Expectations from the big 4
- Thread starter Puckstuff
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TheDoldrums
Registered User
Win in the playoffs, obviously. I can't really get worked up over regular season stats at this point.
SeaOfBlue
The Passion That Unites Us All
- Aug 1, 2013
- 35,591
- 16,777
Matthews and Marner need to score more at both ES and PP.
Tavares could use a few more ES goals. Was his main issue last year too. 2nd line needs to drive play a bit more too, similar to what they did early on with Malgin.
Nylander just needs to keep up what he is doing. No complaints, other than driving play more on the 2nd line.
And then obviously, show up when it matters. If we can get at least as much as we did out of them last year, with better clutch goaltending, we will get places.
I actually kind of agree with this. The paradox Is the fan base gets on them if they aren’t scoring at high levels. For me I just care about playoffs but to some extent home ice is also at least a little important
Stanley Cup. Don't care if they score 50, 60 goals, don't care if they set record for assists, don't care if the press is easy on them or too hard for Mitchy.
Don't care about corsi, contract value or extensions.
55 years is long enough.
Fogelhund
Registered User
- Sep 15, 2007
- 24,347
- 29,461
Just talking about regular season.... for now..
5v5
Last year... GA/60
AM 3.6
MM 3.6
JT 3.8
WN 3.8
This year... GA/60
AM 2.4
MM 2.5
JT 2.7
WN 2.7
So everyone has improved their GA/60, but ONE goal per sixty against... to me, this a very positive development...
Last year... GF/60
AM 4.8
MM 4.8
JT 3.6
WN 3.5
This year... GF/60
AM 2.5
MM 2.6
JT 2.0
WN 2.7
Nylander's overall game has improved from this perspective... a bit more scoring, while keeping up the D, and it's solid. Tavares has really played well of late, after a slow start, but needs that GF/60 Even strength to improve.
Marner and Matthews have really improved their results, when on the ice defensively. The big problem here, is still Matthews shooting percentage. He's shooting at 4.5% 5v5, while it was 14.x% last year. Clearly that will trend up, but he's only scored twice 5v5 so far this year. Get that up, and our team results would look quite different YTD, than we have so far... we really need Matty shooting 10-14% 5v5....
Of course, the playoffs is the biggest concern... we need these guys to take their defensive stats into the playoffs, while also getting back to their offensive prowess of last year... big ask, bit of an adjustment... but if they can do that, and the bottom six can come close to holding their own, we will have success.
5v5
Last year... GA/60
AM 3.6
MM 3.6
JT 3.8
WN 3.8
This year... GA/60
AM 2.4
MM 2.5
JT 2.7
WN 2.7
So everyone has improved their GA/60, but ONE goal per sixty against... to me, this a very positive development...
Last year... GF/60
AM 4.8
MM 4.8
JT 3.6
WN 3.5
This year... GF/60
AM 2.5
MM 2.6
JT 2.0
WN 2.7
Nylander's overall game has improved from this perspective... a bit more scoring, while keeping up the D, and it's solid. Tavares has really played well of late, after a slow start, but needs that GF/60 Even strength to improve.
Marner and Matthews have really improved their results, when on the ice defensively. The big problem here, is still Matthews shooting percentage. He's shooting at 4.5% 5v5, while it was 14.x% last year. Clearly that will trend up, but he's only scored twice 5v5 so far this year. Get that up, and our team results would look quite different YTD, than we have so far... we really need Matty shooting 10-14% 5v5....
Of course, the playoffs is the biggest concern... we need these guys to take their defensive stats into the playoffs, while also getting back to their offensive prowess of last year... big ask, bit of an adjustment... but if they can do that, and the bottom six can come close to holding their own, we will have success.
Buds17
Registered User
- Nov 29, 2015
- 8,590
- 3,623
To lead the way during the regular season and playoffs (I'd put Rielly in this group as well). The regular season finish is important in trying to establish the (theoretically) ideal path forward for the playoffs. Unfortunately, that becomes all for naught when the playoff run consists of a one and done effort.
Mickey Marner
Registered User
I don't really care what they do in the regular season. I'd rather 16 & 34 played less actually. 21-22 minutes is too much for the beginning of the season, I want them fresh for the playoffs.
Martin Skoula
Registered User
- Oct 18, 2017
- 12,516
- 17,636
I get the loose puck retrieval is a meme but I haven't seen any of the other stars just decide that they're taking the puck from you and there's nothing you can do about it like he does when he's in the zone.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,096
- 62,016
One day, a Knies, Matthews duo will be a terror on the forecheck and back check.
Tufted Titmouse
13 Cups.
- Apr 5, 2022
- 6,222
- 8,322
Leading the Leafs to a cup. That's the only thing that really matters.
Individual stats are great to see a player achieve and all those guys have proven they can produce in the regular season. To a certain extent point wise okay in the playoffs.
Still haven't been by round 1... its all about the cup. That's the expectation of the top 4 guys and the team.
Individual stats are great to see a player achieve and all those guys have proven they can produce in the regular season. To a certain extent point wise okay in the playoffs.
Still haven't been by round 1... its all about the cup. That's the expectation of the top 4 guys and the team.
Does the fan base get on them when they aren't scoring at high levels, or because it's a perceived lack of effort?
I, personally, get most frustrated when I convince myself they aren't trying. I don't mind losing, but I want to see effort and heart.
Expectations are deservedly high for the big 5- that's 5, not 4. Rielly makes more than Nylander and needs to be held more accountable as well.
I look at regular season as an 82 game warm-up before the two tournament. I really don't care about individual accolades during the regular season.
Looking at goals against is pretty useless on a team that has had that putrid a goaltending year. It can skew the data so badly no one really does it. Its even worse than +/-. Goals for is ok as it comes against the entire league and is a good indicator of production. Shots against/xga are a better way to go for D.
Exactly. It's effort... and with that for guys as talented as Matthews the points will come.
But effort... playing your guts out. Taking a hit to make a play. Going to the corners to fight for the puck... back checking to help out the d... giving a good first outlet pass... dumping it out of the d zone on the pk with a second effort... blocking a shot... it goes on and on but that's the things I think most fans know are important to a long playoff run.
TheDoldrums
Registered User
Tufted Titmouse
13 Cups.
- Apr 5, 2022
- 6,222
- 8,322
notDatsyuk
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2018
- 11,993
- 10,166
My expectations relative to the OP are that Matthews, Marner, and Tavares will end the season in pretty much the same positions as last year, and Nylander will end up a bit higher.
What I'd like to see is a couple of rounds won in the playoffs.
What I'd like to see is a couple of rounds won in the playoffs.
Fogelhund
Registered User
- Sep 15, 2007
- 24,347
- 29,461
I get what you are saying... but the XGa, shots against show the same story. Bottom line, is we knew these players, and Rielly had to give up less goals against, less opportunity, and we can see that by eye test, and we can see that through stats. That's positive... now get the scoring back up, and we are in business.
