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

[leafs in five]

You cannot have a defensive structure like that and not look like that. There's no break out play, no cheating, no sublime zone entries you're used to seeing in the past. Toronto line up in the defensive zone and make it difficult to get inside. Whenever they break up a play or get a rebound they flip it out or hard off the glass. You also see this because they're holding a lead. This is not you Keefe type coaching style.

in your opinion was Marner 'cheating' when he leaked out for the breakaway in game 1?

 

[Ianturnedbull]

in your opinion was Marner 'cheating' when he leaked out for the breakaway in game 1?

What do you really want to ask me or say here?

Are you trying to prove that there are exceptions to the rule? Are you trying to argue that TOR didn't keep a low event defensive posture in last night's game?

Don't beat around the bush.

 

[Gary Nylund]

2-0 series lead feel really good. I am not that worried about the way they played.

Me neither. I'm not exactly happy with how we played, but not too worried either. We need to play much better, hopefully we will do just that, we'll see. That's the nice thing about winning the division, gives us an easier matchup and some time to get going.

 

[mix1home]

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.

It was only second. We out-chanced Ottawa in third and OT. Badly.

 

[wingman75]

It was only second. We out-chanced Ottawa in third and OT. Badly.

Agreed.

Someone posted the 5v5 xGF and we led... I can't find it now. High danger scoring chances were 8-7 Leafs, or something close to that.

The Leafs sat back in the second and did nothing other than dump the puck out, it was nonsensical and I doubt we see them do that again.

When the game is close, the Leafs actually own the 5v5 play.

 

[Leafsfan74]

The redemption on the OT winner just might drive the momentum. Robertson pressures on the back check to force a turnover, Benoit drives into the zone and of course Domi finishes it.

Sports are the perfect vehicle for redemption when players aren't doing their best. It just takes one or two plays to change the narrative.

 

[Jojalu]

You know what,

Although I completely agree, the conventional stats, advanced stats, and eye test would suggest we got outplayed last night. No question about it. I just genuinely don't give a f*** about that stuff anymore. Not at least in the postseason

So many seasons, we'd lose these exact type of games and point at the same shit you are referencing. I am really starting to question the reliability of these metrics in the postseason. The simple fact of the matter is, in that 3rd period, when the Sens pressure didn't let up, we defended very well up until that 1 mistake on the tying goal. That was their 1st SOG in that entire period. Yet, as I was watching the game unfold I couldn't believe it was true. They had sustained presssure at times and threw shots at target. Means sweet f*** all if they don't hit the net and/or come from non threating areas.

I think advanced metrics can be a useful tool at times, but at the end of the day the game came down to us making less mistakes than them. Yet again.

The playoffs are a different animal.

I look back to games 5 and 6 against MTL in 2021, and it's the same story flipped.

I would much rather be "outplayed" in April-June and come away with a result because we made 1 less critical mistake than our opponent. It's really that simple IMO

The Leafs certainly seem to buck the trend when it comes to analytics.

That Montreal series, and the one against TB where they lost were outrageously in their favour when it comes to xgf, etc.

But for all their possession and chances, they couldn't find the back of the net.

I am a little concerned that if they advance past Ott and allow Florida to dictate play the results won't be the same, but that worry is for a different date

 

[Warden of the North]

I still don't know what Jarnkrok does

His line has been great this series.

 

[Tak7]

The redemption on the OT winner just might drive the momentum. Robertson pressures on the back check to force a turnover, Benoit drives into the zone and of course Domi finishes it.

Sports are the perfect vehicle for redemption when players aren't doing their best. It just takes one or two plays to change the narrative.

Berube deserves a lot of credit for going back to that trio a few times, despite some really difficult shifts.

I cussed, loudly, multiple times, when I saw Domi & that line out for a defensive zone faceoff in OT. Couldn't fathom what the hell he was thinking.

A few seconds later, that line ended the game.

 

[mix1home]

Agreed.

Someone posted the 5v5 xGF and we led... I can't find it now. High danger scoring chances were 8-7 Leafs, or something close to that.

The Leafs sat back in the second and did nothing other than dump the puck out, it was nonsensical and I doubt we see them do that again.

When the game is close, the Leafs actually own the 5v5 play.

It’s not the bug, it’s feature. I like it a lot actually. We are not looking for pretty play. We allowed ourselves if under pressure and there is no good outlet to just dump it out of the zone, ice it or whatever.
In fact this is what good teams like Boston did to us in the past. The goal is to disrupt flow of opposition game, eliminate immediate danger and regroup / restructure your positions.
It’s almost like timeout in basketball when opposing team is on the roll. They come back 30 sec later and cannot score anymore.
On a bit humorous note, we are tiring their defence because they need to skate all the way back on icing.

 

[Jmo89]

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.

Agreed. The third period was the team playing the way Berube wants (with the lead.) Lots of blocks, a few scoring chances (could have easily been 3-1 if they capitalized) and held Ottawa shot less for 75% of the period. Take away the mistake by OEL and Domi and they likely lock it down and score an ENG.

The second was their worst period of the series. They sat back and didn't really execute anything well.

 

[notDatsyuk]

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 ?

The second and third lines were the ones that scored at even strength (Matty and Mitch getting free pluses by stepping on the ice as Domi scored).

None of the lines were particularly good or bad overall.

 

[Twine Tickler]

The Leafs certainly seem to buck the trend when it comes to analytics.

That Montreal series, and the one against TB where they lost were outrageously in their favour when it comes to xgf, etc.

But for all their possession and chances, they couldn't find the back of the net.

I am a little concerned that if they advance past Ott and allow Florida to dictate play the results won't be the same, but that worry is for a different date

I would be concerned as well if this was against the convention of how we've played this entire year. It has been very clear from the start of the season that Berube is quite ok allowing defensive zone time as long as structure remains in tact. He clearly wants neutral ice to be hard to earn, but if that is breached he wants an entire boxing out of the offensive zone. Make our big goaltenders make saves from distance.

Not necessarily the best brand of hockey to watch, but it has worked thus far.

The good news is, we do have the ability and skill to overcome a multi goal deficit if we need to open it up a bit.

Its a style of play that makes you think it is not sustainable, yet I think we lost like 1 game all season long when we took a lead into the 3rd period. And that game was against SJ in the shootout if memory serves correct. So clearly what they've been doing has worked

 

[All Mod Cons]

It'd be interesting to see whether they take McMann out for a game. If we're going deep, we will need him. Send a bit of a message to him for a game. Obvious move is to take Robertson out, who isn't a player that can thrive in a playoff situation, but we need more from McMann.

At the moment, he's jut skating straight towards the corners and then losing the puck.

 

[OVO16]

Berube said no lineup changes. Not a fan of Paciorety not in

 

[SprDaVE]

Berube said no lineup changes. Not a fan of Paciorety not in

He was non-committal about it

 

[Fogelhund]

Berube said no lineup changes. Not a fan of Paciorety not in

We don't even know if he's fully healthy, and up to speed.

 

[OVO16]

We don't even know if he's fully healthy, and up to speed.

Yeah we do. They already said he's good to go

 

[OVO16]

He was non-committal about it

Just dont see him changing a winning lineup right now. Even though Robertson hasnt shown much

 

[RuudeDog]

Few thoughts:

Interesting to see a Keefe team still scoring 1 goal per game in the playoffs.

Don't miss Kampf in the lineup

Love not having to face Kucherov, Barkov or Pasta in the first round. Take a bow for winning the Atlantic.

Surprised to see Berube actually play Robertson late in the game and OT after the high stick. Would have been easy to glue him to the bench like many other coaches would have. Not really an observation on Robertson as much as the way he treats players as a whole. He gives them a chance to redeem themselves which I believe allows players to just play and not focus on making a mistake.

Last night wasn't pretty. But there is no part of me that ever thought the Leafs aren't winning this series. An odd calm around this team. For me, it's because of Stolarz. He has become our MVP in many ways.

 

[MarMarSab3]

Don't think you change the Lorentz Laughton Jarnkrok line, McMann needs to wake up, Robertson has been working hard as has Holmberg, not sure who comes out for Patches, personally I sit McMann and see if it sparks him.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Under Keefe and Babcock I was always scared to death before playoff games.

With Berube the nerves are almost gone, I don't know what it is but even in that OT I wasn't nervous.

Was it Berube?

Stolarz?

The completely revamped defense?

Is the core finally breaking through?

Is it just because Ottawa is so inexperienced?

I don't know but I know the nerves aren't what they use to be.

 

[All Mod Cons]

You know what,

Although I completely agree, the conventional stats, advanced stats, and eye test would suggest we got outplayed last night. No question about it. I just genuinely don't give a f*** about that stuff anymore. Not at least in the postseason

So many seasons, we'd lose these exact type of games and point at the same shit you are referencing. I am really starting to question the reliability of these metrics in the postseason. The simple fact of the matter is, in that 3rd period, when the Sens pressure didn't let up, we defended very well up until that 1 mistake on the tying goal. That was their 1st SOG in that entire period. Yet, as I was watching the game unfold I couldn't believe it was true. They had sustained presssure at times and threw shots at target. Means sweet f*** all if they don't hit the net and/or come from non threating areas.

I think advanced metrics can be a useful tool at times, but at the end of the day the game came down to us making less mistakes than them. Yet again.

The playoffs are a different animal.

I look back to games 5 and 6 against MTL in 2021, and it's the same story flipped.

I would much rather be "outplayed" in April-June and come away with a result because we made 1 less critical mistake than our opponent. It's really that simple IMO

Around 15 years ago, there was a huge revolution in football (soccer) originating from the Spanish were possession and ball retention were paramount. Under no circumstances were players allowed to relinquish possession to the opponents unless it resulting with a shot on target. This meant that teams (especially the Spanish teams and teams coached by Spanish coaches) were pass the ball around for 5 minutes at a time. Teams were getting around 1,000 completed passes per game. Most of it was spent going sideways or backwards. It took a lot of the individual creativity out of players, and focused on creating triangles and passages of play.

Fast forwards 15 years ish and a new way of playing is starting to emerge. Funnily enough, originating in Spain again, but also Portugal. The style basically involves not having the ball at all. Sitting in a very low block and having the full backs sit narrow, forcing the opposition to play wide, waiting until the ball enters a pre-determined hexagonal area of the pitch, swarming the player on the ball and his two nearest outlets, and then hitting them on the break passing through the lines.

Best example of this new style are Nottingham Forest, Mainz and Getafe.

Basically, it is what the Leafs are actually doing on the ice. If the Leafs plan on going deep, this style should provide them with plenty left in he tank further down the road.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Don't think you change the Lorentz Laughton Jarnkrok line, McMann needs to wake up, Robertson has been working hard as has Holmberg, not sure who comes out for Patches, personally I sit McMann and see if it sparks him.

If anyone comes out it has to be Robertson he wasn't very good last night

 

[Rob Brown]

Under Keefe and Babcock I was always scared to death before playoff games.

With Berube the nerves are almost gone, I don't know what it is but even in that OT I wasn't nervous.

Was it Berube?

Stolarz?

The completely revamped defense?

Is the core finally breaking through?

Is it just because Ottawa is so inexperienced?

I don't know but I know the nerves aren't what they use to be.

I think all these are valid thoughts - for me it's also that we're just so used to losing in the playoffs that I'm numb to it lol.