Post-Game Talk: Leafs beat Connor Hellebuyck 4-3, end 3 game skid in OT

[Stephen]

There was a game in Vancouver a year or two ago in which he stopped about 5 breakaways in one period. He played insane that game, but those types of performances are rare from him, unfortunately.

Stephen's post above recounting the abysmally weak goals in elimination playoff games really sums up my frustrations with Fred. I was hoping that the Columbus series would be redemption and success for Fred and the team. But after that Foudy goal, Fred's dead, baby; Fred's dead.

You know what's funny, that Vancouver game is stuck in my mind too as one of the only times Andersen completely outdueled another hot goalie. He was just uncharacteristically amazing. Never seen it again.

 

[Leaf4Life79]

Matthews is our Captain

Absolutely puckin agree! JT is not our guy...... trade him in the offseason or deadline... I won't cry over it!
ETA: if it wasn't for that stupid thing he did drunk asf, he would be our Captain I am quite sure! I am sure, he has redeemed himself since then!

 

[Stephen]

I just watched that BUF goal. The release on that one was more predictable. The trajectory too. That was saveable. The one he scored last night was incredibly deceptive. Looked like he defied the laws of physics for a moment. Even in slo mo that is hard to track.

A lot of his mechanics are hard to track even in slow motion. He's next generation skill level.

 

[hotpaws]

Absolutely puckin agree! JT is not our guy...... trade him in the offseason or deadline... I won't cry over it!
ETA: if it wasn't for that stupid thing he did drunk asf, he would be our Captain I am quite sure! I am sure, he has redeemed himself since then!

the team shouldn't have named a Capt until that incident blew over and then they could have given AM the C

AM has a presence about him which leaders have and it seems an unshakable confidence in his ability which allows him to handle pressure and consistently produce at a high level

JT doesn't have the talent-personality or presence to lead this team and it would have been a lot less pressure to not wear a letter and have the Mathews - Marner - Rielly have the spot light ,

 

[Leaf4Life79]

the team shouldn't have named a Capt until that incident blew over and then they could have given AM the C

AM has a presence about him which leaders have and it seems an unshakable confidence in his ability which allows him to handle pressure and consistently produce at a high level

JT doesn't have the talent-personality or presence to lead this team and it would have been a lot less pressure to not wear a letter and have the Mathews - Marner - Rielly have the spot light ,

100% agree brother!

 

[hobarth]

We've seen it many times in the past, TO being outplayed, outchanced, you name it but Andersen seemingly single handily winning the game, that's happening with Winterpeg right now. Winterpeg is a team with a bad team defence but they're good enough to win because of the quality of their forwards. The 2 games felt like the better team couldn't score enough to win so let's hope Dubie can find a top 6 forward because TO's offence tho 3rd best in the NHL can't always win, the offensive responsibility is in too few hands.

The press can't believe the difference in Hyman:


"He has a lot of confidence. He is holding onto pucks a lot more here now. If we look and reflect on the last season and coming back into this season, he has adjusted his game here. We are encouraging him to hold onto the puck a little bit more. We are encouraging him to look for linemates and make plays when he is there."


Sheldon Keefe Post Game, Leafs 4 vs. Jets 3 (OT): "I thought William Nylander had his best game of the season today... He was outstanding" | Maple Leafs Hotstove

I think Hyman needed Keefe to set him free, Babs loved that Hy forechecked and was perfectly happy that he filled that role, Keefe wants him to forecheck with a goal of possession. Hy used to win many scuffles but then he'd give the puck away in his haste to get it to AM or MM which is what Babs wanted, Keefe wants him to make plays be a greater part of the offensive process, it's an amazing change. Hy has confidence because Keefe enabled him.

I loved the win, from effort it was deserved except it reminded me of the one and done Leafs of the past, nobody was going to the front of the net, Nylander did last year, Jumbo did earlier in the year, Simmonds did and it was that kind of havoc along with TO's possession that made them nearly unbeatable, not seeing much of that right now.

 

[cupcrazyman]

As a goalie , how do you stop that Matthew's goal ?

I guess the answer is, you don't. lol

 

[likecheese]

I just watched that BUF goal. The release on that one was more predictable. The trajectory too. That was saveable. The one he scored last night was incredibly deceptive. Looked like he defied the laws of physics for a moment. Even in slo mo that is hard to track.

He and Rielly were both completely out of gas, if it's stopped and goes the other way, they're dead so he had to reach in the bag and pull out one of the A-moves. Probably wanted to save it for later in the season but they needed the W.

 

[Steve776]

Absolutely puckin agree! JT is not our guy...... trade him in the offseason or deadline... I won't cry over it!
ETA: if it wasn't for that stupid thing he did drunk asf, he would be our Captain I am quite sure! I am sure, he has redeemed himself since then!

JT isn't getting traded. His NMC and his (Imo) big time over valuation make it very very unlikely anyways. He's staying in Toronto until his contract is up.

 

[Judas Tavares]

I haven't either, but it certainly feels like a disproportionate amount of tips are going in our net when Fred plays.

But, could be my recency bias.

I thought the same tonight. Tips aren't easy to save and a lot are going to get by goalies every year. But it seems like every game at least one tip gets by him. The dmen also need to do a better job tying up their men.

 

[The Man with a Plan]

JT isn't getting traded. His NMC and his (Imo) big time over valuation make it very very unlikely anyways. He's staying in Toronto until his contract is up.

Thats fine... anyone with even one eye knows that JT is more valuable to the team then a lot of people give him credit for. 24 pts in 29 games and a plus 9 for whatever thats worth.... almost a ppg and still some think hes the problem. Madness.

 

[zeke]

Idk if it’s been mentioned here (stayed off HF for the game), but TSNs “third most important player on the Leafs” segment was so silly. It’s Tavares. Hyman and Nylander are important, but it’s f***ing Tavares.

It might be rielly tbh.

But I'm just happy and shocked that they didn't include Fred as an option.

That speaks volumes imo because Fred has always been included in any talking head segment about Leafs' MVP, let alone 3rd best player.

 

[Steve776]

Thats fine... anyone with even one eye knows that JT is more valuable to the team then a lot of people give him credit for. 24 pts in 29 games and a plus 9 for whatever thats worth.... almost a ppg and still some think hes the problem. Madness.

Yeah. And he has 7 points in the last 7 games. I'd say that his slump is over at this point. He's producing.

 

[IPS]

It might be rielly tbh.

But I'm just happy and shocked that they didn't include Fred as an option.

That speaks volumes imo because Fred has always been included in any talking head segment about Leafs' MVP, let alone 3rd best player.

I know Long ways from the "Leafs are nowhere near the playoffs without Freddy" the panel boys loved to spout in years prior.

 

[Rielly4]

Idk if it’s been mentioned here (stayed off HF for the game), but TSNs “third most important player on the Leafs” segment was so silly. It’s Tavares. Hyman and Nylander are important, but it’s f***ing Tavares.

Nylander is better than Tavares. You could argue maybe JT is more important than Nylander because of position but i would disagree. Rielly is more important than Tavares...Hell even Brodie is more important than Tavares. JT has been awful hes around the same impact level as Hyman...Only reason hes more important is because hes a C.

 

[KIWILEAFFAN]

Had a huge day at work and missed the live feed. A mate over there in Ontario sent a message about Iliya scoring and I had to nip that in the bud as I didn't know the score and it shouldn't be hard avoiding it 6000 miles away.
Got home late and stuffed my guts while watching the archived game.

Unreal. So many highs and lows coupled with some frustration. Leafs were so dominant yet so fragile at the same time.
On reflection probably the most enjoyable game I have seen so far this season.
CHB was amazing for the jets. Should have been a major blowout in the Leafs favour.
The finish was highlight reel stuff by Matthews. Friggen awesome player.
Hyman is just a beast. Nylander looks better and better every game. Was happy with Both Jt's this game as well. Brodie is growing on me. Fast becoming a fav player.
They didn't give up and it would have to be what you would call a complete 60 from this team.
Hope they have some left in the tank for Sunday. (Our time)

 

[KingJoffrey]

Ehlers is so much better than pretty Willy that it's sickening. And Tavares sucks. After his wive got a baby this 11 mil bum can't do a thing.

 

[Steve776]

Ehlers is so much better than pretty Willy that it's sickening. And Tavares sucks. After his wive got a baby this 11 mil bum can't do a thing.

Nylander had a better game tonight than Ehlers though...
And since the Flames series Tavares has averaged a point per game.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

I thought the same tonight. Tips aren't easy to save and a lot are going to get by goalies every year. But it seems like every game at least one tip gets by him. The dmen also need to do a better job tying up their men.

Problem is he's the smallest big goalie in the league. Positioning as well. That second tip doesn't go in he's a little more square to the passer instead of hugging the post.

 

[horner]

Great game by the team goaltending included .
Mathews he isn incredible player, his game from last yr to today is night and day. the biggest part for me is his physicality he takes no prissioner attitude mentality m Love it.
Marner is Marner great player .
Willy Love your game tonight getting involved and Love the goal you scored and the emotion after it.
Hyman is hyman just Love this player .

One thing I noticed after these two games
Winnipegs goals were scored from making Anderson move and going top shelve or tips . Both are really hard to stop.

Toronto
Nylanders first attempt needed to go too shelf . His goal Tavares great pass willy top shelf .

Unless you are Mathews you need to get the goaltender
moving side to side and going top shelf .

Great game.

 

[Hart Nation]

Nylander is better than Tavares. You could argue maybe JT is more important than Nylander because of position but i would disagree. Rielly is more important than Tavares...Hell even Brodie is more important than Tavares. JT has been awful hes around the same impact level as Hyman...Only reason hes more important is because hes a C.

Lol.. In what world is Nylander better than JT. At no point in his career has this been true. Take those goggles off bud

 

[123offtheglass]

I thought his career ended because of knee surgery not brain damage

 

[Leaftors]

Meh. It's a narrative. He was by far the better goalie tonight. Hellebuyck let in 4 goals. Andersen only 3. He deserved the win. He played very very well.

Wait what?

 

[123offtheglass]

Been a while.

Since they won the cup:

Playoffs

PIT 7-13 (MTL, NYI, PHI, WSH)
TOR 8-11 (CBJ, BOS, BOS)

Meh. It's a narrative. He was by far the better goalie tonight. Hellebuyck let in 4 goals. Andersen only 3. He deserved the win. He played very very well.

Wait what?

1st star of the game was a typo; it was really Andersen.

 

[The Best Leafs Ever]

Marner is a beast though, always knew he was a winner and had a winners mentality. He doesn't shy away from blocking shots, taking hits, covering for his D and killing penalties. Guy just stood out there like a wall protecting Andersen and the net just to make a beautiful clear to Mo. I just hope our team develops the same mentality meaning do whatever it takes to get it done. Go Leafs Go.