Post-Game Talk: LEAFS ADVANCE TO 2nd ROUND BABY!!!!

[Burnie97]

Lol that and also a lot of Leaf fans.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

The Cirelli line cooked us a lot of the series but we did a good job of absorbing a lot of the zone time from them.

True they were good but not really in a series changing way, they just were a handful. The fact that Tampa put all their star players on the top line and they only contributed 2 goals at 5v5 was a killer for them though

 

[SprDaVE]

Game 6 potential close out game in Tampa, 2022: phantom high stick call on Kampf that hands them the tying goal, and ultimately the game and the series.

Game 6 potential close out game in Tampa, 2023: missed high stick call on Brodie prevents them from quite possibly winning in OT, allows Tavares to score.

Two objectively incorrect calls that ultimately lead these two series down entirely separately paths. Not sure if it's justice, but it certainly feels poetic.

Kerfoot also dodged a huge bullet early in the game when there was a clear tripping that he wasn't called for. A few minutes later, the Leafs got a PP for a trip.

 

[1specter]

So many critical goals in this series were scored just by putting the puck towards the net. You can't just throw it there into shin pads but still get it through rather than picking you perfect looks every time. It'll hit a skate, butt, glove, anything and go on.

I think that's the biggest thing they've learned. They used to always try for the high percentage skill plays and teams figured out how to stop it by cutting off prime passing lanes and going into a defensive shell. Columbus, Montreal, Tampa all closed out series against them like this.

They finally changed their approach and also added guys like ROR, Acciari, Knies etc who aren't afraid to go straight to the net.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

True they were good but not really in a series changing way, they just were a handful. The fact that Tampa put all their star players on the top line and they only contributed 2 goals at 5v5 was a killer for them though

Yeah exactly they won a ton of their shifts and were a big reason why we struggled to generate offense...but they also didn't really have the skill to actually generate high danger chances off all their offensive zone time. Cooper probably should have had Hagel up with Point and Kucherov earlier into the series.

 

[1specter]

Kerfoot also dodged a huge bullet early in the game when there was a clear tripping that he wasn't called for. A few minutes later, the Leafs got a PP for a trip.

He was particularly awful last night I thought. Plays kept dying on his stick and he came close to taking some dumb penalties but the refs put away the whistles thankfully.

 

[ACC1224]

Hopefully with all the breaks they got last night the whining about the Refs being against them can be shelved.

 

[Lightsol]

That goal was not Gus's fault. That was Knies and a bad rebound by Sammy.

And Nylander in no man's land for some reason. I have no idea what the hell he was doing on that play...

My old man kept blaming Gio for not taking both Killorn and Stamkos on the play.

 

[Matthews4Calder]

Only one round but the jubilation in our house was crazy. Kudos to the group and I personally think with the monkey off their back they'll play better moving forward.

 

[AvroArrow]

Kerfoot also dodged a huge bullet early in the game when there was a clear tripping that he wasn't called for. A few minutes later, the Leafs got a PP for a trip.

Referees missed a tripping on Tampa like 30 seconds before that trip, I think that's why they didn't call it. Someone took Knies down, on almost exact same play.

 

[Killer Orcas]

Congratulations Leaf land you've waited long enough for this. Not gonna lie predicted Leafs to win series and pretty much had you guys taking it in 5 after game 4. You guys had me second guessing after game 5 and well in 6 overtime anything can happen. Happy to see you guys pull it out good luck in round 2 hopefully you guys get on a run now !

 

[VanW27]

Bieka showed how poorly Nylander played that.

That's nice, he's wrong though.

 

[Auston 316]

 

[Jojalu]

Sounds about right.

The Knies factor.

Unbelievable he was on the ice for all 3 OT winners.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I didn't see the game.

Its true. I was at a concert with my wife. Of course i was keeping an eye on the game.

Question for Leaf Fans:

How did Gustafson/Liljegren do?

More importantly how was Keefe's 7 Eleven?

I don't want to hear about Holl. I want to hear about the other guys.

 

[egd27]

And I'm just being honest, I don't think the leafs can beat the best regular season team in NHL history in round 2 so I'm cheering for a Florida miracle victory tonight. Why is that bad?

Of course they would, the 76-77 Canadiens are all in their seventies and eighties.

 

[Gallagbi]

The more i watch that JT goal the more impressive it is. Certainly a lucky bounce in, but the won battle/race at the blueline then the retrieval downl. *chefs kiss*

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I didn't see the game.

Its true. I was at a concert with my wife. Of course i was keeping an eye on the game.

Question for Leaf Fans:

How did Gustafson/Liljegren do?

More importantly how was Keefe's 7 Eleven?

I don't want to hear about Holl. I want to hear about the other guys.

Liljegren was great imo gave us another defensemen capable of skating his way out of the zone which we badly needed. Gus didn't get a ton of ice time but was good enough.

 

[saltming]

 

[kb]

Like I said, he's one of the best open ice hitters I've seen wear the blue and white in a long time

Since Muzzin.

 

[saltming]

Since Muzzin.

I'm giving him the edge on Muzzin. Both are great but McCabe seems more mobile

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Since Muzzin.

Muzzin seemed to kind of lose that side of his game not long after joining our team.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Trying watching this beginning to end without misting up a little.

 

[kb]

When you go nearly 20 years without a series win I’d say that’s cause for a good celebration.

Let the REAL LEAF FANS have their fun and enjoy the moment.

FIFY

 

[danron1376]

The only thing that sucks is that Muzzin ain't here to enjoy this one too. Way too many nights he was the only one who showed any balls.

they showed muzzin hug matthews in the hallway after the game