Post-Game Talk: Matty & Johnny Leads Leafs to Victory!

[Daisy Jane]

Did not deserve to win that game, as a team, but thank goodness for Matthews and Tavares.

Leafs played awful, Montreal played their hearts out (credit to them, they were prepared) but skill won out

i really hate that saying (for consistency sake) but goodness graious does it ever apply tonight.

 

[crump]

Can't win them all, but we won that one. Opening nights are a nightmare. Have to take some good out of this. 2 points. Matthews is gold.

 

[Blanche Blanche]

If Babcock saw what I saw, Ennis needs to be kept away from the top two lines.

He doesn't have what it takes to hang around there as teams will send their best defence against the top 6.

This is not a team with two first lines like we thought we would have if we roll Marleau-Matthews-Ennis.

It would be a joke if Ennis gets to stay there. Need to find a new placeholder until Nylander and Dubas end their stand off.

Ya!
Kappy can be the Faster explosive Hyman with some more size!

 

[GodEmperor]

If Babcock saw what I saw, Ennis needs to be kept away from the top two lines.

He doesn't have what it takes to hang around there as teams will send their best defence against the top 6.

This is not a team with two first lines like we thought we would have if we roll Marleau-Matthews-Ennis.

It would be a joke if Ennis gets to stay there. Need to find a new placeholder until Nylander and Dubas end their stand off.

I wish we would throw Kap on the top line, Ennis would be fine on the fourth, but he is NOT a first liner....then again seeing what Babs did with Hyman, who even knows?

 

[MJ65]

Win is a win - doesn't matter how you get it (it's 2 points)

Both Matthews and Tavares scored but our 3rd "C" Kadri was pretty solid

 

[Isaac Nootin]

The Habs remind me of the Leafs the year Babs took over (the year before Matthews). Will work extremely hard, compete most nights, but completely void of top end skill.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Good teams find ways to win but that was a rough game. Oh well two points in the bank onto the next one.

 

[weems]

Imagine how disgusting Matthews is going to be when hes 24-25

 

[Erdinger]

There were stretches were the Leafs just looked awful but they are so deadly once the talent is unleashed from Hyman

 

[Liminality]

That hit on Matthews was very concerning for me. If anyone touches Matthews, he should be jumped immediately.

Matthews is a special player, I don't want players taking a run at him.

It should have been a penalty and we respond by scoring a goal on them.

 

[LeafsNation75]

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

Nerves really showed. IDK why gards was a tire fire for like 2/3's of the game but he settled down and helped us down the stretch. But dude you've been in the league so long like come on man.

So so game, thought everyone was just turning the puck over too much, matty, jt the whole d corps etc..
hopefully we're mostly settled in and are strong for Saturday.

 

[Ratboy]

Maybe Hainsey can become our new D coach?

Like now

 

[JamieG19]

Concerned by how bad we looked, it was extremely similar to the December thru January slump last season. We will never have success playing like that, a lottery team just outplayed us for 60 mins.

How can you be concerned? First game of the year, of course they were kinda sloppy, but having said that, Auston proves he's the best and wins the game. Great start.

 

[Jmo89]

Thought exactly this when Matthews scored.

Does anyone have gifs of the goals?

 

[Ratboy]

Awesome start. By the end of the season, Auston will have made it obvious that he's the best player in the league.

And this is why they laugh at us.

 

[Gabriel426]

Tavares goal called by Joe Bowen.

That was awesome

 

[saffronleaf]

Domi was impressive tonight.

Can't wait until his antics catch up to him and someone absolutely wrecks him.

 

[firstemperor]

Breakouts are killing 'em. All forwards blow the zone and D handles the puck like a grenade. Who is the Defense coordinator for the Vegas Knights? Please throw millions at him.

I seriously thought Babcock would change the system this year. The best teams do not employ the long stretch pass option as much as we do.

Anecdotally, Vegas was by far, the best break-out team last year and it's all done through the D skating it out and looking for the short pass if they get boxed out. The pessimistic side in me says Babcock has not even considered this option in training camp.

 

[Cor]

New Analytic;

Draft King Points per 60

 

[rumman]

Ya!
Kappy can be the Faster explosive Hyman with some more size!

Kappy should at least be on the 3rd line if not the 1st, Leivo was good, but better suited to 4th line duties with the depth the Leafs have.

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

Yeah they've got defensive stuff to work on for sure.

But Freddy was awesome and they managed a win (with 3 awesome goals! Both of Matthews goals were incredible!)

They need some time to gel and the coaching staff to work things out, they'll only get better.

Montreal looked really good. Very fast and very aggressive, Price looks great.

Just going to enjoy the win

 

[93WrapAround]

Maybe Hainsey can become our new D coach?

Like now

Looked like he'd be out of place in my mens league, wtf.

Gardiner still serving up pizzas out there too. Love the talent but would love to ship him out; can't fix stupid.

 

[HogTown06]

Dermott possibly saved a goal there stripping that kid of the puck during a breakaway in the 3rd.

And Hainsey has to go... He seems even slower this year.

 

[FabledKnight]

Just my take

1st line. Tavares didnt disappoint. Marner was a bit invisible 5v5 and a real bad game by Hymen.
2nd line. Matthew's didnt Disappoint either, lol. Did Ennis dress tonight? Marleau wasnt good, not terrible but not good.
3rd line. Didnt mesh at all. Kadri was great all game, very engaged. Brown and Leivo aren't a great fit with Kadri.
4th line. Par is good, 4th centre is definitely been found. Johnsson and Kapanen need to step up.

Overall the Centres where good. Wingers not so much.

Not even gonna talk about the D. Nuff said on these boards.

Anderssen was fantastic.


Once the lines gel, this team will be scary. But a new defensive structure is needed, no more stretch passes please and Hainsey is far slower this year.