Post-Game Talk: Birthday Boy Bertuzzi Bashes the Avalance!

[Stephen]

Some thoughts after this game which I wanted to see but caught a quarter of:

1) Bert, Domi and Reaves in my mind are here for the playoffs. All three need to play. Domi and Bert bring a North South game, Bert a desperately needed net presence. Domi is a better playmaker than I remembered him in Montreal where I was not a fan of his one way game. Keefe has them finally playing a better two-way game. Two way players win Cups.

2) If Leafs ever win a Cup with this core it will be because guys like Tavares unselfishly sacrificed and trusted his coach and accepted a lesser role. This is the ultimate in leadership and why I have been least critical of him since he signed here.

A year or two ago someone polled Leafs top captains in our lifetime and I placed him above Gilmour. Killer Gilmour of back to back final fours and 127 point seasons. Why? JT came here willingly. Into the fishbowl. He is showing me that he is willing to accept a lesser role while he is still a top player, not on his retirement tour. That's true leadership. Putting his team first. I stand by my ranking though I would love to see more emotion when warranted in the post season.

It isn't JTs fault he is surrounded by strong offensive talent. If you can move a centre like him up and down your lineup, it creates matchup problems. JT accepting fewer minutes is a sacrifice that needs to be noted and could be the difference maker if this team does somehow shock the world (and me) and wins a Cup.

Reilly should accept the same decreased role IMO. I'm sure he would, he has suffered here the longest and winning should be all that matters. His contribution will be in defending his teams honour and lifting a mirror to the team.

3) On the Reaves front. When he is playing his solid, responsible game, he will single handedly ensure his team is given more space. It might be a fraction of a second, it might be a softer hit, it definitely will be fewer dirty hits to his team. He can and will back players up. He is not a cruiser weight (though looks lighter). It matters. Keefe must know this.

4) I don't know the answer this year come trade deadline, I really don't. I usually throw out ideas and bold moves, but I am on the fence. I say this, as always. Get the right "type" and don't overpay unless there is a unicorn with term. I still am not convinced in this core until proven otherwise.

Hmm, I dunno. The idea that the Leafs winning the cup because Tavares was unselfish and took a lesser role is kind of overstating things. Tavares has to take a step back because he's not thriving as 2C. So he has to get out of the way so others can pitch in by committee, whether that's on special teams or by spreading out the offensive load 5 on 5.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

For all the talk about how scary MacKinnon is shift to shift and how passive Matthews was, MacKinnon was outshot 5-8 and the Leafs outshot the Avs 10-3 when Matthews was on the ice. MacKinnon is certainly more dynamic and flashy and had some killer moments, but Matthews is so quietly effective tilts the ice so well

 

[Stephen]

For all the talk about how scary MacKinnon is shift to shift and how passive Matthews was, MacKinnon was outshot 5-8 and the Leafs outshot the Avs 10-3 when Matthews was on the ice. MacKinnon is certainly more dynamic and flashy and had some killer moments, but Matthews is so quietly effective tilts the ice so well

Nah, I'd still take Mackinnon's night over Matthews night. Mack scored 3 assists to Matthews 1, was electric and had a chance to tie it in the last second. Game of inches, whatever we got the win and I'm happy. But individually, Mack had a better night.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Hmm, I dunno. The idea that the Leafs winning the cup because Tavares was unselfish and took a lesser role is kind of overstating things. Tavares has to take a step back because he's not thriving as 2C. So he has to get out of the way so others can pitch in by committee, whether that's on special teams or by spreading out the offensive load 5 on 5.

And actually his role hasn’t really altered his ice time. The biggest change is lack of PP time.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Hmm, I dunno. The idea that the Leafs winning the cup because Tavares was unselfish and took a lesser role is kind of overstating things. Tavares has to take a step back because he's not thriving as 2C. So he has to get out of the way so others can pitch in by committee, whether that's on special teams or by spreading out the offensive load 5 on 5.

Keefe had to have JTs buy in. That takes true leadership.

 

[PromisedLand]

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Nah, I'd still take Mackinnon's night over Matthews night. Mack scored 3 assists to Matthews 1, was electric and had a chance to tie it in the last second. Game of inches, whatever we got the win and I'm happy. But individually, Mack had a better night.

Well sure but it was mostly from a couple of big plays, not because the Avs were constantly tilting the ice whenever MacKinnon was out there

 

[Stephen]

Keefe had to have JTs buy in. That takes true leadership.

If we win the cup, maybe some will spin this into Yzerman 2.0 but I'm not ready to buy that movie ticket.

 

[Evilhomer]

Can you be better than 8 wins in a row . Lol

Rangers are at 10 in a row, so...

 

[Stephen]

And actually his role hasn’t really altered his ice time. The biggest change is lack of PP time.

I think his role has changed in the sense that he isn't hunting for offense with Willie and getting caught in bad places on the ice. So he's kind of out there, hopefully able to play safer minutes. But yeah, otherwise removed from the special teams. It's a demotion.

 

[NiftyMits]

What'd Tavares do at the end I missed it, any video?

 

[Kiwi]

I think you're outing yourself and you really didn't need to.

A lot of people expressed the same sentiment: " We should trade Domi and Bertuzzi at the deadline. Someone will give up a 2nd for each one".

So what? We're all human.

They suggested it, they didn't play GM and outright state its happening

 

[BertCorbeau]

Tonight’s game was a good learning experience for Knies, Robby, and Holmberg

 

[Stephen]

Well sure but it was mostly from a couple of big plays, not because the Avs were constantly tilting the ice whenever MacKinnon was out there

Look, no complaints about Matthews tonight, but Mackinnon was better and popped more. We got the win which is the only thing that matters, and when we see Matthews A game vs Colorado in this speed game I'll be the first to pump him up. He's done it before and roasted them in the past. No biggie.

 

[Gabriel426]

This was their best game of the season.
Avs was buzzing the whole game and Leafs took control at times and didn’t give up and lay dead when Avs was pressing.
Both goalies made great saves but Sammy made more. Which is great to see.
AM showing that he is pissed was awesome.
Finally Bert’s efforts is showing up on the scoresheet.
JT would had continue his goal scoring streak but he galaxy brain it.
Really like Robbie and McMann game.

 

[BertCorbeau]

I think his role has changed in the sense that he isn't hunting for offense with Willie and getting caught in bad places on the ice. So he's kind of out there, hopefully able to play safer minutes. But yeah, otherwise removed from the special teams. It's a demotion.

He’s that vet centre with the kids for sure. But Willy’s change to go with a struggling Bert and Domi isn’t exactly an upgrade either.

Both kinda got demoted

 

[Stephen]

He’s that vet centre with the kids for sure. But Willy’s change to go with a struggling Bert and Domi isn’t exactly an upgrade either.

Both kinda got demoted

I think the ultimate experiment is yet to come: each one of Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares on their own line.

 

[hfman]

love Tavares but was he thinking at the end of the 3rd period there??



SHOOT THE F*CKEN THING

 

[Gabriel426]

I think the ultimate experiment is yet to come: each one of Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares on their own line.

That is next year

 

[cyris]

Nah, I'd still take Mackinnon's night over Matthews night. Mack scored 3 assists to Matthews 1, was electric and had a chance to tie it in the last second. Game of inches, whatever we got the win and I'm happy. But individually, Mack had a better night.

Mac probably did. It would be hard to argue against 3 primary assists vs 1 secondary assist.
But I would argue that the Avs shadowing and double teaming Matthews opened up a lot of opportunities for his linemates.
Bert being left wide open beside the net on his first goal and Marner being able to walk right through the middle later in the game would be examples of this.

 

[7even]

For all the talk about how scary MacKinnon is shift to shift and how passive Matthews was, MacKinnon was outshot 5-8 and the Leafs outshot the Avs 10-3 when Matthews was on the ice. MacKinnon is certainly more dynamic and flashy and had some killer moments, but Matthews is so quietly effective tilts the ice so well

I make the same type of error with Matthews. He isn't the flashiest player and he doesn't have the speed to just push back the entire opposing team but what he is is extremely smart with his positioning. The more I pay attention, the more I notice it about him. Special player.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I find it strange that anyone criticizes anyone else here. I mean, my goodness, has anyone gone back and read some of the early-season threads on this board? Filled with 99% nonsense. More power to people who made those posts at that time. No reason to rag on them for that, just as there is no reason to rag on someone for suggesting a trade now.

I am suggesting a trade now:

Robertson at the deadline for a rental RHD.

 

[hfman]

I am suggesting a trade now:

Robertson at the deadline for a rental RHD.

lol i think you already posted this as your other topic

 

[Commander Clueless]

You know I can't really put my finger on why, but I really like Colorado's goal song.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

lol i think you already posted this as your other topic

I want to be on record where ever I can.