R2, G4: Panthers vs. Maple Leafs - May 11th, 7:30pm - SN, Fan 590

[dappleganger]

Sober second thoughts

Woll easily had his best game and gave the Leafs a solid chance to win. Bodes well moving forward if he has his mojo back

The four penalties in the first period were mostly legitimate. I think you can debate the boarding call and the Knies hook but they are both technically penalties. The Panthers getting away with elbows to the head however should have broken up some of those calls and it's hard to get your game going when breathing gets you a penalty. It doesn't excuse the second period but I get why the first continued to be a disaster

Kulikov elbowing Marner and the Panthers opening the bench on Nylander are honestly worse plays than the Domi hit at the end of the game. I'm also not remotely surprised if Domi gets suspended because I think Parros is a biased petty man. Ekblad charged into a pile earlier in the series and took a guy out blindside at the end of a game and no one even said anything about it

The PP needs to adapt. The Panthers are too aggressive at pressuring the puck carrier and the Leafs continue to try and make slow decisions and the Panthers are eating that up

Panthers are pressuring the 2 players at top of the zone on the PK. Quickly get the puck to the net and flood the crease with the other 3 forwards.

 

[Andy007]

Tough one to swallow. Not that the Leafs' didn't deserve their penalties, it's just frustrating that Florida is allowed to elbow, hit from behind and interfere without consequence. That blantant near-charge directly from behind hit on Tanev in full view of everyone that wasn't called early on was absolutely mindboggling. It's hard to play a game when one team is worried about every minor infraction and the other can just go into full-on WWE cage match mode.

All that being said, Leafs really need to adapt. Dump and chase with nobody chasing doesn't work. Standing still on the PP while Florida attacks and clears does not work. Marner on the periphery slowly looking for long passes to Matthews ABSOLUTELY doesn't work. I'd love to see Toronto use some more speed, carry the puck in, shoot and crash the net. Brobovsky has given up alot of goals when we, you know, actually shoot on him.

But ultimately my move would be to simply hire one of Bettman, Campbell or Parros' children/close relatives for a cushy, very high ranking Leafs front office job, and reap in the beneifts of conflict of interest, pure Boston and Florida style.

 

[dappleganger]

Tough one to swallow. Not that the Leafs' didn't deserve their penalties, it's just frustrating that Florida is allowed to elbow, hit from behind and interfere without consequence. That blantant near-charge directly from behind hit on Tanev in full view of everyone that wasn't called early on was absolutely mindboggling. It's hard to play a game when one team is worried about every minor infraction and the other can just go into full-on WWE cage match mode.

All that being said, Leafs really need to adapt. Dump and chase with nobody chasing doesn't work. Standing still on the PP while Florida attacks and clears does not work. Marner on the periphery slowly looking for long passes to Matthews ABSOLUTELY doesn't work. I'd love to see Toronto use some more speed, carry the puck in, shoot and crash the net. Brobovsky has given up alot of goals when we, you know, actually shoot on him.

But ultimately my move would be to simply hire one of Bettman, Campbell or Parros' children/close relatives for a cushy, very high ranking Leafs front office job, and reap in the beneifts of conflict of interest, pure Boston and Florida style.

Giving the League billions of dollars doesn't seem to be working...

 

[azzurri63]

I think, in reality, they are probably done. Best players invisible once again. So very disappointing. Matthews in particularly is completely unequipped to deal with this time of year.

Going to be interesting to see where we are come October. Treliving has a lot of work to do. Get used to see futility because the next few years are going to be hard to watch in my opinion. Core kept intact all these years, no draft picks, nothing in the pipeline yikes. Management are clueless and some of them should have been gone along with Dubas to not have seen the writing on the wall years ago. Top dollars for soft players who are not willing to do what's needed to win this time of year. The saddest part is the D and net minding was greatly improved but when your stars are no-shows what is the point.

 

[azzurri63]

Wow maybe I'm watching a different game but reading some of the post game comments from Berube, Matthews. No wonder this team hasn't won anything.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Leafs aren't doing themselves any favors, but the officiating is absolute bullshit.

Panthers elbow Stolarz in the head game 2, knock him out of the series. Nothing done about it.

Tavares gets elbowed in the head, nothing done about it.

Marner takes an elbow to the head last night, nothing done about it.

Tanev gets rocked by a crosscheck, nothing done about it.

If those were Leafs dishing out elbows, they would be suspended for the rest of the playoffs, just like Kadri and Bunting use to be.

There is a double standard and it is very hard to ignore.

 

[azzurri63]

Leafs aren't doing themselves any favors, but the officiating is absolute bullshit.

Panthers elbow Stolarz in the head game 2, knock him out of the series. Nothing done about it.

Tavares gets elbowed in the head, nothing done about it.

Marner takes an elbow to the head last night, nothing done about it.

Tanev gets rocked by a crosscheck, nothing done about it.

If those were Leafs dishing out elbows, they would be suspended for the rest of the playoffs, just like Kadri and Bunting use to be.

There is a double standard and it is very hard to ignore.

Ya I agree with you and it’s been that way for a long time. Maybe I’m a bit harsh on our guys for not doing the same but as it has been mentioned maybe the fear of taking penalties which Florida seems to get away with. Regardless I don’t think this team or some are built for it. Always said it’s something you have or you don’t and too many in blue and white don’t and worst part it’s our core.

 

[ZBBM]

Everybody is frustrated but after all they are going toe to toe with the champs and are right there. This team is by far the most playoff ready since the Core came in. The D and the goaltending and the playstyle (much as I hate it during the regular season) are why.

I am going to throw some light love Matthews' way. He is all over the ice doing everything you could want except hit the net. He is injured, folks. Has been all season. He is not suddenly going to "find his scoring touch." That is a huge obstacle that utlimately I don't think we ca overcome.

The entire Core 4 + Rielly + Knies have shown up to play and are producing, except for 2 games. Of course they need to do more to beat the champs.

An even bigger problem is the bottom 6. McMann was supposed to be a difference maker. God love Jarnkrok, who skates like a dervish and gives 110% all the time — to no effect. Laughton needs to do more. Domi is either a hero or a chump. Etc etc.

Once again the bottom 6 is letting us down. Berube has GOT to swap in 89, 64, and maybe even Steeves. Maurice did it, and it has helped the Panthers.

 

[Chris]

Going to be interesting to see where we are come October. Treliving has a lot of work to do. Get used to see futility because the next few years are going to be hard to watch in my opinion. Core kept intact all these years, no draft picks, nothing in the pipeline yikes. Management are clueless and some of them should have been gone along with Dubas to not have seen the writing on the wall years ago. Top dollars for soft players who are not willing to do what's needed to win this time of year. The saddest part is the D and net minding was greatly improved but when your stars are no-shows what is the point.

Last I checked the series was 2-2 with 2 of the 3 remaining games in Toronto. It's not over yet, though I am not optimistic based on what I've seen the past couple of games.

As for the core guys, they've been good at times and not so good at others. The next 2 (or 3) games are the big (last?) opportunity for them to make a statement - one way or the other.

Bottom 6, what is there to say. McMann has done nothing. What a disappointment. At least run the goalie or punch out Marchand at the end of the game last night. Jarnkrok is Jarnkrok, now 5 goals in 103 playoff games. Anyone expecting him to put one in the net is delusional. Laughton has been OK but not a difference maker. Lorentz, I don't really get all the Lorentz love I see. The guy is about the softest 6.04 forward out there. He should be slamming Panther defenders on the forecheck but rarely makes significant contact. Not enough in that bottom six to compensate for when Auston Matthews is unable to score.

Gotta put Robertson in at home where the matchups can be controlled. Maybe Kampf too. Steeves would be interesting, though I don't think there's any chance of that unless several forwards are too hurt to play. He couldn't even get in the regular season lineup.

Post script...I really find myself hating the way the Panthers are allowed to play. So many cheap shots, late hits, elbows...

 

[Redleaf]

Whoever said that this team will only go as far as Matthews can take us, was absolutely correct.

We’re finally playing with a defensive mindset, some good big Dmen and ….not 1… but 2 GOOD goaltenders ….and our captain and leading goal scorer is injured (or not playing to his full capabilities).

All we needed to get back in the game last night, OR in the OT in game 3…. Was a SINGLE goal. If Matthews was playing like he normally can, we’d be up in this series by at least 3-1 right now.

 

[Ozzie]

Leafs aren't doing themselves any favors, but the officiating is absolute bullshit.

Panthers elbow Stolarz in the head game 2, knock him out of the series. Nothing done about it.

Tavares gets elbowed in the head, nothing done about it.

Marner takes an elbow to the head last night, nothing done about it.

Tanev gets rocked by a crosscheck, nothing done about it.

If those were Leafs dishing out elbows, they would be suspended for the rest of the playoffs, just like Kadri and Bunting use to be.

There is a double standard and it is very hard to ignore.

This is so easy to correct for the next decade. There are 12 Billion reasons this can be fixed in an instant.

But it seems ownership like Rogers are pussys and this influences the culture of the team too. Either you are there to win like Panthers, Lightening, Vegas...... or you are not.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

This is so easy to correct for the next decade. There are 12 Billion reasons this can be fixed in an instant.

But it seems ownership like Rogers are pussys and this influences the culture of the team too. Either you are there to win like Panthers, Lightening, Vegas...... or you are not.

Leafs complain to the NHL, they point to MLSE's bottom line and shrug their shoulders.

You get teams like Florida, who not that long ago were threatening to move the team. They had 7500 people showing up to games.

It's all about the money. NHL needs teams like Florida to win, to get butts in seats, eyeballs on TV. Leafs win, they sell some more merch and have a parade, which the NHL doesn't really care about. Leafs are pretty tapped out as a revenue stream.

It's how Vegas won a cup within a few years of being an expansion team.

 

[Ozzie]

The entire Core 4 + Rielly + Knies have shown up to play and are producing, except for 2 games. Of course they need to do more to beat the champs.

An even bigger problem is the bottom 6. McMann was supposed to be a difference maker. God love Jarnkrok, who skates like a dervish and gives 110% all the time — to no effect. Laughton needs to do more. Domi is either a hero or a chump. Etc etc.

Once again the bottom 6 is letting us down. Berube has GOT to swap in 89, 64, and maybe even Steeves. Maurice did it, and it has helped the Panthers.

Its interesting the diverging takes we have on this..... because I think the main elements of the other 45% of the Cap has been stellar while elements of the 55% have been poor. Specifically the 28% of the Cap that represents 16 and 34.

Knies, Rielly, Benoit, OEL, Pacioretty, Tanev, Woll and Stolarz have all contributed way more as a group over the playoffs than a combined 16 and 34. Elements of the "depth" beyond the Core4 have been great.

I agree the bottom 6 has not been strong.... although Domi has provided some punch and L4 has done their job in shutdown and keeping play in the OZone at an acceptable level.

But none of the Bottom 6 wear letters and none of them make more than Domi. And I don't think they amount to 28% of the Cap (I didn't do the math).