Hyman-Matthews-Brown Marleau-Plekanec-Marner Johnsson-Kadri-Nylander JVR-Bozak-Kapanen Rielly-Hainsey Gardiner-Zaitsev Dermott-Polak Andersen | Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak DeBrusk-Krejci-Heinen Nash-Nash-Backes Schaller-Kuraly-Acciari Chara-McAvoy Krug-Miller Grzelcyk-McQuaid Rask |
Connor Carrick Leo Komarov Josh Leivo Matt Martin Dominic Moore | Brian Gionta Tommy Wingels Ryan Donato Nick Holden |
•Nathan Horton - Back - Out indefinitely •Joffrey Lupul - Actually Injured - Out indefinitely | •Brandon Carlo - Ankle - Out for season •Anders Bjork - Shoulder - Out for season |
Leafs fans, going into the third period of the game tonight, would you rather be
— go ahead, trust the birds (@AnthraxJones) April 25, 2018
Leafs fans, going into the third period of the game tonight, would you rather be
— go ahead, trust the birds (@AnthraxJones) April 25, 2018
Damn... this is a good question.
When the Leafs win tonight it'll officially make the end of Rene Rancourt's anthem singing career.
GO LEAFS GO
Leafs lines at skate
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 25, 2018
Hyman-Matthews-Brown
Marleau-Kadri-Marner
JvR-Bozak-Kapanen
Johnsson/Komarov-Plekanec-Nylander
Andreas and Leo splitting reps
Nazem back in usual spot
For what it's worth, Johnsson is taking first reps with Plekanec line ... Komarov then rotates in
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 25, 2018
I'm not nervous, just excited to see how it goes. There is no downside—game 7s are crapshoots, and I'd much rather be the Leafs going in than the Bruins trying not to blow a 3-1 series lead.Yup, me to. I just hope they play their best game of the year!
I didn't have an Irish coffee this morning to settle my nerves.
Nope.
No I did not.
Hold me guys.Only if you hold me.
If the Leafs D can continue to initiate passes rather than using the boards and the forwards keep moving on, and Andersen excels again -- basically replicating the good works they all put in for Games 5 & 6 -- even with Boston having the line change advantage, the Leafs should be able to eke out the win.
No expectations but for the sake of breaking the losing-to-Boston-in the -playoffs-again 'curse', it would do well for Toronto to emerge victorious.
GO LEAFS GO!
Some pretty good observations here:
https://theathletic.com/327731/2018/04/24/bourne-five-observations-from-game-6-and-potential-adjustments-for-the-leafs-in-game-7/
If the Leafs D can continue to initiate passes rather than using the boards and the forwards keep moving on, and Andersen excels again -- basically replicating the good works they all put in for Games 5 & 6 -- even with Boston having the line change advantage, the Leafs should be able to eke out the win.
No expectations but for the sake of breaking the losing-to-Boston-in the -playoffs-again 'curse', it would do well for Toronto to emerge victorious.
GO LEAFS GO!
Some pretty good observations here:
https://theathletic.com/327731/2018/04/24/bourne-five-observations-from-game-6-and-potential-adjustments-for-the-leafs-in-game-7/
Assuming you consider a paywall good observations.
If the Leafs D can continue to initiate passes rather than using the boards and the forwards keep moving on, and Andersen excels again -- basically replicating the good works they all put in for Games 5 & 6 -- even with Boston having the line change advantage, the Leafs should be able to eke out the win.
No expectations but for the sake of breaking the losing-to-Boston-in the -playoffs-again 'curse', it would do well for Toronto to emerge victorious.
GO LEAFS GO!
Some pretty good observations here:
https://theathletic.com/327731/2018/04/24/bourne-five-observations-from-game-6-and-potential-adjustments-for-the-leafs-in-game-7/
Assuming you consider a paywall good observations.
For those who have access to it. :)
Besides, it's nothing other than what we already know from having seen the Leaf losses and wins so far.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/beavisandbutthead/images/6/61/No_Laughing_12.png/revision/latest?cb=20110829161942)
i really don't know what to do...Watch and enjoy the game. Win or lose it doesn't get better then game 7
I can't not watch and I can't watch...
Good advice, enjoy the meaningful game. We've had so many that meant nothing over the past few years.i really don't know what to do...Watch and enjoy the game. Win or lose it doesn't get better then game 7
I can't not watch and I can't watch...
I feel a strong sense of calm about this game. I don't know if that is a good thing or not, but I think the Leafs win it.
Stupid Hyman.
Stupid Hyman.
I’d call that a good read and stop rather than a bad clear. He really hammered it.
Stupid Hyman.
I’d call that a good read and stop rather than a bad clear. He really hammered it.
I think the problem there was he didn't get out to the pointman to block the shot. He just stood there...
On both accounts.Stupid Hyman.
I’d call that a good read and stop rather than a bad clear. He really hammered it.
I think the problem there was he didn't get out to the pointman to block the shot. He just stood there...
Atrocious penalty kill attempt.
Polak doesn't take his guy in front of the net.
Stupid Hyman.
I’d call that a good read and stop rather than a bad clear. He really hammered it.
I think the problem there was he didn't get out to the pointman to block the shot. He just stood there...
If you think he could’ve made 25’ in 1 second, then yeah.
Polak doesn't take his guy in front of the net.
Atrocious penalty kill attempt.
I thought they looked really good at forcing sub optimal routes and plays at the blueline instead of sagging deep.
We stink dudes
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Atrocious penalty kill attempt.
I thought they looked really good at forcing sub optimal routes and plays at the blueline instead of sagging deep.
They had like 3 clear, dangerous attempts at the net. It was bad and they should feel bad.
Cool. We get bad Andersen tonight. What a bad goal.
For all you Gardiner lovers.
For all you Gardiner lovers.
Cool. We get bad Andersen tonight. What a bad goal.
That wasn't great, but the first goal was a beauty.
For all you Gardiner lovers.
1. He didn't do anything specifically bad there.
2. His team gave him no support.
3. One mediocre play doesn't make him bad.
4. He's good WAY more than he's bad.
For all you Gardiner lovers.
1. He didn't do anything specifically bad there.
2. His team gave him no support.
3. One mediocre play doesn't make him bad.
4. He's good WAY more than he's bad.
Cool. We get bad Andersen tonight. What a bad goal.
That wasn't great, but the first goal was a beauty.
Game 7. That save has to be made.
Bozak blocked Andersen's view and failed to block the shot. You'd like Andersen to make that save but I don't think he ever really saw it. Bozak should have blocked it.Agreed
Gardiner's play on that shift was atrocious.
He gave the puck away to start it all. Then he lost it a second time.. Please that's all on Gardiner.
I don’t know why it takes some people so long to realize that ‘bad’ plays are sometimes generated by really good opposing plays.
I don’t know why it takes some people so long to realize that ‘bad’ plays are sometimes generated by really good opposing plays.
Ya I agree with you there but why throw the puck away to the opposition. He could of easily skated behind the net rather than just throwing it away. Then 2 more blunders when the puck was in the Leaf end.
For all you Gardiner lovers.
1. He didn't do anything specifically bad there.
2. His team gave him no support.
3. One mediocre play doesn't make him bad.
4. He's good WAY more than he's bad.
Shoulda hit Marchand.
What a shift by Matthews.
For all you Gardiner lovers.
1. He didn't do anything specifically bad there.
2. His team gave him no support.
3. One mediocre play doesn't make him bad.
4. He's good WAY more than he's bad.
It was soft and lazy on his part...get over it.
Anyone else watching on Apple TV ? I think I’m about 30 seconds behind.
For all you Gardiner lovers.
1. He didn't do anything specifically bad there.
2. His team gave him no support.
3. One mediocre play doesn't make him bad.
4. He's good WAY more than he's bad.
It was soft and lazy on his part...get over it.
What's with the attitude?
There's nothing to get over. I said nothing wrong.
I could see it coming....
Hell of a pass.
That whole thing started with Gardiner being lazy.
That whole thing started with Gardiner being lazy.And on that goal Gardiner is nowhere near the net. He's by the circle. His effort getting to the house is terrible
Lol complaining about Andersen being out of position on a bank pass off the back boards.
Lol complaining about Andersen being out of position on a bank pass off the back boards.
Lol complaining about Andersen being out of position on a bank pass off the back boards.
Freddie has to play the shot. The D man and others have to cover their guysHell of a pass.
Freddie has to read that. He way over committed.
Gardiner and Plekanec didn'tLol complaining about Andersen being out of position on a bank pass off the back boards.
Anyone could see it coming a mile away. Too often people on this board find themselves in a position where Andersen gives up 3 goals in a period and are unwilling to offer any criticism of him.
That whole thing started with Gardiner being lazy.And on that goal Gardiner is nowhere near the net. He's by the circle. His effort getting to the house is terrible
I could put together a three hour compilation of Hainsey looking up at the rafters after being on for a goal against. Getting pretty sick and tired of it actually.
Lol complaining about Andersen being out of position on a bank pass off the back boards.
Anyone could see it coming a mile away. Too often people on this board find themselves in a position where Andersen gives up 3 goals in a period and are unwilling to offer any criticism of him.
That whole thing started with Gardiner being lazy.And on that goal Gardiner is nowhere near the net. He's by the circle. His effort getting to the house is terrible
If I'm Babcock I'd think about double-shifting Matthews. He's on his game tonight.
And if Reilly is done so are we. Gardiner has been horrible
That whole thing started with Gardiner being lazy.And on that goal Gardiner is nowhere near the net. He's by the circle. His effort getting to the house is terrible
Well yeah he got caught on the ice for 2 minutes because he can't be bothered to skate to a puck. I mean he had it and he just let Nash take it from him because he won't move his legs.
Rielly is fine. Cosmetic repairs. Gardiner’s fine, he just needs people to give him options.
That whole thing started with Gardiner being lazy.And on that goal Gardiner is nowhere near the net. He's by the circle. His effort getting to the house is terrible
Well yeah he got caught on the ice for 2 minutes because he can't be bothered to skate to a puck. I mean he had it and he just let Nash take it from him because he won't move his legs.
Aside from the PPs Gardiner hasn't had a shift for over the minute tonight.
And he'll always avoid the hit and let the Bruins get the puck first. That's 2 goals on him. He's not a good D man.That whole thing started with Gardiner being lazy.And on that goal Gardiner is nowhere near the net. He's by the circle. His effort getting to the house is terrible
Well yeah he got caught on the ice for 2 minutes because he can't be bothered to skate to a puck. I mean he had it and he just let Nash take it from him because he won't move his legs.
Rielly is fine. Cosmetic repairs. Gardiner’s fine, he just needs people to give him options.
Gardiner also seems to be getting a number of shifts with Polak - and, every defenceman looks bad when their partner is Polak.
Turning from our own shortcomings, I'd say Rask is vulnerable too. Keep the tempo up and the pressure on.
I could see it coming....
I was hoping they could survive to intermission, but alas...
Turning from our own shortcomings, I'd say Rask is vulnerable too. Keep the tempo up and the pressure on.Definitely, both keepers look vulnerable and defences look tired. Lots of goals left in this one.
If I'm Babcock I'd think about double-shifting Matthews. He's on his game tonight.
Zero to hero in matter of seconds, almost gives up a breakaway just to get it back and score.
I mean that's a penalty but they've let that go 4825* times in this series.
*hyperbole
That was the greatest goal of all time.
I wonder why Brown doesn’t just hammer a slap shot when he’s in on the shorthand. Good chance one of their D or F4 takes a stinger blocking it, or they spend time finding the bounce out.I think it's the fear of mixing the net and then getting caught. Take it to the safe area and try to kill the clock.
goodness gracious pic.twitter.com/y0wzZ3aP4O
— No Context Blinn (@NHLBlinn) April 26, 2018
Cool thing about letting in 3 in the first: 0 references to 4-1 in the third.I’ll chance a 3 goal lead in third.
I wonder why Brown doesn’t just hammer a slap shot when he’s in on the shorthand. Good chance one of their D or F4 takes a stinger blocking it, or they spend time finding the bounce out.I think it's the fear of mixing the net and then getting caught. Take it to the safe area and try to kill the clock.
goodness gracious pic.twitter.com/y0wzZ3aP4O
— No Context Blinn (@NHLBlinn) April 26, 2018
Kasperi Kapanen outworks Brad Marchand and then scores an unreal goal pic.twitter.com/l70vX2PTV6
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 26, 2018
Just a reminder that the Kapanen goal doesn’t happen without Hainsey stuffing their earlier, fresh forays on the PP.
Wonder what Jack Edwards thinks of the ref blowing that play dead when the Leafs had the puck in the offensive zone?
The Butterfly EffectJust a reminder that the Kapanen goal doesn’t happen without Hainsey stuffing their earlier, fresh forays on the PP.
Technically it doesn't happen without Plekanec taking a penalty.
Just a reminder that the Kapanen goal doesn’t happen without Hainsey stuffing their earlier, fresh forays on the PP.
Technically it doesn't happen without Plekanec taking a penalty.
How did McQuaid injure himself diving there?The boards don't give
Oh, like a Beyblade.
A lot of weird bounces off the glass in this arena.
Wonder what Jack Edwards thinks of the ref blowing that play dead when the Leafs had the puck in the offensive zone?
I don’t see any bone sticking out. And he appears to be conscious.
No matter what happens here on in, we're giving them all they can handle.
A lot of weird bounces off the glass in this arena.
The stantions stand slightly proud of the glass.
So we can Floyd Mayweather them to death?No matter what happens here on in, we're giving them all they can handle.
They lean heavily on their top line and top pair, minutes-wise. If we can hold them off and attack with depth, their tiredness will catch up with them.
Andersen looks better so far this period.
Wow hair guy got a smile and laugh outta Babcock.
STOP. ICING. THE. PUCK.
So we can Floyd Mayweather them to death?No matter what happens here on in, we're giving them all they can handle.
They lean heavily on their top line and top pair, minutes-wise. If we can hold them off and attack with depth, their tiredness will catch up with them.
Polak is truly awful at outletting the puck.Usually he just dumps it. Nice hit to and good shift by the Matthews line.
Polak is truly awful at outletting the puck.Usually he just dumps it. Nice hit tho and good shift by the Matthews line.
Matthews looks so good tonight. Also, is it just me or does Hyman always do a spin o Rama and pass it to the other team?
And McQuaid's back, must have been a super serious injury.
Alright. 20 minutes left. Refs ain't calling crap anymore.After watching Freddie get one in the head, I agree. Let em play
Watching Marchand miss the puck, fall, get scored on, and immediately complain to the ref all in one sequence is beyond satisfying. #Leafs
— Tim (@thepuckdude) April 26, 2018
You can't ask for much more. Came back in the 2nd and took the lead instead of collapsing. This is a good showing.
Save me Jebus!Watching Marchand miss the puck, fall, get scored on, and immediately complain to the ref all in one sequence is beyond satisfying. #Leafs
— Tim (@thepuckdude) April 26, 2018
Jesus, if you're listening, I'll give anything for the Kappy goal to stand as the game-winner.
That would be fine with me but I won't complain if the Leafs score 4 more!Watching Marchand miss the puck, fall, get scored on, and immediately complain to the ref all in one sequence is beyond satisfying. #Leafs
— Tim (@thepuckdude) April 26, 2018
Jesus, if you're listening, I'll give anything for the Kappy goal to stand as the game-winner.
Are you Gardiner lovers watching the 2nd intermission. Hrudey showing you exactly what we were talking about. Was there 2 Bruins hard on him there. Wow. Wake up guys. He's horrendous in his own end and making decisions. Great offensively, good outlet passer, and good on the PP but other than that he makes peewee mistakes.We used to call it, million dollar talent, 10 cent brain. Agree except he doesn't always make good outlet passes. He's too soft on the puck.
That would be fine with me but I won't complain if the Leafs score 4 more!Watching Marchand miss the puck, fall, get scored on, and immediately complain to the ref all in one sequence is beyond satisfying. #Leafs
— Tim (@thepuckdude) April 26, 2018
Jesus, if you're listening, I'll give anything for the Kappy goal to stand as the game-winner.
Kaps is the youngest player in NHL history to score shorthanded in a game 7 and the last Leaf to do it was Keon. Nice. Bye bye JVR. Johnsson and Kaps are here to stay me thinks
That would be fine with me but I won't complain if the Leafs score 4 more!Watching Marchand miss the puck, fall, get scored on, and immediately complain to the ref all in one sequence is beyond satisfying. #Leafs
— Tim (@thepuckdude) April 26, 2018
Jesus, if you're listening, I'll give anything for the Kappy goal to stand as the game-winner.
Kaps is the youngest player in NHL history to score shorthanded in a game 7 and the last Leaf to do it was Keon. Nice. Bye bye JVR. Johnsson and Kaps are here to stay me thinks
Hahaha I know..That would be fine with me but I won't complain if the Leafs score 4 more!Watching Marchand miss the puck, fall, get scored on, and immediately complain to the ref all in one sequence is beyond satisfying. #Leafs
— Tim (@thepuckdude) April 26, 2018
Jesus, if you're listening, I'll give anything for the Kappy goal to stand as the game-winner.
Kaps is the youngest player in NHL history to score shorthanded in a game 7 and the last Leaf to do it was Keon. Nice. Bye bye JVR. Johnsson and Kaps are here to stay me thinks
Pfft...Kappy has nothing on Komarov.
As we head into the 3rd, I just want to thank you all for being here. I don't always comment, but I enjoy reading what you post. It has been a good 5 years since that debacle moment and I'm hoping for the best in the next 20 minutes. That's all.
GO LEAFS!!!!!!!
Win or lose to. Go Leafs GoAs we head into the 3rd, I just want to thank you all for being here. I don't always comment, but I enjoy reading what you post. It has been a good 5 years since that debacle moment and I'm hoping for the best in the next 20 minutes. That's all.
GO LEAFS!!!!!!!
Hey we all have our opinions may disagree with each other at times but we are all here for the same reason. Because we love this team plain and simple.
Yeah....that's not gonna do, Freddie...
Seriously. Gardiner and Anderson are just f’n brutal.Absolutely... Terrible game for both
Seriously. Gardiner and Anderson are just f’n brutal.
Andersen can't stop a beach ball. Leafs can't move their legs. Boston is bringing it.Not over yet!
The better team won. It was a good season.
Seriously. Gardiner and Anderson are just f’n brutal.Absolutely... Terrible game for both
Andersen can't stop a beach ball. Leafs can't move their legs. Boston is bringing it.Not over yet!
The better team won. It was a good season.
Somebody should tell first overall pick Matthews that it’s game 7.Yeah it's his fault
Could this be Willy's last game as a Leaf? Because we need an actual defenceman and nothing other than a Willy is getting a good or great one...Not a chance. I don't see it happening.
Could this be Willy's last game as a Leaf? Because we need an actual defenceman and nothing other than a Willy is getting a good or great one...
I was in he trade JVR camp as well. Time for Babs to put Matthews out every other shiftCould this be Willy's last game as a Leaf? Because we need an actual defenceman and nothing other than a Willy is getting a good or great one...
He's battled at times but shy's away from the corners and rough stuff. Like I posted earlier they should have traded JVR to get some help. Nylander obviously going to get you more but tough giving up that youth and talent. JVR has been non-existent tonight.
Andersen can't stop a beach ball. Leafs can't move their legs. Boston is bringing it.
The better team won. It was a good season.
The Leafs wouldn't even be in game seven right now without JVR's goals in this series.Could this be Willy's last game as a Leaf? Because we need an actual defenceman and nothing other than a Willy is getting a good or great one...
He's battled at times but shy's away from the corners and rough stuff. Like I posted earlier they should have traded JVR to get some help. Nylander obviously going to get you more but tough giving up that youth and talent. JVR has been non-existent tonight.
JVR is so slow
THat's the dagger. Leafs just awful in the 3rd. Andersen needed to have the 5th one. Just all around awful since late in the 2nd - for basically the entire lineup.
THat's the dagger. Leafs just awful in the 3rd. Andersen needed to have the 5th one. Just all around awful since late in the 2nd - for basically the entire lineup.
Oh well. Been a great year.
Andersen can't stop a beach ball. Leafs can't move their legs. Boston is bringing it.
The better team won. It was a good season.
I don’t know why were supposed to be satisfied with a good showing in the first round but losing.
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It's hard to believe how they just dried up.
Definitely. Future is still bright.THat's the dagger. Leafs just awful in the 3rd. Andersen needed to have the 5th one. Just all around awful since late in the 2nd - for basically the entire lineup.
Not a playoff team. Too many soft players said it a thousand times. Guilt trip you can add Komarov and Gardiner to that list of dumps.
You can't go 9+ minutes without a shot with a 1-goal lead to start the 3rd. That's inexcusable.
THat's the dagger. Leafs just awful in the 3rd. Andersen needed to have the 5th one. Just all around awful since late in the 2nd - for basically the entire lineup.
Not a playoff team. Too many soft players said it a thousand times. Guilt trip you can add Komarov and Gardiner to that list of dumps.
Worst game by Gardiner in the worst time everGardiner has been doing this all year. He's so soft.. Everyone gets caught up in the offence. He's terrible defensively
THat's the dagger. Leafs just awful in the 3rd. Andersen needed to have the 5th one. Just all around awful since late in the 2nd - for basically the entire lineup.
Not a playoff team. Too many soft players said it a thousand times. Guilt trip you can add Komarov and Gardiner to that list of dumps.
Yes....they are not a playoff team ::)
This is twice now that the Leafs have been absolutely humiliated by Boston in a game 7. As much as I am trying to remain objective and dispassionate, I can't really look past that.
The leafs are completely ok with mediocre play and actually encourage it.
The Marlies are going to be stacked.
Really sucks that Matthews couldn't bury one in the first half of the game when he was absolutely flying. Went down a level in the 3rd.
Really sucks that Matthews couldn't bury one in the first half of the game when he was absolutely flying. Went down a level in the 3rd.
The leafs are completely ok with mediocre play and actually encourage it.
ROFL, yeah, Shanahan is totally like, "ok guys, let's go be mediocre".
::)
The leafs are completely ok with mediocre play and actually encourage it.
ROFL, yeah, Shanahan is totally like, "ok guys, let's go be mediocre".
::)
If Andersen is the goalie next year I’m not interested in watching.Well goodbye. Freddie isnt the problem. We've all said it all year.. The D isn't good enough.
You can't go 9+ minutes without a shot with a 1-goal lead to start the 3rd. That's inexcusable.
Nope. This isn't on any player in particular. This is a team failure.
Really sucks that Matthews couldn't bury one in the first half of the game when he was absolutely flying. Went down a level in the 3rd.
The whole team seemed to drop a level in the 3rd (late 2nd, even).
Kapanen, Johnsson, and Dermott were bottom-3 in ice-time tonight. Kappy played under 10 minutes. Can't imagine we'll see that next year in the playoffs.Great coaching by the genius, the guys that are actually playing well, don't play them much
Kapanen, Johnsson, and Dermott were bottom-3 in ice-time tonight. Kappy played under 10 minutes. Can't imagine we'll see that next year in the playoffs.
Agreed. This is the 2nd year of the rebuild. Relax. We need to up our D. Changes up front are coming also.The leafs are completely ok with mediocre play and actually encourage it.
ROFL, yeah, Shanahan is totally like, "ok guys, let's go be mediocre".
::)
Some of the stuff I've seen written here in the last few minutes is really quite pathetic.
This is twice now that the Leafs have been absolutely humiliated by Boston in a game 7. As much as I am trying to remain objective and dispassionate, I can't really look past that.
If Andersen is the goalie next year I’m not interested in watching.Well goodbye. Freddie isnt the problem. We've all said it all year.. The D isn't good enough.
Mad props to the Bruins. They know how to play and they did what it takes for every inch of their ice.
I like to think we gave them a bit of a scare. We are on the cusp of something more special than this.
Offseason plans based on how this series went:
1) Rebuild the entire right-side defence
2) Put together a legitimate top line that you don't feel you need to shelter in any way
3) Commit to a back-up that Babcock will play in 25-30 games so Andersen stays fresh
Really sucks that Matthews couldn't bury one in the first half of the game when he was absolutely flying. Went down a level in the 3rd.
Pretty disappointing playoffs overall. He was shut down.
This was not a successful season. They didn’t build on last season in any regard. No home ice in the first round, and they lose.
Yeah it's disappointing but Leafs are only 2 years removed from 30th overall, people seem to forget that. When you're in the playoffs you want to have it all now but it doesn't always work out like that. Disappointing playoffs for Matthews and Nylander and Andersen. Marner was the only star who brought it throughout the series. Props to old man Marleau too.Agreed. This is the 2nd year of the rebuild. Relax. We need to up our D. Changes up front are coming also.The leafs are completely ok with mediocre play and actually encourage it.
ROFL, yeah, Shanahan is totally like, "ok guys, let's go be mediocre".
::)
Some of the stuff I've seen written here in the last few minutes is really quite pathetic.
Yes because if the plan goes right, you won't see JVR, Leo, Polak, Bozak will be gone so he can't revert back to his go to guysKapanen, Johnsson, and Dermott were bottom-3 in ice-time tonight. Kappy played under 10 minutes. Can't imagine we'll see that next year in the playoffs.
Do you think Babcock will change his stripes? There is a point you have to ask why Babcock does what he does. Limiting the better players minutes is a legit concern.
Offseason plans based on how this series went:
1) Rebuild the entire right-side defence
2) Put together a legitimate top line that you don't feel you need to shelter in any way
3) Commit to a back-up that Babcock will play in 25-30 games so Andersen stays fresh
Can’t agree with number 3. Andersen is a problem.
If Andersen is the goalie next year I’m not interested in watching.Well goodbye. Freddie isnt the problem. We've all said it all year.. The D isn't good enough.
We made it to game 7. Tonight, the problem was Freddie. That’s a fact.
You can't go 9+ minutes without a shot with a 1-goal lead to start the 3rd. That's inexcusable.
Nope. This isn't on any player in particular. This is a team failure.
Yeah. Gardiner and Andersen definitely fell apart but the whole team just quit playing.
There's a lot of work to do over the summer. Matthews needs to commit himself to never have a playoff series like this again. He just didn't get it done. Nylander too was way too late in bringing it.
This is twice now that the Leafs have been absolutely humiliated by Boston in a game 7. As much as I am trying to remain objective and dispassionate, I can't really look past that.
There's no way you can class this loss with the last one.
Yeah it's disappointing but Leafs are only 2 years removed from 30th overall, people seem to forget that. When you're in the playoffs you want to have it all now but it doesn't always work out like that. Disappointing playoffs for Matthews and Nylander and Andersen. Marner was the only star who brought it throughout the series. Props to old man Marleau too.Agreed. This is the 2nd year of the rebuild. Relax. We need to up our D. Changes up front are coming also.The leafs are completely ok with mediocre play and actually encourage it.
ROFL, yeah, Shanahan is totally like, "ok guys, let's go be mediocre".
::)
Some of the stuff I've seen written here in the last few minutes is really quite pathetic.
You can't go 9+ minutes without a shot with a 1-goal lead to start the 3rd. That's inexcusable.
Nope. This isn't on any player in particular. This is a team failure.
Yeah. Gardiner and Andersen definitely fell apart but the whole team just quit playing.
There's a lot of work to do over the summer. Matthews needs to commit himself to never have a playoff series like this again. He just didn't get it done. Nylander too was way too late in bringing it.
Eh... the 6th goal was on Gardiner, but otherwise... you don't just lose a playoff game after scoring 4 goals unless your goaltender really falls flat.
I don't know that Andersen is any worse than Rask though. It's hard to say either way when the team fails to generate any sort of offense for, like, 15, 20 minutes.
Mad props to the Bruins. They know how to play and they did what it takes for every inch of their ice.
I like to think we gave them a bit of a scare. We are on the cusp of something more special than this.
We gave them a helluva scare. But we are still more than a year away from being a serious playoff threat. They've got to win a series first.
The Leafs took a lead into the third period of Game 7 against a team that's absolutely good enough to win the Cup. Be wary of those who say they're a disaster.
— Will (@HeyMyNameIsWill) April 26, 2018
This is twice now that the Leafs have been absolutely humiliated by Boston in a game 7. As much as I am trying to remain objective and dispassionate, I can't really look past that.
There's no way you can class this loss with the last one.
It feels the same.
Yes because if the plan goes right, you won't see JVR, Leo, Polak, Bozak will be gone so he can't revert back to his go to guysKapanen, Johnsson, and Dermott were bottom-3 in ice-time tonight. Kappy played under 10 minutes. Can't imagine we'll see that next year in the playoffs.
Do you think Babcock will change his stripes? There is a point you have to ask why Babcock does what he does. Limiting the better players minutes is a legit concern.
Mad props to the Bruins. They know how to play and they did what it takes for every inch of their ice.
I like to think we gave them a bit of a scare. We are on the cusp of something more special than this.
We gave them a helluva scare. But we are still more than a year away from being a serious playoff threat. They've got to win a series first.
It’s all about the culmination of positive steps forward. It’s the first season playing with real expectations. We are going to cut bait with some anchors on the roster and the kids (who will still be kids) will be a bit wiser next time around. No way Kapanen, Johnsson, and Dermott don’t get full seasons with the big club.
Not to let anyone of the hook, but remember Chara is still a beast and Matthews was up against him for most of the series. I'm not worried about him tho.Yeah it's disappointing but Leafs are only 2 years removed from 30th overall, people seem to forget that. When you're in the playoffs you want to have it all now but it doesn't always work out like that. Disappointing playoffs for Matthews and Nylander and Andersen. Marner was the only star who brought it throughout the series. Props to old man Marleau too.Agreed. This is the 2nd year of the rebuild. Relax. We need to up our D. Changes up front are coming also.The leafs are completely ok with mediocre play and actually encourage it.
ROFL, yeah, Shanahan is totally like, "ok guys, let's go be mediocre".
::)
Some of the stuff I've seen written here in the last few minutes is really quite pathetic.
Nobody here can defend his game tonight or in the first 2 but he was excellent in the Leafs 3 wins and good in the home loss. He set a team record for wins, man. If he's a "problem," then I'll take that problem.
AgreedMad props to the Bruins. They know how to play and they did what it takes for every inch of their ice.
I like to think we gave them a bit of a scare. We are on the cusp of something more special than this.
We gave them a helluva scare. But we are still more than a year away from being a serious playoff threat. They've got to win a series first.
It’s all about the culmination of positive steps forward. It’s the first season playing with real expectations. We are going to cut bait with some anchors on the roster and the kids (who will still be kids) will be a bit wiser next time around. No way Kapanen, Johnsson, and Dermott don’t get full seasons with the big club.
As I said before the series began, this is the last year they get to play with house money in the playoffs. They'd better win a playoff round next year or there will be some major rebellion due.
I'm looking forward to seeing this team next year minus JVR, Komarov, Bozak, Polak and maybe Gardiner. But I do think we need to add some size and grit to the forward group. We need someone big who can skate and is willing to punish defenders. I don't know if there is anyone in the system like that, unfortunately.Agreed. Leafs have some holes still. Should be interesting to see what they do next year.
Freddie was not in his superhuman mode tonight, but when you look at the way the Leafs run around in the dzone and leave players wide open...can't lay all the blame on him.
I hate the Bruins :)
I'm looking forward to seeing this team next year minus JVR, Komarov, Bozak, Polak and maybe Gardiner. But I do think we need to add some size and grit to the forward group. We need someone big who can skate and is willing to punish defenders. I don't know if there is anyone in the system like that, unfortunately.
Yeah. Gardiner and Andersen definitely fell apart but the whole team just quit playing.
There's a lot of work to do over the summer. Matthews needs to commit himself to never have a playoff series like this again. He just didn't get it done. Nylander too was way too late in bringing it.
Upgrade the D, you didn’t last summer, same result. Our D sucks, plain old sucks, surely we can get better. Trade from an area of strength wingers and offensive type D for defensive type D. Do it, you have to.
I don’t blame Andersen. We were lucky to get 7 games.
I'm looking forward to seeing this team next year minus JVR, Komarov, Bozak, Polak and maybe Gardiner. But I do think we need to add some size and grit to the forward group. We need someone big who can skate and is willing to punish defenders. I don't know if there is anyone in the system like that, unfortunately.
Grundstrom has a bit of that to his game, and Babcock has kind of earmarked him to be Matthews' winger down the road.
Tampa does just fine with even smaller wingers though, so I don't know if big and gritty is necessarily the answer. Players who pay the iron price to play though, you can always use those (a Hyman with even better hands and stickhandling, for example).
I'm game 7 you can pretty much throw out the rest of the series. It's one game winner take all and he didn't show up. Sure if he doesn't play great in a few other games Leafs don't even get there, but he crapped the bed huge tonight. That's the goalie position and what you're remembered for. It's the toughest job in hockeyNobody here can defend his game tonight or in the first 2 but he was excellent in the Leafs 3 wins and good in the home loss. He set a team record for wins, man. If he's a "problem," then I'll take that problem.
He was excellent in game 6. Otherwise, he was fine. (except, of course, when he was bad -- in games 1, 2, and 7)
I'm old enough to remember the last time we had a really great goalie who definitely wasn't "a 'problem'" because he set -- or tied -- a record for wins.
I'm looking forward to seeing this team next year minus JVR, Komarov, Bozak, Polak and maybe Gardiner. But I do think we need to add some size and grit to the forward group. We need someone big who can skate and is willing to punish defenders. I don't know if there is anyone in the system like that, unfortunately.Agreed. Leafs have some holes still. Should be interesting to see what they do next year.
Freddie was not in his superhuman mode tonight, but when you look at the way the Leafs run around in the dzone and leave players wide open...can't lay all the blame on him.
I hate the Bruins :)
I wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
You pay the coach 6 million a year to do whatever it takes to win. He's got to assess who's playing well and who doesn't have it. It was fairly evident to everyone that Gardiner didn't have it tonight, evident to everyone but the coach. Part of the blame goes to the coachI wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
The kids from the Marlies were nice-to-haves; I agree they're generally the better option, but the coach has gone through the entire season leaning on his prime players to pretty good effect and you sort of have to bank on that. I'd like Babcock to be faster on the uptake, but that's just how I see it.
I thought Kapanen and Johnsson should've been up with the Leafs last year instead of Matt Martin and whoever so that they'd be ready to be relied upon this year, but there's also their confidence and developmental readiness to account for. Johnsson said he appreciated the extra time they afforded him with the Marlies, rather than calling him up to be the franchise saviour and yo-yoing him when he inevitably faltered a bit.
There were some weird face-off decisions too, especially in the 3rd. Like when Marleau took it on the 4-on-4 that led to the Krug goal. Hyman was also taking face-offs even though Nylander was on the ice a couple of times and he lost them both.Yeah I forgot about that. Defensive zone faceoff with no icing and you're protecting the lead, why not have your best faceoff guy take it every time?
Kapanen could have had 4 goals in this series. That guy is a clutch player.He'd probably need to play more than 8 minutes a game though
Perspective is hard this soon after, but despite their young age, there are some issues here.I'm not concerned about Matthews at all.
I think there are some concerns about Matthews. He was largely ineffective and for a player of his talent and size it is of concern.
There have to be questions about Andersen. While some games he was great, in three of the games he was not. Is he consistent enough to be the guy? That isn’t clear to me.
The defence is bad. Really bad and if it isn’t fixed there won’t be much chance of being a Cup competitor at all. Not sure what they do about that. No more high picks to find a stud D-man.
There were of course some positives, but difficult to see those in the context of a Game 7 loss. It is so disappointing because the Bruins were there to be taken tonight.
The Leafs took a lead into the third period of Game 7 against a team that's absolutely good enough to win the Cup. Be wary of those who say they're a disaster.
— Will (@HeyMyNameIsWill) April 26, 2018
The Bruins are a damn good team. I'm curious to see how Tampa matches up against them.
Perspective is hard this soon after, but despite their young age, there are some issues here.I'm not concerned about Matthews at all.
I think there are some concerns about Matthews. He was largely ineffective and for a player of his talent and size it is of concern.
There have to be questions about Andersen. While some games he was great, in three of the games he was not. Is he consistent enough to be the guy? That isn’t clear to me.
The defence is bad. Really bad and if it isn’t fixed there won’t be much chance of being a Cup competitor at all. Not sure what they do about that. No more high picks to find a stud D-man.
There were of course some positives, but difficult to see those in the context of a Game 7 loss. It is so disappointing because the Bruins were there to be taken tonight.
People forget that the Leafs were UNDERDOGS right???
Perspective is hard this soon after, but despite their young age, there are some issues here.I'm not concerned about Matthews at all.
I think there are some concerns about Matthews. He was largely ineffective and for a player of his talent and size it is of concern.
There have to be questions about Andersen. While some games he was great, in three of the games he was not. Is he consistent enough to be the guy? That isn’t clear to me.
The defence is bad. Really bad and if it isn’t fixed there won’t be much chance of being a Cup competitor at all. Not sure what they do about that. No more high picks to find a stud D-man.
There were of course some positives, but difficult to see those in the context of a Game 7 loss. It is so disappointing because the Bruins were there to be taken tonight.
I think Kaps and Johnsson stick with the club next year. We need better team D like the Bruins.No way Kappy isn't with this team next year...unless he's part of a trade for a #1 dman.
I wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
The kids from the Marlies were nice-to-haves; I agree they're generally the better option, but the coach has gone through the entire season leaning on his prime players to pretty good effect and you sort of have to bank on that. I'd like Babcock to be faster on the uptake, but that's just how I see it.
I thought Kapanen and Johnsson should've been up with the Leafs last year instead of Matt Martin and whoever so that they'd be ready to be relied upon this year, but there's also their confidence and developmental readiness to account for. Johnsson said he appreciated the extra time they afforded him with the Marlies, rather than calling him up to be the franchise saviour and yo-yoing him when he inevitably faltered a bit.
You pay the coach 6 million a year to do whatever it takes to win. He's got to assess who's playing well and who doesn't have it. It was fairly evident to everyone that Gardiner didn't have it tonight, evident to everyone but the coach. Part of the blame goes to the coachI wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
The kids from the Marlies were nice-to-haves; I agree they're generally the better option, but the coach has gone through the entire season leaning on his prime players to pretty good effect and you sort of have to bank on that. I'd like Babcock to be faster on the uptake, but that's just how I see it.
I thought Kapanen and Johnsson should've been up with the Leafs last year instead of Matt Martin and whoever so that they'd be ready to be relied upon this year, but there's also their confidence and developmental readiness to account for. Johnsson said he appreciated the extra time they afforded him with the Marlies, rather than calling him up to be the franchise saviour and yo-yoing him when he inevitably faltered a bit.
A lot of great players look pretty plain on a steady diet of Chara.
I wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
The kids from the Marlies were nice-to-haves; I agree they're generally the better option, but the coach has gone through the entire season leaning on his prime players to pretty good effect and you sort of have to bank on that. I'd like Babcock to be faster on the uptake, but that's just how I see it.
I thought Kapanen and Johnsson should've been up with the Leafs last year instead of Matt Martin and whoever so that they'd be ready to be relied upon this year, but there's also their confidence and developmental readiness to account for. Johnsson said he appreciated the extra time they afforded him with the Marlies, rather than calling him up to be the franchise saviour and yo-yoing him when he inevitably faltered a bit.
Herman I respect your comments on this forum but Gardiner was plain and simple horrible all night. Man if you have the game recorded or a chance to watch it again in it's entirety count the number of mistakes Gardiner cost us today plus all the ill advised bad passes and icing and running around in his own end. Minus 2 in the collapse in 2012 and even better minus 5 tonight. Enough said.
A lot of great players look pretty plain on a steady diet of Chara.
A 41-year-old Chara who looked gassed out there a lot tonight.
A lot of great players look pretty plain on a steady diet of Chara.
A 41-year-old Chara who looked gassed out there a lot tonight.
A lot of great players look pretty plain on a steady diet of Chara.
A 41-year-old Chara who looked gassed out there a lot tonight.
Yeah, he's still 6'9" but he's a shell of his former self.
In the playoffs his job is to win and put players on the ice that give you the best chance of winning. Gardiner wasn't one of them tonight.You pay the coach 6 million a year to do whatever it takes to win. He's got to assess who's playing well and who doesn't have it. It was fairly evident to everyone that Gardiner didn't have it tonight, evident to everyone but the coach. Part of the blame goes to the coachI wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
The kids from the Marlies were nice-to-haves; I agree they're generally the better option, but the coach has gone through the entire season leaning on his prime players to pretty good effect and you sort of have to bank on that. I'd like Babcock to be faster on the uptake, but that's just how I see it.
I thought Kapanen and Johnsson should've been up with the Leafs last year instead of Matt Martin and whoever so that they'd be ready to be relied upon this year, but there's also their confidence and developmental readiness to account for. Johnsson said he appreciated the extra time they afforded him with the Marlies, rather than calling him up to be the franchise saviour and yo-yoing him when he inevitably faltered a bit.
Winning at all costs isn't his job though. Throwing the young guys to the wolves and destroying their confidence isn't Babcock's job. The Leafs are trying to build something long term, and bringing along your younger players is more important.
A lot of great players look pretty plain on a steady diet of Chara.
A 41-year-old Chara who looked gassed out there a lot tonight.
Are we talking about Matthews?
Matthew is not overrated and I'm def not worried about him. Give some credit to Chara. I think Babs said that Datsyuk didn't score a goal in his 1st 4 playoff series. He's 20 years old. I really hope Babs gives him Johnsson or Kaps for a winger next year.Perspective is hard this soon after, but despite their young age, there are some issues here.I'm not concerned about Matthews at all.
I think there are some concerns about Matthews. He was largely ineffective and for a player of his talent and size it is of concern.
There have to be questions about Andersen. While some games he was great, in three of the games he was not. Is he consistent enough to be the guy? That isn’t clear to me.
The defence is bad. Really bad and if it isn’t fixed there won’t be much chance of being a Cup competitor at all. Not sure what they do about that. No more high picks to find a stud D-man.
There were of course some positives, but difficult to see those in the context of a Game 7 loss. It is so disappointing because the Bruins were there to be taken tonight.
Unless it's revealed that he's been playing hurt I agree with BBF on Matthews. My concerns are that we might be overrating him just a tad. He got neutralized and the very best of the best find ways not to be.
I get a sinking feeling that Gardiner is done as a Leaf. He's too risk/reward. But man, we are so thin on D if we're getting rid of Polak and who knows about Zaitsev. This team is lacking so badly on D.
Winning at all costs isn't his job though. Throwing the young guys to the wolves and destroying their confidence isn't Babcock's job. The Leafs are trying to build something long term, and bringing along your younger players is more important.In the playoffs his job is to win and put players on the ice that give you the best chance of winning. Gardiner wasn't one of them tonight.
Look at the Boston side, Debrusk is 21 and played over 15 minutes, they weren't afraid to give a young guy who was playing well a shot. Kapanen should have gotten more ice, Dermott should have gotten more ice. You play to win, otherwise what's the point?
In the playoffs his job is to win and put players on the ice that give you the best chance of winning. Gardiner wasn't one of them tonight.You pay the coach 6 million a year to do whatever it takes to win. He's got to assess who's playing well and who doesn't have it. It was fairly evident to everyone that Gardiner didn't have it tonight, evident to everyone but the coach. Part of the blame goes to the coachI wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
The kids from the Marlies were nice-to-haves; I agree they're generally the better option, but the coach has gone through the entire season leaning on his prime players to pretty good effect and you sort of have to bank on that. I'd like Babcock to be faster on the uptake, but that's just how I see it.
I thought Kapanen and Johnsson should've been up with the Leafs last year instead of Matt Martin and whoever so that they'd be ready to be relied upon this year, but there's also their confidence and developmental readiness to account for. Johnsson said he appreciated the extra time they afforded him with the Marlies, rather than calling him up to be the franchise saviour and yo-yoing him when he inevitably faltered a bit.
Winning at all costs isn't his job though. Throwing the young guys to the wolves and destroying their confidence isn't Babcock's job. The Leafs are trying to build something long term, and bringing along your younger players is more important.
Look at the Boston side, Debrusk is 21 and played over 15 minutes, they weren't afraid to give a young guy who was playing well a shot. Kapanen should have gotten more ice, Dermott should have gotten more ice. You play to win, otherwise what's the point?
Matthew is not overrated and I'm def not worried about him. Give some credit to Chara. I think Babs said that Datsyuk didn't score a goal in his 1st 4 playoff series. He's 20 years old. I really hope Babs gives him Johnsson or Kaps for a winger next year.Perspective is hard this soon after, but despite their young age, there are some issues here.I'm not concerned about Matthews at all.
I think there are some concerns about Matthews. He was largely ineffective and for a player of his talent and size it is of concern.
There have to be questions about Andersen. While some games he was great, in three of the games he was not. Is he consistent enough to be the guy? That isn’t clear to me.
The defence is bad. Really bad and if it isn’t fixed there won’t be much chance of being a Cup competitor at all. Not sure what they do about that. No more high picks to find a stud D-man.
There were of course some positives, but difficult to see those in the context of a Game 7 loss. It is so disappointing because the Bruins were there to be taken tonight.
Unless it's revealed that he's been playing hurt I agree with BBF on Matthews. My concerns are that we might be overrating him just a tad. He got neutralized and the very best of the best find ways not to be.
Agree with that. You have to play who's going. Babs should have sat Gardiner but couldn't early when Reilly got hurt. He def could have later. Gardiner's mistakes were the ultimate downfall in this game.In the playoffs his job is to win and put players on the ice that give you the best chance of winning. Gardiner wasn't one of them tonight.You pay the coach 6 million a year to do whatever it takes to win. He's got to assess who's playing well and who doesn't have it. It was fairly evident to everyone that Gardiner didn't have it tonight, evident to everyone but the coach. Part of the blame goes to the coachI wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
The kids from the Marlies were nice-to-haves; I agree they're generally the better option, but the coach has gone through the entire season leaning on his prime players to pretty good effect and you sort of have to bank on that. I'd like Babcock to be faster on the uptake, but that's just how I see it.
I thought Kapanen and Johnsson should've been up with the Leafs last year instead of Matt Martin and whoever so that they'd be ready to be relied upon this year, but there's also their confidence and developmental readiness to account for. Johnsson said he appreciated the extra time they afforded him with the Marlies, rather than calling him up to be the franchise saviour and yo-yoing him when he inevitably faltered a bit.
Winning at all costs isn't his job though. Throwing the young guys to the wolves and destroying their confidence isn't Babcock's job. The Leafs are trying to build something long term, and bringing along your younger players is more important.
Look at the Boston side, Debrusk is 21 and played over 15 minutes, they weren't afraid to give a young guy who was playing well a shot. Kapanen should have gotten more ice, Dermott should have gotten more ice. You play to win, otherwise what's the point?
I agree with that. He was fine last year but Washington doesn't have a Chara. It's not like he didn't get any chances. He had 9 shots on goal the last 2 games. He can't do it on his own either. No offense but Hyman and Brown don't exactly scream offense. Kaps would be a better fit IMO. Nylander played scared out there..Matthews didn't. One good thing tho, it should keep Willies contact reasonableMatthew is not overrated and I'm def not worried about him. Give some credit to Chara. I think Babs said that Datsyuk didn't score a goal in his 1st 4 playoff series. He's 20 years old. I really hope Babs gives him Johnsson or Kaps for a winger next year.Perspective is hard this soon after, but despite their young age, there are some issues here.I'm not concerned about Matthews at all.
I think there are some concerns about Matthews. He was largely ineffective and for a player of his talent and size it is of concern.
There have to be questions about Andersen. While some games he was great, in three of the games he was not. Is he consistent enough to be the guy? That isn’t clear to me.
The defence is bad. Really bad and if it isn’t fixed there won’t be much chance of being a Cup competitor at all. Not sure what they do about that. No more high picks to find a stud D-man.
There were of course some positives, but difficult to see those in the context of a Game 7 loss. It is so disappointing because the Bruins were there to be taken tonight.
Unless it's revealed that he's been playing hurt I agree with BBF on Matthews. My concerns are that we might be overrating him just a tad. He got neutralized and the very best of the best find ways not to be.
I hope I'm wrong but he's definitely got something to prove in the playoffs next year (assuming we make them).
A lot of great players look pretty plain on a steady diet of Chara.
A 41-year-old Chara who looked gassed out there a lot tonight.
Are we talking about Matthews?
Yes.
A few thoughts on game...And they really work hard on the forecheck and play a really tight neutral zone game. The Leafs have no answer for that unless they do the same and they really didn't. They gave up the line so easily, they hardly seemed to forecheck and the Bruins were able to cleanly exit the zone and carry the puck over the blue line as a result and create sustained pressure over and over. This team needs a bit of that.
1)Yes it wasn't Gardiners best game. But cut him some slack, we would have never got to game 7 without him. He was the best dman on both teams in game 6. He is the one guys who can separate guys from from puck and skate puck out of danger areas consistently. He is constantly making difficult plays look easy (and sometimes easy plays look difficult but not nearly as often ).
2)Nylander on at least 3 plays could have easily beaten Chara cleanly to a puck but choose to pull a Kessel and lay up. I would like to see a little more fire from a guy playing for his next contract.
3) the Bruins play far better team defence, not just the 6 guys on the back end, but the forwards in their end are far more involved in winning puck battles then the Leafs. By virtue of the size and toughness advantage the Bruins have, I feel gave them a big advantage on defending and making it hard for the Leafs to sustain an attack.
A few thoughts on game...Don't agree with that. Gardiner plays the same way all year. He constantly let's the opponent get to the puck first.. Gives it away constantly and is so soft in front of the net. He was coasting out there.
1)Yes it wasn't Gardiners best game. But cut him some slack, we would have never got to game 7 without him. He was the best dman on both teams in game 6. He is the one guys who can separate guys from from puck and skate puck out of danger areas consistently. He is constantly making difficult plays look easy (and sometimes easy plays look difficult but not nearly as often )
I get a sinking feeling that Gardiner is done as a Leaf. He's too risk/reward. But man, we are so thin on D if we're getting rid of Polak and who knows about Zaitsev. This team is lacking so badly on D.
He still led the team in ice-time in both the regular season and playoffs. As much as fans love to rag on him Mike Babcock is still probably his biggest supporter.
A few thoughts on game...And they really work hard on the forecheck and play a really tight neutral zone game. The Leafs have no answer for that unless they do the same and they really didn't. They gave up the line so easily, they hardly seemed to forecheck and the Bruins were able to cleanly exit the zone and carry the puck over the blue line as a result and create sustained pressure over and over. This team needs a bit of that.
1)Yes it wasn't Gardiners best game. But cut him some slack, we would have never got to game 7 without him. He was the best dman on both teams in game 6. He is the one guys who can separate guys from from puck and skate puck out of danger areas consistently. He is constantly making difficult plays look easy (and sometimes easy plays look difficult but not nearly as often ).
2)Nylander on at least 3 plays could have easily beaten Chara cleanly to a puck but choose to pull a Kessel and lay up. I would like to see a little more fire from a guy playing for his next contract.
3) the Bruins play far better team defence, not just the 6 guys on the back end, but the forwards in their end are far more involved in winning puck battles then the Leafs. By virtue of the size and toughness advantage the Bruins have, I feel gave them a big advantage on defending and making it hard for the Leafs to sustain an attack.
Hahaha.. Matthews hit guys out there. I saw it with my own 2 eyes
Oh good. I was wondering if somehow this loss would be attributed to someone's inability to hit someone else.
Take a step back. This is year 2 of the rebuild. You don't build a team overnight. Let's see what they do in the off seasonA few thoughts on game...And they really work hard on the forecheck and play a really tight neutral zone game. The Leafs have no answer for that unless they do the same and they really didn't. They gave up the line so easily, they hardly seemed to forecheck and the Bruins were able to cleanly exit the zone and carry the puck over the blue line as a result and create sustained pressure over and over. This team needs a bit of that.
1)Yes it wasn't Gardiners best game. But cut him some slack, we would have never got to game 7 without him. He was the best dman on both teams in game 6. He is the one guys who can separate guys from from puck and skate puck out of danger areas consistently. He is constantly making difficult plays look easy (and sometimes easy plays look difficult but not nearly as often ).
2)Nylander on at least 3 plays could have easily beaten Chara cleanly to a puck but choose to pull a Kessel and lay up. I would like to see a little more fire from a guy playing for his next contract.
3) the Bruins play far better team defence, not just the 6 guys on the back end, but the forwards in their end are far more involved in winning puck battles then the Leafs. By virtue of the size and toughness advantage the Bruins have, I feel gave them a big advantage on defending and making it hard for the Leafs to sustain an attack.
Yes, you are bang on with that. I get a sense that we have a team that is built to consistently make the playoffs, but not succeed at playoff hockey.
I wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
The kids from the Marlies were nice-to-haves; I agree they're generally the better option, but the coach has gone through the entire season leaning on his prime players to pretty good effect and you sort of have to bank on that. I'd like Babcock to be faster on the uptake, but that's just how I see it.
I thought Kapanen and Johnsson should've been up with the Leafs last year instead of Matt Martin and whoever so that they'd be ready to be relied upon this year, but there's also their confidence and developmental readiness to account for. Johnsson said he appreciated the extra time they afforded him with the Marlies, rather than calling him up to be the franchise saviour and yo-yoing him when he inevitably faltered a bit.
A big thank you to CarltonTheBear for all the first class game day threads again this year. Fist bump to Herman and Nik for filling in on a few as well.
Don't agree with that. Gardiner plays the same way all year. He constantly let's the opponent get to the puck first.. Gives it away constantly and is so soft in front of the net. He was coasting out there.
The Bruins went after him hard and he failed. The Leafs don't make the playoffs without Freddie. Time to see if Tommy Lilypad is ready.
Oh good. I was wondering if somehow this loss would be attributed to someone's inability to hit someone else.
A big thank you to CarltonTheBear for all the first class game day threads again this year. Fist bump to Herman and Nik for filling in on a few as well.
A few thoughts on game...And they really work hard on the forecheck and play a really tight neutral zone game. The Leafs have no answer for that unless they do the same and they really didn't. They gave up the line so easily, they hardly seemed to forecheck and the Bruins were able to cleanly exit the zone and carry the puck over the blue line as a result and create sustained pressure over and over. This team needs a bit of that.
1)Yes it wasn't Gardiners best game. But cut him some slack, we would have never got to game 7 without him. He was the best dman on both teams in game 6. He is the one guys who can separate guys from from puck and skate puck out of danger areas consistently. He is constantly making difficult plays look easy (and sometimes easy plays look difficult but not nearly as often ).
2)Nylander on at least 3 plays could have easily beaten Chara cleanly to a puck but choose to pull a Kessel and lay up. I would like to see a little more fire from a guy playing for his next contract.
3) the Bruins play far better team defence, not just the 6 guys on the back end, but the forwards in their end are far more involved in winning puck battles then the Leafs. By virtue of the size and toughness advantage the Bruins have, I feel gave them a big advantage on defending and making it hard for the Leafs to sustain an attack.
Yes, you are bang on with that. I get a sense that we have a team that is built to consistently make the playoffs, but not succeed at playoff hockey.
I have this same concern. The new Washington Capitals to 2027.
Jake picked a shitty time have the worst game of his career.Well, at least it wasn't game 7 of the Stanley Cup final!
It stings, but our core is still super green and will learn from this.It def will be interesting for sure to see what happens with the Leafs and what they do about Lou. I don't look at this as a set back.. It's a learning curve. End if the day only 1 team wins the cup. We just aren't good enough yet and some of that comes from experience and others from personnel. JVR despite his 3 pp goals is not a good 5v5 player. Bozak was actually pretty decent but again not very strong defensively. I'd like to think we've seen the last of Martin, Leo, JVR, Polak and Bozak in a Leafs uniform. Let's see who steps up from the Marlies like Dermott did this year. Kaps and Johnsson should have bigger roles next year.
The next time they find themselves in this situation they'll be better versions of themselves and will have experience to draw from.
I am pretty excited to see what the team can do in the summer.
I hope Dubas is the GM.
I hope they let the UFA's walk.
I hope for at least one significant acquisition at both forward and defence.
Jake picked a shitty time have the worst game of his career.
Perspective is hard this soon after, but despite their young age, there are some issues here.I'm not concerned about Matthews at all.
I think there are some concerns about Matthews. He was largely ineffective and for a player of his talent and size it is of concern.
There have to be questions about Andersen. While some games he was great, in three of the games he was not. Is he consistent enough to be the guy? That isn’t clear to me.
The defence is bad. Really bad and if it isn’t fixed there won’t be much chance of being a Cup competitor at all. Not sure what they do about that. No more high picks to find a stud D-man.
There were of course some positives, but difficult to see those in the context of a Game 7 loss. It is so disappointing because the Bruins were there to be taken tonight.
Unless it's revealed that he's been playing hurt I agree with BBF on Matthews. My concerns are that we might be overrating him just a tad. He got neutralized and the very best of the best find ways not to be.
It stings, but our core is still super green and will learn from this.It def will be interesting for sure to see what happens with the Leafs and what they do about Lou. I don't look at this as a set back.. It's a learning curve. End if the day only 1 team wins the cup. We just aren't good enough yet and some of that comes from experience and others from personnel. JVR despite his 3 pp goals is not a good 5v5 player. Bozak was actually pretty decent but again not very strong defensively. I'd like to think we've seen the last of Martin, Leo, JVR, Polak and Bozak in a Leafs uniform. Let's see who steps up from the Marlies like Dermott did this year. Kaps and Johnsson should have bigger roles next year.
The next time they find themselves in this situation they'll be better versions of themselves and will have experience to draw from.
I am pretty excited to see what the team can do in the summer.
I hope Dubas is the GM.
I hope they let the UFA's walk.
I hope for at least one significant acquisition at both forward and defence.
I don't even know why anyone would waster their breath discussing our forwards. The forwards clearly are not our problem. Defense, defense, defense, DEFENSE. How do we get better? Who do we sign/trade for?I'm hoping Liljegren will be up with the club at least next season.
Perspective is hard this soon after, but despite their young age, there are some issues here.I'm not concerned about Matthews at all.
I think there are some concerns about Matthews. He was largely ineffective and for a player of his talent and size it is of concern.
There have to be questions about Andersen. While some games he was great, in three of the games he was not. Is he consistent enough to be the guy? That isn’t clear to me.
The defence is bad. Really bad and if it isn’t fixed there won’t be much chance of being a Cup competitor at all. Not sure what they do about that. No more high picks to find a stud D-man.
There were of course some positives, but difficult to see those in the context of a Game 7 loss. It is so disappointing because the Bruins were there to be taken tonight.
Unless it's revealed that he's been playing hurt I agree with BBF on Matthews. My concerns are that we might be overrating him just a tad. He got neutralized and the very best of the best find ways not to be.
Over the last two seasons: 5th most total goals despite playing 10-20 fewer (<----see that herman) games than most of the guys ahead of him, most even strength goals (tied with McDavid, but 20 fewer games), 3rd highest goals per game.
He's not overrated, he's flat out amazing and is only 20 years old.
Jake picked a shitty time have the worst game of his career.
Perspective is hard this soon after, but despite their young age, there are some issues here.I'm not concerned about Matthews at all.
I think there are some concerns about Matthews. He was largely ineffective and for a player of his talent and size it is of concern.
There have to be questions about Andersen. While some games he was great, in three of the games he was not. Is he consistent enough to be the guy? That isn’t clear to me.
The defence is bad. Really bad and if it isn’t fixed there won’t be much chance of being a Cup competitor at all. Not sure what they do about that. No more high picks to find a stud D-man.
There were of course some positives, but difficult to see those in the context of a Game 7 loss. It is so disappointing because the Bruins were there to be taken tonight.
Unless it's revealed that he's been playing hurt I agree with BBF on Matthews. My concerns are that we might be overrating him just a tad. He got neutralized and the very best of the best find ways not to be.
Over the last two seasons: 5th most total goals despite playing 10-20 fewer (<----see that herman) games than most of the guys ahead of him, most even strength goals (tied with McDavid, but 20 fewer games), 3rd highest goals per game.
He's not overrated, he's flat out amazing and is only 20 years old.
I wonder if any of the reporters give Babcock a grilling on his ice time distribution. It was evident pretty early on that Gardiner was struggling and Dermott was playing well yet Gardner ends up playing 24 minutes to 11 for Dermott.
Kapanen scored an amazing shorty and be played under 9 minutes??? Like c'mon some of this is on the coach for not managing his team in game
The kids from the Marlies were nice-to-haves; I agree they're generally the better option, but the coach has gone through the entire season leaning on his prime players to pretty good effect and you sort of have to bank on that. I'd like Babcock to be faster on the uptake, but that's just how I see it.
I thought Kapanen and Johnsson should've been up with the Leafs last year instead of Matt Martin and whoever so that they'd be ready to be relied upon this year, but there's also their confidence and developmental readiness to account for. Johnsson said he appreciated the extra time they afforded him with the Marlies, rather than calling him up to be the franchise saviour and yo-yoing him when he inevitably faltered a bit.
Let's note, at this point, that the real back-breaker in that series -- and in game 7 particularly -- was one Jake DeBrusk. A 21 year old rookie who average 15 min/game during the series.
I don't even know why anyone would waste their breath discussing our forwards. The forwards clearly are not our problem. Defense, defense, defense, DEFENSE. How do we get better? Who do we sign/trade for?
I know you've all been waiting for my opinion, so wait no more:
1. You play your best players when the game is on the line. They're the ones that have earned it all year, and you count on them to get up. DeBrusk is one of Boston's best forwards, he's a second line player that plays those minutes. The Leafs also have players his age, and younger, that played a lot more the DeBrusk did/does.
2. I think the Kadri suspension is where this series got decided. That suspension really hurt the lineup.
3. The Leafs counted on Andersen far too many times this year, and their luck ran out there.
4. Gardiner had a bad game, oh well. He's a 50 point defenseman this year, and one of the key guys that got this team into the playoffs. If the Leafs could replay that period, I'm pretty sure they'd play Gardiner again in those minutes.
5. I don't consider last night's game to be indicative of anything in particular, I'm more trying to look at the series overall. The 7 game series did show me that Matthews and Nylander have a fair bit of work to do to earn $10-$11 mil and $6-$7 mil on my Leafs team. Marner and Marleau played well. The newer kids played pretty darn well, all things considered.
6. Young team, didn't get it done, not really surprised. I'm looking forward to an interesting off-season.
I know you've all been waiting for my opinion, so wait no more:
1. You play your best players when the game is on the line. They're the ones that have earned it all year, and you count on them to get up. DeBrusk is one of Boston's best forwards, he's a second line player that plays those minutes. The Leafs also have players his age, and younger, that played a lot more the DeBrusk did/does.
2. I think the Kadri suspension is where this series got decided. That suspension really hurt the lineup.
3. The Leafs counted on Andersen far too many times this year, and their luck ran out there.
4. Gardiner had a bad game, oh well. He's a 50 point defenseman this year, and one of the key guys that got this team into the playoffs. If the Leafs could replay that period, I'm pretty sure they'd play Gardiner again in those minutes.
5. I don't consider last night's game to be indicative of anything in particular, I'm more trying to look at the series overall. The 7 game series did show me that Matthews and Nylander have a fair bit of work to do to earn $10-$11 mil and $6-$7 mil on my Leafs team. Marner and Marleau played well. The newer kids played pretty darn well, all things considered.
6. Young team, didn't get it done, not really surprised. I'm looking forward to an interesting off-season.
It pains me to say it but I agree with everything that Frank wrote.
So obviously I am disappointed in the result, but I'm not surprised.
My perspective:
The Leafs never really got firing on all cylinders, key depth vets were largely non-factors against lesser competition (Bozak-JvR), and our top offensive contributors were stymied by world class Olympic-medalling veterans. Oh yeah, our top matchup centre stupidly removed himself from the series for 3 games.
AND we still took the second best team in the East (and possibly the whole league in the second half of the season) that was really clicking to the brink and it took one period of brain farting and youthful despair to down us.
So yes, we lost, deservedly so, but we played like ass and still almost eliminated one of the best.
Going to hear a lot of chatter over Gardiner and Andersen today. They were both terrible last night, but the only reason the Leafs were even involved in Game 7 was because Tuukka Rask was terrible. Leafs scored on very little shots & didn't really put up much if a counter.
— Gus Katsaros🏒 (@KatsHockey) April 26, 2018
The media is saying that Gardiner may have played his last game as a leaf.
I know you've all been waiting for my opinion, so wait no more:
1. You play your best players when the game is on the line. They're the ones that have earned it all year, and you count on them to get up. DeBrusk is one of Boston's best forwards, he's a second line player that plays those minutes. The Leafs also have players his age, and younger, that played a lot more the DeBrusk did/does.
2. I think the Kadri suspension is where this series got decided. That suspension really hurt the lineup.
3. The Leafs counted on Andersen far too many times this year, and their luck ran out there.
4. Gardiner had a bad game, oh well. He's a 50 point defenseman this year, and one of the key guys that got this team into the playoffs. If the Leafs could replay that period, I'm pretty sure they'd play Gardiner again in those minutes.
5. I don't consider last night's game to be indicative of anything in particular, I'm more trying to look at the series overall. The 7 game series did show me that Matthews and Nylander have a fair bit of work to do to earn $10-$11 mil and $6-$7 mil on my Leafs team. Marner and Marleau played well. The newer kids played pretty darn well, all things considered.
6. Young team, didn't get it done, not really surprised. I'm looking forward to an interesting off-season.
It pains me to say it but I agree with everything that Frank wrote.
To me the series also reinforced the importance of winning draws, or at very least prevent clean opposition wins. Maybe the advanced stats say it doesn't matter, but to these eyes it sure seemed like we spent a lot of extra time in our zone and a lot less in theirs purely by our inability to start with control of the puck. I can think of 3 or 4 Boston goals that came immediately off a won draw, and far too many occasions where we had to withstand sustained pressure in our own zone after a faceoff. We paid after a number of our icings...the Bruins, rarely.
He is also up for a new contract and honestly I wouldn't pay him anymore than what he's getting now and that would be too much for a guy I would play 10-15 minutes max. Let him go.
I know you've all been waiting for my opinion, so wait no more:
1. You play your best players when the game is on the line. They're the ones that have earned it all year, and you count on them to get up. DeBrusk is one of Boston's best forwards, he's a second line player that plays those minutes. The Leafs also have players his age, and younger, that played a lot more the DeBrusk did/does.
2. I think the Kadri suspension is where this series got decided. That suspension really hurt the lineup.
3. The Leafs counted on Andersen far too many times this year, and their luck ran out there.
4. Gardiner had a bad game, oh well. He's a 50 point defenseman this year, and one of the key guys that got this team into the playoffs. If the Leafs could replay that period, I'm pretty sure they'd play Gardiner again in those minutes.
5. I don't consider last night's game to be indicative of anything in particular, I'm more trying to look at the series overall. The 7 game series did show me that Matthews and Nylander have a fair bit of work to do to earn $10-$11 mil and $6-$7 mil on my Leafs team. Marner and Marleau played well. The newer kids played pretty darn well, all things considered.
6. Young team, didn't get it done, not really surprised. I'm looking forward to an interesting off-season.
It pains me to say it but I agree with everything that Frank wrote.
The media is saying that Gardiner may have played his last game as a leaf.
So obviously I am disappointed in the result, but I'm not surprised.
My perspective:
The Leafs never really got firing on all cylinders, key depth vets were largely non-factors against lesser competition (Bozak-JvR), and our top offensive contributors were stymied by world class Olympic-medalling veterans. Oh yeah, our top matchup centre stupidly removed himself from the series for 3 games.
AND we still took the second best team in the East (and possibly the whole league in the second half of the season) that was really clicking to the brink and it took one period of brain farting and youthful despair to down us.
So yes, we lost, deservedly so, but we played like ass and still almost eliminated one of the best.
Yeah but do we really have to play like ass? I mean, throughout the season people were saying the Leafs were outscoring their problems, and once scoring dried up Freddy got going. We relied a lot on things that don't seem replicable to me. The team doesn't play a tight team game and got outshot and outchanced all season long and it was exposed in this series.
I get that we didn't have Kadri, and maybe to some degree that sealed it, but man... there's quite a bit of work to be done to go from where we are to the kind of team we want to be.
Where did you see that? Not that I don't believe it, but I didn't see anything. Radio? I would be shocked if they traded him this off season. His value has to be low. Feels like a knee-jerk reaction.
Where did you see that? Not that I don't believe it, but I didn't see anything. Radio? I would be shocked if they traded him this off season. His value has to be low. Feels like a knee-jerk reaction.
The media's gonna say all kinds of crazy things for the next few weeks. I wouldn't put much stock in it, it's just baseless speculation on their part. Kypreos is trying to say that there's a rift between Matthews and Babcock.
The media is saying that Gardiner may have played his last game as a leaf.
Where did you see that? Not that I don't believe it, but I didn't see anything. Radio? I would be shocked if they traded him this off season. His value has to be low. Feels like a knee-jerk reaction.
The media's gonna say all kinds of crazy things for the next few weeks. I wouldn't put much stock in it, it's just baseless speculation on their part. Kypreos is trying to say that there's a rift between Matthews and Babcock.
I don't believe there's a rift. I think the Brown/Hyman thing was about balancing all 4 line and it did work for a few games.Where did you see that? Not that I don't believe it, but I didn't see anything. Radio? I would be shocked if they traded him this off season. His value has to be low. Feels like a knee-jerk reaction.
The media's gonna say all kinds of crazy things for the next few weeks. I wouldn't put much stock in it, it's just baseless speculation on their part. Kypreos is trying to say that there's a rift between Matthews and Babcock.
If I was a star being forced to play with two third/fourth liners throughout the playoffs, I wouldn't be all that happy either.
Yup. I mean c'mon, he put Komarov on his wing for game 2. Then that doesn't work so he puts Brown there. Seriously? I've seen some Matthews bashing and while he didn't put up the numbers he wasn't as bad as some people say. Sometimes you have to look at his linemates and the opposition. He rarely plays with Reilly which is a huge mistake on Babs part. His linemates were 3rd and 4th line guys. He went up against Chara for the most part. I find it interesting that while Marner played well, Boston still put Chara up against Matthews every chance they got even with his crappy wingers. When all is said and done tho, he still lead the team in shots by 10 over 2nd place....not too bad considering all the other factors.Where did you see that? Not that I don't believe it, but I didn't see anything. Radio? I would be shocked if they traded him this off season. His value has to be low. Feels like a knee-jerk reaction.
The media's gonna say all kinds of crazy things for the next few weeks. I wouldn't put much stock in it, it's just baseless speculation on their part. Kypreos is trying to say that there's a rift between Matthews and Babcock.
If I was a star being forced to play with two third/fourth liners throughout the playoffs, I wouldn't be all that happy either.
I don't believe there's a rift. I think the Brown/Hyman thing was about balancing all 4 line and it did work for a few games.That's what I don't get either. You're trying to balance out lines by penalizing your best player with two "hard workers" who lack scoring touch. Even when the Bruins were losing, the Bergeron line stayed together.
I will never understand not playing your best player on the PP? Bozak? Really? Let Matthews get better at faceoffs by taking faceoffs.
The media is saying that Gardiner may have played his last game as a leaf.The fact that he was probably their best defencemen in the second half of the season and in the first 6 games of the playoffs is easily forgotten.
He's talented but I agree, I thought Reilly was our best D man all year including the playoffs. Gardiner needs to learn to stop throwing the puck away and also to grow a set. He constantly let's the other team get to the puck first. I hate that about him. He's def no Kaberle or Reilly. I also don't see the Leafs getting rid of him. 50 point D men are hard to find. The right partner could make a big difference in his game. Look at Karlsson this year. While he put up great numbers he was terrible defensively. He lost Methot as his partner.The media is saying that Gardiner may have played his last game as a leaf.The fact that he was probably their best defencemen in the second half of the season and in the first 6 games of the playoffs is easily forgotten.
Was the defence really that bad in the first 6 games that he was the top dman? I mean, I'd say Rielly was, but that's just me. Take a look back at some of those goals scored in games 1-6. Gardiner was responsible for at least 3 that I can think of off the top of my head.
Like i've said in another thread. He's a talented player. Just not as talented as he thinks he is.
The media is saying that Gardiner may have played his last game as a leaf.
That stuff plays well because a lot Leaf fans don't like him. The fact that he was probably their best defencemen in the second half of the season and in the first 6 games of the playoffs is easily forgotten.
The reality is that Andersen was way too leaky at an inopportune time, and our young stars didn't play like Stars. I think Babcock's wonky break-outs and defensive "system" had a lot to do with it.
The Leafs were lucky game 7 was as close as it was.
Leafs don't strike any fear in anyone. Nylander for sure as stated played the Kessel of years past going into the corners.
I am not least concerned about being "soft". Scare them on the score board. The projectory of our forwards is scary for our opponents.Leafs don't strike any fear in anyone. Nylander for sure as stated played the Kessel of years past going into the corners.
Yup. And if there's one thing we can say definitively it's that having someone play like Kessel won't help win a team win a cup. Or two cups.
This is false
— Brad Marchand (@Bmarch63) April 27, 2018
Nylander didn't have a great series but it had nothing to do with him being soft.Agreed.
The media is saying that Gardiner may have played his last game as a leaf.
That stuff plays well because a lot Leaf fans don't like him. The fact that he was probably their best defencemen in the second half of the season and in the first 6 games of the playoffs is easily forgotten.
The reality is that Andersen was way too leaky at an inopportune time, and our young stars didn't play like Stars. I think Babcock's wonky break-outs and defensive "system" had a lot to do with it.
The Leafs were lucky game 7 was as close as it was.
I just want to say, I think you've been pretty bang on all season long with your analysis and I also couldn't agree more with this (and your following) post. It's almost as if Babcock is trying to handicap his team. I genuinely feel that this core is so much better than the way they've been playing.
I think trading in Komarov's 16 minutes of ice time per game and Bozak/JVR's atrocious even-strength play for the (increased) likes of Johnsson and Kapanen will be a big boost.
And giving some of these young superstars more minutes certainly can't hurt.
I think this "being soft" thing is a load of balls. I think the side showed a huge amount of heart and grit even dragging the series to 7 games. Even more so after being pretty much down and out after a couple of games.
Def agree. The difference when Babs moved Leo off the Kadri line was a huge turning point in his season. Remember he only scored 1 in 20 games and had like 2 points or something crazy like that. Then when with Komarov out and off the 4th line. All of a sudden with Johnsson on it the line was alive and crazy fast and was actually to a point where we could run 4 lines without worry. When Leo came back, the line was worse. That's why I'm so baffled with Babs sometimes. He's not stupid but it was obvious to most of us watching that Leo was done, like Martin, and then Babs puts him with Matthews in game 2. Like does that make any sense to anyone here? Same as Brown and Hyman with him. And we wonder why Matthews can't score?The media is saying that Gardiner may have played his last game as a leaf.
That stuff plays well because a lot Leaf fans don't like him. The fact that he was probably their best defencemen in the second half of the season and in the first 6 games of the playoffs is easily forgotten.
The reality is that Andersen was way too leaky at an inopportune time, and our young stars didn't play like Stars. I think Babcock's wonky break-outs and defensive "system" had a lot to do with it.
The Leafs were lucky game 7 was as close as it was.
I just want to say, I think you've been pretty bang on all season long with your analysis and I also couldn't agree more with this (and your following) post. It's almost as if Babcock is trying to handicap his team. I genuinely feel that this core is so much better than the way they've been playing.
I think trading in Komarov's 16 minutes of ice time per game and Bozak/JVR's atrocious even-strength play for the (increased) likes of Johnsson and Kapanen will be a big boost.
And giving some of these young superstars more minutes certainly can't hurt.
Agreed re Komarov. A lot of people underestimate the impact that one relatively terrible player (even a fourth liner) can have on a team, particularly when he plays a central role on special teams.
I think a full year of Johnsson plus a revamped breakout system that isn't as reliant on the stretch pass/dump-out could take the Leafs to the next level.
Also Matthews and Hyman may, at some point, have to break up.
Def agree. The difference when Babs moved Leo off the Kadri line was a huge turning point in his season. Remember he only scored 1 in 20 games and had like 2 points or something crazy like that. Then when with Komarov out and off the 4th line. All of a sudden with Johnsson on it the line was alive and crazy fast and was actually to a point where we could run 4 lines without worry. When Leo came back, the line was worse. That's why I'm so baffled with Babs sometimes. He's not stupid but it was obvious to most of us watching that Leo was done, like Martin, and then Babs puts him with Matthews in game 2. Like does that make any sense to anyone here? Same as Brown and Hyman with him. And we wonder why Matthews can't score?The media is saying that Gardiner may have played his last game as a leaf.
That stuff plays well because a lot Leaf fans don't like him. The fact that he was probably their best defencemen in the second half of the season and in the first 6 games of the playoffs is easily forgotten.
The reality is that Andersen was way too leaky at an inopportune time, and our young stars didn't play like Stars. I think Babcock's wonky break-outs and defensive "system" had a lot to do with it.
The Leafs were lucky game 7 was as close as it was.
I just want to say, I think you've been pretty bang on all season long with your analysis and I also couldn't agree more with this (and your following) post. It's almost as if Babcock is trying to handicap his team. I genuinely feel that this core is so much better than the way they've been playing.
I think trading in Komarov's 16 minutes of ice time per game and Bozak/JVR's atrocious even-strength play for the (increased) likes of Johnsson and Kapanen will be a big boost.
And giving some of these young superstars more minutes certainly can't hurt.
Agreed re Komarov. A lot of people underestimate the impact that one relatively terrible player (even a fourth liner) can have on a team, particularly when he plays a central role on special teams.
I think a full year of Johnsson plus a revamped breakout system that isn't as reliant on the stretch pass/dump-out could take the Leafs to the next level.
Also Matthews and Hyman may, at some point, have to break up.
I agree with Strange here, at some point Hyman needs to be off this line to.