GDT: Apr 24 7:30pm - BwO and the Leafs vs TB: Freaking Game 4. Baby: ROR? No, the real hero so far is Squiffy's liver

[Jojalu]

I was excited for our improved bottom 6 this year, but Lafferty and Kampf have been a bit of a mess for me. Yes, I know, they get really hard zone starts. But still, they seem to be getting completely shelled every shift and haven't had one of those "big 4th line" shifts like we saw at the end of the season.

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Matthews has been unbelievable. Wow

 

[Oscar Peterson]

The different of 1 or 2 goals a season is irrelevant in a single game. We aren't talking material magnitudes at this
level of player.

In the playoffs, the difference of 1 or 2 goals could be us going home or advancing past the first round

Simmonds can't skate at anywhere near an NHL level anymore, besides fighting all he does is chase the play around

 

[BayStBullies]

I swear I am not a spokesperson for Brave but get the Brave browser lol.

Just win, doesn't matter how, doesn't matter about the refs, just pull out a win. That's all that matters. Also hopefully not start the game asleep and maybe awake instead.

DuckDuckGo also works well

 

[crump]

A few things I will be looking at tonight.
- Obviously Sammy, which version starts the game

- Does Matthews intro to NHL pugilism motivate him? I’d like to see a consistent physically dominant Matthews tonight (like his shift on his goal last game)

- Hopefully a more lopsided face off percentage in our favour.

- Energy level in Gio and Schenn. Older guys play physically, will their play drop off?

- JT’s legs moving again.

- 4th line needs to keep hitting on the forecheck. Keep the puck in their zone.

 

[GoonieFace]

Another 7-2 game in our favour would be nice.

Kept piling on the goals, I need to win my playoff pool

 

[Jojalu]

Kerfoot for all the heat he takes has 7 hits,, 4 nlocks, 3 takeaways and only 1 giveaway.

He was skating and forechecking hard and despite his small frame is playing playoff style hockey.

If Keefe decides to bring Bunting in I think Kerfoot would help the 4th line a lot

 

[Leaf Rocket]

The old saying, why fix something that isn't broken comes to mind here.

If we are winning with the current lineup why are we trying to tinker with it especially when it feels like a game of inches? We definitely didn't have our best game last time out, and we won, boys know that so they better come out prepared. If they lay a stinker then I'd assume change is needed.

Just need to start on freaking time and not expect sammy to bail their asses out because man that was infuriating to see. all was forgiven since we won but not really acceptable if we want to go for a deep run.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Matthews has been unbelievable. Wow

That's just one game but yes, he's been good.

 

[Jojalu]

That's just one game but yes, he's been good.

Fair enough.

 

[Dayjobdave]

It would be better for the Toronto team and their fans if the Toronto Leafs win this evening's hockey match and take a 3-1 lead in this playoff series.

 

[Torontonian]

Simmonds shouldn’t sniff this roster, bunting should come back in for Lafferty spot when he’s unsuspended. Anyhow, hopefully we see Toronto smell blood in the water tonight and grab a 3-1 series lead, we will see if these learning experiences have helped them.

We have yet to see Toronto play there best or even a really good game, while Tampa probably played one of their best games of the season in game 3.

 

[sxvnert]

Simmonds shouldn’t sniff this roster,

I'm shocked they let him practice with the team.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Leafs have to totally break their spirit, I think they are very close. They are tired, bruised, and battered. Time to put them away.

 

[sxvnert]

Jarnkrok Matthews Nylander
Knies Tavares Marner
Kerfoot O'Rielly Acciari
ZAR Kampf Lafferty

 

[ACC1224]

I'm shocked they let him practice with the team.

Why? He's a very popular player and the Team loves having him in the room.

 

[GoonieFace]

That's just one game but yes, he's been good.

I know it’s a different team, but watching the Edmonton series, Draisatl is a beast. I want Matthews to dominate games like that.

 

[TkachukMyAho]

Dreaded 7:30 start, everyone hates those.

Unless there's an injury we haven't heard of, I wouldn't expect lineup changes nor should any be made.

Tonight is going to be the biggest test so far.
Really need a big game from the Goalie.

As an outsider, why is 7:30 a dreaded start?

 

[TMLeafer]

I recall the 4th line having a great shift right before Matthews line came on and continued the offensive zone pressure and then Matthews scored. Idk how that shows in the numbers but 4th line put in good work. Not sure if the Tampa d pair was able to change.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Dreaded 7:30 start, everyone hates those.

Unless there's an injury we haven't heard of, I wouldn't expect lineup changes nor should any be made.

Tonight is going to be the biggest test so far.
Really need a big game from the Goalie.

Samsonov did his part last game. Tonight, our forwards need to return the favor.

 

[1specter]

Not feeling good about tonight's game. No shot Tampa Let's us go up 3-1.

I may bet a large amount of money tonight on a Bolts win just to ease the pain. Having said that, last game was a game Toronto typically loses and they somehow found a way to win...and Vasilevskiy has been a non factor to this point.

Just please. For the love of christ. Don't have the refs hand this one to them.

I dunno, Leafs couldn't win 2 games in a row against Tampa last year and they've managed to do it this series, after starting off with about as bad of a game 1 as they could've had. They also had no business winning last game, but found a way to steal it. These are already things that previous versions of this roster couldn't do, so maybe they finally turn the corner. Also, it's gotta sting for Tampa that they gave one of their best performances they possibly could've and they still lost, that's demoralizing as hell. I would be shocked if the Leafs played as poorly as they did last game.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Jarnkrok Matthews Nylander
Knies Tavares Marner
Kerfoot O'Rielly Acciari
ZAR Kampf Lafferty

I don't know man, that ROR+Knies combo was pretty good.

Man, Kerfoot has just been a nothing player this series.

 

[DarkKnight]

That's just one game but yes, he's been good.

Was that last game?

 

[ACC1224]

As an outsider, why is 7:30 a dreaded start?

The vast majority of games start at 7 so we're conditioned to that and ready to watch at that time.
Waiting the extra 30 - 45 for puck drop seems to just drag on.
Also prefer the games to end before 10.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I'm trading off on the bigger risk reward tradeoff of emotions. It is actually pretty logical. One can argue that simmonds doesn't give that lift which is a reasonable position but the skill swap is immaterial in the greater picture

I don't see why Simmonds brings more emotion to the team than ZAR, or how that would come close to equaling the impact of guaranteeing our 4th line is trash and significantly increasing penalty risk. Your risk-reward assessment is off. Simmonds brings some things that lift a team, but he also brings a lot that can deflate a team at this point of his career.