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

[ACC1224]

I think if you never stand up for yourself, you'll continue to get taken advantage of.

This and a 5-2 game is the perfect time to stand up for yourself. Big weakness in Matthews game.

 

[Niagara Bill]

This started with AM skate to the head in first and continued through a few more tussle. My question is, score 5-2, less than 1 min, what the flip is the 3rd and 4th lines for. Close out the game and leave your big boys on the bench.
So now will we get away from smurfs again and play Simmons and whoever we can find?

 

[Warden of the North]

JT has been getting shit every year after his first one where he scored almost 50 and it's been completely undeserved. He's a model of consistency and his personal stats have not undervalued his contract even this far into it. Everyone in the league would have gladly signed on to that deal if they knew exactly the stats he'd put up to this point.

 

[Macallan18]

This and a 5-2 game is the perfect time to stand up for yourself. Big weakness in Matthews game.

Yeah, no. Matthews did the smart and right thing. He didn't risk a stupid injury, let his teammates come in and handle the nonsense, and then just laughed in the flyer's face.
More respect to Matthews. I want him to be Matthews, not a stupid Tkachuk.

 

[LeafGrief]

It will forever drive me nuts that this team has to be shamed into action, but there can be no doubting that once they get going, they really move.

JT has the fire and the drive to be part of the solution here. I do not worry about the few million that he's overpaid, and I laugh when people call him a cap dump.

 

[fancy lad]

i'm surprised that people are making this big a deal about the scrum at the end and Matthews' part in it. I thought it played out as it should have.

Also Marner still shitty this game. He's been a notch below all season. His points total flatters him.

 

[Leafs1991]

I have to say that I have been impressed with Tavares this season. He has gotten himself more speed which is allowing him to play like his old self. I don't see him losing puck battles as often now, he is gaining space between players with or wihout the puck more often, and he is able to pass and shoot more often too now. It wasn't as noticeable the first 5-7 games but this latest stretch has shown what he is capable of lately. If he can play like this until his contract runs out, I'd have no issue with him.

 

[BallardEra]

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Stomping on the Flyers is quality content. Two thumbs up (except for Holl).

I was at the game, and people around me were really on him. After that clown show sequence in the second period, I genuinely felt sorry for the guy. He’s got no confidence and he isn’t very good at the best of times.

 

[ACC1224]

Yeah, no. Matthews did the smart and right thing. He didn't risk a stupid injury, let his teammates come in and handle the nonsense, and then just laughed in the flyer's face.
More respect to Matthews. I want him to be Matthews, not a stupid Tkachuk.

A little over dramatic, there is a huge gap between Matthews and Tkachuk.
Doesn’t even need to fight, rag doll the Smurf would suffice.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

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 don’t understand people saying Samsonov had a great game. He made a few great saves but overall he was fighting the puck. I think one of his main problems is that he loses focus at times.

 

[Notsince67]

This and a 5-2 game is the perfect time to stand up for yourself. Big weakness in Matthews game.

Flyers players under pressure to show emotion. Pretty sure a 175lbs player would deep down be happy that a fight with Matthews didn't happen. Being taken in a fight by a player that is multiple times better in every other facet of the game is a bit humiliating.

 

[ACC1224]

Players know.

 

[ULF_55]

I was at the game, and people around me were really on him. After that clown show sequence in the second period, I genuinely felt sorry for the guy. He’s got no confidence and he isn’t very good at the best of times.

Yeah, he's better than he's shown, but as you say he looks like he is questioning every defensive play he's in. And is thinking every play. He isn't just playing he's thinking, which leads to hesitation, which leads to pressure or bad plays.

Being on the road didn't change things up for him.

Too bad, he is usually a serviceable defender. Maybe if the team gets a couple wins it might take the internal pressure off.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

This and a 5-2 game is the perfect time to stand up for yourself. Big weakness in Matthews game.

Papi is too cool for school, he believes he is above the caveman stuff. He just doesn't have it in his character...it's like saying Freddie the Goat would be a monster if he developed a mean streak. Um, mean streak is not something you develop it's something that's a part of you.

These guys are gentle giants who never had to fight for themselves

 

[Nineteen67]

OMG. That’s a terrible look AM.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

He's very good positionally and makes some smart plays, overall not a great game though, in the offensive zone or on the breakout most of his plays were slightly misfiring and he looked a bit scared to drive the play, preferring to pass the puck off and defer to a teammate (not too unexpected for a first game though). Overall I do like him.

Thanks. Might just need to settle in after a few games.

 

[wingman75]

Samsonov was weakest? He wasn't standing on his head or the main reason they won but he made 2 huge amazing saves, so he stood tall when the team needed it. One of those saves will probably be considered among the saves of the year. He swallowed pucks and also was just not allowing much overall.

The first goal was just a pure snipe, nobody was stopping that. The 2nd goal was soft for sure though.

Well, wasn't that my point? I never said he didn't play well?! 2nd goal cannot go it, otherwise he gave us what we need.

 

[Nineteen67]

A little over dramatic, there is a huge gap between Matthews and Tkachuk.
Doesn’t even need to fight, rag doll the Smurf would suffice.

I missed all that ruckus. What an opportunity for him to show up , especially when he’s struggling.

That little smirk, is fear.

 

[wingman75]

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.

As long as it is consistent, I think most people can live what whatever they are calling. All too often the refs 'set the standard' early in the game only to choose to not call the same stuff as the game progresses. Tonight was consistent, no doubt.

Yeah, I don’t understand people saying Samsonov had a great game. He made a few great saves but overall he was fighting the puck. I think one of his main problems is that he loses focus at times.

Yea, I am not saying he was bad. It was more of a comment on how good the skaters were tonight. I didn't think he was anything better than good... could nice saves, limited rebounds, and two stoppable shots, especially the second one. Did what was needed. If he can continue along with a game like that being the low bar, we are in good shape.

 

[bbgobie]

I think Mete's game has been better than Holl. I'm hoping he sticks after lilje comes back

 

[Nineteen67]

Yeah, I don’t understand people saying Samsonov had a great game. He made a few great saves but overall he was fighting the puck. I think one of his main problems is that he loses focus at times.

He was better than what Philly had in net. If they had average NHL goalie that , and ( big if) if Philly scores on that opening face-off break in the 3rd, that game likely plays out like the western road trip.

Having said that, you have to beat teams that are tanking, especially at home. They got the two points.

 

[ToneDog]

Man the Flyer fans don't have much to look forward to other than Hart, Koneckny those Tortorella meltdowns. They handled the puck like it was a grenade last night.

Full marks for the boys with a gutsy third. Kudos to 91 and ZAR has a pulse.

Now be prepared to the same for 3 periods on Saturday.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

THAT WAS AN AMAZING SUNDIN TYPE OF LEGENDARY GAME BY THE CAPTAIN! GILMOUR CLARK TYPE OF DIRT!!! HE WAS TRULY TWERKIN HIS THANG!!!!!!

I felt the aftershocks of all that twerkin here in Boston sire.

Truly legendary dirt.

 

[ULF_55]

Players know.

Matthews just isn't that player.
Nothing to do with being a star.

It isn't a good look though, especially with the complete lack of success the team has had with him being the best player.

Maybe not drop the gloves, but show some snarl ... time will tell.

Conn Smythe - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

His autobiography, Conn Smythe: If You Can't Beat 'Em in the Alley, written with Scott Young, was published posthumously in 1981. The title was taken from Smythe's credo, "If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice."[101] In Smythe's memoir he describes it as the most misunderstood remark he ever made. Rather than meaning that his players should go out and bully the opposition, he meant the opposite; that his players should refuse to be bullied by the opposition.[101]