Kraken vs. Maple Leafs - Feb. 26th, 7:00pm - SNO, TSN 1050

[Bill33]

I really don't know what to think about running ROR as the 3C.  It makes the most sense on paper.  But I really like Tavares on the wing.

Same. That said, it's good to have the option to have him down to 3c for line matching, that sort of thing, against teams like TB that have significant depth to match. But if the leafs need a goal or two, you know ROR is back to 2nd line center.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

I really don't know what to think about running ROR as the 3C.  It makes the most sense on paper.  But I really like Tavares on the wing.

I'm leaning toward:

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-O'Reilly-Nylander
Engvall-Tavares-Jarnkrok
ZAR-Kampf-Acciari

Engvall and Jarnkrok both speedy, grindy, defensively responislbe players with good shots and with centre experience that can help with some of Tavares' downsides.

I'll back that IF Tavares can death-stare Engvall into going to the front of the net.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

Contemplating those lineups it sure would have been good if Robertson had even halfway panned out like we were hoping.

[Bill33]

Meh. I think Tavares' better days playing center have passed. He still knows what to do with the puck when he's in the slot, but I think Marner helps out with the puck carrying and defensive play a fair bit.

So I'd rather leave tavares at 2C as long as Marner is there to help 5 on 5.

[CarltonTheBear]

I really don't know what to think about running ROR as the 3C.  It makes the most sense on paper.  But I really like Tavares on the wing.

Same. That said, it's good to have the option to have him down to 3c for line matching, that sort of thing, against teams like TB that have significant depth to match. But if the leafs need a goal or two, you know ROR is back to 2nd line center.

Not gonna lie, I think Tampa's depth is a little overstated. Similar to the Leafs they tend to stack their top-6:

Hagel-Point-Kucherov
Stamkos-Cirelli-Killorn
Colton-Paul-Maroon
Namestnikov-Bellemare-Perry

Their 4th line is pretty comparable to what the Leafs have now with Acciari. Their 3rd line is good, but it's not as if it has top-6 players smurfing on it like the Leafs would if they moved ROR or Tavares there. Paul's an improvement over Kampf but I'd probably take Engvall/Jarnkrok over Colton/Maroon.

With that said, they've yet to make any deadline moves so we'll see what they do there.

[Bill33]

That's about as good a road win against a good team as we've seen all year.

Great effort across the board

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

I really don't know what to think about running ROR as the 3C.  It makes the most sense on paper.  But I really like Tavares on the wing.

Same. That said, it's good to have the option to have him down to 3c for line matching, that sort of thing, against teams like TB that have significant depth to match. But if the leafs need a goal or two, you know ROR is back to 2nd line center.

Not gonna lie, I think Tampa's depth is a little overstated. Similar to the Leafs they tend to stack their top-6:

Hagel-Point-Kucherov
Stamkos-Cirelli-Killorn
Colton-Paul-Maroon
Namestnikov-Bellemare-Perry

Their 4th line is pretty comparable to what the Leafs have now with Acciari. Their 3rd line is good, but it's not as if it has top-6 players smurfing on it. Paul's an improvement over Kampf but I'd probably take Engvall/Jarnkrok over Colton/Maroon.

With that said, they've yet to make any deadline moves so we'll see what they do there.

I hope you're right.  But Nick Paul still features in my nightmares.

[CarltonTheBear]

I hope you're right.  But Nick Paul still features in my nightmares.

Nick Paul had the game of his life in game 7, but at the end of the day he's just a fine-to-good 3rd line centre but not someone anyone would ever consider in their top-6.

[Bill33]

I hope you're right.  But Nick Paul still features in my nightmares.

Nick Paul had the game of his life in game 7, but at the end of the day he's just a fine-to-good 3rd line centre but not someone anyone would ever consider in their top-6.

Yeah, losing Palat does reduce the depth a bit. We'll see if they get Jeanneaut+.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

I hope you're right.  But Nick Paul still features in my nightmares.

Nick Paul had the game of his life in game 7, but at the end of the day he's just a fine-to-good 3rd line centre but not someone anyone would ever consider in their top-6.

I know.  But I've never seen any Leaf have the game of his life in a G7. *weeps*

[Bender]

Excellent win, Sammy with a statement game.

[Bill33]

I hope you're right.  But Nick Paul still features in my nightmares.

Nick Paul had the game of his life in game 7, but at the end of the day he's just a fine-to-good 3rd line centre but not someone anyone would ever consider in their top-6.

I know.  But I've never seen any Leaf have the game of his life in a G7. *weeps*

Joe Niewendyk in 2004?

[lamajama]

I hope you're right.  But Nick Paul still features in my nightmares.

Nick Paul had the game of his life in game 7, but at the end of the day he's just a fine-to-good 3rd line centre but not someone anyone would ever consider in their top-6.

I know.  But I've never seen any Leaf have the game of his life in a G7. *weeps*

Joe Niewendyk in 2004?

X# even if he was a star

[herman]

Joe Niewendyk in 2004?

I think you meant Patrick Lalime having a wonderful game*

* for the Leafs