Pre-Game Talk: Game 3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning series

[Cotton]

Simmonds needs to sit in the press box

He’s playing playoff hockey, refs are calling it like a regular season game.

A regular season game were game management suddenly doesn’t matter mind you, as Tampa had twice the PP’s.

For all we know in Tampa the whistles are going to be put away, because NHL consistency.

 

[TakeTheBody]

I woke up ready. I hope the Leafs did.

 

[Mess]

Yes please to this lineup in some form. If Cooper has last change against a line with Simmonds and/or Clifford they are going to get destroyed in their own end against Point/Kucherov etc. At least this 4th line can skate.

Aren't you concerned that without either SImmonds or Clifford that Leafs physically will be punished by Tampa Bay particularly their 4th line with Perry/Maroon?

I agree both Leaf players have hurt the Leafs due to lack of discipline and dumb penalties, however without that element in the line-up we might be seeing TB take a lot more liberties on Leafs skilled players without any fear or retribution.

 

[Mess]

Lets hope Tavares and Nylander show up offensively tonight to provide secondary support behind Matthews and Marner, because the big 4 is currently only running on 2 wheels.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

Aren't you concerned that without either SImmonds or Clifford that Leafs physically will be punished by Tampa Bay particularly their 4th line with Perry/Maroon?

lol.

If we need someone to goon it up, Blackwell, Bunting and Muzzin can do it. They might even play some hockey in the process.

 

[mapleleafs34]

lol.

If we need someone to goon it up, Blackwell, Bunting and Muzzin can do it. They might even play some hockey in the process.

Exactly. Even Boosh.

 

[AvroArrow]

Just stay out of the box, we have been the significantly better team 5 on 5, it's honestly not been close. Penalties absolutely killed us last game, no stupid penalties after the whistle, the refs are clearly calling it by the book now.

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kampf - Engvall
Clifford - Spezza - Simmonds

 

[AvroArrow]

Thankfully we don't have that same officiating crew as gm2.

Refs were consistent tbh, some soft calls but they were very consistent. I didn't like the call on Lybushkin at all, that was awful but overall they've been decent. Just gotta be careful, the league has clearly made the decision to stop all the bullshit after the whistle. Either you adjust or sit in the box for it.

 

[TMLeafer]

I'm pretty sure the whistle changes if Simmonds and Clifford are not there to respond. Suddenly there won't be as many roughing penalties.

Leafs really need to score on their PPs.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

He’s playing playoff hockey, refs are calling it like a regular season game.

A regular season game were game management suddenly doesn’t matter mind you, as Tampa had twice the PP’s.

For all we know in Tampa the whistles are going to be put away, because NHL consistency.

If he's not smart enough to adapt to the style of play after two games then he needs to sit. He's made Keefe's decision pretty cut and dry.

 

[danron1376]

this game will be a good test as we get last change and Cooper can line-match. if we win Leafs in 6 is a real possibility (still think Leafs in 7).

 

[zeke]

Our top 9 forward group is still just so soft.

I look at Tampa and when they have big guys like Killorn/Palat/Hagel/Paul/Cirelli all finishing checks and creating havoc to go along with their skill....I'm envious.

 

[ACC1224]

this game will be a good test as we get last change and Cooper can line-match. if we win Leafs in 6 is a real possibility (still think Leafs in 7).

Tampa gets last change tonight

 

[Mess]

lol.

If we need someone to goon it up, Blackwell, Bunting and Muzzin can do it. They might even play some hockey in the process.

You see Blackwell and Bunting fighting Perry and or Maroon after they layout some Leaf teammate or Muzzin coming off multiple concussions to even the score physically?

Part of the Leafs problem agreed is their 4th line toughness can't play hockey, and are undisciplined ... While Perry and Maroon combined for 30 regular season goals as well as 200 Pims.

Coach Copper is not afraid to play his 4th line to change momentum in a game, as he has kept that trio together for the full season, while our Leafs are essentially afraid now to dress their own toughness in fear it will hurt them more than it will help, by giving TB too many PP opportunities.

I'm fairly certain Blackwell and Bunting among Leafs smallest forwards, are not sending any message similar like Simmonds and Clifford do, to change how TB will approach and game physically. IMO

 

[Aashir]

If the Leafs want to win this series than this game #3 is almost a must win tonight, will require a bounce back performance and reestablish home ice in the series.

The loser of this game will be forced into a must win 3 of the remaining 4 games with home ice split at 2 games each to advance and odds following below 30% based on the results of past historical playoff series.

The winner of game #3 likely wins this series with a near 70% record of past success to do so.

Odds and percents don’t matter with the leafs…
We’ve had every type of lead apart from 3-0 and we’ve been down every way apart from 3-0.. didn’t matter still lost

 

[CelticDruid]

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kampf - Engvall
Clifford - Spezza - Simmonds

Bang on.

I can't see Keefe leaving out their tough guys first game in TB.

Blackwell and Kase weren't very good last game as they were dominated by TB.

Kase might have been running on adrenaline first game back but the last game he was invisible.

 

[zeke]

If the Leafs want to win this series than this game #3 is almost a must win tonight,

false.

The winner of game #3 likely wins this series with a near 70% record of past success to do so.

same percentage as the winner of game #1.

 

[danron1376]

Tampa gets last change tonight

i know, it was a typo. embarrassing one, though lol

 

[keonsbitterness]

You see Blackwell and Bunting fighting Perry and or Maroon after they layout some Leaf teammate or Muzzin coming off multiple concussions to even the score physically?

Perry almost never fights, he just agitates.

 

[Cor]

 

[ACC1224]

i know, it was a typo. embarrassing one, though lol

All good.

 

[Apex Predator]

View attachment 541573

i don’t think our top 9 is soft as the user is saying but just because you are big it doesn’t mean you can’t be soft. Frederick gsuthier is a perfect example.

Does that mean he is playing?

 

[Dreakmur]

That was part of a hockey play.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Can someone explain why the f*** Lilly is being taken out for Holl?