Pre-Game Talk: 1st Round - Battle of Ontario - Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators

Staios will have to address the D core in the off season. We need significant improvement in the play of Matinpalo and Kleven plus the addition of a competent 5th D to replace Hamonic until Yakemchuk develops into an NHL level RD. Would be nice to get another good D prospect in the 2025 draft or via trade or Free Agency this coming summer.
They need another RD but Kleven and Matinpalo are both rookies. They aren't remotely close to being done developing.
 
My opinion is that these guys will leave everything on the ice.

We do have a history of spazziness in the face of adversity. And we fixed that this season. But playoffs are different and this is mos Tod their first time. And I think we will get drawn back into that. Only natural
 
Others have mentioned it, but our bottom pairing D is the biggest concern. I think Kleven is a solid bottom pairing guy and Matinpalo too, but I wish we had an experienced D man like Tanev, who is so good defensively. The Leafs have really upgraded their D core, which will be the biggest challenge, I believe for Ottawa.
 
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That may be the most crucial matchup of the series.
I think that line is solid at playing a 2-way game. I am concerned that Marner and Nylander might be too fast for them as none of them are particularly fast. I wish we had a defensive specialist forward that we could put on that line. A guy like Gainey, Carbonneau, Provost, Ramsay or Draper from the past. I watched all of them play the game on TV when I was younger.
They need another RD but Kleven and Matinpalo are both rookies. They aren't remotely close to being done developing.
Yes both are rookies in the NHL; however, they are not the same age; Matinpalo is older. Kleven is 23 (Jan 2002 birthdate); Matinpalo is 27 (October 1998 birthdate) or 3 1/4 years older. Kleven is earlier in his development period and should get much better in the next few years. However, Matinpalo is older and just about finished his development period. I think Matinpalo will get better as he plays more at the NHL level but Kleven has more years left to do so and will be the better of the two players. Matinpalo would be a very good #7 depth D. Kleven seems to have higher potential.

If we could get a better #3 RD , it would be a very good addition next season.
 
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Really? Wow, how did I forget that. One of those COVID memories.

I actually don't mind Cuthbert. He was great for us when we had him and Ferraro on TSN for an entire season.

In any event, I understand why the coverage leans in their direction but it doesn't make it any less annoying.

As long as we don't get Galley.

Yeah Cuthbert and Ferraro were awesome.
That was the best combination we have ever had on any medium.
 
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They don't have anyone like Sanderson in their D-corps, nor do they have anyone like Tkachuk in their forward core. Those two guys are our wildcards. If they're on we win this series no problem.

On the other side, they have three superstars in Matthews, Marner and Nylander. If they're on we need Ullmark to stand on his head.
 
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They don't have anyone like Sanderson in their D-corps, nor do they have anyone like Tkachuk in their forward core. Those two guys are our wildcards. If they're on we win this series no problem.

On the other side, they have three superstars in Matthews, Marner and Nylander. If they're on we need Ullmark to stand on his head.

Can’t wait to see Green’s game plan to take away ice from Nylander and Marner. Key to the series for Ottawa
 
They don't have anyone like Sanderson in their D-corps, nor do they have anyone like Tkachuk in their forward core. Those two guys are our wildcards. If they're on we win this series no problem.

On the other side, they have three superstars in Matthews, Marner and Nylander. If they're on we need Ullmark to stand on his head.
I've seen them put out Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Tavares, and Knies on their PP1. That is an insanely loaded PP, and our PK can be really hit or miss. Ullmark is going to have to be stellar on the PK, but I hope that Sens coaching harp at our boys that a passive PK is death against Toronto.
 
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I've seen them put out Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Tavares, and Knies on their PP1. That is an insanely loaded PP, and our PK can be really hit or miss. Ullmark is going to have to be stellar on the PK, but I hope that Sens coaching harp at our boys that a passive PK is death against Toronto.

The amount of penalties we take will dictate if we win or lose. If we take 2 or less penalties a game we’ll win the series

I also think in game 1, if Toronto is losing and they decide they are the tougher then Ottawa we will win the series. Columbus vs Tampa - CLB swept them because Tampa wanted to play to show Columbus how tough they were and it became more important than winning. Toronto has some scare tissue, could work against them trying to prove they are a tough team instead of a winning team.
 
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Suddenly the 4th line could be a strength.

Cousins-Gaudette-Perron has some bite and good scoring ability.

I think how the defenses match-up will be massive.

Can the leafs bigger tougher, older defense hold up and push back effectively against the Sens forecheck? Can they break it and move the puck out to avoid extended zone time and push the Sens away from the front of the net?

Can Ottawa's top 4 consistently avoid forechecking pressure and move the puck back in transition quickly? Can the bottom pair play a sturdy physical game, while avoiding penalties and costly mistakes?

Ideally for Ottawa, the physical battles are engaged predominantly in Toronto's end, forcing their defense into positions where they will take contact and getting to loose pucks first to force reactions and draw penalties.

While at the same time, limiting time in their own end with quick breakouts and good back pressure. Also pressing the points when needed to hinder Toronto's high cycle.
 
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Yes goal tending played a big role in Green's Canucks going all the way to game 7 against Vegas (That Demko performance was legendary), but imho, Green did outcoach Berube in 2020.
 
Reaves going in is to try to get Brady off his game. TML knows one of the best ways to beat us is to get Brady out of the game. If Reaves does any goon shit, we can't respond with stupid penalties. Instead, skate around his slow ass and score while he's playing.
 
Reaves going in is to try to get Brady off his game. TML knows one of the best ways to beat us is to get Brady out of the game. If Reaves does any goon shit, we can't respond with stupid penalties. Instead, skate around his slow ass and score while he's playing.

He's just getting called up, I doubt they put him in unless there's major shenanigans
 
He's just getting called up, I doubt they put him in unless there's major shenanigans
I for one hope there are major shenanigans in game 1 so they put him in for game 2. Shenanigans play to the Sens strengths, and illiciting a reaction like putting Reaves into a game would be fantastic.
 

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