Series Talk: [A1] Toronto Maple Leafs vs [WC1] Ottawa Senators | Part II (TOR lead 3-0)

[HockeyVirus]

Wierd how Leafs fans were told to suck it up when we've been on the bad end of the playoff reffing game before. I would say some of them were weak, but all were legitimate penalties. I don't recall anything egregious that was missed penalizing the Leafs but am happy to be proven wrong. The Sens were apparently whining quite a bit to the refs and the refs were getting annoyed.

Anyways, this was a role reversal for the Leafs. The Sens played the game the Leafs played in far too many playoff series before: lose composure when calls get made, breakdown of special teams, and a goalie struggling. The only thing missing was someone doing something stupid and getting suspended for the rest of the series.

I'm not expecting this to be an easy series, but it's pretty clear the Sens have to regain composure and play a near perfect game. The Leafs have the talent to take a minute off, however I expect them to tighten up quite a bit once they get rolling.

It has the vibes of an older relative vs younger. Younger throws everything they have at the older, and they don't have to try because they are bigger and stronger and older. They can just mess with the younger one.

Senators will win a game this series no doubt. But as you pointed out, they need to play a perfect game. That is hard to do. At some point it becomes a game of who makes the first mistake and the Leafs have been coached all year to be patient and wait for it. The Sens will try to push and open up the game it won't end well.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Wierd how Leafs fans were told to suck it up when we've been on the bad end of the playoff reffing game before. I would say some of them were weak, but all were legitimate penalties. I don't recall anything egregious that was missed penalizing the Leafs but am happy to be proven wrong. The Sens were apparently whining quite a bit to the refs and the refs were getting annoyed.

Anyways, this was a role reversal for the Leafs. The Sens played the game the Leafs played in far too many playoff series before: lose composure when calls get made, breakdown of special teams, and a goalie struggling. The only thing missing was someone doing something stupid and getting suspended for the rest of the series.

I'm not expecting this to be an easy series, but it's pretty clear the Sens have to regain composure and play a near perfect game. The Leafs have the talent to take a minute off, however I expect them to tighten up quite a bit once they get rolling.

Yeah sounds like Claude and Sloth didn't stfu the entire night on the refs lol

 

[LOFIN]

No series is over after 1 game. Hell, Leafs lost game 1 vs Lightning 7-3 and then won game 2 7-2 and the series in 6 games in 2023.

Good news for the Sens is that their recipe for making a series out of this is pretty simple:

- Skaters need to keep their composure better. First game they were obviously on edge, and that came back to bite them with numerous penalties, and the Leafs punished them on the powerplay.
- Ullmark needs to start catching pucks.

Outside of that, they actually played well and I think they play a better 5v5 game than the Leafs. Unfortunately, it all hangs on Ullmark being able to make saves. Last night was just a continuation of his previous playoff runs, can he actually unf*** himself?

 

[Tuna99]

Toronto won by being soft, the Tanev and Matthews dives did good for them. Good for the Leaves, but they won't win this round playing soft like that. They'll keep trying though.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Toronto won by being soft, the Tanev and Matthews dives did good for them. Good for the Leaves, but they won't win this round playing soft like that. They'll keep trying though.

We won because your players played like morons. That is it. Own it and move on.

 

[Catscountry40]

You must've watched a different game.

I am surprised the Send did not get 4 min in the box for messing up Marner's hair gel.

 

[MCR74]

I am surprised the Send did not get 4 min in the box for messing up Marner's hair gel.

They got plenty of time in the box for other reasons.

Where was Playoff Warrior last night? Was he even in the arena?

 

[HockeyVirus]

Good news for the Sens is that their recipe for making a series out of this is pretty simple:

- Skaters need to keep their composure better. First game they were obviously on edge, and that came back to bite them with numerous penalties, and the Leafs punished them on the powerplay.
- Ullmark needs to start catching pucks.

Outside of that, they actually played well and I think they play a better 5v5 game than the Leafs. Unfortunately, it all hangs on Ullmark being able to make saves. Last night was just a continuation of his previous playoff runs, can he actually unf*** himself?

I can't agree with the 5v5 talk. It's cope to me. After the first 2 periods the shot chart 5v5 showed a clear picture. The Sens outchanced the Leafs but all of it was from low danger areas. Leafs kept them outside almost the whole game.

It wasn't until the 3rd they were really pushing and the Leafs were defending a multi goal lead they evened up the high danger chances but at that point of the game, the Leafs were just holding their structure and defending the lead and not pushing much anymore.

Once again, Leaf fans are asking non fans to understand we have been outshot and "out chanced" most games this year. But the underlying numbers show the high danger chances are in our favor.

 

[Peasy]

It has the vibes of an older relative vs younger. Younger throws everything they have at the older, and they don't have to try because they are bigger and stronger and older. They can just mess with the younger one.

Senators will win a game this series no doubt. But as you pointed out, they need to play a perfect game. That is hard to do. At some point it becomes a game of who makes the first mistake and the Leafs have been coached all year to be patient and wait for it. The Sens will try to push and open up the game it won't end well.

Yeah, this looked like early iteration of the Leafs vs the bruins.

 

[Zalos]

Only one game. If I'm a Leafs fan, I start feeling confident after the series is won. Too many heartbreaks in the past.

That being said, killer PP.

 

[Zybalto]

I can't agree with the 5v5 talk. It's cope to me. After the first 2 periods the shot chart 5v5 showed a clear picture. The Sens outchanced the Leafs but all of it was from low danger areas. Leafs kept them outside almost the whole game.

It wasn't until the 3rd they were really pushing and the Leafs were defending a multi goal lead they evened up the high danger chances but at that point of the game, the Leafs were just holding their structure and defending the lead and not pushing much anymore.

Once again, Leaf fans are asking non fans to understand we have been outshot and "out chanced" most games this year. But the underlying numbers show the high danger chances are in our favor.

Yea, pretty sure the most used center for the Leafs was Scott Laughton the 2nd half of the game and the Leafs were in full "protect the lead" mode. Gonna pay off for them as they basically rested their top guys for next game.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Only one game. If I'm a Leafs fan, I start feeling confident after the series is won. Too many heartbreaks in the past.

That being said, killer PP.

Meh. Playoff runs are short. Enjoy them as they are, celebrate the wins, cry about the losses. Who cares what others think.

Leafs have been in the 2nd round in 2023 and I think they are there again. No one is celebrating, if anything just happy to be proven right about the makeup of the team and how they are built. Clearly a different looking Leafs

 

[Peasy]

Yea, pretty sure the most used center for the Leafs was Scott Laughton the 2nd half of the game and the Leafs were in full "protect the lead" mode. Gonna pay off for them as they basically rested their top guys for next game.

But-but-but I dont actually analyze the games with my eyes, I let a cool little graphic on a website tell me how I am suppose to think how the game SHOULD HAVE went.

 

[LOFIN]

I can't agree with the 5v5 talk. It's cope to me. After the first 2 periods the shot chart 5v5 showed a clear picture. The Sens outchanced the Leafs but all of it was from low danger areas. Leafs kept them outside almost the whole game.

Well disagreed. According to Natural Statrick, high danger chances were 13 vs 10 for Toronto, expected goals were 3.55 vs 3.39 for Ottawa. But then, 5v5: high danger chances were 6 vs 5 for Ottawa, expected goals 2.47 vs 1.34 for Ottawa.

So yeah, Ottawa controlled 5v5, but their goaltending was brutal and they also sucked on the PK.

 

[Mulletman]

Yeah this series is pretty much over. The real battle for my Leafs will be in the 2nd round! If we can get through the 2nd round we have a great shot at making the finals!

 

[Auston Marlander]

Good news for the Sens is that their recipe for making a series out of this is pretty simple:

- Skaters need to keep their composure better. First game they were obviously on edge, and that came back to bite them with numerous penalties, and the Leafs punished them on the powerplay.
- Ullmark needs to start catching pucks.

Outside of that, they actually played well and I think they play a better 5v5 game than the Leafs. Unfortunately, it all hangs on Ullmark being able to make saves. Last night was just a continuation of his previous playoff runs, can he actually unf*** himself?

People keep saying this, but the reality is an NHL goalie will take shots from the outside all night vs a few chances from in close. Thats not even account info for score effect.

 

[Leonardo87]

View attachment 1018909

 

[Tuna99]

We won because your players played like morons. That is it. Own it and move on.

Well, when you lose the series you should rename your team to the “Toronto we lose to Morons” team

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

I think the Leafs can actually play much much better than that .

 

[stats1]

Toronto won by being soft, the Tanev and Matthews dives did good for them. Good for the Leaves, but they won't win this round playing soft like that. They'll keep trying though.

Dude…. We won because you guys were trash. Just accept the loss, coming on here and whining “leafs were just soft” is pathetic.

You know what I would be worried about if I were you? The Leafs could actually play a lot better and they still kicked your ass. Tavares/Rielly/Domi need to wake the f*** up.

You better hope Ottawa wins game 2 because the Leafs take 1 game in Ottawa it’s pretty much over

 

[Peasy]

People keep saying this, but the reality is an NHL goalie will take shots from the outside all night vs a few chances from in close. Thats not even account info for score effect.

View attachment 1018936

All theyre doing with taking so many shots on the outside is warming up Stolarz. Dimitri Filipovic has had a bunch of discussions about this throughout the year, how SOG numbers all around the league are way down. I think teams are starting to realize its not always the best thing to just throw a weak low percentage shot on a goalie just to get a corsi number. Like sure it looks "good" that the offensive just got a shot, but it was a weak shot and allowed the other teams goalie to get a feel for the puck and more into the game. Teams have been way more selective about their shotting spots this year.

 

[Hotsam Batcho]

Yeah this series is pretty much over. The real battle for my Leafs will be in the 2nd round! If we can get through the 2nd round we have a great shot at making the finals!

Please start chanting "we want Florida" or "we want Tampa"

 

[Peasy]

Dude…. We won because you guys were trash. Just accept the loss, coming on here and whining “leafs were just soft” is pathetic

Seems to be a common theme among Sens fans this morning

Huffing some strong copium today.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Well, when you lose the series you should rename your team to the “Toronto we lose to Morons” team

Entirely possible . It’s only 1 game

 

[MCR74]

Well, when you lose the series you should rename your team to the “Toronto we lose to Morons” team

And when you lose you can name yours "Ottawa we lost to the division champs because we played like morons".