Pre-Game Talk: Game 6 - Leafs @ Tampa

[NightTrain1]

As long as they don't come out and play some sort of defensive hockey to "weather the storm" I think they will win this one.

This team has the speed and skill to not have to sit back and just take whatever Tampa wants to throw at it so I sure hope that isnt the coaches philosophy tonight. From puck drop they need to take it to Tampa and go blow for blow if they have to.

Years and years of watching Leaf hockey where they were all hemmed up inside their own zone just trying to survive and hoping for a counter goal should have went right out the window with this team. The third period of the other game (that they won) was actually infuriating to me because Tampa just came wave after wave. Allowing a team as powerful as Tampa to put you on your heals is inviting disaster, especially when you are powerful enough not to be forced to play that way.

Come out hard, score early and dont take your foot off their necks tonight boys. You got this.

 

[Rude Dog]

I just got chills thinking about being on the right end of the hand shake line for once. Lets do this.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

It doesn't help that Tampa Bay flop anytime you so much as lean on them but yeah, the calls have been ridiculous

That seems to the trend this year. Look at the Penguins goalie who got slightly jostled outside his crease and fell to the ice like he'd been shot until it was clear he was getting no call last night.

 

[BayStBullies]

That Marner penalty where McDonagh (I think?) just fell like a dead statue when he felt the stick on his hands was absurd.

They've neutralized like 5 instances of being shorthanded by diving seconds into the penalty to even it up. It's also a guaranteed dive each time there is a momentum shift. The refs just eat it up.

 

[DarkKnight]

Tampa 16-0 coming off a playoff loss and Leafs 1-8 when leading a series. Everything points to Tampa. Question is do the game #4 Leafs show up tonight or do the Leafs that dominated Tampa for the last two periods? Everybody saying this feels like a different team and I tend to agree but I can see either scenario playing out. I am hoping Tampa is ready to throw in the towel after that heart breaking loss in game #5 but I am not holding my breath.

This is the Leafs sucker fan in me, law of averages that streak can’t go on forever.

 

[Twine Tickler]

All i'm seeing is Tampa is bound to lose and the Leafs are bound to win. These statistical anomalies cannot continue forever. Tampa was 34-1 heading into the 3rd period with a lead last game, we made it 34-2. These 2 streaks are also going to break tonight.

I really hope you are right.

At the end of the day, statistically we don't fair well against TB in a game 7 matchup either. So if we are going to win this series we are going to have to break one of these historical trends. It was always going to be this way given our historical inability to close out our opponent and TB's historical ability to win meaningful games.

If I am Sheldon, I look to the group and say we have an opportunity to rewrite the narrative that has haunted us for 6 years. All the stupid questions and hot takes end tonight with a win. We have so much more to play for tonight even though technically our season is not the one on the line tonight. They've worked all year to be in this exact spot to rewrite the script, now it's about executing what we all know they are capable of.

 

[BayStBullies]

That seems to the trend this year. Look at the Penguins goalie who got slightly jostled outside his create and fell to the ice like he'd been shot until it was clear he was getting no call last night.

It's been the trend for years. It's reasons like these that the Leafs can't compete this time of year. They need to swallow their pride and join if they want calls or the league purges the bad actors.

 

[Duffman955]

Hedman and Vasi scares me the most. They can just decide to win it feels like.

But i want to be wrong.

Focus on the clean passing and hitting net. And the rest will follow.

Did they decide to lose 3/5 games?

 

[willmma]

It's something I've noticed because I think it's kind of funny that despite being the largest fanbse here, no one really seems to care about making a GDT, especially during the regular season. Not that I want to take the time to make one either.

It's just funny how often our pregame thread turns into a GDT.

Can anybody create a GDT?

 

[Strangle]

I feel like it’s Christmas, and there is an unopened present from Santa sitting in front of 5yo me.

And the way the present is wrapped it can only be one of two different things.

It’s either a brand new Nintendo entertainment system, or it’s f***ing t-shirts.

When I start peeling back the wrapping paper, I’ll know immediately which it is.

That’s how I feel about the first 5mins of the -at period tonight.

GINME THE NES LEAFS!!!

 

[BayStBullies]

Have the refs been announced? I'd like to start previewing how much bias the Leafs will face tonight.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

FYI something to make you LOL but Griggsy who is Tampa's CEO and prez graduated from Laurier's biz sports mgmt progrm and is a lifelong Leaf fan .. like a huge Leaf fan growing up .. he is probably secretly rooting for Leafs as I am not sure you can change your loyalties because you have a job with another team

 

[Leafs87]

Let’s f***ing go Leafs!!!!

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Can anybody create a GDT?

Pretty much, we used to have rules when mutliple people wanted to create them, but that hasn't been a problem for a while.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Can anybody create a GDT?

yes. Be the change you want to see in the world

 

[Marshy]

yes. Be the change you want to see in the world

I want to see cold beer at a reasonable price and affordable housing.

 

[TheDoldrums]

I want to see cold beer at a reasonable price and affordable housing.

some things are beyond the powers of positive thinking and vision boards

 

[AvroArrow]

Did they decide to lose 3/5 games?

You didn't see Coopers interviews did you ? Tampa decided to lose game 1/3/5, Leafs did nothing !

 

[TorMapleJays]

Did they decide to lose 3/5 games?

Yes.

 

[Amadeus]

Burn the boats!!!!

 

[aingefan]

Jack needs to be strong early.

What a great day and fun time.

GFLG.

 

[Nineteen67]

I don’t why I feel confident that the Leafs will play their asses off tonight, but I do.

 

[CelticDruid]

I would like to see Mr Giraffe and Mr Mikheyev finish their checks like they did in game one as they look timid out there.

The Giraffe poke checks from 20 feet away and has amazing reach, but he must use that size in this game and get the TB players chasing him around.( I don't think they like this high feeder).

Maybe they will drive around the rink with a big truck with some dude trying to yard him in with a pole and rope.

Lay the body and wear these TB players down.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I disagree with the sentiment that "Vasi and Hedman can just decide to win". I also disagree with the narrative being spun that Tampa is handing Toronto victories.

We're the better overall team. If our big guys play well, this team can beat anyone. Big guys now includes Campbell, as he's become a force in this series.

No one controls our destiny; we aren't here looking for opportunistic wins. Force errors, shoot the puck and create chaos, don't give up the blueline with ease.

HANTO YO

 

[supermann_98]

That Marner penalty where McDonagh (I think?) just fell like a dead statue when he felt the stick on his hands was absurd.

That one or the one on Brodie when Perry felt a guy on his hip (Brodie) chasing the puck behind the net and just toppled into the boards like he got slewfooted or something.

TB are shameless floppers, where if you look at the penalty minutes and how far ahead we are compared to the rest of the league you'd think we're the broad street bullies out there, meanwhile they're mostly ticky tack penalties