Post-Game Talk: BATTLE OF ONTARIO GAME 2 - LEAFS WIN IN OT 3-2!

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Second line scored and look dangerous on a couple shifts hard to single them out when we know mcmann should be on that line but whatever second line has to help the third one right ?
Dude, I am also a Nylander fan, it's not that serious. They had a good first period, but rough game after that, and the rotating LW is a problem. I've said many times McMann should either go back to there or Pacioretty slots in.
 
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I'm going to be honest here...

It was a great start (again), but I didn't love the way the Leafs played in regulation after the first period.

My frustrations were the same ones I had in the regular season: They were okay in terms of the result defensively but spent a ton of time in their own end and they were so fixated on defense that they did pretty much nothing offensively. A 3-0 goal would have put the game away (most likely; I guess you never know considering what happened in the LA/EDM game the other night). Their coaching staff made the decision to try to sit on the lead...

In the third, they were fine until OTT scored to tie the game. At that point, I was freaking out. I had seen that story countless times and felt they were going to lose, and a loss would have been devastating. The narratives would have been all about how the Leafs were outplayed badly after the first and are the inferior five on five team and that they still can't finish the job or defend well enough to bring home wins.

Because they won, you can't really criticize the fact that they took such a passive approach after the first period. But had the lost, that would have been one of the main reasons why.

I am confident they'll take the series now. Ottawa needs to win four straight or four of five to take the series, and that's a tall order for an inexperienced playoff team. The way thing are going this year, you have to think TOR pulls out a couple more wins somehow (maybe they're carried by great goaltending and/or a hot PP).

The team can frustrate you, but it seems whatever they're doing is working better than what they've done in the past.

2nd period was not their best and waiting Ottawa scoring to start to come back more agressive but next 20 min after Tkachuk goal, leafs gave up basically nothing to Ottawa. But they was one bounce away to get it tie and it's what's happened.

but what's really important is how you respond on adversity and when pressure raising and leafs responded pretty well
 
You're not going to have 4 oil paintings when trying to win a series. Felt like last night was the sort of game they found ways to lose in the past. Playoff hockey is often about bending, but not breaking, so they deserve credit for sticking with it and finding a way.

But last night is a really good example of why I have a hard time with Berube's style - yes, it limits the opposition's ability to create high danger chances when it works, but it really feels like it invites way too much pressure on you.

The Leafs had the Sens, and Ullmark, reeling last night, but almost as if by design, the breakouts, transition, and forecheck all disappeared, and unnecessarily gave the team that looked dead and buried some life / belief in this series.

Against elite teams, it really feels like it's just setting you up to get punished. Their inability to really make any sort of plays after the 1st has been a concern of mine with this style all year.

Maybe this is just me having absolutely no idea how to behave with a 2-0 series lead, but I'm so uncomfortable lol. Thank god for mighty Max.
 
You're not going to have 4 oil paintings when trying to win a series. Felt like last night was the sort of game they found ways to lose in the past. Playoff hockey is often about bending, but not breaking, so they deserve credit for sticking with it and finding a way.

But last night is a really good example of why I have a hard time with Berube's style - yes, it limits the opposition's ability to create high danger chances when it works, but it really feels like it invites way too much pressure on you.

The Leafs had the Sens, and Ullmark, reeling last night, but almost as if by design, the breakouts, transition, and forecheck all disappeared, and unnecessarily gave the team that looked dead and buried some life / belief in this series.

Against elite teams, it really feels like it's just setting you up to get punished. Their inability to really make any sort of plays after the 1st has been a concern of mine with this style all year.

Maybe this is just me having absolutely no idea how to behave with a 2-0 series lead, but I'm so uncomfortable lol. Thank god for mighty Max.
The combination of Toronto fans being reactive coupled with Berube’s game plan most of the night had the atmosphere and intensity of a Tuesday night game in January.
 
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I'm going to be honest here...

It was a great start (again), but I didn't love the way the Leafs played in regulation after the first period.

My frustrations were the same ones I had in the regular season: They were okay in terms of the result defensively but spent a ton of time in their own end and they were so fixated on defense that they did pretty much nothing offensively. A 3-0 goal would have put the game away (most likely; I guess you never know considering what happened in the LA/EDM game the other night). Their coaching staff made the decision to try to sit on the lead...

In the third, they were fine until OTT scored to tie the game. At that point, I was freaking out. I had seen that story countless times and felt they were going to lose, and a loss would have been devastating. The narratives would have been all about how the Leafs were outplayed badly after the first and are the inferior five on five team and that they still can't finish the job or defend well enough to bring home wins.

Because they won, you can't really criticize the fact that they took such a passive approach after the first period. But had the lost, that would have been one of the main reasons why.

I am confident they'll take the series now. Ottawa needs to win four straight or four of five to take the series, and that's a tall order for an inexperienced playoff team. The way thing are going this year, you have to think TOR pulls out a couple more wins somehow (maybe they're carried by great goaltending and/or a hot PP).

The team can frustrate you, but it seems whatever they're doing is working better than what they've done in the past.
Good post.

I am euphoric with the win, and that play by Benoit and goal by Domi is now in the echelons of memorable Leaf playoff goals.

Having said that, there was a lot to dislike in that game, starting with their 2nd period effort.

They got outworked badly. The gross disparity in penalties didn’t help but their 5v5 play was not encouraging.

Maybe that game ending the way it did breaks Ottawa’s spirits more than if the Leafs had beaten them more soundly.

I’m good with the series going back to Leaf friendly Ottawa. I am way more confident in Berube and his ability to match lines on the road and make adjustments thank Keefe, who was completely inept in that department.

Expecting to lose 1 of the Ottawa games but was long as we win 4 I’m good.

Thank you Stolarz!

Go Leafs Go!
 
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The combination of Toronto fans being reactive coupled with Berube’s game plan most of the night had the atmosphere and intensity of a Tuesday night game in January.
I'm not putting any of last night on the fans - this is a fanbase that has been conditioned into fearing the worst. Because more often than not, the worst has happened, and very nearly happened again last night.

Would have liked to see more energy pushing the team through when things were going south in the second and third, but think that will come once the trust and belief starts to build. As soon as the 2nd started and the Sens started skating, it felt inevitable that Ottawa would tie the game.
 
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It’s a defeatist mindset and it’s disgusting. No other fan base acts like this. I read on Twitter, Reddit and here, oh we are never gonna beat Florida, ect. Why are we crying about Florida right now? They could still lose their series. We need to enjoy the leafs in the moment and stop pissing ourselves about the next opponent. This team feels different this year IMO. They had 1 bad period of hockey, let’s see their response tomorrow and on Saturday

I don't get it either. The team clinched the division, but they suck? SMFH...
 
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Huge W.
That was trending towards heartbreaking loss but Domi comes up big.
Bieska talking about Benoit and that was a great entry that setup the sequence.
This team feels different this season.
Your right, the quitter attitude is non existent thus far, hope that’s the last we’ve seen of it……..
 
I'm not putting any of last night on the fans - this is a fanbase that has been conditioned into fearing the worst. Because more often than not, the worst has happened, and very nearly happened again last night.

Would have liked to see more energy pushing the team through when things were going south in the second and third, but think that will come once the trust and belief starts to build. As soon as the 2nd started and the Sens started skating, it felt inevitable that Ottawa would tie the game.
That’s not what Toronto fans do. They react to what they see and for most the 2nd and 3rd there wasn’t much intensity on the ice.
 
You're not going to have 4 oil paintings when trying to win a series. Felt like last night was the sort of game they found ways to lose in the past. Playoff hockey is often about bending, but not breaking, so they deserve credit for sticking with it and finding a way.

But last night is a really good example of why I have a hard time with Berube's style - yes, it limits the opposition's ability to create high danger chances when it works, but it really feels like it invites way too much pressure on you.

The Leafs had the Sens, and Ullmark, reeling last night, but almost as if by design, the breakouts, transition, and forecheck all disappeared, and unnecessarily gave the team that looked dead and buried some life / belief in this series.

Against elite teams, it really feels like it's just setting you up to get punished. Their inability to really make any sort of plays after the 1st has been a concern of mine with this style all year.

Maybe this is just me having absolutely no idea how to behave with a 2-0 series lead, but I'm so uncomfortable lol. Thank god for mighty Max.

Or you can put it like this...

Stolarz gave us a 2-0 series lead :)

That's what guys that can take you all the way do. They become unbeatable and by extension so does the team.
 
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You're not going to have 4 oil paintings when trying to win a series. Felt like last night was the sort of game they found ways to lose in the past. Playoff hockey is often about bending, but not breaking, so they deserve credit for sticking with it and finding a way.

But last night is a really good example of why I have a hard time with Berube's style - yes, it limits the opposition's ability to create high danger chances when it works, but it really feels like it invites way too much pressure on you.

The Leafs had the Sens, and Ullmark, reeling last night, but almost as if by design, the breakouts, transition, and forecheck all disappeared, and unnecessarily gave the team that looked dead and buried some life / belief in this series.

Against elite teams, it really feels like it's just setting you up to get punished. Their inability to really make any sort of plays after the 1st has been a concern of mine with this style all year.

Maybe this is just me having absolutely no idea how to behave with a 2-0 series lead, but I'm so uncomfortable lol. Thank god for mighty Max.
I don't feel like that 2nd period is how Berube is coaching them to play. They weren't really skating at all, they just had a really bad period.
 
Marner has been OK but I’m not certain he’s earning an extension.

This is your main take away from a 2-0 series lead? Anyone complaining about the core at this moment needs to STFU. Nylander, Matthews, Marner, Knies, Rielly, JT, have been carrying right now. Finally they are just being offensive forces out there. In the playoffs you need unlikely hero’s from outside the core to also step up, often that’s the difference. Domi was that guy last night. We need something from McMann, Robertson, Domi line more consistently. The depth guys have to chip in as well.
 
Dude, I am also a Nylander fan, it's not that serious. They had a good first period, but rough game after that, and the rotating LW is a problem. I've said many times McMann should either go back to there or Pacioretty slots in.
What’s not serious? Shouldn’t I have not commented? I’m confused
 
Or you can put it like this...

Stolarz gave us a 2-0 series lead :)

That's what guys that can take you all the way do. They become unbeatable and by extension so does the team.
Oh for sure - not complaining about how you get to 2-0.

I just worry, as I have all season, that this isn't really a sustainable approach - feels way too heavily reliant on goaltending.
 
Wow, that was a tough game on the old ticker

I thought we tried to sit on that two goal lead but a couple of periods is a long time to hang on, the Sens got some momentum and made life tough on us then climbed back into it

The positive is we didn't panic or lose our composure, we dug in climbed back into the contest and a couple of depth players made a huge difference

That was the best play Benoit has made in his entire professional career and Domi got into the right position and made it count

That's how you win these series, your depth guys kick in some offense when the big guys aren't going and the big guys win games when they are

Now you want the next one, you can really make these guys doubt themselves if you can wrap another loss around them in game 3
If they win on Thursday it’s over. Leafs aren’t losing 4 straight to a goalie who is shakey as Ullmark. His rebound control is horrendous, he is fighting every shot it seems
 
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