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

[ACC1224]

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.

Personally I think most people can think for themselves.

 

[frog]

Bunting is a momentum changer. Leafs have it right now but tampa could rally for cernak and bunting in gives them motivation. If leafs lose put bunting back in to take momentum back

 

[Kyle Broflovski]

Let’s get this done and we’ll gibts the Party. Boston calling

 

[mikeyz]

He looks like Jeff O'Neill 2002.

He absolutely killed us in that CF that year.

 

[Divine]

I'm not sure if I agree with Bunting out of the lineup, but I guess it's to not stir the pot with Tampa.

I think the strongest argument for Bunting out of the lineup is Tampa will look to injure and if Bunting doesn't engage and they're down, they'll chase other guys around.

However, the Leafs are a stronger team with Bunting in the lineup. Even if the Leafs win, Bunting would not have played hockey in a week. I imagine if the Leafs win, you'd have to start Bunting in the second round.

 

[Zybalto]

Series so far:

Leafs up 3-1

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 105-100 Leafs
High Danger Chances: 48-40 Toronto
xGF%: 52%-48% Toronto
Goals: 13-11 Leafs

Leafs slightly better overall in this back and forth series.

Powerplay:
Leafs: 35.3% (6 goals scored)
Bolts: 29.4% (5 goals scored)

Both PKs have been bad or both PPs good, however you want to spin it. Leafs with the edge again and much better since game 1.

Goaltending:
Leafs: .873
Bolts: .856

Leafs better here yet again at Sammy has battled and is over .900 after that first shaky game and Vasy has been reeling as his team hangs him out to dry on many of the goals and even a couple that have gone through him.

Things are still close enough that it's nice not to be tied 2-2 but an overall deserved 3-1 cushion for the Leafs right now considering they have been the better team in almost every area.

 

[banks]

I would be letting Bunting play if it was my call. But it's not a game changer to sit him. There's really good reason to stick with the current lineup. And I bet ZAR and Lafferty feel pretty darn good knowing that a player like Bunts is sitting because the coach has too much faith in them.

Lets go!

 

[willmma]

Series so far:

Leafs up 3-1

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 105-100 Leafs
High Danger Chances: 48-40 Toronto
xGF%: 52%-48% Toronto
Goals: 13-11 Leafs

Leafs slightly better overall in this back and forth series.

Powerplay:
Leafs: 35.3% (6 goals scored)
Bolts: 29.4% (5 goals scored)

Both PKs have been bad or both PPs good, however you want to spin it. Leafs with the edge again and much better since game 1.

Goaltending:
Leafs: .873
Bolts: .856

Leafs better here yet again at Sammy has battled and is over .900 after that first shaky game and Vasy has been reeling as his team hangs him out to dry on many of the goals and even a couple that have gone through him.

Things are still close enough that it's nice not to be tied 2-2 but an overall deserved 3-1 cushion for the Leafs right now considering they have been the better team in almost every area.

Greatly appreciate the info.
Is there a breakdown for all this stuff after game one?

 

[Strangle]

Pro sports aren't predictable like this, not the Leafs, not any other team that's ever existed.

If this was so easy to predict I’m sure everyone making definitive statements are just making a killing off of sports betting

 

[Savvy]

Personally I think most people can think for themselves.

History suggests otherwise

 

[Drytoast]

Bunting out for game 5. That was the correct call. Rewards everyone who helped get the Leafs up 3-1 and adds incentive that if anyone has a bad game, then he comes in.

There is a picture of Matthews and Marner reflecting and looking defeated in the locker room after game 7 last year. I would have that taped up in the change room as a reminder not to take any shifts for granted.

 

[ACC1224]

History suggests otherwise

I guess that depends on who's history you're looking at.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Think Bunting should be in but understand the rational. And to be fair to the Leafs they did start playing great when they changed up the lines in the second like we all thought they should’ve to start game 4.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I guess that depends on who's history you're looking at.

In case you forgot, he was responding to your original post which said "most people".

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Vasilevskiy on what he can do to fight thought the #LeafsForever screens better:

“Buy myself like f***ing x-ray glasses.”

Holy shit he did it.

This will change the game.

 

[Zybalto]

Greatly appreciate the info.
Is there a breakdown for all this stuff after game one?

This is the fun part as the sample size gets smaller and everything changes.

Stats after game 1:

Leafs up 3-0

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 82-79 Leafs
High Danger Chances: 34-33 Tampa
xGF%: 50.07%-49.93% Toronto
Goals: 12-8 Leafs

It becomes even more of a tossup removing the game defined by special teams.

Powerplay:
Leafs: 4 goals scored
Bolts: 1 goal scored

Leafs with the clear special teams advantage after game 1.

Goaltending:
Leafs: .902
Bolts: .842

Absolutely massive difference in net the last 3 games looks to be the biggest difference.

 

[Zybalto]

Fun fact:

20% of Tampa's losses at home this season have been to the Leafs.

 

[satoshi6ix]

gave one of my coworkers visting Toronto from Abu Dhabi my matthews jersey today... he asked what to do i told him to enjoy the night out tomorrow on front street at any bar he can get into (he's staying at the intercontintal) hope i did my part to secure us the W. just got us another bandwagoner

 

[Zybalto]

Hell, might as well throw up the stats for the last 2 games:

Stats after game 2:

Leafs up 2-0

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 59-52 Tampa
High Danger Chances: 28-21 Tampa
xGF%: 56.23%-43.77% Tampa
Goals: 7-6 Leafs

Tampa is certainly a better team at home (one of the best in the NHL) but wasnt able to turn their analytical superiority in game 3 into a win.

Powerplay:
Leafs: 2 goals scored
Bolts: 1 goal scored

Leafs with the slight edge which makes a big difference in games as close as they were.

Goaltending:
Leafs: .900
Bolts: .859

Goaltending not a good look at Vasy but he's got a point about needing those xray specs.

 

[thewave]

This is the fun part as the sample size gets smaller and everything changes.

Stats after game 1:

Leafs up 3-0

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 82-79 Leafs
High Danger Chances: 34-33 Tampa
xGF%: 50.07%-49.93% Toronto
Goals: 12-8 Leafs

It becomes even more of a tossup removing the game defined by special teams.

Powerplay:
Leafs: 4 goals scored
Bolts: 1 goal scored

Leafs with the clear special teams advantage after game 1.

Goaltending:
Leafs: .902
Bolts: .842

Absolutely massive difference in net the last 3 games looks to be the biggest difference.

Do Home v Road. That would be interesting.

Holy shit he did it.

View attachment 697150



This will change the game.

He must be looking at Mitches mom doing the floss or something.

 

[DarkKnight]

Series so far:

Leafs up 3-1

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 105-100 Leafs
High Danger Chances: 48-40 Toronto
xGF%: 52%-48% Toronto
Goals: 13-11 Leafs

Leafs slightly better overall in this back and forth series.

Powerplay:
Leafs: 35.3% (6 goals scored)
Bolts: 29.4% (5 goals scored)

Both PKs have been bad or both PPs good, however you want to spin it. Leafs with the edge again and much better since game 1.

Goaltending:
Leafs: .873
Bolts: .856

Leafs better here yet again at Sammy has battled and is over .900 after that first shaky game and Vasy has been reeling as his team hangs him out to dry on many of the goals and even a couple that have gone through him.

Things are still close enough that it's nice not to be tied 2-2 but an overall deserved 3-1 cushion for the Leafs right now considering they have been the better team in almost every area.

Have to admit I’m surprised we lead in high danger chances.

 

[Buds17]

Tough for me to argue against Keefe's decision here as winning compensates for a whole lot in my books. For obvious reasons, I'm anticipating that Bunting returns at some point during the next playoff series for the team.

 

[Zybalto]

Do Home v Road. That would be interesting.

just listed the road (for the Leafs) so now I'll do the home.

Keeping me busy on my day off!

Home:

Tied 1-1

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 53-41 Leafs
High Danger Chances: 27-12 Leafs
xGF%: 61.90%-38.10% Leafs
Goals: 6-5 Leafs

Powerplay:
Leafs: 4 goals scored
Bolts: 4 goal scored


Goaltending:
Bolts: .853
Leafs: .839



Road:

Leafs 2-0

Even strength numbers:

Shots: 59-52 Bolts
High Danger Chances: 28-21 Bolts
xGF%: 56.23%-43.77% Bolts
Goals: 7-6 Leafs


Powerplay:
Leafs: 2 goals scored
Bolts: 1 goal scored


Goaltending:
Leafs: .900
Bolts: .859

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Goaltending:
Leafs: .873
Bolts: .856

Bolts might bite on Campbell

 

[seventieslord]

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

I'm curious, how is it normally? I might want to come back for round 3 or something, and I have no experience doing this. Do you have to get really lucky, or if you want in bad enough are you going to be able to get tickets?