Is our defence now dare I say it good?

[LastOne2100]

Those who complain about Dubas.... he's added - Brodie, Muzzin, Holl, Bogosian. This is the best rounded defense we've had since Quinn years.

If it wasn't for the Barrie mulligan I'd be pretty happy with Dubas' performance in improving our defense.

 

[Chief Berube]

Wonderful

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Wanted to see how they did today against a good Calgary team, but early results would suggest yes. Leafs need to find the balance with our vaunted offence but that will come as the season goes along.

This is the first time in like 20 years since this franchise had four legitimate top four defensemen, so that goes a long way towards our improved defensive play. think the last time that was true was 2000-01 when Kaberle, McCabe, Yushkevich, and Markov patrolled the blue line.

 

[Sypher04]

Wanted to see how they did today against a good Calgary team, but early results would suggest yes. Leafs need to find the balance with our vaunted offence but that will come as the season goes along.

This is the first time in like 20 years since this franchise had four legitimate top four defensemen, so that goes a long way towards our improved defensive play. think the last time that was true was 2000-01 when Kaberle, McCabe, Yushkevich , and Markov patrolled the blue line.

The beauty is that we're playing pretty well defensively early and it's our goalscoring that needs to come along, and given our talent level, likely will once systems become more second nature. We're trending toward a style that could actually be successful for us in playoffs, instead of having playing high octane and trying to shoehorn in a solid defensive game later in the season. I like the odds of us finding the balance this way much better.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

The beauty is that we're playing pretty well defensively early and it's our goalscoring that needs to come along, and given our talent level, likely will once systems become more second nature. We're trending toward a style that could actually be successful for us in playoffs, instead of having playing high octane and trying to shoehorn in a solid defensive game later in the season. I like the odds of us finding the balance this way much better.

These low scoring grind it out wins are definitely preparing us for the playoffs, but it ain’t good for my heart I’ll tell you that.

 

[Gary Nylund]

These low scoring grind it out wins are definitely preparing us for the playoffs, but it ain’t good for my heart I’ll tell you that.

What can I tell ya, just gotta suck it up buttercup.

 

[Puckstuff]

Another good game for Holl, he's a beast lately

 

[Coachcorner]

Our D is now mucho, mucho much better than in so many years. Also the coaching is doing a fine job With it. I love life.

 

[Menzinger]

Only 2 goals allowed on 33 shots against today.

More of this please.

 

[Critical13]

Strong game from Bogosian, wildly enough. Rielly still looks lost but he got on the scoresheet today.

 

[Leafsfan74]

What can I tell ya, just gotta suck it up buttercup.

 

[Cobra777]

Leafs have been an above average defensive team since Keefe took over. Instantly.

I would like to give more credit to the new signings but tbh the rielly/Brodie pairing has been plain bad and bogo not very good even as a 6.

Its all Keefe. Our expected goals against have dropped dramatically under his system.

And with our goaltending finally starting to get on track we're starting to see the actual goals against starting to follow the expected ones.

What are you watching? Bogo has been fine since the Hab game he has handled the puck well, passed well and has played it safe and not caused any turnovers, he has also jumped in for offensive shots at times and in his own end and corner pinned players against the boards to stop a cycle. Just mind blowing that some people make up their mind on a player and just keeps ^%$ing on them no matter what.

 

[Warden of the North]

This might be the best 5 game stretch I've seen in my 20 something years of seriously watching Leafs hockey.

That an embarrassing statement. But it's a serious one

 

[hockeynorth]

These guys are playing good hockey, yes Mo has been turnstiled but his job is to provide the offence from the backend, Muzzin, Holl and Brodie have been air tight. Muzzin still looks a bit rusty too so I expect improvement. Bogosian is getting going and dare I say, I like his game lately! Can't complain about Dermott either, he looks effective. I'd like to see Dermott get PP and more PK time actually. Poor Lehtonen and even Sandin/Liljegren just aren't going to get a shot if the boys play like this, but that's a good thing.

 

[BertCorbeau]

For the first time in god knows how long the Leafs not only have good defensive depth, they also have d-men who are in appropriate roles for the most part.

As mentioned, Rielly is a bit over his head right now defensively but Brodie has been a great stabilizer on that pairing. Muzzin and Holl are continuing their solid play against top opposition too.

That allows Dermott and Bogo to play strongly in their roles.