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

[rumman]

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.

All true, but he’s being paid way too much fir a Adam Lowry performance imo…….

 

[DarkKnight]

Keefe still couldn’t win a round this year. And his team looked outclassed against Carolina

It's sad that we've already won more playoff games than at any time with Keefe.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I thought about it on my drive in, sure Auston Matthews could go towards the net and chase a goal to pad the stats but he seems to be committed to playing a safe defensive game right now. He's up higher so he can get back and stifle other team's offense.

It's going to be more on Marner and Knies to score goals but he needs to cash in on the PP. Maybe that's a spot he can go towards the net?

He had an assist on the game winning goal, he's a pt/game, winning a lot of face offs etc...the ink isn't dry yet, he can still have a big night offensively.

 

[wingman75]

Coach PM's demeanour certainly has changed from game 1 to game 2. His pompass arrogant aura (which he plays up of course) has been replaced with stern concern. Love to see it.

 

[sxvnert]

Didn’t manage the cap properly so yeah, no money for the D or G. I still do not believe a team can win the cup with the cap allocation the Leafs are still employing, hope I’m wrong, but I doubt it……..

Kyle was dead set on building a type of team for a league that didn't exist. His blueprint might of worked in the Olympics or Europe but obviously not the NHL.

 

[rumman]

I thought about it on my drive in, sure Auston Matthews could go towards the net and chase a goal to pad the stats but he seems to be committed to playing a safe defensive game right now. He's up higher so he can get back and stifle other team's offense.

It's going to be more on Marner and Knies to score goals but he needs to cash in on the PP. Maybe that's a spot he can go towards the net?

He had an assist on the game winning goal, he's a pt/game, winning a lot of face offs etc...the ink isn't dry yet, he can still have a big night offensively.

Without Knies that line doesn’t work, full stop. Knies is the real franchise player going forward for this team……..

 

[WTFMAN99]

Without Knies that line doesn’t work, full stop. Knies is the real franchise player going forward for this team……..

I disagree but you do you.

 

[rumman]

Kyle was dead set on building a type of team for a league that didn't exist. His blueprint might of worked in the Olympics or Europe but obviously not the NHL.

A complete failure no matter how it’s spun……

 

[willmma]

Oh yes we can, lol.

Besides, I think he already took it:

View attachment 1031901

Elite Willy

 

[Rare Jewel]

Nope.

4 goals against in 8 games is unacceptable.

4.5 PPG combined is also trash.

Be better.

Speaking to Matthews in particular.

The idea that even though they're winning, yet fans can't ask for more, especially offensively, from its highest-paid player, is some class A cheerleading. The dude has got like 4 goals in his last 20 playoff games. I think most can acknowledge that Matthews is doing his part defensively, but really, that's like 30% of the reason he's compensated the way he is.

Also, if some fans think that this is a "good" version of him, clearly forgotten how dominant he can be, when he's on, there's only like 2 or 3 guys better (if they're on their A game), and him finding that kind of form could be the difference in this series, even with a 2-0 lead, certainly if they progress, that's where the frustration comes from.

So, yeah, the mother hen act kind of needs to stop with some fans.

 

[Ports]

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*

It’s great to see after years of a soft ass back end with Rielly, Brodie, Liljegren … just standing there watching opponents crash the crease, jam away at pucks, get two and three rebound chances and basically leaving their goalies out to to dry. This Leafs defense blocks a ton of shots, boxes out the net front and punishes opponents around the crease. Can’t understand how Shanahan and Dubas couldn’t understand that this was such a crucial part of the team they were missing.

 

[WTFMAN99]

The idea that even though they're winning, yet fans can't ask for more, especially offensively, from its highest-paid player, is some class A cheerleading. The dude has got like 4 goals in his last 20 playoff games. I think most can acknowledge that Matthews is doing his part defensively, but really, that's like 30% of the reason he's compensated the way he is.

Also, if some fans think that this is a "good" version of him, clearly forgotten how dominant he can be, when he's on, there's only like 2 or 3 guys better (if they're on their A game), and him finding that kind of form could be the difference in this series, even with a 2-0 lead, certainly if they progress, that's where the frustration comes from.

So, yeah, the mother hen act kind of needs to stop with some fans.

He can be better but I figure at this point he's been playing through something. I will be curious to see what it is at the end, ideally when we win the cup.

I still think there is gonna be a game in this series that he goes off for a couple goals or a goal and 2 assists or something.

If the "B version" of Matthews is a defensive beast that wins face offs and still gives you a pt/game...there are worse scenarios.

I'm trying to be more positive than I have in the past. I usually had a lot of pessimism around our roster because I felt there was exploitable holes in the team but I like our current roster.

 

[Jojalu]

Speaking to Matthews in particular.

The idea that even though they're winning, yet fans can't ask for more, especially offensively, from its highest-paid player, is some class A cheerleading. The dude has got like 4 goals in his last 20 playoff games. I think most can acknowledge that Matthews is doing his part defensively, but really, that's like 30% of the reason he's compensated the way he is.

Also, if some fans think that this is a "good" version of him, clearly forgotten how dominant he can be, when he's on, there's only like 2 or 3 guys better (if they're on their A game), and him finding that kind of form could be the difference in this series, even with a 2-0 lead, certainly if they progress, that's where the frustration comes from.

So, yeah, the mother hen act kind of needs to stop with some fans.

If Matthews was half assing it I would agree. Fact is, he has been injured for the past 15 playoff games and all of the regular season.

He struggled all year with his shot. At least in the Fla series he has been getting great looks again.

Of course it would be better for the Leafs if he was his dominant self, but it's very unlikely until he gets whatever is ailing him resolved.

In the meantime, he has to keep doing whayever he can to help the Leafs win. Which he is.

If it's a chronic injury, well, the Leafs are on the hook for a 13 million dollar Gainey.

 

[Rare Jewel]

He can be better but I figure at this point he's been playing through something. I will be curious to see what it is at the end, ideally when we win the cup.

I still think there is gonna be a game in this series that he goes off for a couple goals or a goal and 2 assists or something.

If the "B version" of Matthews is a defensive beast that wins face offs and still gives you a pt/game...there are worse scenarios.

I'm trying to be more positive than I have in the past. I usually had a lot of pessimism around our roster because I felt there was exploitable holes in the team but I like our current roster.

Hopefully, because expecting Nylander to score two every night isn't fair to him.

To be clear, there are more than a few things to be positive about, but when/if someone brings up a critical point about #34, people get their backs up too quickly. I get it, part of it's the main board using him like a piñata, but still.

As for the injury, that may be the case, but is it so bad that he keeps missing empty nets?

 

[budzz]

5 reasons the Maple Leafs have the defending champ Panthers on the ropes
Good read

That is a pretty good read. One quote I liked that caught my eye...

"Mitch Marner, the Game 2 hero, offered this praise for his coach after the win.

“His calmness,” Marner said of what has stood out about Berube in his first postseason behind the bench in Toronto. “Just his readiness for every single game, to get us ready. His pregame talks. His during-game talks. Just to keep the intensity up. He brings that intensity but that calmness all in one.
That’s something that as a player you love. We’re just trying to react off that. He’s done a great job with everyone.”

Not to nitpik on Keefe, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that he didn't go into the room between periods. Not sure if that's true? Crazy if it is. I do like Berube's demeanor overall, seems to be all business and the guys seem to respect him. makes a huge difference I think.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Hopefully, because expecting Nylander to score two every night isn't fair to him.

To be clear, there are more than a few things to be positive about, but when/if someone brings up a critical point about #34, people get their backs up too quickly. I get it, part of it's the main board using him like a piñata, but still.

As for the injury, that may be the case, but is it so bad that he keeps missing empty nets?

Let's see how it goes and plays out.

Gonna just appreciate everything for the time being and root for the boys as hard as I can.

 

[budzz]

Hopefully, because expecting Nylander to score two every night isn't fair to him.

To be clear, there are more than a few things to be positive about, but when/if someone brings up a critical point about #34, people get their backs up too quickly. I get it, part of it's the main board using him like a piñata, but still.

As for the injury, that may be the case, but is it so bad that he keeps missing empty nets?

I think everyone can see he is clearly dealing with something. We haven't seen that nasty snap of a wrister he is so famous for. it's like he has lost some power, and is obviously hurting. We would usually say that "if someone isn't scoring, they better be contributing in other ways" Well, he is. Defensive rock, leading the team in ice time... he is at maybe 75%, which is better than most at 100.

 

[rumman]

It’s great to see after years of a soft ass back end with Rielly, Brodie, Liljegren … just standing there watching opponents crash the crease, jam away at pucks, get two and three rebound chances and basically leaving their goalies out to to dry. This Leafs defense blocks a ton of shots, boxes out the net front and punishes opponents around the crease. Can’t understand how Shanahan and Dubas couldn’t understand that this was such a crucial part of the team they were missing.

Rielly’s still the weak link, that problem isn’t going anywhere……..

 

[A1LeafNation]

Really? Coming back from deficit twice and scoring right after panthers tied it is very definition of “deserved”.

Bobs been dogshit. Leafs need to play better. This series is going to get tougher.

 

[budzz]

Rielly’s still the weak link, that problem isn’t going anywhere……..

True he's still scary defensively. I think Carlo has been a hugs addition and made that pairing pretty decent. MO also has 3 goals and 3 assists in 8 playoff games and is a plus 3 so he can still contribute on O, which backs up the other teams a bit..

 

[Stephen]

Made the same joke.

Man Ekblad looks like he’s got some problems.

 

[Stephen]

Bobs been dogshit. Leafs need to play better. This series is going to get tougher.

One thing I like about the way the Leafs are playing is we aren’t peppering him with confidence building shots. Forcing him to come out and play the puck so often is great too as I think those foot races rattle him a bit.

 

[13pacheco31]

View attachment 1032049

We haven't seen the best of either goalie. If the third period was any indication, I think woll is going to get hot in Florida

... no pun intended

 

[Evilhomer]

Bobs been dogshit. Leafs need to play better. This series is going to get tougher.

The rest of the series won't be any different than the first two games.

 

[notbias]

One thing I like about the way the Leafs are playing is we aren’t peppering him with confidence building shots. Forcing him to come out and play the puck so often is great too as I think those foot races rattle him a bit.

Game 1

Game 2

They are putting weak shots on him though, he just has been terrible.

Leafs 100% deserved game 1, this game was closer, and having a shakey Bob helped, but it was more of a coin toss.

But I don't think his shakiness is anything more than he has always been streaky and we are catching him at a good time.

He can also steal games, so I am just grateful we are getting this version.

The first goal from Nylander in game 1 and the Tanev goal really stood out as bad, he hasn't been terrible, but he hasn't made any big saves and let in a few soft ones, our goaltending has been better.