Leafs @ Jets - Jan. 2nd, 8:00pm - TSN4, Fan 590

[herman]

https://twitter.com/nickdesouza_/status/1212926752349151236

 

[hockeyfan1]

https://twitter.com/nickdesouza_/status/1212926752349151236

Translation...defence out, offence in = e-n-t-e-r-t-a-I-n-m-e-n-t.  The Leafs are tough to catch when they?re flying.

 

[herman]

I?m not the first person to point this out, but the Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander line has shades of a lesser (maybe) Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line.

You?ve got the grizzled dependable centreman, the fast and ratty left winger, and a sneaky right wing sniper who can start and finish plays in tight and from a distance.

All three players have benefited from the space Tavares creates, the speed and pass-first mentality Kerfoot has, and Nylander?s effortless entries and puck retrieving/holding capabilities. When playing a Total Hockey style, it also doesn?t hurt to have three trained centres roaming the ice.

 

[Hobbes]

...When playing a Total Hockey style, it also doesn?t hurt to have three trained centres roaming the ice.

At this point I really wouldn't be shocked to see Keefe throw 5 forwards over the boards some time at 5-on-5 just for the hell of it.

The Leafs' system is predicated on the idea that each player is likely to find himself playing pretty much all possible positions at some point in his shift when they're cycling around in the o-zone. The critical thing is going to be communication to short out who is playing what at any given moment of time.

It's fun hockey to watch, even though it's pretty high event at both ends of the ice. I can't wait until we play Tampa...I want to see how this system fares against a team that's built to go toe-to-toe with this sort of approach.

 

[Frank E]

I don't know if this stands up or not, but I feel that Nylander is putting himself into better scoring position playing with Tavares.  He looks more comfortable playing with Tavares.

 

[herman]

I don't know if this stands up or not, but I feel that Nylander is putting himself into better scoring position playing with Tavares.  He looks more comfortable playing with Tavares.

https://public.tableau.com/profile/bill.comeau#!/vizhome/GameShots2019-20v2_02/Dashboard1

Bill Comeau only has games up to Dec 28 at the moment, so there's only a 1 game sample of the Tavares-effect on Nylander. Use the date range slider at the bottom to see the coaching change difference (11/19 was the last game Babcock coached).

 

[bustaheims]

5-on-5 CF% was just 55% for Winnipeg. Considering they were chasing the Leafs all game that doesn't seem that bad. Score/venue adjusted the Leafs were actually ahead 51/49. Leafs had the advantage in scoring chances and high-danger shot attempts. Leafs were also ahead in expected goals.

Per The Athletic, Leafs led 5-on-5 scoring chances 31-22, and dominated 5-on-5 high danger chances 16-7. Like you said, they were clearly the better team.

 

[Beowulf]

I only saw the 3rd period but I thought the Leafs did a masterful job holding the lead. Aside from one shift where the Jets had most of their chances for the period, the Leafs controlled possession and had more scoring chances. It was beautiful to watch.

 

[disco]

I?m not the first person to point this out, but the Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander line has shades of a lesser (maybe) Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line.

You?ve got the grizzled dependable centreman, the fast and ratty left winger, and a sneaky right wing sniper who can start and finish plays in tight and from a distance.

All three players have benefited from the space Tavares creates, the speed and pass-first mentality Kerfoot has, and Nylander?s effortless entries and puck retrieving/holding capabilities. When playing a Total Hockey style, it also doesn?t hurt to have three trained centres roaming the ice.

With each passing game I get more and more impressed with Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander.  What a one-two combination the Leafs can put out there now.

 

[herman]

Just a reminder that our schedule lately has been (and will continue to be) soft baby doo-doo. It's not unusual for highly skilled players getting 20+ min to roll through low-depth teams. Averaging 4+ goals per game is hilarious but not sustainable.

That said, the Leafs of yesteryear did not need to claw for every point by this stage of the season, so it's good to see a motivated group playing for each other and their own pride.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/mapleleafs/status/1212906475611475969

Nylander picked up this area pass on his backhand and converted the no look wrister surrounded by Jets.

I wish I could see what Jets fans were saying about this defensive effort.

That's top D-man Josh Morrissey (44) just breezing by Nylander (who was surrounded by equally hapless Jets) after the failed hand off behind the net when Brooks jumped on the drop.

Hockey is a flippin' fast game, and a lot of the structure on defense is built on rhythm and situational routines. A breakdown like the one caused by Brooks cascades into all 5 players having to suddenly make new decisions while the puck is in critical space. It happens to every single team. This one was probably compounded by Brooks fanning on the initial pass he wanted to make. A heads up read by Nylander to react faster than the Jets is what puts this one into the net.

 

[ZBBM]

I only saw the 3rd period but I thought the Leafs did a masterful job holding the lead. Aside from one shift where the Jets had most of their chances for the period, the Leafs controlled possession and had more scoring chances. It was beautiful to watch.

Yes it was.  Beats the Philadelphia collapse all to hell.

 

[ZBBM]

Just a reminder that our schedule lately has been (and will continue to be) soft baby doo-doo.

Next one isn't.  It'll be interesting to see how they do.

 

[Bender]

https://twitter.com/mapleleafs/status/1212906475611475969

Nylander picked up this area pass on his backhand and converted the no look wrister surrounded by Jets.

I wish I could see what Jets fans were saying about this defensive effort.

That's top D-man Josh Morrissey (44) just breezing by Nylander (who was surrounded by equally hapless Jets) after the failed hand off behind the net when Brooks jumped on the drop.

Hockey is a flippin' fast game, and a lot of the structure on defense is built on rhythm and situational routines. A breakdown like the one caused by Brooks cascades into all 5 players having to suddenly make new decisions while the puck is in critical space. It happens to every single team. This one was probably compounded by Brooks fanning on the initial pass he wanted to make. A heads up read by Nylander to react faster than the Jets is what puts this one into the net.

B-b-b-uuut only the Leafs blow defensive coverage because they don't care, are weak, don't play tough, insert platitude!!!!