ECSF: Toronto Maple Leafs (A2) vs. Florida Panthers (WC2) ( Florida Leads 3-1 )

[Divine]

Post the 5 v 5 stats. Unless you really think Leafs will continue getting 80% of the powerplays.

They should.

Florida is the second most penalized team in the league during the regular season, over 82 games. I thought it was BS how the refs stopped calling penalties on Florida because the Leafs already had 2 PP’s.

I hope the refs call everything on both teams and they adjust. Florida’s game plan seems to be dirty plays, hooks and trips all game long - take a few penalties, then Paul Maurice starts counting the penalties on his hands so Florida is now immune to getting any of their dirty plays called. Whereas the Leafs will get anything borderline called.

Boston ran away with power plays against Florida also. So I don’t think it’s outrageous that the playoff team that almost led the league in penalties will get more penalties against them. They’re not exactly known to be a clean team.

Did you see the Edmonton - Vegas game? Edmonton was up 5-1 in power plays, actually up 5-1 too. Not like a double minor with 30 seconds left in a 2 goal game so Paul Maurice can pretend that’s 2 more penalties against his team even though the Leafs can’t even utilize them and it’s a clear high stick drawing blood.

If the refs call everything, I think the powerplays would be even more in the Leafs favour than they are now. Unless Florida decides to play a clean game, but they’ve failed to do that in both the regular season and playoffs so far - hence basically leading the league in penalties in both.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Game 1 shot attempts

Panthers : 56
Leafs : 57

How i saw the game from TV : Panthers dominated period 1, Leafs were clearly the better team in period 2, Panthers again better in period 3.
- Samsonov had several highlight reel saves in game 1

Game 2 shot attempts

Panthers : 47
Leafs : 67

How i saw the game from TV : Leafs dominated period 1, 2nd period was more even what 1st, Leafs were slightly better, 3rd period went
to Leafs as well, however, at half way through the 3rd, Leafs were totally gassed out and the rest of the game was pretty bad hockey from both teams
- Bobrovsky kept Panthers alive in game 2

 

[Divine]

Game 1 shot attempts

Panthers : 56
Leafs : 57

How i saw the game from TV : Panthers dominated period 1, Leafs were clearly the better team in period 2, Panthers again better in period 3.
- Samsonov had several highlight reel saves in game 1

Game 2 shot attempts

Panthers : 47
Leafs : 67

How i saw the game from TV : Leafs dominated period 1, 2nd period was more even what 1st, Leafs were slightly better, 3rd period went
to Leafs as well, however, at half way through the 3rd, Leafs were totally gassed out and the rest of the game was pretty bad hockey from both teams
- Bobrovsky kept Panthers alive in game 2

You’re ignoring Bobrovsky’s saves from game 1 by only pointing out Samsonov’s.

Bobrovsky stopped a Matthews breakaway a few minutes into the game. In addition to multiple 2 on 1’s and wide open shots from the slot.

The difference in this series has basically been Bobrovsky significantly outplaying Samsonov so far.

Game 1: Matthews breakaway stopped, Verhaegae breakaway goal. Difference in the game basically.

Game 2: Nylander/Tavares 2 on 1 stopped. 4 posts. 5+ Grade A chances stopped. Nylander 1 v 1 with the goalie multiple times. Matthews slot stopped/post 1v1 on the goalie multiple times stopped. Samsonov allows a pass to him from Barkov go right through him - difference in the game.

The Leafs have been the better team. If both teams had the same goalie, Leafs are up 2-0. Pointing out Samsonov making some good saves, while ignoring the great saves by Bobrovsky in game 1 is disingenuous.

That said, when you pay a goalie 10M, he’s allowed to be good. I’m just not sure if he can steal the series if it continues this way. The stats pointed out earlier said these were the best 2 games (goals saved above expected) in Bobrovsky’s entire career so far.

 

[crowi]

Keefe reminds me of the bad-guy coach from The Waterboy. He has this one Playbook and he doesn't know anything else. Wonder if he stole the Playbook like in the movie.

 

[snowkiddin]

Toronto has nearly 2x the high danger scoring chances as Florida so far in this series. Florida leading is a combination of Bobrovsky playing the best hockey of his life, and Samsonov playing some of the worst. That muffin by Barkov should not have went in and everyone knows that. I could have stopped that, as could have most of the posters on this site.

Leafs are heavily favoured to win Game 3 and I think when it rains it pours. If Toronto comes out and dominates and scores, then we might have regular Bobrovsky trying to stop an onslaught. He played the best 2 game stretch of his career, can he keep it up? I doubt it. Scoring early will be important because Bobrovsky is a huge momentum goaltender - when he's bad, he's awful. If he's confident, he can be one of the best goalies in the game.

The major difference is going to be Samsonov though. Florida can't score every time they touch the puck. He can't allow bad goals and has to at least stop some decent chances. The most important thing is - stop the routine saves. If you allow a weak goal, the team plays tight around you. Even if you make 5 great saves after - the team can't trust allowing shots on you. It's much better to just stop the routine shots and then allow the high danger chances - that way the team can at least trust you and not worry about collapsing on every shot.

If Samsonov bounces back - Leafs can win in 6. If he's going to allow a goal every decent shot (and some not-so-decent shots), the series is over.

I love this website

 

[Chrysalis99]

Wow, those are some incredible stats. With the roster the Leafs put together and the way they’ve dominated play the first two games they’re destined. It’s a sight to see against Florida’s mediocre lineup and inferior effort. The Panthers don’t stand a chance with those stats against them. The Panthers may as well just fold up shop while the Leafs hog the deep stat sheet with impressive game play and abundant scoring chances.

We should just save everyone the trouble and anoint the Leafs winners based on the deep stat sheet. Who needs a scoreboard right? It’s a forgone conclusion Leafs win. Heck, let’s go back and give the Bruins the series since they dominated the stat sheet. They had like 50 shots on goal one game! How impressive is that? It’s worth a win, no?

 

[CatOTails]

Toronto has nearly 2x the high danger scoring chances as Florida so far in this series. Florida leading is a combination of Bobrovsky playing the best hockey of his life, and Samsonov playing some of the worst. That muffin by Barkov should not have went in and everyone knows that. I could have stopped that, as could have most of the posters on this site.

Leafs are heavily favoured to win Game 3 and I think when it rains it pours. If Toronto comes out and dominates and scores, then we might have regular Bobrovsky trying to stop an onslaught. He played the best 2 game stretch of his career, can he keep it up? I doubt it. Scoring early will be important because Bobrovsky is a huge momentum goaltender - when he's bad, he's awful. If he's confident, he can be one of the best goalies in the game.

The major difference is going to be Samsonov though. Florida can't score every time they touch the puck. He can't allow bad goals and has to at least stop some decent chances. The most important thing is - stop the routine saves. If you allow a weak goal, the team plays tight around you. Even if you make 5 great saves after - the team can't trust allowing shots on you. It's much better to just stop the routine shots and then allow the high danger chances - that way the team can at least trust you and not worry about collapsing on every shot.

If Samsonov bounces back - Leafs can win in 6. If he's going to allow a goal every decent shot (and some not-so-decent shots), the series is over.

This is hilarious.

 

[heksagon]

An underappreciated point: Despite his disappointing offensive performance, Barkov's line has shut down Matthews and Marner on even strength, the same thing he did to Boston's top line. Playing most against the top line in both matchups, predominantly defensive zone face offs, and coming out clearly on top of the even strength scoring match up.

We'll see if that continues. It really sucks I have to work tomorrow, might have to skip watching this one. I wish the weekend games started much earlier...

 

[Jumptheshark]

just a wee bit of pressure on the leafs today

 

[Hockeyholic]

Series is on the line today. Possibly jobs too.

 

[hangman005]

GDT is up: GDT: - ECQF Game 3: Toronto Maple Leafs Vs Florida Panthers | 6:30PM ET | TBS, CBC, SN, TVAS

 

[MattMartin]

There goes my Leafs in 6 prediction.

 

[Mr Kot]

Heh, my leafs in 7 is going great, just need them to win the next 4 and my prediction is perfect

 

[snipes]

Series at 3-0 now. Damn.

 

[Puikiou]

 

[Nikki Potnick]

Poor Leafs fans.

Not like this.

 

[Koivu11]

 

[Sombastate]

Great game

 

[D Wakaluk]

They can and they will.

Extend Dubas

 

[Sun God Nika]

So when was the last time the leafs won a game in the second round?

 

[Fledgemyhedge]

thank you for losing Tampa. This is so much better

 

[EdJovanovski]

 

[ViD]

People need to chill out

Toronto went through a grueling series against a team that won the Eastern conference three times in a row, they are banged up, emotionally tired and just really down on energy

All of that while Florida had an easy time with a president’s trophy winner imposter team. Plus they have the highest paid goalie in the league who is back on the case.

All is logical here

 

[Strangle]

Leafs are cooked

The worst part about the playoffs is knowing that the games for your team are quickly running out

 

[Tom Brady]

Big time players show up in big time games. Leafs superstars were no where to be found in the biggest game of their lives, not really surprised.

Marner is one of the most overrated player I have ever seen in my life.