GDT: Leafs at Tampa 7pm

[Jojalu]

I would honestly start Woll both of these last 2 games. Gives Sammy a week off to be rested for round 1.

Samsonov doesn't want to sit for 8 days before he plays.

He will most likely start Thu.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I would honestly start Woll both of these last 2 games. Gives Sammy a week off to be rested for round 1.

Samsonov has publicly stated that 8 days off of no game action is too much and wants to play Thursday vs. NYR to stay in rhythm.

He hasn't been overworked. He's 22nd in games played for goalies. Vasy has played 17 more. A guy like Hellybuck, 21 more games.

 

[egd27]

It does a disservice to the teams still trying to qualify.
Not a chance Dubas would allow them to throw away a game that could impact his Mentor's team.

Yea but it sure would have been fun to hear what Lou and Burke had to say about it if Kyle had gave the NHL the finger for denying the emergency call up.

 

[banks]

Samsonov has publicly stated that 8 days off of no game action is too much and wants to play Thursday vs. NYR to stay in rhythm.

He hasn't bee overworked. He's 22nd in games played for goalies. Vast had played 17 more. A guy like Hellybuck, 21 more games.

Yep. No reason to rest him against New York.

But there's also no reason to play him against Tampa. He was looking tired last night, and faced a ton of shots. Back to back games would be bonkers with nothing on the line.

 

[ACC1224]

Yea but it sure would have been fun to hear what Lou and Burke had to say about it if Kyle had gave the NHL the finger for denying the emergency call up.

I think they would have supported it.

 

[LeafSteel]

Tonights game will set the tone for the upcoming series and really will play an important role in the future of the franchise, repercussions could be felt for years.
A loss here could be devasting.

I'm quite certain an immediate decision will be made around the futures of Marner, Matthews, and Nylander based on the outcome of tonight's game.

They could all be sent down to the Marlies, at minimum or be waived. For sure tonight's game will factor into any decisions to re-sign them all.

This is truly a high stakes game tonight.

 

[ACC1224]

Samsonov has publicly stated that 8 days off of no game action is too much and wants to play Thursday vs. NYR to stay in rhythm.

He hasn't been overworked. He's 22nd in games played for goalies. Vasy has played 17 more. A guy like Hellybuck, 21 more games.

I don't think it's the volume of games people are worried about but the heavy workload that he would face in the game against a desperate team.

Yep. No reason to rest him against New York.

But there's also no reason to play him against Tampa. He was looking tired last night, and faced a ton of shots. Back to back games would be bonkers with nothing on the line.

Safe to say he won't play tonight

 

[LeafsandSharksfan]

Just punch someone.

 

[ULF_55]

Tonight's game is so meaningful, both teams could use a Zamboni driver.

 

[Griffin76]

If they don't treat tonight's game as a statement game for the playoffs then 7 is guaranteed to be the new number.

I agree. It doesn't matter who sits out, the rest have to step up. Schenn, Acciari, Simmonds if he's in, they need to make sure we don't get bullied around out there. They'll be looking to make a statement as well and every year it's the same statement by every opposing playoff team. Bully the little Leafs. Team is a little different this year. We have the people to push back.

 

[Nineteen67]

I sure hope no Leafs player accidentally falls into Vasilevskiy

 

[Nineteen67]

This is really a strange time for these two teams to be playing. Maybe they thought it would decide the Atlantic division, but more often than not it’s going to a meaningless game this late in the season. Where both teams are, that shouldn't be the case.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

If management doesn't do their best to win EVERY game, sends a message to the players.

Is this satire? This game has red flags all over it. Tampa will want to send a message and are fresh. Our team is tired. This is a game that should be completely mailed in. There's nothing to gain from the Leafs winning and everything to lose (i.e., injuries, especially goaltending).

Edit: Looking at the other responses I guess, yeah, it was satire. You got me.

 

[The Examiner]

The next 2 games are literally a waste of time, the ONLY reason you play them is because you are legally required to.

Waste of time for the pessimist.

It’s not a waste of time if you want home ice (other than against Boston) for the rest of the playoffs.

I like the Rangers to come out of the Metro and I think home ice against them would be the little edge they would need.

Obviously, you don’t want any of that at the expense of injuries but certainly NOT a waste of time.

 

[Duffman955]

Let's get some crashers and bangers tonight and get outta there without injuries

Schenn and Simmonds have to play

 

[The Examiner]

Samsonov doesn't want to sit for 8 days before he plays.

He will most likely start Thu.

I would assume they would start their game 1 lineup on Thursday.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Waste of time for the pessimist.

It’s not a waste of time if you want home ice (other than against Boston) for the rest of the playoffs.

I like the Rangers to come out of the Metro and I think home ice against them would be the little edge they would need.

Obviously, you don’t any of that at the expense of injuries but certainly NOT a waste of time.

It's a waste of time because It's meaningless.

You can't move in the standings, and home ice is youwrapped up.

 

[ACC1224]

Let's get some crashers and bangers tonight and get outta there without injuries

Schenn and Simmonds have to play

I don't think they want to get into that type of game.

 

[The Examiner]

It's a waste of time because It's meaningless.

You can't move in the standings, and home ice is youwrapped up.

You obviously didn’t read the whole response. They can still finish 2nd overall and that could give them home ice for the rest of the playoffs (other than against Boston), so not meaningless.

If you’re a pessimist than of course it’s meaningless but that’s irrelevant.

 

[fahad203]

I still don't understand why we didn't just play the ATO last game instead of Sammy, we don't need to care about any of these games. Play Giordano in net if you have to... Keep Sammy out until the last game of the season to get him in one more rep before play offs. We're playing with fire here.

Sydney Crosby and Lou would had a hey day. They would have complained that they are fighting for a spot and leafs didn't ice their team to compete

It's essentially throwing away the game. That wouldn't have sag well with the league or other teams if leafs shut down their players

They can now

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I don't think it's the volume of games people are worried about but the heavy workload that he would face in the game against a desperate team.

If the Devils win tonight, the NYR game becomes meaningless as well.

Regardless, play Sammy for 2 periods and pull him.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

You obviously didn’t read the whole response. They can still finish 2nd overall and that could give them home ice for the rest of the playoffs (other than against Boston), so not meaningless.

If you’re a pessimist than of course it’s meaningless but that’s irrelevant.

You don't need to be a pessimist to see these games as meaningless you just need to see that your playoff matchup is set.

You talk about finishing 2nd to lock in home ice against everybody but Boston, but do you think Boston is going down in round 1? I hope they do because a 15th-22nd pick would be a bonus but you can't depend on that.

 

[The Examiner]

You don't need to be a pessimist to see these games as meaningless you just need to see that your playoff matchup is set.

You talk about finishing 2nd to lock in home ice against everybody but Boston, but do you think Boston is going down in round 1? I hope they do because a 15th-22nd pick would be a bonus but you can't depend on that.

Your reading comprehension is atrocious. You don’t know the definition of meaningless or literally, so I’m not surprised.

Good luck.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Sammy better not play. Can't really rest anyone sadly with the cap situation and the injuries to Murray Lafferty Jarnkrok and Gustafsson. I guess Timmins could come in and we could rest a d.

 

[ACC1224]

Sammy better not play. Can't really rest anyone sadly with the cap situation and the injuries to Murray Lafferty Jarnkrok and Gustafsson. I guess Timmins could come in and we could rest a damn.

Yes, I'd expect Timmins to play the next 2