R1, G5: Lightning @ Maple Leafs - Apr. 27th, 7:00pm - SN, Fan 590

[AtomicMapleLeaf]

Bunting can draw in for Lafferty.

May not be popular, but I would draw in Bunting for Knies.

[Frank E]

I'm really sorry guys.

[Bill33]

Ah well. I expected a 7 game series, and it's looking like a pretty safe bet.

That said, if they lose game 7, it's going to be an ugly scene with fans tossing sweaters. 

[L K]

I'd just like to point out that the Sportsnet panel doing a post-game call-out of Knies for faking his high stick.  I just saw another angle of it this morning and the stick comes up under his arm and clips him in the chin.

Screw off Sportsnet for potentially wrecking the reputation of a young kid....WHEN YOU WERE WRONG.

[Zee]

I hate this team

Are you not entertained?

Actually I'm not.  This team can never do anything easily for once.  Always have to go 7 games no matter what.

[Zee]

Bunting can draw in for Lafferty.

May not be popular, but I would draw in Bunting for Knies.

I think the Leafs need to pull out their 11/7 they were using so much down the stretch.  Get Lilejegren in there and limit Holl's minutes.

[cabber24]

The 0-10 when having 3 wins in a series has to be one of the most brutal stats in all of sports.

expletive... expletive... expletive... expletive... expletive... expletive...expletive... expletive... expletive...expletive... expletive... expletive...expletive... expletive... expletive...expletive... expletive... expletive...

[azzurri63]

Just watched Keefe post game and they said Holl has been on for 73% of TB's goals. Says he's not the only one out there. Typical answer but says he needs to be better. No Sheldon he needs to sit.

[Andy]

Boy, I miss when this team used to have speed..

[Andy]

Bunting can draw in for Lafferty.

May not be popular, but I would draw in Bunting for Knies.

I think the Leafs need to pull out their 11/7 they were using so much down the stretch.  Get Lilejegren in there and limit Holl's minutes.

I agree with that but add that I wouldn't mind seeing Gustafsson come in as the 7th and Liljegren in for Holl. Gus can spell Gio for a bit and give us another strong PP option.

[azzurri63]

Boy, I miss when this team used to have speed..

I think the backend is the problem. Too slow moving the puck and when pressured. Holl, Schenn, Giordano and even Brodie aren't the quickest.

[azzurri63]

Bunting can draw in for Lafferty.

May not be popular, but I would draw in Bunting for Knies.

Why?

[Andy]

Boy, I miss when this team used to have speed..

I think the backend is the problem. Too slow moving the puck and when pressured. Holl, Schenn, Giordano and even Brodie aren't the quickest.

Yes, I agree; the lack of footspeed and puck-moving capability back there, particularly from those first three, has really been noticeable (and exploited).

[azzurri63]

Boy, I miss when this team used to have speed..

I think the backend is the problem. Too slow moving the puck and when pressured. Holl, Schenn, Giordano and even Brodie aren't the quickest.

Yes, I agree; the lack of footspeed and puck-moving capability back there, particularly from those first three, has really been noticeable (and exploited).

I don't get Keefe. Liljegren is in the future for this team. Why not give him some experience right from the get go. I'm not sure now if it's too late throwing him in in Tampa when hasn't played in weeks. Ridiculous. Meanwhile what's the plan with Holl. Free agent who should be gone hopefully but if he isn't in the long term plans why not play Timmy? This team will resign Holl and give him a raise. Honestly think Holl has pictures of something because it's absolutely insane at the love this guy gets from Keefe.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

The first 2 of 3 games of R1 are when you have to get ready for all kinds of intense forecheck hits.  That's passed.  The games have settled in and aren't much rougher than the regular season.

They absolutely can't stand pat with the lineup, and not just Bunting coming back in.  (I'd pull ZAR for him.)  Sad to say, I kind of hope Gio is banged up from the hit because he needs to come out for at least 1.  I'd roll the dice and go 11/7 with Liljegren coming in, and maybe Gustafsson too, for Gio and/or Holl/Schenn.

Tampa's been the better team 4 of the 5 games.  We need to get out puck-moving game going before it's too late.  Hedman is hurt, as MLHS points out Sergachev is vulnerable.  They need to attack, attack, attack and count on Samsonov to make the needed saves when chances inevitably come back the other way.