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

[VivaLasVegas]

From a neutral fan's perspective:

1. Leafs were the better team overall
2. Refs called stuff that almost never gets called in the playoffs
2. Although Leafs probably still would have won, if Ottawa had an NHL caliber goalie in net it would have likely been a 1 goal game down to the last few minutes

From this neutral fan's perspective:

1. The first 20 minutes were the Sens with the "deer in the headlights" look.

2. The remaining 40 minutes were the Sens playing like they had a lobotomy -- lots of undisciplined, if not often plainly stupid, play.

3. Ullmark wasn't great, but he was also hung out to dry because the Sens' numerous defensive breakdowns.

4. Leafs were simply "steady Eddy" playing their game and not letting anything get to them, for a change (Berube >>> Keefe).

5. Unless the Sens tighten up their mental game and quick, this may be a short series.

6. I do not expect Trent Travis Green to accomplish #5.

 

[DueDiligence]

How can they be favourites when they can never win a series?

Duhhhhhh Maybe because they have a bunch of different players on the blue line and in net.

 

[Transplanted Caper]

From this neutral fan's perspective:

1. The first 20 minutes were the Sens with the "deer in the headlights" look.

2. The remaining 40 minutes were the Sens playing like they had a lobotomy -- lots of undisciplined, if not often plainly stupid, play.

3. Ullmark wasn't great, but he was also hung out to dry because the Sens' numerous defensive breakdowns.

4. Leafs were simply "steady Eddy" playing their game and not letting anything get to them, for a change (Berube >>> Keefe).

5. Unless the Sens tighten up their mental game and quick, this may be a short series.

6. I do not expect Trent Green to accomplish #5.

Maybe Kurt Warner can step in.

 

[Twine Tickler]

From a neutral fan's perspective:

1. Leafs were the better team overall
2. Refs called stuff that almost never gets called in the playoffs
2. Although Leafs probably still would have won, if Ottawa had an NHL caliber goalie in net it would have likely been a 1 goal game down to the last few minutes

This is kind of a spot on assessment TBH

Leafs were the marginally better team last night. They got a good whistle, which despite what most people may think, is not often the case. I am happy to provide proof if need be. They took advantage of their opportunities on the PP as well as 5v5, and Ullmark was not up to the task.

This was far from the 6-2 shit kicking that the scoreline suggests.

Leafs will almost definitely not get a +4PP differential ever again in the series and/or playoffs should they advance. Conversely, I highly suspect if anything the Sens will get a game of that nature in the not too distant future. That's just how this stupid league works. Overcorrections in NHL officiating is ridiculous.

Much like every playoff series before, It will really come down to making the best of the limited chances you get. Whoever does this better, will win the series

 

[VivaLasVegas]

Maybe Kurt Warner can step in.

Trent Green > Travis Green

 

[Peasy]

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Ridley Greig is disappointed. Mission failed.

 

[93gilmour93]

Sens fans reading the update....

 

[Power Surge]

You have to be feeling good right now if you're a Leaf fan, it is a good opening start.

 

[Namikaze Minato]

You have to be feeling good right now if you're a Leaf fan, it is a good opening start.

One game is one game.

 

[Twine Tickler]

I concur with all of this. What I'll add is that in addition to the refs calling stuff that almost never gets called in the playoffs, while they were technically penalties, the players getting fouled were pretty well selling the calls. From my neutral point of view, I probably wouldn't have thought much of it if one or two of them had resulted in embellishment also being called. Just kind of a strangely officiated game. It would be like if the police in an area suddenly started issuing a bunch of speeding tickets to people going 3-5mph over the speed limit I guess.

Honestly, I am not sure the players sold the calls at all. I just don't think the refs needed to call anything TBH. If we are being truthful, I really only see the call on Stutzle being the one the refs really f***ed up on. That cannot under any circumstance be called IMO. Complete garbage given the context of the game. This is coming from me, a diehard Leafs fan. But just for arguments sake, lets review the others:

Grieg cro-check 100% is a major that OTT was lucky to have reduced to a minor. No 2 ways about it

Gaudette shove on Matthews is tough. Because by the letter of the law it is 100% a penalty, but it is also something you sometimes get away with when down a man. I don't for a second think Matthews chose to sell this call, as he was still making a play on the puck even when he went face first into the boards

Batherson Slewfoot on Jarnkrok. Call every time.

Batherson cro-check on OEL. Call everytime

Klevin Highstick on Laughton is a call everytime.

So if you look at what should have been a 5 minute major on Grieg and the Guadette Crosschecking penalty that followed. It kind of offsets good fortune and bad IMO.

At the end of the day, the Sens played too closely to the sun and got burnt. They can argue the calls all they want, but realistically the only one that cannot be called is the Timmy Stu boarding call. It's a horseshit call

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

So much negativity. Both fan bases should be happy. It's the playoffs, this is what it's all about.

 

[bert]

It's easier to out muscle a player when you use your leg behind the other players leg to wipe him out with a hit. Trust me I've used this move many times in hockey and have been called for tripping on the play some of the times. Batherson knew exactly what he was doing and got caught....

Lol buddy take off your blue and white glasses.

 

[Summer Rose]

Honestly, I am not sure the players sold the calls at all. I just don't think the refs needed to call anything TBH. If we are being truthful, I really only see the call on Stutzle being the one the refs really f***ed up on. That cannot under any circumstance be called IMO. Complete garbage given the context of the game. This is coming from me, a diehard Leafs fan. But just for arguments sake, lets review the others:

Grieg cro-check 100% is a major that OTT was lucky to have reduced to a minor. No 2 ways about it

Gaudette shove on Matthews is tough. Because by the letter of the law it is 100% a penalty, but it is also something you sometimes get away with when down a man. I don't for a second think Matthews chose to sell this call, as he was still making a play on the puck even when he went face first into the boards

Batherson Slewfoot on Jarnkrok. Call every time.

Batherson cro-check on OEL. Call everytime

Klevin Highstick on Laughton is a call everytime.

So if you look at what should have been a 5 minute major on Grieg and the Guadette Crosschecking penalty that followed. It kind of offsets good fortune and bad IMO.

At the end of the day, the Sens played too closely to the sun and got burnt. They can argue the calls all they want, but realistically the only one that cannot be called is the Timmy Stu boarding call. It's a horseshit call

Very fair assessment. How much the players sold the calls (if they did at all) is just a matter of opinion, after all. My opinion that they sold them at least a bit is based on having watched the game at live speed, so I reacted based on my gut feeling at the time of watching them. There's a decent chance I might change my opinion if I watched replays of all of them.

I am, however, admittedly far too lazy to do that.

 

[93gilmour93]

 

[93gilmour93]

Lol buddy take off your blue and white glasses.

I guess i could say the same. Take off those red and black glasses lol

 

[Panteras]

Ottawa's inexperience showed

 

[All Mod Cons]

Berube used the two words I think most would sum up the Leafs with in game 1. Composed and disciplined.

 

[Blowfish]

Well that sucked. Bounce back Sens.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Ottawa, you have one job to do, and it's to be sure that the f***ing Maple Laffs doesn't see another 2nd round, ever

Stop sucking, git gud and do just that

 

[Korpse]

Yeah, that's not how it happened.

Watch the replay. Or at least try to watch it this time without wearing your Alfredsson jersey and Sens cap.

What happened through your blue and white glasses?

 

[HockeyVirus]

A lot of people also saying the Sens played well 5v5 and all that and controlled play. I didn't think the Leafs were going 100% last night by any means. They looked like they were able to just play a cool calm pace and that was about what the Senators were able to put out at their peaks during the game.

I think there is a clear gap here between these teams. I think Ottawa is going to come out and pour it on the Leafs because they got beat badly, and then the Leafs are going to turn it on and show this was never a close series at any point.

 

[Strangle]

You have to be feeling good right now if you're a Leaf fan, it is a good opening start.

Wish the Florida/tampa series went last night too

That’s the other series I’ll be watching

 

[Power Surge]

Wish the Florida/tampa series went last night too

That’s the other series I’ll be watching

I'm pumped for tomorrow, can't wait!

 

[Rob Brown]

Wish the Florida/tampa series went last night too

That’s the other series I’ll be watching

Agreed. Really silly the NHL scheduled it tomorrow overlapping with this series - it should be starting tonight.