the difference is between Columbus and the Habs as far as superiority but I would save Andersen for the Habs.

Its early so maybe Andy plays both? Its not like he needs the rest at this point.

 

[Leaf4Life79]

All the teams in the Atlantic division have back to back against each other built into the schedule.

This isn’t just a leaf thing. Stop with the excuses

ok boss..

 

[Leaf4Life79]

All the teams in the Atlantic division have back to back against each other built into the schedule.

This isn’t just a leaf thing. Stop with the excuses

Not an excuse, just an observation !

 

[hoglund]

I got Leaf fever. I want a game every night.
Currently sitting on chair in my man cave in bsmt sipping on brandy well looking at a black screen.

The baseball playoffs are on.

 

[67Leafs67]

Should be a good game, lots to improve on, but also lots to continue rolling with that was good last game. It will be nice to see some rotation in the bottom six, I think it's a good trend to establish. It keeps players on their toes, but also keeps everybody fresh...we don't need any more 30 game stints of Leivo/Holl type players in the press box, so that when they step in they have no chance of looking like anything but shit. It's not like Shore, Timashov, & Marincin played bad, and they know that, but if they want to not get rotated out, they need to prove they are better than Gauthier, Sandin, etc...for next time.

Columbus took a big step down from last season, but is still a sneaky good team, and won't go down easy. Their defense is still solid with Jones, Werenksi, Murray, & Savard in the top 4, and despite losing Panarin, they've got some solid, if unspectacular, forwards in Dubois & Atkinson...but the depth is hurting, and goaltending is a huge hole for this squad. It should be a win, setting the tone early in the season. We can't be losing games like this, like we did last year to Ottawa, if we want to win the division, or at least get home ice in the first round.

 

[Canadian Finn]

Have our Ti-Cats home game tomorrow (Oskee Wee Wee), but will be PVR'ing the Leafs game.

This year there is so much excitement I don't even care if I hear the score...I just want to watch the game. Entertainment value is high right now!

 

[Havoc]

Like when it's road games.

Our ice is so crap. Nylander's quick back hand shoots off the ice instead of sliding nicely under the pad. Barrie's pass to Mikheyev starts rolling instead of staying on the ice, hence why he didn't get all of it.

Our road record last season supports road games are better for us lol

 

[Pi]

Tomorrow should be a W. That looks like an underwhelming roster...they have little to no firepower with Panarin gone.

 

[Bedards Dad]

Fine, stop making as many ridiculous mistakes. They should definitely be capable of doing that. Otherwise we are not making the playoffs. Pretty much any team besides Ottawa would have capitalized on those mistakes and won that game.

Great take...

 

[TheDoldrums]

Happens again later as well, next game against the habs is the same situation and one of the next bruins game same thing.

The Bruins one actually matters.

The Habs are not our competition for home ice.