Post-Game Talk: Holl wins it in OT. Leafs defeat the Sens 3-2

[HoweHullOrr]

I get that the score was close, but pretty much nothing else was. We thoroughly outplayed them

That's great and all, but its a rebuilding team with a 5th string goalie we were playing. And it took some overtime heroics to get the W. Our multi million dollar forwards were fairly quiet last night in a big game. I don't think its unreasonable to expect more. I hope they find another notch when the games are more meaningful (i.e., the playoffs), time and space gets reduced and the intensity builds.

 

[BlackTipReefer]

Leafs win a squeaker, but it really shouldn't be this hard against the bottom team in the Div and their 5th string goalie.

Leafs continue to play to the level of their competition and that makes it hard to gain confidence about their Cup competitiveness.

Did you and I watch different games?

Leafs badly outplayed the Sens, and only gave up a couple really great scoring chances, while generating far more. 2 unlucky goals against were the only thing that made it look like we "played to their level". If they outplay Ottawa like that in 100 games, I bet most of them end up in 2-3 goal wins. Our sh% right now is very low, many guys have been way below their career averages for the last 2 months.

That's great and all, but its a rebuilding team with a 5th string goalie we were playing. And it took some overtime heroics to get the W. Our multi million dollar forwards were fairly quiet last night in a big game. I don't think its unreasonable to expect more. I hope they find another notch when the games are more meaningful (i.e., the playoffs), time and space gets reduced and the intensity builds.

What more do you want? The Sens are still and NHL team and outside of Edmonton, they've given everyone in the division fits. 2 fluke goals and an unsustainably low sh% for the Leafs are the only things that made this game look competitive.

 

[justloveleafs]

We won guys. Can we leave it at that?

 

[Warden of the North]

or maybe they want a different look? It’s hard to tell without being in the room. In the 3rd period and overtime it looked like he was very comfortable shooting the puck. I think maybe it’s a bit of a lack of confidence. Remember when he came back from the back injury, he was so tentative. I believe it’s more in his head than anything, especially considering how he played in OT and the third

I disagree. His wrist is clearly hurt. He hasnt taken his signature wrist shot in weeks. Hes moved off his usual PP spot (which has cratered its effectiveness). Hes bobbling pucks. If his wrist is good, he scores on that great save Forsberg made (he doesnt hesitate to shoot as he did) and he likely scores in OT when he hit the net. His stick handling has also suffered. Hes not getting by dmen which he usual does with ease while maintaining control.

And thats just not my observation, leaving out the media rumblings about the injury.

 

[Bomber0104]

Did you and I watch different games?

Leafs badly outplayed the Sens, and only gave up a couple really great scoring chances, while generating far more. 2 unlucky goals against were the only thing that made it look like we "played to their level". If they outplay Ottawa like that in 100 games, I bet most of them end up in 2-3 goal wins. Our sh% right now is very low, many guys have been way below their career averages for the last 2 months.

The bad luck excuse might have some weight to it if it didn't happen every single time we've played Ottawa this year.

 

[Warden of the North]

We won guys. Can we leave it at that?

Theres enough concerning in this game that it warrants the discussion. The Nylander-Tavares line has just gone invisible.

 

[ottomaddox]

Did you and I watch different games?

Leafs badly outplayed the Sens, and only gave up a couple really great scoring chances, while generating far more. 2 unlucky goals against were the only thing that made it look like we "played to their level". If they outplay Ottawa like that in 100 games, I bet most of them end up in 2-3 goal wins. Our sh% right now is very low, many guys have been way below their career averages for the last 2 months.

Agreed. OTT reminds me of the Ron Wilson Leafs. Working hard enough to eventually lose with no real game breakers to make a difference. Ott works hard and are in a defensive posture all night, but it was TOR's game to lose (deserved the win).

 

[BlackTipReefer]

The bad luck excuse might have some weight to it if it didn't happen every single time we've played Ottawa this year.

I only applied the bad luck excuse to tonight's game, as that is what we are discussing. Those goals were because of uncharacteristic gaffes by the goalie, not because Ottawa was generating tons of good quality chances.

 

[Gary Nylund]

We won guys. Can we leave it at that?

If that's all you want, just look at the standings. Why come to this place at all?

The bad luck excuse might have some weight to it if it didn't happen every single time we've played Ottawa this year.

Fair point.

 

[BlackTipReefer]

We won guys. Can we leave it at that?

I didn't go through the headache of finally making an account just so we could all be civil!

 

[justloveleafs]

Heck if you are going to get me going lol. I used to love sitting with all the Leaf wives, while their husbands were busting it up out on the ice. No kiss, no tell Gary

 

[Warden of the North]

Also, credit to the Sens.

Theres a difference between what they are what a true dumpster fire is (the Sabres). Theyre doing the "dignified tank" that the Leafs did (well maybe, a mix between that and the first year we put all the kids in). They work hard. They play excellent structure. They just cant score at will.

 

[justloveleafs]

Heck ya, I want more than a win. We haven't won a Cup in how long? Trying to be positive, but our record since 1967, has been pretty bad. Well, more than bad, its been pitiful.

 

[X66]

Don't look now, but the Leafs are being a very solid defensive team in a high-octane offence division...

And this is where I tend to think Andersen will struggle more than Campbell.

Say what you want, but there is a skill involved for a goalie to still play well when the team isn't giving much up, and that is something that Andersen has yet to prove he has.

If the Leafs keep playing like this, Campbell might just be the perfect goalie for them because of his composure.

 

[Warden of the North]

Watching highlights a few times, both of the goals against had some serious bad bounces involved. Highly unlikely those both end up goals.

 

[BlackTipReefer]

Don't look now, but the Leafs are being a very solid defensive team in a high-octane offence division...

View attachment 412819

And this is where I tend to think Andersen will struggle more than Campbell.

Say what you want, but there is a skill involved for a goalie to still play well when the team isn't giving much up, and that is something that Andersen has yet to prove he has.

If the Leafs keep playing like this, Campbell might just be the perfect goalie for them because of his composure.

Great visual! Here's another one I like to show how well we are playing:

 

[saltming]

We won guys. Can we leave it at that?

 

[egd27]

The bad luck excuse might have some weight to it if it didn't happen every single time we've played Ottawa this year.

Or any team that decides to collapse around their own net when defending.

 

[Dreakmur]

Did you and I watch different games?

Leafs badly outplayed the Sens, and only gave up a couple really great scoring chances, while generating far more. 2 unlucky goals against were the only thing that made it look like we "played to their level". If they outplay Ottawa like that in 100 games, I bet most of them end up in 2-3 goal wins. Our sh% right now is very low, many guys have been way below their career averages for the last 2 months.



What more do you want? The Sens are still and NHL team and outside of Edmonton, they've given everyone in the division fits. 2 fluke goals and an unsustainably low sh% for the Leafs are the only things that made this game look competitive.

As usual, the Leafs had the puck for the vast majority of the game, but rarely take it into prime scoring areas. They pass around the outside, and wait to suck guys out position to take advantage of open ice created in the middle.

The problem is that after 20 games, the system teams have solidified their strategies, and it’s a lot harder to do what the Leafs did to training camp-less defensive schemes.

 

[ottomaddox]

I didn't go through the headache of finally making an account just so we could all be civil!

Or no discussion/discussion ban in effect for this discussion forum.

 

[BlackTipReefer]

As usual, the Leafs had the puck for the vast majority of the game, but rarely take it into prime scoring areas. They pass around the outside, and wait to suck guys out position to take advantage of open ice created in the middle.

The problem is that after 20 games, the system teams have solidified their strategies, and it’s a lot harder to do what the Leafs did to training camp-less defensive schemes.

Is that true, though? That seems to be an opinion based on a run of 10 games where our shooting % has been unsustainably low. I saw a ton of close in chances last night, the only real big difference between now and earlier in the season is the dreadful powerplay.

Personally, I think the PP can be fixed and that it's really encouraging to be outplaying teams 5v5 in 80%+ of our games?

Huge improvement, especially defensively.

Seems like some very cynical takes considering the huge step forward the team has taken in terms of limiting chances against...such a vital step forward for an organization looking to win a Cup.

I made an account because for the first time in a long time, I actually think they are playing very good hockey rather than the last few years where they leaned on Andersen or opportunistic scoring to win games (the current WPG Jets model...).

 

[ottomaddox]

Watching highlights a few times, both of the goals against had some serious bad bounces involved. Highly unlikely those both end up goals.

Hi5

 

[ToneDog]

Only thing that I can add that I am guessing has not already been said is that Soupy was not hurt and lived to start another game.

Hopefully they can find the work ethic they had in the 3 games in Edmonton tomorrow night. I am sure McDavid is still stinging from been shutout in those 3 games.

 

[Gary Nylund]

As usual, the Leafs had the puck for the vast majority of the game, but rarely take it into prime scoring areas. They pass around the outside, and wait to suck guys out position to take advantage of open ice created in the middle.

The problem is that after 20 games, the system teams have solidified their strategies, and it’s a lot harder to do what the Leafs did to training camp-less defensive schemes.

I think there's some truth here. As time goes by, I'm less and less impressed by these expected goal stats. They were IMO misleading for our loss to CLB in the playoffs and they've been misleading for many games this season when people have posted the numbers for one game to show how well we've been playing.

 

[Pi]

The funny thing is that the sens are much better when Murray and Gudbranson are out of the lineup, which shouldn't be a surprise.

If they figure out they should be sitting Zaitsev too, then they might actually start making some noise.

Some nice young talent on that squad but with some unfortunate contracts to horrible players played in major roles.

I am never worried about the Sens. Whenever they get better, they need to pay their stars and opt not to do that and go back into rebuild mode.

They are the official farm team of the NHL.