Post-Game Talk: Full game effort. Good guys win

[Gary Nylund]

I see no reason why this team can't win the division.
Surprised no one has made a review thread of the first half of the season and the expectations for the second half.

Here's to stating the obvious. I mean, even Boston can still win at this point, though it seems like more of a 3 team race at the moment.

 

[VanW27]

I see no reason why this team can't win the division.
Surprised no one has made a review thread of the first half of the season and the expectations for the second half.

Definitely can, will be in tough though.

Florida just keeps winning but they have a road heavy second half and are only 9w - 12L on the road, vs 23W - 3L at home

Tampa is obviously a great team, their record is a bit of a mirage though, I believe they've scored with the goalie pulled 10 times this year to tie a game late and force OT. A whopping 15 of their 46 games have gone to OT and they have won 9 of them. They've pulled a lot of points out of their asses this year, they had to execute but most of the time those late game pulls don't work out no matter how good a team you are.

 

[ACC1224]

Definitely can, will be in tough though.

Florida just keeps winning but they have a road heavy second half and are only 9w - 12L on the road, vs 23W - 3L at home

Tampa is obviously a great team, their record is a bit of a mirage though, I believe they've scored with the goalie pulled 10 times this year to tie a game late and force OT. A whopping 15 of their 46 games have gone to OT and they have won 9 of them. They've pulled a lot of points out of their asses this year, they had to execute but most of the time those late game pulls don't work out no matter how good a team you are.

I wouldn't expect it to be easy but the expectations for this team should be sky high.

 

[Carltons Cup]

Now if only we could keep playing these bottom 5 worst defensive non playoff teams like Detroit (28th in GA) and NJ (29th in GA), particularly if they play their 4th and 5th string goalies, whom the Leafs just potted 20 goals for in last 3 games.

That is great for stats padding for Leaf players, but this is not a good test nor an accurate evaluation of Leafs strength as Cup competitiveness that seems to be giving some a false sense of strength while completely ignoring QofC in the process to achieve them.

These will not be level of teams Leafs will be facing come playoff time, only the teams Leafs were expected to light up and trample over on their way to a playoff birth, which was mission accomplished.

The recent 6 game road trip through COL, VEGAS, STL, NYR etc was a much better test and measuring stick for the Leafs to judge themselves against playoff teams, and evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses and highlight needs and improvements required.

If Matthews and Marner combined for 1 goal in the next playoff series than these recent games against DET and NJ stats feasting opportunities should not be used to set expected goals expectations when the QofC switches from the weakest to the strongest competition and expected outcomes.

Mess - never change. We can count on your pessimism at all costs.

When it's sunny out, do you complain because of that one small cloud in the sky? You must be the life of the party...

Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Oh, and try to find the good in "some" things.

 

[zeke]

Projecting a players output right after a hot streak is a questionable gambit.

I remember 10 years ago today actually, Sam Gagner had his 8 point night. Oilers fans were shouting how he arrived as a star and was on pace for a 60+ point season. Of course ignoring the fact he came into the game with only 5 goals and 22 pts over the first half of the season, but 4 more goals and 30pts at the end of the game and suddenly those projections start looking pretty good for him. He'd only score 17 more points the rest of the year and finish with 47pts in 75 games, right in line with his previous 2 season

2009-10	Edmonton Oilers	NHL	68	15	26	41	33	-8
2010-11	Edmonton Oilers	NHL	68	15	27	42	37	-17
2011-12	Edmonton Oilers	NHL	75	18	29	47	36	5

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Not what I'm doing, though.

The bunting-matthews-marner line has had insane underlying numbers all year, but haven't had the production to match.....until last week.

Note - this was auston and Mitch producing FAR below their established 5v5 levels despite having better underlying numbers than ever.

The regression towards last week's production was expected, and has a very good chance of continuing (though of course not guaranteed).

 

[stickty111]

Talk about a bad tweet.
Tavares has been good. He was off his game this week but the break wil help.

 

[Mess]

I wouldn't expect it to be easy but the expectations for this team should be sky high.

Personally after witnessing the Leafs in the past disappointing 2 playoffs vs CBJ and MON it seems to me the Leafs are better the underdogs in a series than the clear favourites.

Sky high expectations like "final 4 or bust" last year after winning the North Div, only ended in bitter disappointment and embarrassment based on expectations going in.

Our Leafs seem to play to the level of their competition so punching up requires a greater commitment and effort than punching down, and taking things for granted. IMO

 

[Confucius]

Why care at all? Bunting isn't going to win, he won't even be a finalist.

Seider is the clear front runner as a Dman

Then there are 3 forwards ahead of him
Raymond - Top scoring rookie
Lundell - #2 scorer (tied), while playing centre and being a good two way player on a top team
Zegras - #2 scorer (tied), also a centre, highlight factory

Those 4 are pretty clearly ahead of him at the break.

He certainly isn't favoured at this time. He does sit only three points back of 2nd place in the rookie points race at the moment. And he has 5 games in hand on two of the contenders and 6 games in hand on another. It is possible but unlikely he could even kick it up a notch in the 2nd half, then what do you say?

 

[Ben Grimm]

Super 16: Avalanche No. 1; Maple Leafs enter top five in power rankings

"Super 16: Avalanche No. 1; Maple Leafs enter top five in power rankings, Wild move up, Penguins fall, Stars drop out"​

 

[keonsbitterness]

Personally after witnessing the Leafs in the past disappointing 2 playoffs vs CBJ and MON it seems to me the Leafs are better the underdogs in a series than the clear favourites.

Sky high expectations like "final 4 or bust" last year after winning the North Div, only ended in bitter disappointment and embarrassment based on expectations going in.

Our Leafs seem to play to the level of their competition so punching up requires a greater commitment and effort than punching down, and taking things for granted. IMO

A mini-tank to get the #7 or 8 seed sounds like a great plan.

 

[Zybalto]

Talk about a bad tweet.
Tavares has been good. He was off his game this week but the break wil help.

Liking the market value calculations on the Athletic cards.