ECSF - Game 1 - Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers - 7pm EST, ESPN

[biturbo19]

This made me lol. I don't think Nylander saw the defender go down.

I love Goalie Bob's reaction to it too. Like..."wait the f*** is that guy going? He not gonna take a shot or anything?"

 

[violaswallet]

This is a good game between two teams that are dangerous but reasonably matched

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Leafs look better than their opponents for the first time this playoffs.

Bolts were the East endboss and the Leafs are goin to the ship this year.

Gl.

 

[zeykshade]

From what I’ve seen the Florida dman are caught standing still way too often

Well, there are exactly 2 who you'd call "mobile", the other 4 are between serviceable(Gudas) and Pylon(Staal / Ekblad). The only way the Panthers can play is as a 5 man unit. It's less about the gap that their D maintain on the TOR forwards and more about the backpressure that the FLA Forwards can apply to the TOR forwards.

If there is little or no backpressure on the backcheck, TOR's skill/speed will carve the FLA D.

 

[Divine]

Bob outplaying Samsonov so far

 

[Pablo El Perro]

That was a fast period. or was it just me?

Not many icings, offside calls, or penalties. It happens.

 

[steveat]

I think the Leafs forgot to get the puck for Knies??? I never saw anyone go and grab the puck from Knies first career goal.

 

[hockeyisgud]

I never considered WN to be one with a particularly large hockey IQ. His bad pass to Tavares wide open in the slot being another example.

he has great hockey iq how I would define it

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

This is a good game between two teams that are dangerous but reasonably matched

I agree and hey, maybe I'm dumb but so far this is Bob turning into a brick wall vs the Leafs firepower and we'll see what happens next.

This is good stuff.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Bob outplaying Samsonov so far

Samsonov has been good. Probably wants the Swaggy goal back.

 

[Bruce Granville]

Bob outplaying Samsonov so far

No. Sammy made no mistakes.

 

[violaswallet]

I agree and hey, maybe I'm dumb but so far this is Bob turning into a brick wall vs the Leafs firepower and we'll see what happens next.

This is good stuff.

Sammy was a beast in the first: that save on Lundell was elite!!

 

[Pablo El Perro]

I think the Leafs forgot to get the puck for Knies??? I never saw anyone go and grab the puck from Knies first career goal.

And in the playoffs? Gotta be a leader.

 

[kwichang]

ESPN intermission crew is so cringe-worthy

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

No. Sammy made no mistakes.

That doesn't mean Bob isn't the better goalie when hot.

 

[Speatleysson]

Maybe the refs will start calling something against toronto this period.

 

[Divine]

No. Sammy made no mistakes.

The first rebound was a big mistake. Bob stops a Matthews breakaway, Samsonov lets in a Varhaeghe breakaway. That's been the difference.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Well, there are exactly 2 who you'd call "mobile", the other 4 are between serviceable(Gudas) and Pylon(Staal / Ekblad). The only way the Panthers can play is as a 5 man unit. It's less about the gap that their D maintain on the TOR forwards and more about the backpressure that the FLA Forwards can apply to the TOR forwards.

If there is little or no backpressure on the backcheck, TOR's skill/speed will carve the FLA D.

Mahura is young, but he's a solid skater.

 

[KPower]

I think the Leafs forgot to get the puck for Knies??? I never saw anyone go and grab the puck from Knies first career goal.

Matthews did, showed it on CBC.

 

[Three On Zero]

Bob is playing like a 10 million dollar goalie

 

[hockeyes]

Maybe the refs will start calling something against toronto this period.

Probably when they take a penalty they will

 

[Coffee]

No. Sammy made no mistakes.

He probably knows more than most of us.

Probably when they take a penalty they will

he has great hockey iq how I would define it

Not sure why it tagged you guys, but this game is going to overtime

 

[vaspa]

Probably when they take a penalty they will

Credit when it's due - the refs are having a good game.

 

[kwichang]

Credit when it's due - the refs are having a good game.

Close game so the havent had to manage as much. . . but home team being down 3-2? That means at least one call is coming the Leafs way in the third

 

[behemolari]

Nah…they are moving…just steady and slowly.

Its florida masterplan, they grind until no one skates anymore, then their defenders are equal to anyone else