GDT: GAME #3: BLACKHAWKS @ LEAFS | MON 9-OCT @ 7PM | TSN4

[kk87]

CHICAGO
Saad • Toews • Panik
Hartman • Anisimov • Kane
Sharp • Kero • DeBrincat
Bouma • Wingels • Hayden

Keith • Seabrook
Kempny • Murphy
Forsling • Rutta

Forsberg
Crawford​

That defence looks verrry exploitable, especially with Forsberg in net. Great top pairing obviously, but I take our 3-6 over theirs any day.

 

[CanadasTeam]

I'll take it
http://www.oddsshark.com/nhl/chicago-toronto-odds-october-9-2017-864914

 

[crump]

Why, is Forsberg bad? His numbers in the AHL look pretty decent. I am always wary of a young goalie coming in trying to prove something. Still....light em up.

 

[Trapper]

Babs is right and this is a good early test for us.
We have to get our D + team D up to the next level. Once we do that and reduce our yearly GA we are golden.

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

Just win baby!!!

 

[Pi]

Babs is right and this is a good early test for us.
We have to get our D + team D up to the next level. Once we do that and reduce our yearly GA we are golden.

Well it's kind of a given that they defend better than us, most of that core has been playing together for nearly a decade.

The Leafs are in Year 2 of their core playing together.

 

[BigWilly]

I thought Leafs would see less backup goalies this year, but it appears that Hawks are saving their best for Montreal.

Does that reflect on the Leafs that they still believe that Montreal is the better team, or are they actually protecting their #1G for a game they believe they might lose and better get the 2 points against Montreal.

Crawford has a phenomenal record against the Habs.

 

[showtime8]

Their line-up is definitely dangerous.

With home ice, I think Babcock will match Kadri against the Toews line and take his chances with Kane against Bozak, which might be a huge problem for the Leafs.

 

[Trapper]

Well it's kind of a given that they defend better than us, most of that core has been playing together for nearly a decade.

The Leafs are in Year 2 of their core playing together.

Yes but they did go through another yearly transition.
Out Hjamarlsson,TVR,Campbell plus some forwards (like Hossa,Kruger). To rotate players and still remain tops is a solid feat. While we argue what to do with pending UFAs, Chicago has the pipeline flowing. Through backfill/trades. Situations we could very well face while trying to get to that sustained level/dependability.

 

[Gallagbi]

Their line-up is definitely dangerous.

With home ice, I think Babcock will match Kadri against the Toews line and take his chances with Kane against Bozak, which might be a huge problem for the Leafs.

Pretty sure they went Kadri v. Kane and Toews v. Matthews most of last year, so I'll be surprised if Bozak gets either of the matchups.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Either way Carrick won’t be out. It’s a rotation that will continue to rotate until around the 10 game mark for full evaluation.

I'd agree I don't want any of them to sit for too long, but I'd wonder if 10 games is too long to figure it out.

 

[BigWilly]

Their line-up is definitely dangerous.

With home ice, I think Babcock will match Kadri against the Toews line and take his chances with Kane against Bozak, which might be a huge problem for the Leafs.

So Matthews would be playing Sharp, Kiro and Debrincat in this scenario? Sign me up.

 

[IPS]

Yeah I'm not convinced Chicago is all that. Panik and Hartman are question marks in the top 6, and their entire bottom-6 save for Wingels looks like question marks to me. Seabrook has lost a step (2 games doesn't convince me he's recovered), and Murphy is not nearly as good as Hjalmarrson.

All the people raving about Chicago right now are going to get humbled 20-30 games into the season when they don't look so amazing anymore.

 

[showtime8]

Pretty sure they went Kadri v. Kane and Toews v. Matthews most of last year, so I'll be surprised if Bozak gets either of the matchups.

The line of Toews, Saad & Panik scares me the most.

Kane is definitely the most talented on that team, but Anisimov/Hartman aren't like the other line.

 

[jrgtml67]

I think it is entirely possible we trade Carrick along with Curtis before Wednesday. Something has to happen. We cannot carry 3 goalies in the AHL for very long, or else what was the point in getting Pickard. I know there are those who say depth, ok fine but they need to play. With goalies especially, the more they dont play the more rust they get. I really see Pickard up sooner than later with the big boys.

 

[showtime8]

So Matthews would be playing Sharp, Kiro and Debrincat in this scenario? Sign me up.

Ideally yes.

That's the match-up that you want to get. The other 2 lines are good & this is the line that you can expose the most. IMO.

 

[Daisy Jane]

What? I'll gladly take the back up.

There are three reasons to choose Forsberg over Crawford for this game:

1) Leafs have destroyed each team's #1 goalie and gotten to their backup as well.
2) Montreal has 3 goals in 3 game (and only one of the is on ES, LOL) so either goalie would work against them
3) Crawford is from Montreal

Crawford also owns Montreal.

 

[Anthrax442]

I wouldn't think that Anton Forsberg will give them any easier time.

 

[AppsSyl]

This could be a great statement game for our young team. We need to hit them with everything we have. A changing of the guard so to speak.

 

[MJ65]

Ideally I would like to see Kadri's line going against Toews line, Matthews line against Kane and company and Bozak's line against Kero and his linemates

These are going to be fun match ups and I believe with our depth we can handle both Toews and Kane's line adequately

 

[francis246]

Ideally I would like to see Kadri's line going against Toews line, Matthews line against Kane and company and Bozak's line against Kero and his linemates

These are going to be fun match ups and I believe with our depth we can handle both Toews and Kane's line adequately

Why would you want Matthews line against Kane's? I would prefer Matthews head to head with Toews. Kadri against Kane to shut him down.

 

[rimshot]

I don't know what the plan is with Leivo.

We're keeping him around but don't play him so his value isn't much at all if we trade him. What's the point? Leivo is an NHL player more so than Martin.

People are going to say that we just scored 15 goals, we don't need Leivo in the lineup. To that I say, Martin hasn't done anything in the 2 games he's played so the # of goals we have scored is irrelevant.

You can never have too many talented players.

Yes, you can never have too many talented players. The problem with Leivo is that outside of his shot and the size that he is reluctant to use, he is really not that talented. He is an adequate skater for his size but will never be confused with a good skater. He is not good defensively and misses too many assignments. He is JVR without the offensive skills and skating abilities but with the same commitment to defense. The fact that he was protected over Leipzig should not confuse anyone that he is anything above replacement level. leaf fans tend to obsess over 7th Dmen and 13th forward types. Sounds like back-up quarterback syndrome to me. I am pretty sure Lou would move Leivo if anyone came up with an offer above and beyond an equal replacement level player. I am sure that Babs is making the correct decision playing a proven veteran like Martin over playing Leivo. Babs is interested in winning hockey games rather than playing fan favourites.

 

[MJ65]

Why would you want Matthews line against Kane's? I would prefer Matthews head to head with Toews. Kadri against Kane to shut him down.

It doesn't matter to me but I would not match the line of Bozak against any of these 2 lines

 

[MikeBabcock]

tired of the shootouts, hoping for a nice gritty 2-1 win tonight, with players finishing their hits and dumping the pucks in well. hyman will score one as will naz.

 

[MoreMogilny]

Ideally I would like to see Kadri's line going against Toews line, Matthews line against Kane and company and Bozak's line against Kero and his linemates

These are going to be fun match ups and I believe with our depth we can handle both Toews and Kane's line adequately

Yes I’d prefer those matchups. I don’t like the idea of Bozak and JVR facing either of Chicago’s top two lines.

This isn’t going to be an easy one. We were able to outgun Winnipeg and NYR but we’re still exposed defensively in both games. Chicago is a better team at either end of the rink than those two.