Don't wanna see anyone lose a job over that. Almost all of Dubas' moves looked good, except for Mrazek, wow what a miss. But Bunty, that's a hit if I ever saw one. Half credit goes to Carlton ofc. I like him more than Hyman I think. Keefe was fine. Shoot out or not, a team record for points isn't nothing. 5v5 we were a beast, PP and Pk, great all year. If our goaltending didn't go through a real rough patch we may not even play Tampa. Jackie bounced back, Papi was Hart worthy, Mitchy took rest over accolades. D I felt were more than up to the task. Team D was imo, better. Not great, but better. I'm still kind of amazed we've made the playoff's all but 1 year(I don't count the play-in's as play-offs) since Mitch and Papi came on the scene.
We hit an actual elite team, while we're still reaching for that next rung on the ladder. Really thought this was the year. We played well enough, and against any other team save Florida it's likely over in 5 or 6.
For all the "Burn it to the groudner's". Chill. We all saw what happened. That interference call on Holl, while by the book, was not by the book of that particular game. With any other crew or even with this one it had a 50/50 chance of being called. Reffing felt sus all series, including in the two games we benefitted. Even that hook in the third by Tampa, I was screaming at my TV. That, by "this game's" rule book, was not a penalty. If it was called like that all game, fine. But if Toronto would have scored and then won after that play TB fans would have been po'd and rightly so.
Last night I was not fit to be around. Managed to calm down a bit, but gonna be sour for a while I think. There are things about the game on and off ice that are making it harder and harder to digest what the NHL is putting out there for a product. Between the scandals in Chicago. The Officiating. DOPS. The need to change "hockey culture" at the grass roots level. Propping up the yotes in a way that could effect the HARD cap in a few seasons, following years of minimal growth. All the pain killers that have been pushed over the years, paired with their attempt to fight CTE cases at every turn, while directly benefitting from on ice violence. Regional blackouts, and likely more. Love Hockey, love the Leafs, NHL leadership can go afaic.
Till next, year... again.
#tmlfansca4life
