Pre-Game Talk: Game 2 - Panthers @ Toronto

[ThrowDemTongs]

I think Knies could surprise us, he's filled into his body and is an absolute truck now, look at how he flattened Pinto with little effort or the bombs he unloaded on Whitecloud. That being said Bennett has more fighting experience and he probably knows how to clinch and grab his way through a size mismatch.

He seems like more of a golden retriever than a pitbull tho. I could see him absolutely mack trucking a fool tho

 

[OddyOh]

View attachment 1030770

Always wondered what happened to Rogers fancy Puck Wall! That was their big innovation after overpaying for the National rights so many years ago. Well, that and George Strom’s tight jeans.

 

[7even]

He seems like more of a golden retriever than a pitbull tho. I could see him absolutely mack trucking a fool tho

He's a hockey player first and foremost, but you know if he popped off on Bennett they'd be scooping him up with a shovel and sending him back to Sunrise in a bucket.

 

[djdev]

i think we need to really continue to punish(legally) barkov and tkachuk. when barkov got hit hard last game he was on the bench after looking pretty rough. it wont take much to get a few of these guys to a point where they arent very effective going forward in this series.

 

[Zybalto]

Leafs top 2 lines absolute domination so far in the playoffs:

Knies/Matthews/Marner 5v5:
Goals for/60: 6.09
Goals against for/60: 1.06
(85.21%)

x/Tavares/Nylander 5v5:
Goals for/60: 6.97
Goals against for/60: 1.89
(78.62%)

 

[CabanaBoy5]

I wonder why Hildeby is the #3 goalie. Is Murray totally cooked? Or is he injured again? You’d think they would have him ahead of Hildeby in case something happens to Woll just because of the experience factor.

Hildeby would be a Hildisaster. Having said that, Murray was at practice today.

 

[1specter]

Should get a bit more attention but worth noting the team has scored 3+ goals in all but one game so far (and that was just a totally off night). In Keefe's final 13 playoff games (dating back to game 6 of the Tampa series in 2023), the team only scored more than 2 goals once, game 2 of the Boston series last year where they won 3-2.

A big concern has been Berube 'neutering' the offense for defense, but hasn't really happened. There were some of the typical Dubasites who were saying it was all because of bad opposing goaltending (chicken and egg anyone?), but Ullmark has literally won a Vezina before and Bobrovsky has been a beast for multiple playoff runs now - that excuse doesn't fly. This team relies on its elite finishing abilities as part of its style of play.

 

[Leafs98]

Take the high road on Bennett. Hockey gods will reward in the end.

 

[1specter]

Take the high road on Bennett. Hockey gods will reward in the end.

Don't think the Bruins were rewarded last year lol, though you could argue Marchand got his own karma...

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Should get a bit more attention but worth noting the team has scored 3+ goals in all but one game so far (and that was just a totally off night). In Keefe's final 13 playoff games (dating back to game 6 of the Tampa series in 2023), the team only scored more than 2 goals once, game 2 of the Boston series last year where they won 3-2.

A big concern has been Berube 'neutering' the offense for defense, but hasn't really happened. There were some of the typical Dubasites who were saying it was all because of bad opposing goaltending (chicken and egg anyone?), but Ullmark has literally won a Vezina before and Bobrovsky has been a beast for multiple playoff runs now - that excuse doesn't fly. This team relies on its elite finishing abilities as part of its style of play.

I think a big part of it was Keefe's system was essentially playing one way in the regular season...and then trying to flip and play an entirely different brand of hockey come playoff time. Berube has had the Leafs playing essentially the same brand of hockey the entire season. It is a lot easier playing and producing when you are comfortable with your game and the system.

 

[Warden of the North]

Throw everything at the net. Play for the rebound or the tip. I mean that should be the plan every game against every opponent, it's just frustrating to see so much ozone action end without a shot on goal.

 

[BertCorbeau]

I can tell you that Florida won’t let them get up 4-1 again, so they better be ready for the battle

 

[Buds17]

Should get a bit more attention but worth noting the team has scored 3+ goals in all but one game so far (and that was just a totally off night). In Keefe's final 13 playoff games (dating back to game 6 of the Tampa series in 2023), the team only scored more than 2 goals once, game 2 of the Boston series last year where they won 3-2.

A big concern has been Berube 'neutering' the offense for defense, but hasn't really happened. There were some of the typical Dubasites who were saying it was all because of bad opposing goaltending (chicken and egg anyone?), but Ullmark has literally won a Vezina before and Bobrovsky has been a beast for multiple playoff runs now - that excuse doesn't fly. This team relies on its elite finishing abilities as part of its style of play.

Good post. Scoring 3 goals or more per game will essentially have to be a regular occurrence for just about any team that's serious about winning. Furthermore, if Toronto received any sort of favourable matchup in terms of goaltending against Ottawa, it'd be fair to point out that being a divisional winner probably allows for such privileges.

 

[1specter]

I think a big part of it was Keefe's system was essentially playing one way in the regular season...and then trying to flip and play an entirely different brand of hockey come playoff time. Berube has had the Leafs playing essentially the same brand of hockey the entire season. It is a lot easier playing and producing when you are comfortable with your game and the system.

His system is also better suited for playoffs, to get dirty goals and net front goals. Very similar to Barry Trotz with the Capitals and Islanders, his teams would have 'bad' analytics during the season but would perform well come playoff time. The year the Caps won the Cup, they had bottom-5 corsi and bottom-10 expected goals during the regular season, yet they scored plenty of goals in the playoffs as the roster was loaded with skill and depth.

 

[ThrowDemTongs]

 

[1specter]

I can tell you that Florida won’t let them get up 4-1 again, so they better be ready for the battle

I expect either a very close one-goal game the entire time that goes either way, or for Florida to steamroll us. Don't think we dominate or blow them out, that's for sure.

 

[v00d00daddy]

Knies won't win that fight

Riiiight.

He’d rag doll him.

 

[BayStBullies]

Let me get this straight. We KNEW Florida would injure one of our players. Bennett had a track record of doing it. That exact thing happened, as we all knew would happen. There was no penalty as we all knew. There was no suspension as we all knew.

Heck of a coincidence.

 

[The Apologist]

I expect either a very close one-goal game the entire time that goes either way, or for Florida to steamroll us. Don't think we dominate or blow them out, that's for sure.

I expect Toronto to come out flying. Hitting everything. Then I expect the refs to start the parade. Borderline calls, penalty. Every dive? Penalty.
On Florida? Ooops, didn't see it.

Mark my words. NHL gains nothing from a Leaf cup.

 

[mobilus]

Hildeby would be a Hildisaster. Having said that, Murray was at practice today.

Murray has no business being near an NHL jersey anymore.

 

[Clark4Ever]

View attachment 1030770

The next puck would be a first for the current Leafs core.

 

[Gallagbi]

I think Knies could surprise us, he's filled into his body and is an absolute truck now, look at how he flattened Pinto with little effort or the bombs he unloaded on Whitecloud. That being said Bennett has more fighting experience and he probably knows how to clinch and grab his way through a size mismatch.

Whitecloud isn't much of a fighter and Bennett has fought a number of guys Knies size and bigger who fight more often

Leafs top 2 lines absolute domination so far in the playoffs:

Knies/Matthews/Marner 5v5:
Goals for/60: 6.09
Goals against for/60: 1.06
(85.21%)

x/Tavares/Nylander 5v5:
Goals for/60: 6.97
Goals against for/60: 1.89
(78.62%)

Curious, how's their expected stats?

 

[IPS]

Should get a bit more attention but worth noting the team has scored 3+ goals in all but one game so far (and that was just a totally off night). In Keefe's final 13 playoff games (dating back to game 6 of the Tampa series in 2023), the team only scored more than 2 goals once, game 2 of the Boston series last year where they won 3-2.

A big concern has been Berube 'neutering' the offense for defense, but hasn't really happened. There were some of the typical Dubasites who were saying it was all because of bad opposing goaltending (chicken and egg anyone?), but Ullmark has literally won a Vezina before and Bobrovsky has been a beast for multiple playoff runs now - that excuse doesn't fly. This team relies on its elite finishing abilities as part of its style of play.

he's such a gigantic upgrade over Keefe it's not even funny.

 

[notbias]

A big concern has been Berube 'neutering' the offense for defense, but hasn't really happened. There were some of the typical Dubasites who were saying it was all because of bad opposing goaltending (chicken and egg anyone?), but Ullmark has literally won a Vezina before and Bobrovsky has been a beast for multiple playoff runs now - that excuse doesn't fly. This team relies on its elite finishing abilities as part of its style of play.

Berube as coach = goalies we are playing can do no wrong because they have a Vezina.

I've seen enough to determine that he's a dumb f***. The team has been unprepared to start the game 4/5 games and has overall looked like a passive team chasing the game for majority of the series. It could easily be 4-1 Tampa if not for Vasi sucking and Cernak being hurt.

Keefe as coach = Leafs can do no good, the Vezina winning goalie sucks.

 

[Jojalu]

What hurts Florida the most is winning Game 2.

Just find a way to put them down 0-2. Weather the first 10 mins as they will come out hard.

Woll, please just be the guy who brought us back into the Bos series. Be better than Bob.