Series Talk: North Division Round 1: Leafs (1) vs. Canadiens (4)

[Jacquestrapless]

Opening up is like playing golf or going to a patio, not putting hundreds or thousands into an indoor arena. I also don't think 'soon' is in the next few weeks, they already extended the lockdown to June 2 which is the week round 2 would start. We won't go from this to sitting in an arena.

Trudeau is negotiating to open borders. Perhaps the Sabres could lend us their arena. That would be the best of both worlds, no? Buffalo gets tourism money and we get to pack the arena with die-hard Leafs fans.

 

[Rob Brown]

Trudeau is negotiating to open borders. Perhaps the Sabres could lend us their arena. That would be the best of both worlds, no? Buffalo gets tourism money and we get to pack the arena with die-hard Leafs fans.

If they are opening borders and would allow Leafs fans to go over for games, they would just allow US teams to fly into Toronto...

 

[Suntouchable13]

Opening up is like playing golf or going to a patio, not putting hundreds or thousands into an indoor arena. I also don't think 'soon' is in the next few weeks, they already extended the lockdown to June 2 which is the week round 2 would start. We won't go from this to sitting in an arena.

But why the US can do it and we can't? I don't get it.

 

[keonsbitterness]

But why the US can do it and we can't? I don't get it.

Probably because they are 2-3 months ahead of us rolling out vaccines.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Probably because they are 2-3 months ahead of us rolling out vaccines.

You're right, good point.

 

[tmlms13]

Should be an easy win on paper but this is playoff hockey. Could go 6 or 7.

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Leafs simply cannot lose this.

You can't get a hit if you have the puck.

You can get a lot of hits if you never have the puck.

 

[Rude Dog]

Am I the only one who hates the balanced PPs. I get it has sucked but I have a lot more faith that stacking the lines may get it going in the playoffs. Play them 90 seconds and switch Nylander and Marner to give two legit shots from the sides. Also work a down low play with Marner to Tavares in the slot. I am hoping playoff Joe has something to add but I can’t help but feel like I am watching Gauthier when I see him with the puck. I hope he proves me wrong.

 

[kevsh]

It works for Kucherov because he's a legitimate one time threat. Marner can't shoot like him, and Matthews can't pass like him. Marner gets the puck, you don't have to fully respect the shot. Matthews gets the puck, you don't have to fully respect the pass.

I really think they should try giving Nylander more agency. Guy's made for 5v4.

There's more than one way to line it up. Marner can pass, Tavares can shoot. Nylander can pass, Matthews can shoot. And yes, Matthews can pass well enough, he has an incredibly hard, fast pass.

And it's not like a quick puck-moving powerplay only works when you've got Kucherov on the unit, there's plenty of successful teams in this league that don't have him or anyone like him.

Lastly, again, this isn't that difficult. Watch Tampa's PPs last night. Hedman walks in from the point, no-look to Kucherov that pulls Bob over expecting the shot, Kuch instead quickly moves it to Point in the slot. Reilly, Marner/Nylander/Matthews aren't capable of plays like that? I'll answer that, of course they are.

 

[kevsh]

1:22: Marner can pass, and that's a heck of a lot longer than to the slot.

 

[tmlms13]

Probably because they are 2-3 months ahead of us rolling out vaccines.

Actually because of a much larger number of anti-vaxxers in the US the percentage of first dose it's not that far off.

It's also a just a cultural thing, they are willing to open up when similar numbers would cause a lockdown in Canada.

 

[keonsbitterness]

Actually because of a much larger number of anti-vaxxers in the US the percentage of first dose it's not that far off.

It's also a just a cultural thing, they are willing to open up when similar numbers would cause a lockdown in Canada.

Good point about the cultural difference.

I think a critical mass will hit the U.S. (if it hasn't happened already in some places) where they'll have to ship excess vaccine to neighbouring countries.

 

[tmlms13]

Good point about the cultural difference.

I think a critical mass will hit the U.S. (if it hasn't happened already in some places) where they'll have to ship excess vaccine to neighbouring countries.

There was a news story today about them shipping their supply to other countries now. Not to mention the story where North Dakota said people from Manitoba can come and get their vaccine.

They are at the point of everyone who doesn't need convincing has one now we have to convince all the hesitant and anti-vaxers. Google the "Tuskegee Syphillis Study"

There are lots of stories about basically bribing people. Gift cards, a bar giving out free drinks, a minor league sports team gave free tickets i think.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Gallagher conditioning stint seems to be going well.

 

[Stephen]

Gallagher conditioning stint seems to be going well.

I'm happy to see Price and Gallagher have found their level of competition. How upset would Habs fans be if Gallagher hurt himself on a re-hab assignment?

 

[frizzer1]

Call me pessimistic but I don’t like the lineup or the pp setup.
Nash is a 4th liner and doesn’t belong on the third line.
First pp unit should be.....
Matthews Marner Tavares sandin. and simmonds net front.
Hyman cannot be on the first unit because he can’t move the puck.
Ughh!

 

[Busher]

Gallagher conditioning stint seems to be going well.

Liljegren softening up the competition before the competition. Can’t complain.

 

[zeke]

Hutch should be our #2.

 

[Muston Atthews]

I just hope we bring the intensity instead of responding to it. Assert ourselves as the physical team so we're not playing catch up trying to crush their guys (ala Kadri). Set the tone that were playing physical.

 

[zeke]

Gallagher conditioning stint seems to be going well.

TRUCK

 

[zeke]

Am I the only one who hates the balanced PPs. I get it has sucked but I have a lot more faith that stacking the lines may get it going in the playoffs. Play them 90 seconds and switch Nylander and Marner to give two legit shots from the sides. Also work a down low play with Marner to Tavares in the slot. I am hoping playoff Joe has something to add but I can’t help but feel like I am watching Gauthier when I see him with the puck. I hope he proves me wrong.

I hate it....but at this point try anything.

 

[mikeyz]

Price is getting lit up by the Marlies as we speak.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Hutch should be our #2.

It's at least between him and Rittich. Hutchinson deserves a lot more respect than he gets though

 

[saltming]

A sign of things to come?

 

[Gallagbi]

It's at least between him and Rittich. Hutchinson deserves a lot more respect than he gets though

I don't think Hutch respects himself as much as some of our fans do right now.

 

[wingman75]

Has Sportsnet officially said which play by play teams are calling the Canadian series?

I assume Cuthbert + Simpson for Leafs v Habs and Sing + ? for Oilers v Jets.