Matt Martin doesn't deter physical players from opposition teams playing physical hockey in the playoffs.
This is on Kadri for not keeping his head, not on the coach.
It's hilarious that you think Matt Martin has any influence in this series.
I'd do the opposite. Keep the lines and embrace that Matthews - Bergeron matchup.Boston are suffocating our top line with Bergeron+Chara combination. That line had no room to breathe. The only time they really broke down Bostons structure was when Nylander fished out the pick in a spin move to attack the center of the ice. We had them there, but he of course fumbled the puck.
With Kadri suspended, I'd spread the wealth to be honest. Make it harder for Boston to match up. Go with something like:
Marleau - Matthews - Hyman
Johnsson - Nylander - Kapanen
JVR - Bozak - Marner
Komarov - Plekanec - Brown
That's just the thing. I don't think we can match that top line AND their top pairing. I think that'll suffocate two of our three game-breaking talents, and with Kadri out we'll have to rely mostly on just Marner.I'd do the opposite. Keep the lines and embrace that Matthews - Bergeron matchup.
Babcock is overly concerned about matchups and roles right now and has been for a while. If we can match their top line (or even keep close) we should be in a good spot to win this series. Shift the focus away from fear for that line, you want them to be confident to take on the best.
If our top line isn't good enough to match theirs and our depth can't out perform theirs, are we good enough to win?That's just the thing. I don't think we can match that top line AND their top pairing. I think that'll suffocate two of our three game-breaking talents, and with Kadri out we'll have to rely mostly on just Marner.
I think we can be. I'd like our chances a whole lot more if we had spread our offense and rolled four lines. Either way, it is through depth we'll win this series, in my opinion. They are better than us on line 1, and can match us on line 2, but I think we should be better on line 3 and could have a substantial advantage if we used it on line 4.If our top line isn't good enough to match theirs and our depth can't out perform theirs, are we good enough to win?
Even if Kadri isn't suspended, I would use Johnsson and Moore over Komarov and Plekanec. If Kadri is suspended, then I would bring in Leivo.
He already has. Buh bye Kadri
We got bullied. Period.
I think we can be. I'd like our chances a whole lot more if we had spread our offense and rolled four lines. Either way, it is through depth we'll win this series, in my opinion. They are better than us on line 1, and can match us on line 2, but I think we should be better on line 3 and could have a substantial advantage if we used it on line 4.
The Bergeron-Chara combination is one of the most suffocating duos in modern NHL history. Walking into that matchup with mots of our talent feel like walking into a trap.
yeah, if we get killed on the scoreboard, icing a bunch of fringe NHLers should fix everything. Brilliant analysisIf Leafs get badly beaten up in game #2 physically and on the scoreboard then for game #3
Matt Martin -- Collen Greening -- Mason Marchment might need to be inserted.
Boston are suffocating our top line with Bergeron+Chara combination. That line had no room to breathe. The only time they really broke down Bostons structure was when Nylander fished out the pick in a spin move to attack the center of the ice. We had them there, but he of course fumbled the puck.
With Kadri suspended, I'd spread the wealth to be honest. Make it harder for Boston to match up. Go with something like:
Marleau - Matthews - Hyman
Johnsson - Nylander - Kapanen
JVR - Bozak - Marner
Komarov - Plekanec - Brown
Even if Kadri isn't suspended, I would use Johnsson and Moore over Komarov and Plekanec. If Kadri is suspended, then I would bring in Leivo.
I didn't think Nylander was that bad. He fought well on the boards in a few battles an was strong on his skates. Agreed on Bozak though I noticed him shy away at various points."Scared" isn't fair but a few forwards (cough Nylander, cough Bozak) spent a little too much energy avoiding contact and not enough time working through contact. But on average the forwards took their share of lumps and initiated contact.
After watching this game...nobody wants Martin really!?!?!