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

[ACC1224]

So they've said he's not playing?

 

[sxvnert]

Glad Keefe isn't panicking.

 

[thewave]

So they've said he's not playing?

Was extra at practice. Assuming he is not drawing in based on that and Keefe said as much.

 

[Burnie97]

So they've said he's not playing?

Yeah sounds like it.

 

[leafsfan5]

Man trying to get tickets for maple Leafs square was mission impossible for this game smh

 

[AllHeartNoSkill]

Glad Keefe isn't panicking.

Fair enough. If he changes the lineup that won 3 straight and they lose tomorrow, he invites a lot of criticism. (I don’t think Bunting would be the REASON they lose if they do. Just no need right now to change the lineup.)

 

[HamiltonNHL]

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.

This man Keefes.

That's exactly how Keefe rolls.

Play the players with the highest AAV. Stumble upon Knies by accident.

He's WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY too chicken shit to play Woll - and that's perfectly acceptable ... and probably what I would do as well ... but I was 100% starting Knies

 

[thewave]

Fair enough. If he changes the lineup that won 3 straight and they lose tomorrow, he invites a lot of criticism. (I don’t think Bunting would be the REASON they lose if they do. Just no need right now to change the lineup.)

Good message too. That penalty was braindead. I would have sat him if he wasn't suspended after that trash.

 

[Hellcat]

Translated from that disingenuous spin:

Since April 1st in 9 games, he has scored 2 goals, been given only 2 minor penalties that resulted in a power play against, been in a fight, had a 10 minute misconduct and that match penalty which in my opinion would have been a two minute elbowing penalty if he were an American NHL team player.

Disingenuous spirit? LOL, is that double speak for facts that don't support your opinion? I gave the freaking link to support my math , how can that in any world be deemed disingenuous? Massage the message, word spin it anyway you want, he is a penalty magnet and many refs look for opportunities to call PIMs against him. His coach even said as much.

 

[ACC1224]

Yeah sounds like it.

Excellent.
Not that I expect it but don't care if he plays another game here.

 

[SprDaVE]

 

[Hellcat]

28 minutes...
Of which 9 minutes were offsets by the other team taking penalties.... fighting, roughing... which sometimes we values players who stand up to the other team, and apparently sometimes we don't. Plus he had a game misconduct, which other than being short a player... didn't harm us... Our short-handed minutes since April 1st, due to Bunting has been 9 minutes. Our PP time since April 1st is 2 minutes... so he's cost ONE Minor PK, and the Major....

Schenn has had 18 minutes of penalties over the same period...

Awesome so you are guaranteeing he wont take a stupid penalty or the refs wont unfairly call a PIM on him?

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

Would have liked Bunting in, but completely understand him not drawing in. Hope they close it out tomorrow and he can get back in next series (against most likely Boston).

 

[Hellcat]

 

[Twine Tickler]

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.

Ya, I think this is probably the rationale that Keefe and his staff are going with. Although, they'd never publicly admit to it.

O-Dog made a good point on overdrive yesterday though about going out in game 5 and playing to win. Don't sit back and play not to lose. IMO you play your best squad no matter what. Go down swinging.

I saw a clip a while back from Tiger Woods saying he increases his aggressiveness on the golf course when he is "defending" a lead. His logic is, if he is top or near the top of the leaderboard that means he is on his game. Therefore, there is no reason not to press the envelope and go for more. Even if that means there is more risk involved. Because the risk factor is static, but your ability to make that shot goes up and down based on how you're playing. Long story short, When you're playing well, press. When you're out of balance, defend.

I understand Golf and Hockey are 2 very different sports, and it takes 18 skaters and 1 goalie to have that same mindset to accomplish that predatory nature. Which can be troubling. But the message from the coaching staff should be to go out an win the game. Do not sit back and try and play a mistake free 60 minutes. Put TB in those positions to make the mistakes.

Having Bunts out of the lineup shows a bit of a defensive stance from our coaching staff IMO. I could be completely wrong on that. Maybe Sheldon actually feels more comfortable without him in the lineup. I just suspect he is doing what yo alluded to. If we win, Great. If we lose, oh well at least we have an ace in the hole-ish.

Again, I am going to trust Sheldon's decision on this one. I just hope it is not for the reason that you and I suspect. Play your best lineup. If that doesn't include Bunts, so be it. But don't play defensive

 

[mapleleafs34]

apparently im older than you.

I was 10 the last time they won a series. So it's likely

 

[HamiltonNHL]

I was 10 the last time they won a series. So it's likely

I was ten when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain.

 

[willmma]

Simply raw number breakdown of type. Don't have the fancy numbers.

GF at 5v5: 11
GA at 5v5: 11

GF on PP: 6/22
GF with EN: 2
GA on PK: 5/17

Correction.
GF on PP: 6/17

 

[sxvnert]

 

[tom leafers]

perfectly fine not having Bunting in the game, he doesn't deserve it.

Leafs come back home where Sammy's record and the Leafs home record is fantastic. just end it boys!

First play off game i wont be able to watch as im at a stupid Gala, best believe il have it playing on my phone though.

lets go boys!

 

[SprDaVE]

Awesome so you are guaranteeing he wont take a stupid penalty or the refs wont unfairly call a PIM on him?

You can't guarantee anything in life. Lafferty took a dumb penalty in Game 3. Nylander took a dumb penalty last game. Everyone is subject to it.

What we know is Bunting has been part of the top 6 in scoring for this team and provides an element that can be very beneficial.

We'll see how it turns out, but sitting out Bunting is playing scared instead of improving your team not playing perfect hockey. Keefe and the Bunting downers better hope they are right about it.

 

[MSteve]

I don't get it. Keeping Bunting out screams being too scared to play him. There's some rational to keeping him out, but I don't buy it. He's better than half this lineup.

 

[MSteve]

I just want to add I hate how this guy who has done nothing but bleed blue and white has turned into a whipping boy. He yaps too much, sure, people liked it until this narrative of the refs hating him started. The Cernak hit was a fluke, he was trying to protect himself and messed up. Yes he deserved a suspension for it but people act like he was out head hunting.

 

[tmlms13]

Correction.
GF on PP: 6/17

View attachment 697106

oops had em backwards. Regardless don't bench a good player just because you're scared of a team's PP that hasn't been good other than 1 game.

 

[thewave]

I just want to add I hate how this guy who has done nothing but bleed blue and white has turned into a whipping boy. He yaps too much, sure, people liked it until this narrative of the refs hating him started. The Cernak hit was a fluke, he was trying to protect himself and messed up. Yes he deserved a suspension for it but people act like he was out head hunting.

It was a stupid play. Sitting him this game sends a good message to him about that kind of nonsense.