GDT: Tampa Bay Lightning @ Toronto Maple Leafs @ 7:00pm / SNO

[X66]

Both @CantLoseWithMatthews and the fans saying it's too early are correct.

On one hand, it's way too early, and the good thing is nothing about the team suggests that we should worry, we realistically should be 4-0, but it is what it is.

On the flip side, you need to start taking care of your home games whenever you get them, because down the stretch it's going to bite you to leave the points on the table. Going 0-2-1 in your first three home games is pathetic.

 

[Marshy]

I've got a fever tonight and the only prescription is copious amounts of Hall and Oates.

 

[Havoc]

Should be a W if we replicate Blues performance. Binnington > Vas and I doubt Matthews misses his shots again.


By replicate I don't mean pretending AJ is anywhere close to being as good as Nylander.

 

[Leafsman]

They’ve played 4 games.

If memory serves, Babcock has been with this team longer than this season.

This is a continuing issue from his entire time here. While you may give him a clean slate at the start of every season, I hold him accountable for everything he's done and how he's done it. He has a long history of battling against common sense and sticking to his unsuccessful strategies. The team may change but his stubbornness hasn't.

 

[Paradoc]

It is also 15th in the league in point percentage. Some teams obviously won't keep up their paces, but others like Tampa will get better

So why won’t we get better? We have a roster on par with them.

 

[7even]

Point comes back just in time for us THAT'S GREAT

 

[egd27]

I love the contrast in Babcock's rhetoric in preseason and regular season.

In preseason, it's: "You have to compete and battle and not only earn your spot but battle to keep it."

Regular season, it's: "These are my lines and I'm not changing them no matter how much someone else deserves the promotion because I'm smarter than all conventional wisdom and blah, blah, blah..."

I'm a big Kappy fan but there needs to be a shuffle between the lines and it could start and end with that one change.

Exactly!

If a guy can't get it together playing a new position with new line mates in four games, it's clearly time for a change. But of course the stubborn coach probably thinks that promoting a guy that's been in the NHL for a whole week to the first line is risky.

#firethecoach

 

[Rude Dog]

Can't help but sigh when I see Sportsnet carrying the game.

It's easy to see if Marner is "on" after his first few shifts. Hoping that line can get the monkey off its back real fast.

 

[baton elevated]

Why does it seem we always fear the return of certain players with teams we face? IE- Point,Petterson,Eichel, etc etc. This team should not be so shakey that one player is going to worry us........but it does.
Fear of losing should be the only focus here. they have the talent, let's add drive and effort. no more excuses!

 

[Rogue]

Listen to Yoshi. He knows of what he speaks on the matter.

Dude, thanks so much! You made my day. I am literally happy with myself and smiling in the subway from 10 minutes!

 

[kb]

Andreas Johnsson came by my work on Tuesday. Told him he's gonna go top shelf vs. Tampa for his first of the season. So I very well expect him to do just that tonight.

Also, his girl is an absolute rocket.

Which Burger King location was that?

I'm kidding, that is awesome that you got to meet him!

 

[kb]

Dude, thanks so much! You made my day. I am literally happy with myself and smiling in the subway from 10 minutes!

It what I wanted too. For fans, it seems obvious....

 

[ULF_55]

Last game was Kapanen's best of the 4, I'm okay with not switching the lines up yet. It's not like he's the only issue on that line, none of them have been good 5v5.

Moore-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Kapanen
Johnson-Kerfoot-marner
Timashov-Gauthier-Spezza

marner can stay on the PP1

 

[WTFMAN99]

Moore-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Kapanen
Johnson-Kerfoot-marner
Timashov-Gauthier-Spezza

marner can stay on the PP1

So we're breaking up one of the best duos in the league 4 games into the season...

 

[Fogelhund]

So, Tavares and Marner can't get it going 5v5, and it's Kapanen's fault, and Babcock is to blame for not giving Tavares and Marner, someone who can get them going? I mean two guys at $11 mil plus, have three points even strength in four games, and we are looking at Kapanen as the problem? Anyone with the talent level represented by $11mil contracts, should be able to carry anyone, not depend on having someone else to get them going. If Tavares and Marner were playing up to Matthews/Nylander level at this point, Kapanen would likely have 2-3 points, and I doubt anyone is complaining... and that would be with Kapanen being a complete passenger... but we have to have someone to complain about.

 

[ULF_55]

So we're breaking up one of the best duos in the league 4 games into the season...

They can both drive lines they don't need each other.

It shouldn't impact their production at all.

 

[7even]

Why does it seem we always fear the return of certain players with teams we face? IE- Point,Petterson,Eichel, etc etc. This team should not be so shakey that one player is going to worry us........but it does.
Fear of losing should be the only focus here. they have the talent, let's add drive and effort. no more excuses!

Vasilevsky. The answer is Vasilevsky.

 

[ShaneFalco]

How long until fans turn on Marner if his slow pace keeps up?

 

[razkaz]

Oof, lots of hot takes. Can we wait until October is over before we start the negativity.


Will be a fun game, always is between these two clubs

 

[Ciao]

Win or lose, I would like to see them shut down the soft goals and defensive lapses that are still present in their game.

I don't buy into the need for physical toughness, but I do see a need for mental toughness that causes them to bring their "A" game to every period and every shift.

Their potential for greatness is obvious, but it's the lapses that kill them.

They need to weed those out game-by-game.

(No thrown broken sticks tonight?)

 

[ACC1224]

Oof, lots of hot takes. Can we wait until October is over before we start the negativity.


Will be a fun game, always is between these two clubs

No kidding....some just can't help themselves.

 

[PromoterDave]

I think Rasmus Sandin should get some more minutes. He's currently playing with a 100% Goals for percentage right now

 

[lovemyleafs]

Which Burger King location was that?

I'm kidding, that is awesome that you got to meet him!

Lmaooo Cirque Du Soleil

He's a pretty chill guy. Hopefully he comes thru and delivers on my promise tonight!

 

[X66]

Only thing I'm annoyed with is Tampa gets to get their "Hero" game moment against us.

They're struggling, Stamkos called them out, Point coming back, IN TORONTO lol.

I hope Tavares comes out and slaps these guys up.

 

[ToneDog]

How long until fans turn on Marner if his slow pace keeps up?

5 points in 4 games = 100+ for the season