Pre-Game Talk: Game 5: Tampa @ Toronto - April 27th, 2023

[Nineteen67]

I think they know everyone is going to target bunting and try to rope him into bad penalties. He’ll likely be back if they win going into round 2. He has not shown the ability to be composed during his time here.

If he stays composed and is distracting to TB , that’s in the Leafs favour. However, TB has bigger things to worry about and payback will have to wait until next season.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Before the playoffs, on Overdrive, Jeff O’Neil said emphatically, there’s no law that says you have to go to game 7. You’re allowed to win in 4,5, or 6 games.

Reality is, we haven’t played good hockey other than game 2, and maybe another period or 2, in this series. That leads me to believe we have a lot more to give, and they’re due for a turnaround in quality of play.

Just get the job done.

 

[IPS]

I know for a fact Keefe wants to put him in but he just cannot trust the refs to not f*** him over the second he puts him out there.

Bunting should probably be in. Might just be Keefe playing games with the media/Cooper.

I thought this at first too but I think Bunting is for sure staying out. Keefe has no intention of giving the refs a green light to call any bullshit on him. Keefe knows he'd just be pointing the gun at himself because all the idiots would come out and say it was Keefe's fault for dressing him.

 

[Nineteen67]

I am usually that way as well, I just don't think we can look at the results of the last 2 games exclusively and think if we continue to play the way we did in those games that we can expect that to continue.

I am incredibly proud of this group and their resolve in those 2 games. They didn't play their best by any means. They managed to stick with a TB squad that was playing at a very high level just long enough to strike when the door crept open. They never gave up, even when a large amount of us Leaf fans did or were on our way to counting them out. including myself. That is B2B games where they've flipped the historical narrative that has embodied this club for decades.

But in saying that, we can only play with fire so much until we eventually get burned. We cannot keep chasing the game for the stretches of time that we have been in the last 2. It's time that we put TB on their heels, and suffocate them. They don't play well when they are forced to defend. That much has been abundantly clear through 4 games. Most of their goals have come off them outworking us below the goal, forcing turnovers in our own half of the sheet, and sustained O-zone pressure. If we can tilt the ice into their end, I think we can really run away with it.

To me, you throw away most of what you've seen the last 2 games. The only things I would take from it are:

1. There are no bad shots right now. Especially the ones coming from distance
2. Knies is a lock in any lineup
3. No matter the score, never give up. We always have a chance

But aside from those 3 things, I would treat this game in a vacuum like any other game. Put the best lineup on the ice, and play to win the game. Don't sit back. To me, all things considered, that means Bunts should play

My thoughts, too.

Who comes out, ZAR?

 

[Twine Tickler]

It's not what I'd do, but then again, who the hell am I to judge the decision one way or another. Personally, I feel like Bunts should draw in. I just don't think the past 2 games are a sustainable winning formula. But I do trust Sheldon's opinion on this one. No one knows Bunts more then Sheldon. If he is holding him out of the lineup, he's either trying to send a very clear message to him, or he's genuinely concerned of what his involvement might bring.

It's hard to argue the results of ZAR - Kampf - Lafferty as well. They have been very effective in eating minutes and neutralizing gameplay. I think potentially the fear of taking one of ZAR or Laff out and putting Bunts in that role, or even a lesser role then he is used to would be that he may subconsciously feel the need to do more then is required in those reduced roles. We don't need you to chip in offensively in those roles and we certainly don't need you taking stupid penalties. We need you to move your feet and get pucks in behind their D. If offence comes from it, great, but that is not the primary function of your role.

At the end of the day, I am going to defer to Sheldon's read on this one. I am not going to argue with rewarding the 12 men who have fought their way to these 3 straight W's. Even if those dubs were not Mona Lisa's. They don't ask how, they ask how many.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I know for a fact Keefe wants to put him in but he just cannot trust the refs to not f*** him over the second he puts him out there.

I thought this at first too but I think Bunting is for sure staying out. Keefe has no intention of giving the refs a green light to call any bullshit on him. Keefe knows he'd just be pointing the gun at himself because all the idiots would come out and say it was Keefe's fault for dressing him.

Yeah, I'm sure a lot of it has to do with not trusting the refs to call Bunting fair, but I don't know what the plan is then. Up 3-1 at home is the safest time to put him in this series. And Keefe pretty much has a gun pointed at his head no matter what he does, because either decision would be blamed for any undesirable outcome.

 

[Not My Tempo]

Very glad we're splitting up Matthews/Marner, it makes us a lot tougher to defend this way

Bunting should be in, though

Since the start of the 2020-2021 season, Matthews and Marner are 2nd and 3rd in even strength points/60 among skaters with 2500 mins played, only Mackinnon is higher.

For sure they get a boost from playing with each other but there’s an argument to be made that we have 2 of the top 5 best even strength offensive producers in the league, it makes so much more sense to split them up and have at least one of them out on the ice for 66% of the ES ice time than loading them up and only having them on for 35%.

Makes even more sense when you realize how bad Tavares and Willy are together.

 

[Fogelhund]

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but Mete practised with the full squad today. No, he's not likely to see a game for us in the playoffs, but we do currently have 10 healthy NHL D men, which is some incredible depth, in case the worst happens.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

These are the lines I’ve wanted since game 2. Big fan of them.

Makes sense to sit Bunting out. Don’t want to rile up Tampa’s goons and possibly risk some injuries or extended time on the penalty kill. Let’s close out this series and then get Bunting in for next round.

 

[mapleleafs34]

19 years of pain can end tomorrow. Please let it be the day.

 

[IPS]

You still need scoring from your bottom 6, especially your 3rd line. Bunting is mainly a complementary top 6 guy, but he's not entirely useless on the 3rd line

Yeah I think people are way too wrapped up in what mold of player you need to be in the bottom 6. Bunting would add a tremendous scoring touch to either of the bottom 6 lines.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Your profile says you've been here since 2012, have you learned nothing in all that time?

good point.

very good point.

/struggle bus.

Spoiler: The memories come flo0ding back

 

[robertmac43]

Still wondering if Bunts is actually getting scratched or if this is more of a head game Keefe is playing. Either way it will be interesting to see.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Still wondering if Bunts is actually getting scratched or if this is more of a head game Keefe is playing. Either way it will be interesting to see.

Pretty sure he’s sitting.

 

[Burnie97]

 

[ACC1224]

Still wondering if Bunts is actually getting scratched or if this is more of a head game Keefe is playing. Either way it will be interesting to see.

Probably won't know for sure until warm up tomorrow.

 

[Burnie97]

Still wondering if Bunts is actually getting scratched or if this is more of a head game Keefe is playing. Either way it will be interesting to see.

Pretty sure he’s sitting.

Probably won't know for sure until warm up tomorrow.

 

[Buds17]

I mean..it'd be a waste of a practice day if there isn't.

delete

 

[LaPlante94]

I know everyone talking about Bunting and ZAR/Lafferty but someone who needs to pick it up is Jarnkrok. Guy has a good shot but only has 2 shots in 4 GP and has 1 pity goal in a blowout loss. Playing on the top line you'd hope he'd bring more or be more noticeable out there.

 

[Twine Tickler]

My thoughts, too.

Who comes out, ZAR?

If it were up to me I'd go:

Jarnkrok - Matthews - Nylander
Knies - Tavares - Marner
Bunting - O'Reilly - Acciari
ZAR - Kampf - Kerfoot

I think Mitch and Auston should be split up to start the game. Or at the very least they should be split up in practice. Let TB stew over a gameplan that may or may not involve them on 2 separate lines. I'd probably start the game with the lines above and give it the better part of the 1st period to see how the 5v5 play looks. If we are dancing, keep the status quo. If not, get the blender out.

Personally, I think Sheldon is one of the better coaches in the NHL at in game adjustments. He has no problem bringing out the blender, and you saw just how effective it can be last game. He basically had one or both of Mitch and Auston on the ice at all times throughout that 3rd period. So many weird and different line combos. On the game tying goal he had ROR - JT - Marner on the ice lol. Which may have been one of, if not the first times that line was ever used.

I genuinely think we will see more of that line juggling earlier into the game then we usually do. I think Sheldon knows the importance of getting out ahead this time around. Knowing how much Coop likes to play the matchups, I just think it will be challenging for him to accomplish that if it's fluid. Especially not having the last change.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Keefe taking the Knies approach with Bunting. He's good enough to play, and his time will come, just not tomorrow. Hopefully it lights a fire under his ass and he makes an impact when he does get in the lineup......like Knies.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

19 years of pain can end tomorrow. Please let it be the day.

apparently im older than you.

 

[justashadowof]

What happened with Bunting? Did he forget to wear the correct pin on his jacket or something?

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Bunting

Keefe said no Bunting for Game 5

 

[Rude Dog]

Easy decision for Keefe. If they win, everyone is happy. If they lose with him in the lineup, darts are being thrown. Bring him back after a loss.