Post-Game Talk: High Wolltage revenge Leafs 2:1 Avs

That 3rd period was probably one of the best “lead protection” periods all season. They worked as units, they didn’t allow much at all, McCabe blew up MacKinnon along the boards. Woll was outstanding, they sustained a forecheck, took the middle of the ice away. It was as good as you could get against a Cup contender like Colorado. Big time confidence booster for me as a fan. I can’t say how impressed I am with McCabe though. If there was one thing Dubas did right it was getting him, and then locking him long term. Just outstanding
 
It’s not the only way, but it’s an important way. Colorado disrupted our ozone time a lot yesterday, and we didnt have much sustained pressure in their zone. Any way you cut it, playing in the ozone more improves your game. If they are going to get checked hard and pressured fast in the playoffs, it becomes even more important to be good at it.

If you're just cycling over and over again around the board but struggling to get clean shot from dangerous area. That's looking sexy but not necessairly effective. Even if avs won possession time outshot/outchance leafs, leafs got a better expecting goal because they had the most dangerous scoring chance in the game

Avs shot 39
avs SC 39
AVS HDC 15
xGF 3.32

leafs shot 26
leafs sc 28
HDC 15
xGF 3,84
 
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If you're just cycling over and over again around the board but struggling to get clean shot from dangerous area. That's looking sexy but not necessairly effective. Even if avs won possession time outshot/outchance leafs, leafs got a better expecting goal because they had the most dangerous scoring chance in the game

Avs shot 39
avs SC 39
AVS HDC 15
xGF 3.32

leafs shot 26
leafs sc 28
HDC 15
xGF 3,84
it has nothing to do with looks. It's about maintaining possession, tiring your opponent, and creating chances off that. Another tool in your kit, but not the only one. They've been attempting a cycle game, and except for that first line, it hasn't been strong. Players cycling to nobody behind the net, only to turn it over. When your opponent disrupts your cycle and takes the puck, that is it. Ozone time is done. They are now the aggressor. That is the only issue I had with the game last night. Advanced stats are irrelevant. You want to keep getting better, and this is an area where they can improve.
 
it has nothing to do with looks. It's about maintaining possession, tiring your opponent, and creating chances off that. Another tool in your kit, but not the only one. They've been attempting a cycle game, and except for that first line, it hasn't been strong. Players cycling to nobody behind the net, only to turn it over. When your opponent disrupts your cycle and takes the puck, that is it. Ozone time is done. They are now the aggressor. That is the only issue I had with the game last night. Advanced stats are irrelevant. You want to keep getting better, and this is an area where they can improve.

cycling over and over and over again, it was Keefe system and did that bring any kind of result come playoff time? no that's why leafs moving out of that system. if you can't attack the center, a good NHL goalie will make save from distance with no screen all day long.

Cycling is Berube system who having a direct approach by crashing the net everytime you can.


Even the 1st line didn't play cycling game contrairly to what you said, they play the same way with a much better execution and intensity.
 
Big time confidence booster for me as a fan

It was great but please don't be fooled.
They've had monster games (even short stretches) like this before and it never, ever lasts.

I really wish they would carry this level of play into the post-season but I'd honestly be way more confident about it if last night was game #80 or #81 instead of #68.
 
Huge heads up play to break up the Makar pass to Mack at the end. Does all the little stuff really well
It’s fun to watch good players play.
Great camera angle there, had that been from the other side it probably just gets dismissed
 
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I said it in the thread when Woll was getting lit up by the Pens a couple weeks ago. I think Woll is our highest potential option. When he is on, he can straight up take over games/series on his own. Consistency holds him back from being a true top 10 goalie in the league because he is prone to some stinkers that seem to knock his numbers down. You get him when he is on though and you get last night...and last years playoffs.
 
They played about as good as they can. If the goalies are playing unbelievable, they have a chance to win the game. Im not sure there’s another gear they go to.

firmly disagree. They played well defensively and the goaltending was good, but there were lengthy stretches of the game where we weren’t doing all that much offensively. Good win, but plenty of room for improvement.
 
If the leafs are going to win the cup they’re probably going to have to win a lot of games like this one. They will probably get out shot and need the goalie to bail them out. 2-1 nail bitter wins.
 
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From the Avs perspective, this felt like a game eerily similar to the Keefe Leafs

I'd argue they were the better team overall and they generated a lot of chances, but it was way too clean. Woll saw everything and they consistently got boxed out. Easier to get goalies when you play like this, as we all know far too well
 
If the leafs are going to win the cup they’re probably going to have to win a lot of games like this one. They will probably get out shot and need the goalie to bail them out. 2-1 nail bitter wins.
It's exactly how they will win. It won't be a bunch of 8-5 games in the playoffs. It will be a lot of one goal wins. People are maybe not realiziing that this is exactly how the Leafs are built to win.
 
If the leafs are going to win the cup they’re probably going to have to win a lot of games like this one. They will probably get out shot and need the goalie to bail them out. 2-1 nail bitter wins.

Why is that, though? Why can’t we expect Matthews and Marner to carry the team? When I say that both of them need to be exceptional in the playoffs, I get some push back. Not you specifically, but in general. This team shouldn’t rely on the goaltending to bail them out. What is the point of paying so much money to these supposed elite offensive players? May as well have a roster like the MTL Canadiens in 2021? Something about it is not right.
 
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Why is that, though? Why can’t we expect Matthews and Marner to carry the team? When I say that both of them need to be exceptional in the playoffs, I get some push back. Not you specifically, but in general. This team shouldn’t rely on the goaltending to bail them out. What is the point of paying so much money to these supposed elite offensive players? May as well have a roster like the MTL Canadiens in 2021? Something about it is not right.
The goaltending isn't bailing them out. Last night Matthews scored and Marner played well. The top guys will be the ones who will ultimately be responsible for the team's success, but it won't be scoring two points per game over 4 playoff series.
 
If you're just cycling over and over again around the board but struggling to get clean shot from dangerous area. That's looking sexy but not necessairly effective. Even if avs won possession time outshot/outchance leafs, leafs got a better expecting goal because they had the most dangerous scoring chance in the game

Avs shot 39
avs SC 39
AVS HDC 15
xGF 3.32

leafs shot 26
leafs sc 28
HDC 15
xGF 3,84

They had a better xGF because they had more empty net attempts.
 
The goaltending isn't bailing them out. Last night Matthews scored and Marner played well. The top guys will be the ones who will ultimately be responsible for the team's success, but it won't be scoring two points per game over 4 playoff series.

I am not saying i have an issue with last night's game, i am just saying they need to be great in the playoffs. Looks like we agree on that.
 
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No.

The “entire playoffs” last year was the same as it had been for the previous four years - - Bozo the Keefe getting completely out coached.

He left Woll on the bench and started Samsonov the Sieve for the first four games to put Toronto into an impossible 1-3 deficit.

You just agreed with what I said... they got outplayed and Woll saved them...

Is reading hard?
 
adding hide avatars option

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