Rob Brown
Way She Goes
- Dec 17, 2009
- 17,448
- 14,544
Pre-Game Talk: Game 4 -> SWEEP or Comeback to win it in 7?
- Thread starter PromisedLand
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ShaneFalco
Registered User
At this point I'm just hoping they have enough pride to not show up and get blown out.
Besides wanting to see a W, I want to see some f***ing emotion from the core 4. Some passion, some anger, some fight. I couldn’t believe how sulky and resigned they were for literally 99% of the game on Sunday. The effort level was atrocious. Gotta start playing like they WANT it!
Clark4Ever
What we do in hockey echoes in eternity...
If our core players start finding the back of the net, I suppose anything is possible.
If we continue to rely on the bottom six for offense, the brooms will be out tomorrow night.
If we continue to rely on the bottom six for offense, the brooms will be out tomorrow night.
I’ve been thinking the same honestly and it’s a bummer. I get so little time from the time I get home from work to needing to go to bed, not sure I’m interested in watching game 4 of a sweep potentially go down. And even if we win, there’s a good chance we lose game 5 and I still wasted my time. Drag yourselves back into the series, push to at least game 6 and I’ll tune back in. If I had more time I’d watch them all, but that’s simply not the reality of my life and I have other things that will relax/de-stress me and bring me some actual joy.
I love hockey too much to ever really tune out more than a couple games at a time, but I’m beginning to wonder if the highs will ever be worth enduring the lows following this organization
As difficult as this is to deal with, gonna throw some positive energy in here. The Leafs played like complete f***ing shit in game 3. With that being said
1) This team has performed nowhere near the level they are capable of and STILL all 3 losses were extremely close. They were half asleep in game 1 and lost because they shot themselves in the foot. They absolutely dominated game 2 for about 59 minutes, they had a horrible 1 minute collapse and lost the game. They played like complete dog shit in game 3 and STILL went to OT. So even though they played up to like 50% of their potential Florida BARELY squeaked out the wins.
The reason for optimism ? They have played nowhere near their potential and still every game was extremely close. Now imagine this core plays to their potential, the games wouldn't even be close.
2) Comments about this team not being clutch and not showing up when it matters. No team in the Eastern conference could beat Tampa for 3 straight years, you know who did ? Our boys. You know how showed up when they needed it the most in round 1 ? Our top guys. The 4-1 comeback, Matthews led the way. The clutch goals by Rielly, the clutch plays by ROR and the OT goal in game 6 from Captain Johnny. Yes they have not done it this series so far, but they've proven they are capable of doing it, and already did it against a much better Tampa team.
3) We won 3 straight games in a row vs Tampa, no reason why we can't go on a win streak now. Florida won what 6 games in a row in the playoffs ? At some point the odds are gonna balance out, especially with the brand of hockey they play, which is a counter attack opportunistic approach rather than a puck possession approach. If Florida can win 6 playoff games in a row, Toronto is capable of winning 4 playoff games in a row, starts with a strong game 4.
4) The desperation is there, these guys have essentially been thrown to the wolves now. Management/coaching know that this is the final straw, this team will be going all in. The players know that failure now will result in a major overhaul, that should be most important to non other than Mitch Marner. The hometown kid, lifelong Leafs fan who's dream was to play for this team and win with this team. If the playoffs alone weren't enough to give him a kick in the ass, the realization that this can possibly be his last game/series with this team if he doesn't get it done will undoubtedly light a fire under his ass to perform. The depth scoring has been there, the star guys need to perform and they have ever reason now to show up.
5) Looking at the games with a clear head now. Game 1 was 50/50 up for grabs, Florida didn't want it more than us. Our guys just made stupid plays that Florida took advantage of, they didn't necessarily make any great plays, our guys just made bonehead plays. Game 2 was complete domination apart from the first minute of the 2nd, 5 shots off the post and miraculous saves from Bob. Game 3, we played like complete shit and it still went to OT.
These guys are a very beatable team, they're not some juggernaut stomping through the series, they've had some insane puck luck and have just converted at an absurdly high rate where our guys have been stopped at an absurdly high rate. You keep running those numbers and the likelihood that this continues is extremely low.
Game 1 - 4-2
Game 2- 3-2
Game 3 - 3-2 (OT)
With our stars being completely non existent they are BARELY winning. If our guys were scoring 3-4 goals a game and we still kept getting outplayed and lost, it would be a little different. The positive here is, if our guys show up, Florida is very beatable. The desperation and motivation will be there going into game 4.
The odds are stacked against us, but we have played nowhere near our potential and each game was still very close on the scoreboard. If the guys wake up for game 4, we can beat them. 1 game at a time, but with everything that's at stake I see no reason why the boys won't come out fired up. It's gut check time for real and it will only be positivity from this point on.
We either are find out are core guys are capable and can show up and get it done. Or we find out that they're not capable, at which point we move in a direction that will lead to real team success.
1) This team has performed nowhere near the level they are capable of and STILL all 3 losses were extremely close. They were half asleep in game 1 and lost because they shot themselves in the foot. They absolutely dominated game 2 for about 59 minutes, they had a horrible 1 minute collapse and lost the game. They played like complete dog shit in game 3 and STILL went to OT. So even though they played up to like 50% of their potential Florida BARELY squeaked out the wins.
The reason for optimism ? They have played nowhere near their potential and still every game was extremely close. Now imagine this core plays to their potential, the games wouldn't even be close.
2) Comments about this team not being clutch and not showing up when it matters. No team in the Eastern conference could beat Tampa for 3 straight years, you know who did ? Our boys. You know how showed up when they needed it the most in round 1 ? Our top guys. The 4-1 comeback, Matthews led the way. The clutch goals by Rielly, the clutch plays by ROR and the OT goal in game 6 from Captain Johnny. Yes they have not done it this series so far, but they've proven they are capable of doing it, and already did it against a much better Tampa team.
3) We won 3 straight games in a row vs Tampa, no reason why we can't go on a win streak now. Florida won what 6 games in a row in the playoffs ? At some point the odds are gonna balance out, especially with the brand of hockey they play, which is a counter attack opportunistic approach rather than a puck possession approach. If Florida can win 6 playoff games in a row, Toronto is capable of winning 4 playoff games in a row, starts with a strong game 4.
4) The desperation is there, these guys have essentially been thrown to the wolves now. Management/coaching know that this is the final straw, this team will be going all in. The players know that failure now will result in a major overhaul, that should be most important to non other than Mitch Marner. The hometown kid, lifelong Leafs fan who's dream was to play for this team and win with this team. If the playoffs alone weren't enough to give him a kick in the ass, the realization that this can possibly be his last game/series with this team if he doesn't get it done will undoubtedly light a fire under his ass to perform. The depth scoring has been there, the star guys need to perform and they have ever reason now to show up.
5) Looking at the games with a clear head now. Game 1 was 50/50 up for grabs, Florida didn't want it more than us. Our guys just made stupid plays that Florida took advantage of, they didn't necessarily make any great plays, our guys just made bonehead plays. Game 2 was complete domination apart from the first minute of the 2nd, 5 shots off the post and miraculous saves from Bob. Game 3, we played like complete shit and it still went to OT.
These guys are a very beatable team, they're not some juggernaut stomping through the series, they've had some insane puck luck and have just converted at an absurdly high rate where our guys have been stopped at an absurdly high rate. You keep running those numbers and the likelihood that this continues is extremely low.
Game 1 - 4-2
Game 2- 3-2
Game 3 - 3-2 (OT)
With our stars being completely non existent they are BARELY winning. If our guys were scoring 3-4 goals a game and we still kept getting outplayed and lost, it would be a little different. The positive here is, if our guys show up, Florida is very beatable. The desperation and motivation will be there going into game 4.
The odds are stacked against us, but we have played nowhere near our potential and each game was still very close on the scoreboard. If the guys wake up for game 4, we can beat them. 1 game at a time, but with everything that's at stake I see no reason why the boys won't come out fired up. It's gut check time for real and it will only be positivity from this point on.
We either are find out are core guys are capable and can show up and get it done. Or we find out that they're not capable, at which point we move in a direction that will lead to real team success.
Buds17
Registered User
- Nov 29, 2015
- 8,590
- 3,621
Pretty much. Any team with aspirations will obviously need some form of contribution from its lesser lights, but..
I feel like they will have a big win then lose in game five but I guess deep down I have no clue
I can see the leafs win tonight, if I want to. There are plenty of ways to access old broadcasts.
TMLeafer
Rest in Peace Johnny Bower
They definitely are capable of still winning, and I hope they do. The odds are definitely very much against us though. Who knows. This week is a bit of a write off for me, so I may not have been able to watch game 4 either way tbh
Everyone here is obviously secretly hoping this team pulls off the miracle series win no matter what they're typing.
It's very difficult to beat the same team 4 games in a row, because you have to dominate win a couple and hope that if the game is mucked up, the bounces go your way too.
But, we're all going or be watching this next game
TheBeastCoast
Registered User
If the 4 had just put up their regular 2 combined to add on to the depth scoring it is at the very least 2-1 and most likely 3-0 Leafs.
Sadly the same could be said for previous years in big games.
This is most likely their last chance to do it as a group. If they are all being honest and enjoy playing together as much as they say,, they had better figure it out.
I am up for an epic comeback!!
ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
Odds were 20% to win the series after losing the first two at home. Odds to win the series now are 1.8%.
PromisedLand
I need more FOOD
I wonder if they do lost the series at home when (and if) they do the salute whether they will be cheered or booed
ShaneFalco
Registered User
So tired of the "we could", "the stats say", "goalied" etc etc
I can understand a year or 2 of it - but what 6 now, where there's always an excuse, or they're unlucky, or didn't get bounces etc.
Suntouchable13
Registered User
Then again, what were the odds of Toronto winning game 4 once it was 4-1? Or what were the odds Boston would win once it was 4-1 in 2013?
Have to create your own luck like they did in Tampa series. Drive the net. Get bodies in front of Bob. Hard to deflect one in when no one is there. Take a beating to score a goal.
Community
44 is Rielly good
It was moreso for those pulling for a quick exit juat because of potential impacts to the team/management. If the options were simply win in 7 or lose in 4, of course everybody will choose the win option.
I'll take a game 6 or 7 loss over a game 4 simply because that'll be 1-3 more days where I get to enjoy a win in the second round. I barely remember the last second round win by the Leafs.
leafsfan5
Registered User
- Jun 14, 2014
- 14,948
- 26,182
Can't look at it that way tbh, just need to take it one game at a time
Have the game of your life game 4 and get some confidence back, that's all they can control right now
Akrapovince
Registered User
- May 19, 2017
- 3,911
- 4,457
40 million in four forwards sounds bad, but it’s negated by Dubas’ ability to insulate the roster with players that can play well all throughout the line-up.
I’m not making an excuse, it doesn’t help that they have that much tied up into four players, and sure- you wish that wasn’t a fact, however given the circumstances the team is built well throughout the roster.
I’m sort of hoping MLSE let’s Dubas walk so Ottawa can maybe pick him up.
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