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

[TheBeastCoast]

Looks like Bunting is staying out.

 

[tmlms13]

Definitely a tough call regarding Bunting, but I would sit him. He is by far our leader in penalty minutes, and it's not just the 'edge' to his game. He isn't great defensively and takes bad penalties when he gets caught out of position. This is even more concerning as the intensity and pace has jumped since game 1.

Given how effective Tampa's PP has been, we should prioritize staying out of the box and plan to win 5v5. Remember, we have last change. It also rewards the guys that have got it done three straight. The only option to bring him in, I think, is for ZAR on the 4th where minutes are limited.

And if Tampa has been better 5v5, it would be marginal at best. Games 1 & 2 cancel each other out. We had no business winning game 3, but we were the better team in game 4 after the first. Hopefully Keefe keeps Matthews and Marner apart 5v5, and the big three centres down the middle.

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

 

[Blanche Blanche]

I will support any decision on Bunting being in or out of the lineup TBH because I do believe there are valid arguments for and against playing him. That said, at the end of the day, he is a much better player then Lafferty and ZAR and I can see him being hyper focused and motivated to make a difference in the game. Of course, I also see the value in rewarding the 12 men who have won 3 straight games. But lets not pretend like those 12 forwards were dominating the entirety of Bunts absence. In the 11 periods of hockey that we played w/o Bunts in the lineup we were the better team in maybe 5 or 6 of those periods and despite that we walked away with all 3 W's. 3 of those periods came in that game 2 blowout. So in reality, the last 2 games there were 8 total periods including the OT frames, and we got outplayed to varying degrees in at least 5 of those periods.

I know we are all jacked up about the results of games 3 & 4, specifically in the fashion that they occurred, but we cannot lose sight on the fact that this series could have easily been flipped 3-1 in TB's favor. You make your own luck in the NHL, but we are very fortunate to be up 3-1 in this series. This series is far tighter then it appears, and in all honesty TB has probably been the better team all series.

I think we'd be foolish to leave Bunts out of the lineup for a number of reasons.

1. He will be fresh
2. He will be motivated
3. He is a guy that TB is going to try and get retribution on, and potentially could lose their focus as a result
4. He's a good player

Bunts stock is at an all time low right now, but lets not run this guy out of town. Lets allow him to learn from this most recent mistake, and give him the opportunity to make right by it

This makes sense.

As much as I’m a if it ain’t broke don’t fix it mindset towards this.

We have been coin flipped winning and Bunting is a top scorer.

Let’s see what Keefe does.

 

[shaner8989]

Knies and O’Reilly had great chemistry. Terrible move splitting up imo.

Bunting should be in imo. Secondary scoring wins you games.

I’m not the coach and hope I’m wrong

 

[Atomos2]

I wouldn't put any meaning into anything they do today.

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

 

[Twine Tickler]

God i miss Bob Cole.

I know near the end of his career he was showing his age a bit, but no one set the stage like Bob. I'll never forget the way he called this Leafs vs. Sens game in the 2000 playoffs. Just a masterclass in play by play.

"SUNDIN DROPPED IT....SHOT.... SCOOOOOOORRREEEES!!!!.....THOMAS TIES THE GAME!!!"

goosebumps

 

[Bravid Nonahan]

Hypothetically speaking.

Let's say that you switch Bunting and ZAR for the entire season - ZAR is forcefed minutes with Matthews and given prime PP time while Bunting is contained to the fourth line only with no PPtime.

Do you think ZAR puts up the same production as Bunting?

Probably not, but I still but you he puts up 20 goals and Bunting would probably put up 15 from the fourth line.

The difference between Bunting and ZAR is not as big as it seems, Bunting is a bit better and happened to be slotted in with one of the best players in the league. I can see why Keefe wouldn't want to take out ZAR when the team is winning.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I mean the lines are the exact same as the ones he switched to in the 3rd for the comeback. I don't think it is exactly a stretch to say he is staying with those lines.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Yeah I think it's a mistake if they go ahead with that lineup. Winning doesn't mean you can't be better. Re-adding your 5th best scorer should be automatic in place of forwards that aren't exactly playing well. Even if Bunting goes back in and they lose, it's still very much the right decision.

I guess it won't matter if the Leafs take care of business.

Yeah I just feel like I did before game 1 when Knies didn't draw in. Why purposely not play your best lineup? I think our track record for closing out a series speaks for itself, and it's not the time to be cute with the lineup

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I know near the end of his career he was showing his age a bit, but no one set the stage like Bob. I'll never forget the way he called this Leafs vs. Sens game in the 2000 playoffs. Just a masterclass in play by play.

"SUNDIN DROPPED IT....SHOT.... SCOOOOOOORRREEEES!!!!.....THOMAS TIES THE GAME!!!"

goosebumps

I was a defender of his right up to the end. My argument was that while he got names wrong a lot near the end, I have eyes I can see who the players are. What he did better then anyone and nobody currently still comes close to is the ability to capture the moment and the emotions behind it. Would take that over name accuracy every single time.

 

[Stephen]

We got Goro over here just analyzing everything. Bro how many hands do you have

Multiple hands, multiple elbows!

 

[Guided by Veseys]

Might as well go with the same lineup that won three in a row. Bunting is an alright player but he’s not a significant difference maker either way. Whatever happens in game 5 probably can’t blame it on Bunting being out of the lineup (unless ZAR or Lafferty have massive games)

 

[SprDaVE]

 

[Leafs87]

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.

 

[The Masters]

i love the new lineup
thats how they gotta roll

 

[Twine Tickler]

This makes sense.

As much as I’m a if it ain’t broke don’t fix it mindset towards this.

We have been coin flipped winning and Bunting is a top scorer.

Let’s see what Keefe does.

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

 

[AvroArrow]

I like the decision by Keefe, the teams playing well without Bunting. He'll do something dumb trying to be impactful and take a bad penalty.

 

[Twine Tickler]

What he did better then anyone and nobody currently still comes close to is the ability to capture the moment and the emotions behind it

Bingo.

The only current day commentator that even comes close to achieving that emotion is Chris Cuthbert. But something Chris lacks that Bob was a true legend at was how he built up that emotion you speak of at every point in pressure packed moments. You could hear his voice build as the puck came up the ice, and it really mirrored the way you we're viewing the game. He also built the suspense in between whistles like no other. It's almost as if he had seen a copy of the game before he called it at times.

The best to ever do it IMO

 

[ACC1224]

I like the decision by Keefe, the teams playing well without Bunting. He'll do something dumb trying to be impactful and take a bad penalty.

He may still play.

 

[AvroArrow]

He may still play.

I'd still be fine with it, personally though I'd run the same lineup again. But if he does draw in, it should be for either ZAR/Lafferty in a bottom 6 role.

 

[Blanche Blanche]

I wonder if a team anywhere in pro sports ever lost 10 straight games where they had a chance to eliminate an opponent in the playoffs. This is crazy. Get it done tomorrow, Leafs and forget about that record.

Holy shit yes. Full 60 Domination.

Like you have guns pointed at your wives and family

 

[satoshi6ix]

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.

bunts has played 82 games on this squad this season. i wouldn't bet against him starting in game 5. I hope he scores a big goal, love what he brings to the team

 

[Nineteen67]

I don’t know how they do it, but I still believe their best possible lineup includes Bunting.

 

[Dekes For Days]

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

 

[ToneDog]

Bunting will stay out according to Leaf Lunch.