Around the League: Capitals and Ovie are Stanley Cup Champions

[ULF_55]

Pretty good finish to the Caps Tampa game. I hope we get 3 more of those.

Is that what it sounds like when the goalies cry?

Vasilevskiy won that game.

Tampa got physically run over in the 2nd. period.

Evened out in the 3rd. but really was the PP and Vasilevskiy.

Leafs might still be playing today with that type of goaltending.

 

[Nineteen67]

Is that what it sounds like when the goalies cry?

Vasilevskiy won that game.

Tampa got physically run over in the 2nd. period.

Evened out in the 3rd. but really was the PP and Vasilevskiy.

Leafs might still be playing today with that type of goaltending.

The timing of having a great game or poor game is important in the playoffs.
Defensively, the Leafs appear to be long way from making the third round. In the last 2 minutes did you notice how TB didn’t panick, they tipped passes, they got in shooting lanes and didn’t allow any 10 footers with an open net. The Leas run around, get out of positions and leave too many guys wide open.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Laine is having a really bad playoffs. Winnipeg is lucky he's only like their 5th or 6th most important player, because they wouldn't be going anywhere if he was more relied upon. 2 goals in his last 13 games and scoring is pretty much all he offers

 

[ULF_55]

Well the Lightning have some defensemen and they have a bonafide #1, and even Sergachev looks like he understands the game, something that is lacking on the Leafs defense is an ability to anticipate the play. I have hope Dermott has it, and maybe some who didn't finish the season on the big team.

Leafs defense seems to lack HIQ. Can't rely on pure physical ability to play the game. You can be the best skater in the world, and that won't overcome someone who thinks the game better.

 

[Pi]

Laine is having a really bad playoffs. Winnipeg is lucky he's only like their 5th or 6th most important player, because they wouldn't be going anywhere if he was more relied upon. 2 goals in his last 13 games and scoring is pretty much all he offers

And the goal he scored the other game was basically an empty net from a terrific pass from Wheeler.

I used to think he was better than Marner but I don’t really think that’s the case anymore. Marner can create his own offense, haven’t really seen Laine skate or create his own space at all.

Just imagine how much Matthews would wreck the playoffs if he played against weaker pairing and 3rd-4th liners.

 

[ULF_55]

Laine is having a really bad playoffs. Winnipeg is lucky he's only like their 5th or 6th most important player, because they wouldn't be going anywhere if he was more relied upon. 2 goals in his last 13 games and scoring is pretty much all he offers

They were talking about it last night, and Laine apparently said he was exhausted in the 1st. round ... he isn't used to the North American schedule. He's also like Matthews, 20 years old. Schiefele's 1st. playoffs at 22, 4 games 1 assist.

Sometimes people have unrealistic expectations of these kids.

 

[Trapper]

Well the Lightning have some defensemen and they have a bonafide #1, and even Sergachev looks like he understands the game, something that is lacking on the Leafs defense is an ability to anticipate the play. I have hope Dermott has it, and maybe some who didn't finish the season on the big team.

Leafs defense seems to lack HIQ. Can't rely on pure physical ability to play the game. You can be the best skater in the world, and that won't overcome someone who thinks the game better.

We have a mixed bag here on the Leafs.
There are a couple of defenders that can play like stars for 3 games and then 7th D for 3 games.
We have to many specialists at forward on this team when we need more hound dogs.
What would you prefer? 2 guys that can be elite then terrible in the same timeframe or 6 guys who are just consistently good. 4 guys on forward who can only be used in certain situations, faceoffs/PP/PK but can excel and then disappear, or more guys who can be used in all situations and do things very well but not to the above level?

 

[ULF_55]

We have a mixed bag here on the Leafs.
There are a couple of defenders that can play like stars for 3 games and then 7th D for 3 games.
We have to many specialists at forward on this team when we need more hound dogs.
What would you prefer? 2 guys that can be elite then terrible in the same timeframe or 6 guys who are just consistently good. 4 guys on forward who can only be used in certain situations, faceoffs/PP/PK but can excel and then disappear, or more guys who can be used in all situations and do things very well but not to the above level?

Players that want to earn their jobs ... like the Golden Knights. Now are the Golden Knights going to play with the same hunger next year?

With the Leafs offense, reliable is probably enough.

Again, a dozen mistakes in the 82 game schedule isn't going to end your season, but they are probably going to end your playoffs.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

And the goal he scored the other game was basically an empty net from a terrific pass from Wheeler.

I used to think he was better than Marner but I don’t really think that’s the case anymore. Marner can create his own offense, haven’t really seen Laine skate or create his own space at all.

Just imagine how much Matthews would wreck the playoffs if he played against weaker pairing and 3rd-4th liners.

Yeah Laine had a real easy first round. His cf% numbers were 55%, which should really set off an alarm about just how terrible Minnesota is. Laine is a lousy possession player and he dominated, as did pretty much every player on Winnipeg. Laine fell off a cliff once he started to go up against real teams

Laine and Marner basically get the same results, although Laine has way more goals. Marner is better defensively and is pretty much always the best player on the ice for his team, and he makes everyone else better. Laine is typically just an elite finisher, and is pretty much the 4th best player on the powerplay. I'd give the edge to Marner as well, though neither really can hold a candle to Matthews.

They were talking about it last night, and Laine apparently said he was exhausted in the 1st. round ... he isn't used to the North American schedule. He's also like Matthews, 20 years old. Schiefele's 1st. playoffs at 22, 4 games 1 assist.

Sometimes people have unrealistic expectations of these kids.

yeah that's basically the point. Matthews is our most important player and he's so young and inexperienced, and it makes it tough to win a series. He's also unfairly branded a playoff choker because of it

 

[ShaneFalco]

 

[Nineteen67]

Geaux Vegas Geaux

 

[kindalaidback]

vegas up 1-0? me likey

 

[Brobust]

Strange how Hughson and Simpson keep talking up the Jets even when they get thoroughly outplayed.

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

Not gonna lie, I'm actually tuning in to the beginning of this game just for the Vegas intro theatrics. Then I will do something else for a while and swing back and see what's going on in the second period.

Lol. These Vegas Knights put on quite a show, cheesy as it may be, it is something to behold haha.

Go Knights Go!!!!!!

 

[Nineteen67]

Not gonna lie, I'm actually tuning in to the beginning of this game just for the Vegas intro theatrics. Then I will do something else for a while and swing back and see what's going on in the second period.

Lol. These Vegas Knights put on quite a show, cheesy as it may be, it is something to behold haha.

Go Knights Go!!!!!!

It’s not cheesy at all. It’s entertainment and they know how to do it well.

Lessons Learned?

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

I'm gonna give myself a facepalm here because I thought the game started at 9pm, so I made that post thinking I was tuning into the start of the game, became confused very quickly when it came back from commercial

FML oh well, anyway I can see the opening ceremonies now?

I will say, this Vegas team is so impressive how they support each other with a guy going back to the neutral zone while they're pressing in the Jets zone.

Like they are relentless and clearly very well coached and a serious band of brothers going on.

It's really hard not to be rooting for these guys (and I want the Jets to lose so that helps)

 

[Liminality]

Not gonna lie, I'm actually tuning in to the beginning of this game just for the Vegas intro theatrics. Then I will do something else for a while and swing back and see what's going on in the second period.

Lol. These Vegas Knights put on quite a show, cheesy as it may be, it is something to behold haha.

Go Knights Go!!!!!!

It's Vegas! I'm glad they're over the top and embracing this theatrical stuff. A part of me wants to see what kind of stuff they'd pull off if they won the cup but the other side of me wants them to lose in the finals because come on, it's their first year and that's not fair.

 

[Nineteen67]

I expected them to score, no lie

 

[Liminality]

Jeez, there's 5 man support in every zone for Vegas. Love the way they're playing right now.

 

[Nineteen67]

It's Vegas! I'm glad they're over the top and embracing this theatrical stuff. A part of me wants to see what kind of stuff they'd pull off if they won the cup but the other side of me wants them to lose in the finals because come on, it's their first year and that's not fair.

Some teams pay 7 million for a coach that ain’t nick Saban

 

[CelticDruid]

Yeah Laine had a real easy first round. His cf% numbers were 55%, which should really set off an alarm about just how terrible Minnesota is. Laine is a lousy possession player and he dominated, as did pretty much every player on Winnipeg. Laine fell off a cliff once he started to go up against real teams

Laine and Marner basically get the same results, although Laine has way more goals. Marner is better defensively and is pretty much always the best player on the ice for his team, and he makes everyone else better. Laine is typically just an elite finisher, and is pretty much the 4th best player on the powerplay. I'd give the edge to Marner as well, though neither really can hold a candle to Matthews.



yeah that's basically the point. Matthews is our most important player and he's so young and inexperienced, and it makes it tough to win a series. He's also unfairly branded a playoff choker because of it

Amish Ovie is a PP specialist and nothing more. Great at what he does but I'm very thankful that we have such a well-rounded player in #34.

 

[garce]

Could imagine the cross league/country uproar if it was suggested on the broadcast that the Leaf GM could influence calls,,,, followed by 2 soft calls in his favour.

 

[Liminality]

Could imagine the cross league/country uproar if it was suggested on the broadcast that the Leaf GM could influence calls,,,, followed by 2 soft calls in his favour.

Did they actually say that? I'm watching on the NBC feed and they've been good.

 

[garce]

After a clip with a teed off Chevy, they indicated he interacted with the supervisors, Simpson said it looks like it worked and Jimmy chuckled,

 

[Nineteen67]

Does the bubble burst now