Pre-Game Talk: Game 7: last chance for the core

[3blizzard4]

If that works I’ll paint my nails tomorrow too. I think I have some blue spray paint downstairs. It could get messy but it’s worth it.

I’ve never painted my nails being a guy and all, but if this is what it takes then by god I’m in.

 

[tom leafers]

Any chance we see Robertson?

I already know the answer is no but he would be so much better on the 4th line than simmonds

 

[Neas Olc]

I hope that one day you'll come to realize how being self-centered can lead to blindness and warp your view of reality beyond the GTA.

HINT: Most of the hockey world IS talking about what Montreal is doing right and far from everyone is talking about what we are doing wrong.

Toronto is "most of the hockey world". It's easy to forget that this sport is a minor, tertiary curiosity where most NHL teams play.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Don’t know how anyone can say Nylander is afraid of contact when he caused the turnover that led to Spezza’s goal by using his body.

 

[throwitawaypokemon]

If that works I’ll paint my nails tomorrow too. I think I have some blue spray paint downstairs. It could get messy but it’s worth it.

LET'S START A MOVEMENT!

 

[WatchOut]

It always feels like luck is never on our side, lets see how the teams plays tomorrow. Still confident we will win and move to the next round. Feel like hutton should and dermott should play the third pairing. Holl has been struggling his series and should see less ice time but more important Keefe should run three lines, all playing around the same ice time (15-19mins). We are all diasppointed that there is even a game 7, but its time for us to make our own luck.

Also every since Montreal started pressuring and attacking the front of the net, they have had more success. We will need to be more physical then them and to keep them on the outside.

 

[Drytoast]

Mellow dramatic.

Remember when Ovechkin couldn't lead his team out of the first round or two? And then he did.

This is no different to that.

Matthews and Marner are both not going anywhere. You just prey that at some point they finally figure it out.

Lets not forget how Tampa obviously dumped kucherov and Stamkos after getting swept by Columbus.

Oh wait, that didn't happen.

The fact of the matter is that almost every damn playoffs the heavy favorites get bumped out of the playoffs by a team that just snuck in.

It happens all the GD time. If you all were not so emotional, you'd remember that.

Dubas this summer has choices to make but I think he put together one hell of a team.

Win or lose, the core isn't going anywhere.

 

[Drytoast]

Oh and I predict the Leafs come out flat as hell and lose 5-2.

 

[aresknights]

Don’t know how anyone can say Nylander is afraid of contact when he caused the turnover that led to Spezza’s goal by using his body.

I did mention it but mentioned when someone goes to initiate connect with him. Big difference. He has let up on pucks, refused to get to pucks first all series if there is a chance he will get hit. But yes if he can initiate on someone he will try. I'm sure ya can find exact same of Marner or any other player. But taking a hit while holding the puck to make a play is different.

 

[Suntouchable13]

The Habs seem a little too cocky from what I have seen. I hope the Leafs have their best game of the series here and send them packing.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Don’t know how anyone can say Nylander is afraid of contact when he caused the turnover that led to Spezza’s goal by using his body.

Was kind of surprised he didn't get an assist here tbh. Looks like the puck went off his stick before Kerfoot picked it off.

 

[mcleafs]

Mellow dramatic.

Remember when Ovechkin couldn't lead his team out of the first round or two? And then he did.

This is no different to that.

Matthews and Marner are both not going anywhere. You just prey that at some point they finally figure it out.

Lets not forget how Tampa obviously dumped kucherov and Stamkos after getting swept by Columbus.

Oh wait, that didn't happen.

The fact of the matter is that almost every damn playoffs the heavy favorites get bumped out of the playoffs by a team that just snuck in.

It happens all the GD time. If you all were not so emotional, you'd remember that.

Dubas this summer has choices to make but I think he put together one hell of a team.

Win or lose, the core isn't going anywhere.

False equivalency. The Caps consistently won their first round matchup multiple times. And frankly, their cup win was the exception, not the rule. Ovi is the greatest goal scorer ever, but he’s not a winner.

Matthews looks to be very similar, but even more of a loser who loses and never steps up for the big game.

 

[PromisedLand]

Before the series began Keefe had said that he is not going to worry about line matching and roll his lines. Montreal on the other hand has line matched and forced game 7.

Keefe's obsession with Matthews-Marner duo has to subside

Matthews-Marner have been completely neutered and Keefe's come back was "they are playing well defensively"; well keefe they are both getting paid 11AAV to not only play well defensively but also to score. And if they can't score then your job as a coach is to make sure that they get to score and that helps team.

ffs it is time to break the Matthews-Marner duo

Option 1 (spread out offense and piss on montreal's plan)

1. Hyman-Matthews-Spezza (big guy line - big bodies no softies on tha tline)
2. Galchenyuk-Kerfoot-Nylander (that was the best line we have)
3. Mikheyev-Engvall-Marner (get some goals out of the 3rd line)
4. Foligno-Brooks-Simmonds

Option 2 (again piss on montreal's plan and force them to adjust) - last change use it to your advantage

1. Hyman-Matthews-Spezza (same argument as option 1)
2. Nylander-Kerfoot-Marner (defacto offensive 1st line -> force montreal to choose to match matthews or nylander/marner)
3. Mikheyev-Foligno-Engvall (safe line no goals against)
4. Galchenyuk-Nash-Brooks (safe minutes)

I have had it; I do not want to see matthews-marner playing together anymore. they are neutered by montreal

if Keefe stays status-quo I am gonna lost my shit

 

[Suntouchable13]

Mellow dramatic.

Remember when Ovechkin couldn't lead his team out of the first round or two? And then he did.

This is no different to that.

Matthews and Marner are both not going anywhere. You just prey that at some point they finally figure it out.

Lets not forget how Tampa obviously dumped kucherov and Stamkos after getting swept by Columbus.

Oh wait, that didn't happen.

The fact of the matter is that almost every damn playoffs the heavy favorites get bumped out of the playoffs by a team that just snuck in.

It happens all the GD time. If you all were not so emotional, you'd remember that.

Dubas this summer has choices to make but I think he put together one hell of a team.

Win or lose, the core isn't going anywhere.

If they are not going to shake up the core, there is no point to watch this team. They are not going anywhere anytime soon. And comparing this team to Tampa situation is stupid because that team actually won playoff rounds before Columbus beat them, and made deep playoff runs. This core is 0-6 in games where they can close out a team. They don't get the same benefit of the doubt.

 

[Stonehands1990]

Mellow dramatic.

Remember when Ovechkin couldn't lead his team out of the first round or two? And then he did.

This is no different to that.

Matthews and Marner are both not going anywhere. You just prey that at some point they finally figure it out.

Lets not forget how Tampa obviously dumped kucherov and Stamkos after getting swept by Columbus.

Oh wait, that didn't happen.

The fact of the matter is that almost every damn playoffs the heavy favorites get bumped out of the playoffs by a team that just snuck in.

It happens all the GD time. If you all were not so emotional, you'd remember that.

Dubas this summer has choices to make but I think he put together one hell of a team.

Win or lose, the core isn't going anywhere.

In your example Ovechkin produced. Marner has been invisible for 2.5 playoffs now

 

[Alamo Leafer]

Before the series began Keefe had said that he is not going to worry about line matching and role his lines. Montreal on the other hand has line matched and forced game 7.

Keefe's obsession with Matthews-Marner duo has to subside

Matthews-Marner have been completely neutered and Keefe's come back was "they are playing well defensively"; well keefe they are both getting paid 11AAV to not only play well defensively but also to score. And if they can't score then your job as a coach is to make sure that they get to score and that helps team.

ffs it is time to break the Matthews-Marner duo

Option 1 (spread out offense and piss on montreal's plan)

1. Hyman-Matthews-Spezza (big guy line - big bodies no softies on tha tline)
2. Galchenyuk-Kerfoot-Nylander (that was the best line we have)
3. Mikheyev-Engvall-Marner (get some goals out of the 3rd line)
4. Foligno-Brooks-Simmonds

Option 2 (again piss on montreal's plan and force them to adjust) - last change use it to your advantage

1. Hyman-Matthews-Spezza (same argument as option 1)
2. Nylander-Kerfoot-Marner (defacto offensive 1st line -> force montreal to choose to match matthews or nylander/marner)
3. Mikheyev-Foligno-Engvall (safe line no goals against)
4. Galchenyuk-Nash-Brooks (safe minutes)

I have had it; I do not want to see matthews-marner playing together anymore. they are neutered by montreal

if Keefe stays status-quo I am gonna lost my shit

Agreed on everything you said except for option 2, which would be my choice, I would take Nash out & re-insert Simmonds.
He hasn't been that great in the POs, but I sure as heck feel better with him in the lineup than Nash. Specially in a game 7.

 

[Atomos2]

Will be interesting to see how the Leafs lose this one. They’ve had some pretty spectacular game 7 losses. Wonder what they have in store this time.

But in all seriousness, I hope Keefe at least tries moving Marner from Matthews. He keeps trying to do the same thing over and over again with them expecting a different result….

 

[Suntouchable13]

Kucherov had 22 points in 26 games with 10 goals in Tampa's 2015 cup run, his first real playoff taste and he was younger than Marner is now. Then next year he had 19 in 17 with 11 goals. Marner has 5 playoff goals in 31 playoff games. That's putrid. You can't even compare them.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Mellow dramatic.

Remember when Ovechkin couldn't lead his team out of the first round or two? And then he did.

This is no different to that.

Matthews and Marner are both not going anywhere. You just prey that at some point they finally figure it out.

Lets not forget how Tampa obviously dumped kucherov and Stamkos after getting swept by Columbus.

Oh wait, that didn't happen.

The fact of the matter is that almost every damn playoffs the heavy favorites get bumped out of the playoffs by a team that just snuck in.

It happens all the GD time. If you all were not so emotional, you'd remember that.

Dubas this summer has choices to make but I think he put together one hell of a team.

Win or lose, the core isn't going anywhere.

Apples and Oranges my man.

Ovechkin didn't do personal disappearing acts in the playoffs even in years the caps struggled. He was still contributing.

What Marner has done in this series is a complete embarrassment.

Dubas has done a decent job assembling a team but there's still a missing piece on D and too many passengers up front. Not nearly enough for a championship.

They need cap space to re-sign players and plug holes. Unloading Marnies contract would be perfect.

 

[Alamo Leafer]

F-ing Leafs, I promised my wife I would never watch another Leaf game again after that dismal performance last night, now the curiosity is killing me on that decision.
Maybe I'll just PVR it & watch it if I hear they won ffs!

 

[Drytoast]

Apples and Oranges my man.

Ovechkin didn't do personal disappearing acts in the playoffs even in years the caps struggled. He was still contributing.

What Marner has done in this series is a complete embarrassment.

Dubas has done a decent job assembling a team but there's still a missing piece on D and too many passengers up front. Not nearly enough for a championship.

They need cap space to re-sign players and plug holes. Unloading Marnies contract would be perfect.

Get rid of Marner and you can kiss Matthews goodbye.

Marner will hopefully figure it out. This is the Marner era. This is who we are. And apparently you do not recall the outcry from capital fans asking to get rid of Ovi.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Have to win 4 games to win a series... Boys are going to find a way to get this done and some character will be built.

 

[leburn98]

I suppose the one positive out of this, win or lose, is that this series bought Bergevin another year as GM. I'm sure Habs fans will appreciate that .

 

[PromisedLand]

let ThePromisedLand make the GDT please.

THIS!!! Every GDT he made we won. Nobody beat him to it on Monday for God’s sake.

I’m not that superstitious but Jesus f*** let’s just try anything right now.

@PromisedLand please man. make the GDT right now. idc if you're drunk right now or coked out. just make the goddamn thread.

Don't necessarily agree with everything here. But please make the GDT!

lol thanks for the confidence but I gotta work tomorrow man. I don't think it matters who makes the GDT if the buds come out flat. I did have a good run though with Games 2, 3, 4

I might have some time before 11 am tomorrow if someone hasn't already created it. Then I am absolutely busy from 11 am to 3ish pm. I will try but cannot jeopardize my job to make the GDT man lol

P.S. I did make one for Game 6; and we still lost may be because it wasn't the official gdt?

 

[123offtheglass]

But in all seriousness, I hope Keefe at least tries moving Marner from Matthews. He keeps trying to do the same thing over and over again with them expecting a different result….

I want to see this from puck drop but seeing as he didn't even try it late last game I doubt it ends up happening... The two (Nylander & Matthews) have shown chemistry in the past and now Nylander is rolling this series, I'm not sure why Keefe's been so stubborn attaching Marner to Matthews when it's not working while he still has another stud winger in Nylander down the lineup.