Post-Game Talk: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Leafs up 2-0! Win 4-3 Game 2

[BertCorbeau]

Woll settled in nicely after that first goal and had some big saves in this one. Hopefully that gets his groove back

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I always wonder which is which. To me it makes more sense to call every two years semi because it's less than every year and call twice a year bi but I think you're right. Or not, I don't really know.

The easy way to remember is by association.

Bi means two (eg. bi-cycle = two-wheels)

Semi means half (eg.semi-circle = half-circle... like a half moon)

 

[BertCorbeau]

That Holmberg penalty was A) crap by the refs B) Completely idiotic by Holmberg

I do like how much more engaged and physical Holmberg is being though. He just needs to know when to reign in it.

But he’s definitely added some strength and mass to his frame. Looks like he’s got more gusto behind his hits.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Yesterday was a long ass day for me. Glads the buds could pull out the win to give me some light on that rough day

 

[Mess]

Free wheeling Willy now has recorded 9 goals and 16 points in his last 10 playoff games.

People questioned when Treliving locked him up long term for our Leafs.

Nylander's contribution and dominance is really validating Leafs long-term investment in him.

 

[tuckerintensity]

I have to ask, after watching the entire season, the first round, the first two games of this round...why do people think it will be so tough to win in Florida? Has there not been enough evidence that the Panthers are out of steam? Bob is the non-factor I said he would be, and Tkachuk can barely skate. They had a great run, but they are done.

I mean, the fact that neither at home were easy suggests that it won't be easier in Florida. While we dog walked them for a couple periods in Game 1, both games ended as one goal games and needing huge goals and defensive stands/great goaltending at the end to get it over the line.

It won't be easy because the playoffs aren't easy and despite this Florida is tired narrative, they are a very good hockey team who knows how to win in the playoffs.

 

[LeafGrief]

As I was fantasizing about round four this morning, I remembered that these are the Leafs and they always, always get your hopes up before breaking your heart in new and exciting ways. This process is one game at a time, and I think this is where Berube is really going to prove his worth. He saw just how much this team can flatline in Game 5 against OTT, gotta keep the boys motivated and putting in the work. The best thing I can say about this team so far is that their performances have been workmanlike and everybody is pulling hard, even if some players are above or below expectations. Shows just how important good leadership is.

 

[ToneDog]

I know he was upset that the Leafs held him out for the last 20 games, but that was a brilliant move.

A healthy, motivated Pacs is something the Leafs have missed for years. His borderline felonious hits are keeping Fla at bay

Question now is how long can he keep it up?

 

[Evilhomer]

I mean, the fact that neither at home were easy suggests that it won't be easier in Florida. While we dog walked them for a couple periods in Game 1, both games ended as one goal games and needing huge goals and defensive stands/great goaltending at the end to get it over the line.

It won't be easy because the playoffs aren't easy and despite this Florida is tired narrative, they are a very good hockey team who knows how to win in the playoffs.

It will be more of the same. I'm sure Florida will win one of games 3 or 4, but that will be it for them in this series.

 

[ToneDog]

Free wheeling Willy now has recorded 9 goals and 16 points in his last 10 playoff games.

People questioned when Treliving locked him up long term for our Leafs.

Nylander's contribution and dominance is really validating Leafs long-term investment in him.

Love his goal celebrations.

 

[BertCorbeau]

It only gets harder from here.

The Leafs need to keep working on performing under a hard forecheck. Executing those passes in transition.

And the top PP unit needs to get on the board.

 

[Tak7]

The devil is in the details this time of year, right?

• If you go back and watch the final 3 minutes - the Leafs have iced the puck a few times, Florida pulls their goalie, and brings the pressure. They have the puck in the Leafs zone for an extended period of time.
• When the puck finally gets out, instead of scrambling for a change, Laughton and Lorentz stand up at the blueline - this allows the Leafs blueline to change instead: Rielly and Carlo off, McCabe and Tanev on.
• The Panthers bring it again, but this time both McCabe and Tanev get two big blocks in, potentially saving the game.

It was such a minor thing, but ended up being huge in the grand scheme of the result.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Not to say something incredibly obvious but AM34 needs to get going.

He hasn't been useless but your #1C needs to be more than a lockdown.

 

[Jojalu]

Question now is how long can he keep it up?

Hopefully he can get them through this series.

Anything after that I feel like is gravy

 

[ToneDog]

The referee was standing right there when it happened... He saw it.

Fans react to embellishment call on Panthers' Rodrigues: 'What a joke'

Game 1 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers had no shortage of drama, and Game 2 continued the trend.

www.sportsnet.ca

It was the linesman and he was looking in the opposite direction. One of the most non sensible calls I have ever seen in all the years of watching the NHL.

 

[tuckerintensity]

It will be more of the same. I'm sure Florida will win one of games 3 or 4, but that will be it for them in this series.

I hope you're right, but I don't think Florida goes down that easily.

Not to say something incredibly obvious but AM34 needs to get going.

He hasn't been useless but your #1C needs to be more than a lockdown.

Outscoring opponents 8 to 1 at ES when he's on the ice... I'm cool if him and his line keep doing that the rest of the playoffs.

 

[Evilhomer]

I hope you're right, but I don't think Florida goes down that easily.

By definition, none of it is easy. This Panthers team is just at the end of its line right now.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Just watching Jonathan Davis on By the Books, he’s saying the Stanley Cup finalist will come from the winner of the Leafs-Panthers and he says the best team in the East are the Leafs. People are taking notice.

No surprise given this team’s outstanding defence in this series. They just make it tough for teams to get shots through. The team is finally playing playoff hockey. They’ve always had the skill, but rarely competed in puck battles like they are now. They are a dangerous team off the rush.

 

[SprDaVE]

Fans react to embellishment call on Panthers' Rodrigues: 'What a joke'

Game 1 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers had no shortage of drama, and Game 2 continued the trend.

www.sportsnet.ca

It was the linesman and he was looking in the opposite direction. One of the most non sensible calls I have ever seen in all the years of watching the NHL.

"The ref was standing right there when it happened."

 

[ToneDog]

"The ref was standing right there when it happened."




View attachment 1032038

Makes it even harder to believe. Sorry, that hit is the definition of boarding that the league is trying to eliminate from the game. Terrible call by that ref.

 

[SprDaVE]

Makes it even harder to believe. Sorry, that hit is the definition of boarding that the league is trying to eliminate from the game. Terrible call by that ref.

Welcome to the NHL. Domi the game before got one that was absolute ridiculous too. Stolarz got hit in the head and no call.

"The ref was standing right there when it happened. He saw it." -Paul Maurice

Maybe it's time to put them infront of a mic?

 

[LeafGrief]

Honestly, for all this talk about our forwards, I think our D have to be our biggest strength. Rielly is producing offensively (and defending well with the obvious exception of some bad giveaways) and the rest of our blueline are just brick walls. They're massive, they're strong, they hit (Bennnnnyyyyyyy<3), they defend the net, they crush the cycle, they make smart simple passes that lead to effective breakouts.

It's a completely different defensive paradigm than we're used to. None of these guys are stretch pass wizards or PP savants. Rielly and OEL are the only ones who are going to reliably pinch into the slot for a cross-seam pass. None of them have the cannon from the point (not that we've had that from other guys lol). No, these guys are defencemen. The way that they make all of these quick 15 foot passes inside our blueline to cut through a maze of forecheckers and get a breakout or even a 3 on 2 started the other way is just pure poetry. Smooth, simple, safe. When they do pinch in the offensive zone, they just smack it back around the boards to let the forwards engage in the board battle, no whipping it on net and risking an odd man rush against. When defending the zone, their size means they never get beat to the outside, and they play such a safe game together that attackers are barely even trying to cut into the inside. (If you do, beware the Benny BOOM)

I can't remember the exact play last night, but there was a shot into Woll's pads and he froze it, but the Panther player was right on the doorstep for a rebound. McCabe cross-checked him right in the forearms and drove him out of the crease as the whistle blew. Then he did the exact same thing on a similar play three minutes later. These guys are just grinding, grinding, grinding for us, and it's giving our forwards so much more time with the puck, and giving our goalies a real helping hand. This blueline is *chef's kiss*

 

[The Iceman]

The referee was standing right there when it happened... He saw it.

My take on that was MAYBE he was staying down/crying on the ice trying to get a 5 minute which MAYBE counts as embellishment.

 

[The Iceman]

I am guilty of that. Sorry. Give credit to Patches, he has gotten up to playoff speed.

3 consecutive multi point games for Patches and +5 in that time.
UNBELIEVABLE the found production, fingers crossed he can stay healthy for a run.

I went in 2 playoff pools, with fellow Leaf fans, and he was not selected in either.

 

[BlueForever75]

Not to say something incredibly obvious but AM34 needs to get going.

He hasn't been useless but your #1C needs to be more than a lockdown.

I think people need to give their heads a shake. Matthews isnt scoring yes. But he is being matched up against 2 Selke Finalist in Barkov and Reinhart. He is playing a complete 200ft game every game and not for anything Reinhart and Barkov have been non existent as well. So it goes to show what the Matthews line is doing against them.

I am perfectly fine with the game Matthews is playing. Getting his chances, playing above average defense and for all intensive purposes coming out on top with that matchup. Knies and Marner are still chipping in offensively and playing great with Matthews.

People need to give him a break. It goes to show you the system they are playing. Berube could have shied away from the Barkov matchup. But he didnt. Its working in the Leafs favor. Prepping them for when they head to Florida the next 2 games.

Matthews and his line are doing great. Stay within the system and this team will flourish. Matthews line is going to be the reason we get past Florida if we do. As cancelling out the Barkov line on road and home will pay dividents.