GDT: Game 31 - New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs - 7pm EST, MSG

[Leonardo87]

It's a lotion that you put on your hard-working hands.

I used the Joe Dirt version one, lol

 

[Shesterkybomb]

One of my most hated teams to lose to, Mtl is up there too... just win please.

O'Keefe has tightened them up dramatically.

They suffer from similar things that we suffer from. No one wants to use the middle of the ice/score greasy goals in the playoffs.

It's also the regular season, they do this every year.

 

[Filip Chytil]

Expect big time games from Carlo Colaiacovo, Joffrey Lupul, Kyle Wellwood and Matt Stajan.

Tomas Kaberle PP goal

 

[FultonReed]

Tomas Kaberle PP goal

Bryan McCabe GOAT

 

[Ruggs225]

Can vesey or blais get the shits before the game so Kravtsov goes in.

Is that too much to ask?

 

[will1066]

Bryan McCabe GOAT

No. It's Steve Thomas.

 

[Fitzy]

Bryan McCabe GOAT

Fun fact, while most people remember McCabe's disappointing rental to finish his career in NYR blue, Kaberle had a PTO with the Wolf Pack in 2014. I had forgotten until I was stat surfing on hockeydb the other day. Same season as the Ryan Malone experiment.

 

[CasusBelli]

At the very least this game should be entertaining.

Bryan McCabe GOAT

That slap shot. Just wow. It was MacInnis like.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Can vesey or blais get the shits before the game so Kravtsov goes in.

Is that too much to ask?

So we can watch Kravtsov shit his pants on the ice?

If it grosses out the Leafs to the point we get an easy W, I'm all for it.

 

[chosen]

Prediction: Trouba falls down and gives up a goal, so GG decides to reunite the kid line and not play them, Kreider and Mika are reunited. That line then gives up a goal immediately. GG keeps these lines together anyway. Like GG, some of the posters here blame Kakko and Laf for all of it.

Just the opposite of the last 4 games.

 

[will1066]

At the very least this game should be entertaining.


That slap shot. Just wow. It was MacInnis like.

He was more known for the can opener before the move was outlawed.

So we can watch Kravtsov shit his pants on the ice?

If it grosses out the Leafs to the point we get an easy W, I'm all for it.

You're on fire today. En fuego.

 

[Deleted member 23124]

Prediction: Trouba falls down and gives up a goal, so GG decides to reunite the kid line and not play them, Kreider and Mika are reunited. That line then gives up a goal immediately. GG keeps these lines together anyway. Like GG, some of the posters here blame Kakko and Laf for all of it.

It's all Kravtsov's fault....he's jinxing them from the press box.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

View attachment 621872
I used the Joe Dirt version one, lol

Greatest film of the 21st century, hands down

 

[leetch99]

Keefe keeps it up he will be a nominee along with the Bruin coach and Ruff for top dog in coaching.....not bad for a guy with strong roots from PEI.... His folks/grandparents hail from here . He certainly has done well so far.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Fun fact, while most people remember McCabe's disappointing rental to finish his career in NYR blue, Kaberle had a PTO with the Wolf Pack in 2014. I had forgotten until I was stat surfing on hockeydb the other day. Same season as the Ryan Malone experiment.

Remember when Roman Hamrlik played like 3 games for us in 2012 when he was beyond washed

 

[chosen]

The Leafs have been this way for a minute. The whole "too much skill, soft, no defense Leafs" is either made up or long since outdated.

I think their main problem, looking at the lineup on paper, is that they actually don't have enough skilled forwards.

Their top 6 has 160 points in 171 games. 15 goals behind the league-leading Buffalo Sabres. Seems like enough skilled forwards.

 

[DanielBrassard]

It would be hilarious if the rangers win tonight and go 5-0 over this 5 game stretch that everyone thought they would be steamrolled. Myself included.

Mitch the Bitch is truly underrated, I feel like he doesn't get enough credit for how good he is.

 

[leetch99]

Early in the game we need Trouba making a big run at Marner/ Matthews & even if he misses, .....that could get the Leafs off focus & we will see if that changes the complexion of the game....maybe another captain fight LOL....I doubt it though. Not sure if Matthews has ever fought ?

 

[Machinehead]

Their top 6 has 160 points in 171 games. 15 goals behind the league-leading Buffalo Sabres. Seems like enough skilled forwards.

They have high-end skill, yes, and they can score goals, but they're extremely top-heavy and they have a lot of grinders.

A cold snap or an injury is a bomb to their lineup and secondary scoring is fragile because it depends on the top guys being around and hot.

It also leaves you vulnerable to tight checking teams. Matthews and Panarin aren't going to be 110+ point players against the league's elite. That's the nature of the beast. You need guys to step up and take advantage of the fact that they're not the main focus.

On the Avs, for example, the depth is decently skilled - Newhook, Lehkonen, Compher, etc.

If we get into a series with Boston or Tampa, and they limit Panarin (which they probably will) who's breaking down their elite team defense? Jimmy Vesey?

The Leafs have a similar issue against playoff competition. Bunting and Engvall aren't picking up the slack when Matthews has 5 in 7 against an elite team instead of 12 in 7.

 

[Machinehead]

Val Nichushkin had 9 goals in the playoffs. Lehkonen had 8. Toews had 5 from the blueline.

Lafreniere had 2 and we were literally like "wow what a breakout!"

That's the difference between actual offensive depth and "this lineup looks ok on paper because the high draft picks are recognizable names."

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Val Nichushkin had 9 goals in the playoffs. Lehkonen had 8. Toews had 5 from the blueline.

Lafreniere had 2 and we were literally like "wow what a breakout!"

That's the difference between actual offensive depth and "this lineup looks ok on paper because the high draft picks are recognizable names."

Avs had a cupcake run to the finals

 

[Machinehead]

Avs had a cupcake run to the finals

Yes and then they also beat one of the best teams ever more or less without breaking a sweat.

 

[bl02]

Val Nichushkin had 9 goals in the playoffs. Lehkonen had 8. Toews had 5 from the blueline.

Lafreniere had 2 and we were literally like "wow what a breakout!"

That's the difference between actual offensive depth and "this lineup looks ok on paper because the high draft picks are recognizable names."

I think that is a bit unfair. From game to game and overall he was probably our most consistent forward. Noticeable in a good way. he was at a .5 ppg pace which is pretty good for someone who basically gets no pp time.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Can vesey or blais get the shits before the game so Kravtsov goes in.

Is that too much to ask?

Gallant would go with 7 d.
See 2021/22 Morgan Barron.

 

[McRanger92]

Early in the game we need Trouba making a big run at Marner/ Matthews & even if he misses, .....that could get the Leafs off focus & we will see if that changes the complexion of the game....maybe another captain fight LOL....I doubt it though. Not sure if Matthews has ever fought ?

It's quite clear that the sooner the Rangers get into some after the whistle stuff, the sooner they find their game. I have noticed this over this last stretch of good games. They should be seeking it out. We're not a fast team, so they have to play heavy.