Every Leafs Season Since 2017 Follows The Same Trend
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TMLBlueandWhite
Go Leafs Go
- Feb 2, 2023
- 2,185
- 2,263
You forgot the annual post all-star game skid.
You know the one I'm talking about. Where they go something like 4-9-2 every year immediately after the break. It's a tradition for this team.
The trends you point out are both real and concerning.
It doesn't matter who the coach or GM is. Doesn't matter who the goaltender is. Doesn't matter who the Captain is.
They do the same damn thing every year.
It's almost like they come back fat and out of shape after the offseason and stink the entire month of October. Then when coach is one more loss away from being fired they go on a hot streak and have a playoffs spot cemented by American Thanksgiving. After that it's stat padding the rest of the year.
Until the playoffs, and they're no longer getting paid to play, at which point they usually wrap things up relatively quickly by losing.
You know the one I'm talking about. Where they go something like 4-9-2 every year immediately after the break. It's a tradition for this team.
The trends you point out are both real and concerning.
It doesn't matter who the coach or GM is. Doesn't matter who the goaltender is. Doesn't matter who the Captain is.
They do the same damn thing every year.
It's almost like they come back fat and out of shape after the offseason and stink the entire month of October. Then when coach is one more loss away from being fired they go on a hot streak and have a playoffs spot cemented by American Thanksgiving. After that it's stat padding the rest of the year.
Until the playoffs, and they're no longer getting paid to play, at which point they usually wrap things up relatively quickly by losing.
DitchMarner
TheGlitchintheSwitch
The Leafs do always look like world-beaters in November. I wonder what the reason for that is exactly. It might be that teams haven't yet tightened things up all that much and the playing style suits them. Then again, games are even more wide-open and higher-scoring in October, no? Why are they constantly about a .500 team in October?
I remember during the Kessel era, they got off to a great start (record-wise) a couple of times and then struggled when play really tightened up around the League late in the season.
I remember during the Kessel era, they got off to a great start (record-wise) a couple of times and then struggled when play really tightened up around the League late in the season.
TMLBlueandWhite
Go Leafs Go
- Feb 2, 2023
- 2,185
- 2,263
I lost count of all the 18 wheelers that went off a cliff with Dion and Phil driving.
What I notice is that every time it looks like the Leafs might start building a decent lead on the rest of the division, that's when suddenly the penalty-fest games start where they spend most of it fighting off waves of opposing PP's...
They also seem to have a period every year, no matter what, where their goaltending falls apart.
They also seem to have a period every year, no matter what, where their goaltending falls apart.
I don’t know why this just randomly popped into my head, but does anyone remember OttawaGhost? He used to take Brian Burke press conferences and do hilarious voiceovers way back in 2009.
EDIT: I FOUND IT HAHAHA
Schennanigans
Registered User
There’s no killer instinct on the team. They’re missing something and could probably use a big addition or two.
Yep, said this myself and last night was like clockwork.
I expect an OT lost against the Islanders and that’ll wrap up 2024.
Racer88
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2020
- 12,735
- 12,803
Until they change up some of the core nothing will give them killer instinct. Any addition may come with killer instinct but as soon as they see no consequences to the core when they have no killer instinct they will change quickly.
HellasLEAF
'93 to Infinity
- Sep 14, 2006
- 15,563
- 2,009
They were trying to win a back to back with Matt Murray in the net. Not to mention Wash is no pushover. I don't think this moment defines the season anyway they at least won the first game back convincingly I think says something anyway.
Simply not true. If you have killer instinct it doesn't go away if others don't have it.
It's not something you turn on and off.
Apex Predator
Registered User
- Jun 21, 2019
- 4,369
- 4,613
There’s one where he does the press conference after the phaneuf trade. He says we also got Keith Aulie. He’s a wookiee on skates
Guys with "killer instinct" are real gamers! Fiercely competitive! They will never stop pushing! Nothing will deter them! They will come through no matter what!... unless a couple players on the team aren't "killer instinct" buddies with them. Then they stop caring and give up and decide to no longer be clutch. That's who we want!
The truth is, "killer instinct" is less of an individual trait than people like to pretend.
thewave
Registered User
- Jun 17, 2011
- 43,139
- 13,574
Guys with "killer instinct" are real gamers! Fiercely competitive! They will never stop pushing! Nothing will deter them! They will come through no matter what!... unless a couple players on the team aren't "killer instinct" buddies with them. Then they stop caring and give up and decide to no longer be clutch. That's who we want!
The truth is, "killer instinct" is less of an individual trait than people like to pretend.
Killer instinct is just another word for care and desire. The Leafs play a game lacking care desire urgency far too often and that's a group thing. A real captain or leader like Roberts would go a long way. A couple of guys that care about winning, take it personal and put it all on the line in the POs.
Haven't seen a legit leader on this team in a while.
ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
MacLean made a funny on Kyper and Bourne yesterday. Somebody asked McDavid what he wanted for his borthday and he replied, what do you think I want, a Stanley Cup. MacLean says then there are other super stars in the league, they want to start a clothing line and be on the cover of GQ.
What are the odds on McDavid winning a SC for the Oil and what are the odds the 3 amigos win one for the Leafs?
No it's not. For most people, "killer instinct" is just another word for 'this person scored a goal when I wanted them to!'.
No they don't. They have often been coached to play a "safer" game though, and that may have warped your perception of their care, desire, and urgency.
You have. You just choose to cover your eyes.
thewave
Registered User
- Jun 17, 2011
- 43,139
- 13,574
If we had all of the things above. Why do we have nothing to show for except a single series win.
You're flat out wrong and that is the strangest explanation for killer instinct I have ever heard lol.
Because winning the cup isn't actually about a difference of "care desire urgency". You're more concerned with buzz words than what actually happens.
It's not an explanation for "killer instinct". It's an explanation for how people misattribute and misunderstand "killer instinct".
Maple Leaf
VIP
- Sep 18, 2009
- 10,040
- 5,253
thewave
Registered User
- Jun 17, 2011
- 43,139
- 13,574
Everything meaningful in life is rooted in care or lack of care. Care is the most important thing involved in being successful in anything you do or are involved with.
I am not shocked you're unaware of that to be honest.
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