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

[LuckyPierre]

This Toronto team is different. They have been better in every category.

Their finishers have finished. Their defencemen have defended soundly. Their goaltender has stood tall. And they have shown poise and discipline.

They have three solid second pairs on defense, and two first lines up front. It's a tough look to counter.

Ottawa can't draw on much, but will have to take solace in playing a solid second road period where they outscored and outshot Toronto, with long change where Toronto had matchup privileges.

Could indicate that with preferred deployment in game 3, Ottawa will have more of a chance to execute their game plan. Their game plan in Toronto seemed to be to hit everything, and pepper outside shots at Stolarz for rebound opportunities. I bet that changes in Ottawa where with preferred matchups, Ottawa gets more time for clean looks. I think Ottawa scores 4. Question is whether Ullmark can carry over his stronger play from the second half of last nights game.

 

[stats1]

I don't get this big deal about Ottawa outshooting the Leafs. The Leafs were outshot in 47 of their games this seasons. Their record when being outshot is 33-12-2 (15-5-0 at home, 18-12-2 on the road).

this ^ the Leafs whole system is to clog up the neutral zone and clog up the crease. They will allow shots from the outside and clear the front of the net. The Leafs got outshot in the majority of their games this year. They don’t care. Leafs usually dominate the scoring chances which is the biggest factor

 

[Strangle]

What game were u watching where the sens were better for 5/6 periods and have not had a lead in either game whatsoever. I’d love to watch that game in the make believe universe

I’ve heard the sens have outplayed the leafs all series AND none of the goals have been ullmark’s fault lol

Must just be bum luck I guess

 

[MCR74]

Good luck!













eat shit

I saw that, and back at ya.

 

[HarrisonFord]

2nd period was the Leafs worst period of hockey in quite a while. Pucks were bouncing on them, didn’t seem to be in sync, weren’t first to the puck, on the PK twice. The D played good contain hockey but the forwards were very bad.

Yet Ottawa managed to get 1 goal out of all that. Stolarz is a difference maker, the D was great at blocking shots, clearing the net front and rebounds, and clearing the zone. If Ottawa wanted a chance in this series, yesterday is a game they need to win.

They didn’t, and that’s a bit of the Leafs being the better, more complete and experienced team, and Ottawa’s inexperience.

I think they split the games in Ottawa and Toronto finished it up in 5

 

[h2]

As a Sens fan, I have to admit the Leafs look different this year. They're a very composed team and I think Berube has them playing the right way. Bringing in Carlo and Tanev to the D core is a game changer as well.

They'll be a tough team for anyone to beat.

Hope the boys can maximize their game at home in games 3 & 4 and make this a series.

 

[MCR74]

2nd period was the Leafs worst period of hockey in quite a while. Pucks were bouncing on them, didn’t seem to be in sync, weren’t first to the puck, on the PK twice. The D played good contain hockey but the forwards were very bad.

Yet Ottawa managed to get 1 goal out of all that. Stolarz is a difference maker, the D was great at blocking shots, clearing the net front and rebounds, and clearing the zone. If Ottawa wanted a chance in this series, yesterday is a game they need to win.

They didn’t, and that’s a bit of the Leafs being the better, more complete and experienced team, and Ottawa’s inexperience.

I think they split the games in Ottawa and Toronto finished it up in 5

The Leafs haven't had playoff goaltending this solid since Belfour.

 

[93gilmour93]

So Leafs havent even played well but are up 2-0? What happens when they eventually play better lol

 

[sxvnert]

The Panthers are Leafs' worst nightmare.

The Panthers are everybodys worst nightmare.

 

[sxvnert]

Its over next round, regardless. They are going to blow their wad early with the massive Ottawa round 1 win. They dont have it in them to beat a team like Florida IMO. Marner will go back to being a mouse again once Florida starts throwing hits.

Name a team in the east who does.

(Hint: There isn't)

 

[MCR74]

Name a team in the east who does.

(Hint: There isn't)

This. I haven't seen this much coping since Tavares left Long Island.

 

[93gilmour93]

This. I haven't seen this much coping since Tavares left Long Island.

 

[Zybalto]

The Leafs haven't had playoff goaltending this solid since Belfour.

Starting mediocre AHLer Campbell and 3rd stringer Sansonov may have been a waste of 4 years for this core......

 

[MCR74]

Starting mediocre AHLer Campbell and 3rd stringer Sansonov may have been a waste of 4 years for this core......

They certainly didn't help. It was nice for Edmonton to get a taste of Campbell though.

 

[RuudeDog]

The Panthers are everybodys worst nightmare.

I find it funny how many posters are already projecting Fla in the 2nd round. TB is the better team. I hope they beat TB, but mark my words, TB is winning that series. There is no part of me that misses facing Kucherov in the first round.

The Leafs do feel different this year and it begins and ends with Stolarz.

 

[BayStBullies]

I’ve heard the sens have outplayed the leafs all series AND none of the goals have been ullmark’s fault lol

Must just be bum luck I guess

My favourite was a Sens fan using the logic: "I'm not worried. We will win the next two, as the home team hasn't lost yet."

 

[Strangle]

I find it funny how many of you are already projecting Fla in the 2nd round. TB is the better team and will show it before the series is done. TB will be the 2nd round opponent. Flipping channels last night I was reminded how nice it is to not have to finally face Kucherov in the first round.

The Leafs do feel different this year and it begins and ends with Stolarz.

I agree that people overlooking Tampa over a single game are foolish

Also overlooking the senators is also being foolish. Game 2 could have easily went to Ottawa

Leafs have to continue being the better team and not give Ottawa a chance to get into this series. Just get the job done

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

2nd period was the Leafs worst period of hockey in quite a while. Pucks were bouncing on them, didn’t seem to be in sync, weren’t first to the puck, on the PK twice. The D played good contain hockey but the forwards were very bad.

Yet Ottawa managed to get 1 goal out of all that. Stolarz is a difference maker, the D was great at blocking shots, clearing the net front and rebounds, and clearing the zone. If Ottawa wanted a chance in this series, yesterday is a game they need to win.

They didn’t, and that’s a bit of the Leafs being the better, more complete and experienced team, and Ottawa’s inexperience.

I think they split the games in Ottawa and Toronto finished it up in 5

The positive for me is that I didn't feel one bit nervous or uneasy in that second. It felt more like "ho hum" or "rope a dope".

 

[bert]

Typical leafs fans and there arrogance. I simply said I was only scoreboard watching have the sens been the better team as theyvseem to have more shots in both games and the leafs have been capitalizing on PPs. Amd simply asked if stolarz is the difference but ofc leafs fans shoot there mouths off instead of simply answering a straight forward question

Its been pretty obvious one goalie has been great and one sub par. Thats the story here, pretty even overall in both games. Not sure why anyone would deny this. Leafs are up 2-0 better execution and better goaltending.

As a sens fan i hope they are learning from this. Ottawa has been a way better home team than on the road. And no it's not gonna be a leafs home game I'm expecting a 70/30 split when you dive into the ticket sales and what's been on secondary markets there hasn't been alot and it was rolled out to sth for the first 16,000 seats.

One game at a time, the leafs are massive favorites at this point but it's not over.

 

[Dayjobdave]

They certainly didn't help. It was nice for Edmonton to get a taste of Campbell though.

I was happy for Jack that he got paid (elsewhere.)

 

[Korpse]

Its been pretty obvious one goalie has been great and one sub par. Thats the story here, pretty even overall in both games. Not sure why anyone would deny this. Leafs are up 2-0 better execution and better goaltending.

Stolarz has been better but Toronto is also generating better chances. There’s been a lot of nervous energy to start games for Ottawa and by the time they have settled in it’s 2-0 in the game.

 

[1specter]

This Toronto team is different. They have been better in every category.

Their finishers have finished. Their defencemen have defended soundly. Their goaltender has stood tall. And they have shown poise and discipline.

They have three solid second pairs on defense, and two first lines up front. It's a tough look to counter.

Ottawa can't draw on much, but will have to take solace in playing a solid second road period where they outscored and outshot Toronto, with long change where Toronto had matchup privileges.

Could indicate that with preferred deployment in game 3, Ottawa will have more of a chance to execute their game plan. Their game plan in Toronto seemed to be to hit everything, and pepper outside shots at Stolarz for rebound opportunities. I bet that changes in Ottawa where with preferred matchups, Ottawa gets more time for clean looks. I think Ottawa scores 4. Question is whether Ullmark can carry over his stronger play from the second half of last nights game.

In 33 regular season + 2 playoff games this year, Stolarz has only allowed more than 3 goals a grand total of five times. And since December 1st, he's only allowed 3+ goals TWICE, he is red hot right now winning 10 straight starts. Getting 4 on him is unrealistic, unless you are expecting the Sens to score 3 and an empty netter.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

The positive for me is that I didn't feel one bit nervous or uneasy in that second. It felt more like "ho hum" or "rope a dope".

I just saw it as the Sens were playing better and tighter defensively. That doesn't mean the Leafs were playing worse but I think there should be lessons learned there for the Leafs. Damn I hate it when teams sit back on a lead and the Sens proved why.

 

[RogerRoger]

Starting mediocre AHLer Campbell and 3rd stringer Sansonov may have been a waste of 4 years for this core......

Don't tell Edmonton about that little trick.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

They'd also be your team's worst nightmare.

When the are healthy they are arguably the best team in the league . Haven’t been all year so maybe they’ve been playing possum / peaking at the right time again .