A1LeafNation
Obsession beats talent everytime!!
- Oct 17, 2010
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Maybe, but 11m for Tavares and 11m for Marner with little playoff goals is a poor way to allocate cap dollars.
Do the Leafs get more credit in hindsight for taking the Panthers to 7 games?
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This is the thread right here. They didn't show up. It's been the theme for 7 years. Not all the same teams, but same core. Same same. I had hope that they could finally exercise their demons. I had money on the Panthers.
Fatass
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- Apr 17, 2017
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And no points for Nylander in the final four games. When perimeter players aren’t putting up points they become a liability.
A1LeafNation
Obsession beats talent everytime!!
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Nylander has a history of performing in playoffs.
Cant react based on one playoff year.
Fatass
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Thread is about the Panthers series. No points for Nylander in the last four games when Panthers ramped up the big boy hockey. That greatly hurt the Leafs. I think Tavares and Matthews engaged physically. Marner and Nylander didn’t.
Panthers advanced stats decimated those of the Leafs. Without a slow start, and Bob being off early in, I agree that the series goes 5, or 6.
And just because Carolina is losing this series, it doesn’t mean Toronto would steamroll them. Carolina plays a heavy game as well, and have the bodies to shell the Leafs in. The Canes would have been as physical, and dirty, as the Cats were.
A1LeafNation
Obsession beats talent everytime!!
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We have the sample size on the core 4 in elimination games.
I already said. Maybe they get some credit for the Panthers series.
Tavares and Marner don't get credit for not showing up year after year with those cap hits.
drktmplr12
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Fatass
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Clearly two of the Leafs top paid guys disappear to the perimeter when big boy physical play ramps up.
I know Berube said it’s a “between the ears” thing. Watching Marner and Nylander I get the impression it’s less about pressure of circumstance and more about fear of physicality.
elmaco
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I agree with this to a certain extent, because aside from Knies, your top players still haven’t proven they can perform in playoff hockey. I just don’t see this team winning anything with Matthews and Nylander at the forefront. They simply don’t have that drive or edge needed to lead a team deep.
That one sequence where Nylander entered the offensive zone, lost the puck, and casually skated to the bench while the rest of the team was battling along the boards, says everything. It perfectly sums up why this team won’t win with him being a leader on the team.
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The Shadow
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Fatass
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They don't have that killer instinct, but the good thing is we have a lot of freed up cap to re-tool the roster
You do have space, but IMO from watching the Panthers in a similar spot a few years ago, the Leafs will still not win anything if their top players refuse to play playoff hockey. You have to play physical in the playoffs, and they refuse to do so. Nylander is a ghost if he’s not attacking the Ozone. He must change that. It’s come down to a choice for them as it’s evident they refuse to do so. The Leafs would have won a Cup already if this was flag hockey.
Samoskevich said it best when he joined the Panthers. He had to learn how to add that physicality to his game, because that is what the team demanded from their players. He chose to do so. You cannot have 11-12-13 million dollar players playing 100 foot games in the playoffs. Excuse the language, but most of the Panthers don’t give a shit about individual accolades, off ice fashion and bling, they just want to win, period. They are the absolute epitome of a how a SC champion should look, act, and perform.
You can legitimately make the statement that, that killer instinct and buy in to a physical playoff type game is why the Leafs lost game 7, not just this year but almost every year.
You look at the 2 big games we lost to you guys, games 5/7, it's the same script. Florida showed up on time, dominated from the moment the puck dropped, finished their checks and guys were playing like it was their last shift every single time they were out there. Complete team committment to NZ defence and everyone committed to physical battles for 60 mins.
Panthers guys had it, our guys didn't. They looked terrified.
From the talent aspect and IQ, they're right there. They need that killer instinct.
Major 2011 Canucks vibes. All the talent in the world, little to no heart and balls.
I think it is fair to assess the Leafs for what they achieved. They lost in 7 games to Florida. Nothing changes that.
That said, you also have to recognize how good Florida is and give them credit for what they have done and are doing. Most Leaf fans felt we would beat Carolina, and we haven’t seen anything in the 3rd round to change that. That said, the focus of the Leafs needs to be how to beat Florida. Having your starting goalie play the series can certainly help.
That said, you also have to recognize how good Florida is and give them credit for what they have done and are doing. Most Leaf fans felt we would beat Carolina, and we haven’t seen anything in the 3rd round to change that. That said, the focus of the Leafs needs to be how to beat Florida. Having your starting goalie play the series can certainly help.
No but if I’m a leafs fan game 3 haunts me knowing if we just close that out we kick out the champs most probably
You know what my problem is with you guys? Matthews gets hit, or Tavares gets him, and they just walk away, or nobody shows up to pick a fight. That’s a problem to me. This year was a bit different due to the additions made, but it’s still the same. Hate Tkachuk as much as you all want, but that shit that he did Aho last night was because of the hit on Reinhardt. Like it or not, agree with it or not, but that’s accountability, and defending your teammates.
That video for Marner screaming at the team, and with Nylander I believe from last year, is all good and well, but neither of them do anything when the puck is not on their sticks. Marner a bit more, but nothing that stands out to you.
In 20 years, you’re going to remember Rodrigues’ performance in the Finals last year, or Tkachuk 4OT winner, or any countless other instances that lead the Panthers to where they are now. What can you say for the Leafs though? Nothing. And that’s not a shot at the team, that is because of their inability and refusal to create those everlasting memories.
GeeoffBrown
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Suntouchable13
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At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. They weren't good enough. They were never good enough in any of those past playoffs. You gotta beat good teams to win it all. They have not done that which means they were never good enough to lift the cup. End of story. Changes must happen.
TheDoldrums
Registered User
really enjoy the posts claiming Bob having bad games is the only reason the series went 7 as if the Leafs weren't playing with their backup goalie lol. Maybe they win Game 3 if Stolarz is in there, who knows.
Still no excuse for the horrific performances in game 5 and 7 tho.
Still no excuse for the horrific performances in game 5 and 7 tho.
KrisLetAngry
MrJukeBoy
Leafs if they were in the metro. Face Florida and lose game 7.
Id say the Leafs only winning 2 rounds with this core has been a failure. You have to beat the best to win it all. Very few 'bad' teams in the playoffs
Id say the Leafs only winning 2 rounds with this core has been a failure. You have to beat the best to win it all. Very few 'bad' teams in the playoffs
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