Post-Game Talk: John Tavares is a Toronto Maple Leaf.

[Stephen]

The game was pretty much over at that point and the Leafs was winning 5-2, what’s the point of AM dropping the gloves? I can see that if the score was reverse and AM didn’t drop the gloves to lead charge. Then he deserves to be called out

He didn't have to drop the gloves. He could have grabbed Konecny, jersey'ed him and had him down on the ice with a "watch you elbow, rat."

 

[Stephen]

The last thing you want is your superstar dropping the gloves in the 11th game of the season in a dominated tilt for some weird fight nobody will remember in a months time. It doesn't change any optics either.

I loved Gio jumping in like that. Last thing this defense needs is him getting on the IR though on a dumb scrum.

Superstars shouldn't be precious.

 

[SprDaVE]

Superstars shouldn't be precious.

I mean that's great.

Concern is 'high' for MacKinnon injury; likely hurt in fight

Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon is returning to Denver for further evaluation for an upper-body injury that may have happened in a fight with Minnesota Wild defenseman Matthew Dumba.

nhl.nbcsports.com

There's a big difference between the game tonight and the game they were playing. Some players are more willing to fight, some are not. I'm ok with the discourse that it's not necessary in the 11th game of the season up by 3 goals.

Matthews still gave him shots and retaliated in that scrum too. Gio just jumped in to stop it. If Gio doesn't do it, I'm sure punches get thrown.

Nobody will remember this in a weeks time.

 

[Mr_Fun]

Right. A guy who has had wrist surgery and a couple of shoulder surgeries, and you'd want him to do that?

Critical thinking says hell no.

If Matthews gimped up his wrist in a fight, the fanbase would have a meltdown. Probably even some of the people that wanted him to fight.

 

[Kiwi]

Superstars shouldn't be precious.

I'm all for protecting yourself but Matthews shouldn't have to fight if he doesn't want to

He has teammates, get your ass in there and protect your star player

I loved the response, guys were lining up to get in there and defend him

That's what should happen

 

[Leaf Fans]

Can we send Keefe out on a winning note?

Asking for a friend

Sure, why not. If there is ever a time Keefe decides to leave, we should send him out on a winning note.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I'm all for protecting yourself but Matthews shouldn't have to fight if he doesn't want to

He has teammates, get your ass in there and protect your star player

I loved the response, guys were lining up to get in there and defend him

That's what should happen

He shouldn't instigate stuff he expects other people to deal with for him though.

 

[TMLeafer]

He shouldn't instigate stuff he expects other people to deal with for him though.

He didn't instigate anything. Koneky took 3 shots at him away from the puck during play before they exchanged slashes.

 

[Kiwi]

He shouldn't instigate stuff he expects other people to deal with for him though.

Yeah, he didn't instigate it for a start

The Philly player knows he doesn't fight, everybody does but he did everything he could to force him into it

He then got what he deserves

 

[kevsh]

If Matthews gimped up his wrist in a fight, the fanbase would have a meltdown. Probably even some of the people that wanted him to fight.

I confess, I wanted him to fight.
And then I'd have had a meltdown if he gimped up his wrist.

 

[ponder]

This team f***ed tonight! Totally dominated, that’s the Leafs I remember from last year. Love to see it!

 

[notDatsyuk]

Captain doing captain ****.

I'm not sure about 'captain ****' but that was the best game I've seen him play.

Gorgeous solo effort on his second!

 

[therealkoho]

Thank goodness John never packed in last year or the year before, you know when he should have.

I can't believe he's still fooling everyone into thinking he can still play at this level.

NoW MM gotta start doing them MM things again.

Matty may have the motor running, just have to give it some aviation fuel.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Samsonov might have been our weakest player tonight.
I liked that they stuck with it and didn't give them anything easy (well Samsonov might have).
Gross number of penalties on both sides.
Thought the lineup top to bottom did what is needed to be successful. ZAR finding his way, looking better each game. Malgin is nifty, sometimes.
I like Mete. I love Tavares!

Yeah, I thought there were some pretty lame calls on both sides.

I don't mind the refs calling it tighter, but some were odd.

 

[notDatsyuk]

He didn't have to drop the gloves. He could have grabbed Konecny, jersey'ed him and had him down on the ice with a "watch you elbow, rat."

That comment reminded me of the time Dave Schultz wanted to fight Tim Horton. Horton was 5'10" and 44 years old: Schultz was 6'1" and 24. As Tim was supposed to be the 'tough guy' on Buffalo, Dave has to challenge him. After about the third time, Tim got fed up. He picked Schultz up, dropped him to the ice, and sat on him until the ref ended it. Didn't throw a punch, although the fans were yelling for it.

 

[AllDay28]

fan base: no matter what, were gonna be mad after the next game!!! win or lose!!!
*win*
fan base: so we'll start the parade at Union.. go west..

 

[GrizzLeaf]

Glad the Leafs won!!!

I missed the game but the highlights, man o man lol.

Buid on this!

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

That one JT goal was absolutely disgusting. Was that Sandheim that got walked back and forth? Insane.

 

[sittler rules!!!]

Oh My!!! Leafs win one game. Stop the presses. Let's talk again this coming Monday morning.

 

[francis246]

I'm not sure about 'captain ****' but that was the best game I've seen him play.

Gorgeous solo effort on his second!

Best game? Tavares has had some beauties. That first year he was in Toronto he may have been one of the best players night in and night out.

Listen the guy can flat out score. I don’t get all the hate this season. He’s been given an honest effort right from day 1.

I don’t know if he’s a vocal leader but he does lead on the ice and to see how happy Matthews and Mitch were for him, you can tell he has respect in the locker room.

 

[capfit9]

fan base: no matter what, were gonna be mad after the next game!!! win or lose!!!
*win*
fan base: so we'll start the parade at Union.. go west..

 

[Holymakinaw]

Tavares could still score 40 goals and get 80+ points. He ain't "all done" just yet.

 

[Alamo Leafer]

Great effort by the buds.
Now lets build on this win.

Really glad for JT. He seems to have found another gear this year. Whatever he did this summer obviously is paying off.

Loving Samsonov in our net so far.

Hoping AM keeps this up.

Way to go Gio for standing up for his teammates.

A tad concerned about lilly's 1st game back facing the best team this weekend though.

Go Leafs Go

 

[Macallan18]

That comment reminded me of the time Dave Schultz wanted to fight Tim Horton. Horton was 5'10" and 44 years old: Schultz was 6'1" and 24. As Tim was supposed to be the 'tough guy' on Buffalo, Dave has to challenge him. After about the third time, Tim got fed up. He picked Schultz up, dropped him to the ice, and sat on him until the ref ended it. Didn't throw a punch, although the fans were yelling for it.

Tim Horton was reputedly ridiculously strong, dangling a teammate by his ankles over a balcony

 

[Nineteen67]

Glad the Leafs won!!!

I missed the game but the highlights, man o man lol.

Buid on this!

They didn’t do anything different. They turned over the puck a few times, let guys walk through center to get good scoring chances. Not as many and Philly isnt a hungry team, they were bad defensively and their goalie wasn’t very good. I swictched to the Sabres Pens when it was 4-2 and didn’t see the 5 th goal live, but in the high light it looks like the goalie didn’t know there was a pass and thought the shot was coming from tge boards.

Shinny season is starting, which is exactly what the Leafs needed. Win at least one this weekend and they should sweep next week‘s home games - VGK, Pitt, Van.