Post-Game Talk: Leafs beat Oilers (and refs!) 4-3. We're going streaking!

[IPS]

We were absolutely burying the Oilers before the Albertan and Saskatchwan refs threw a hissy fit about the Leafs dominating their favorite team and made several phantom calls on us that gave the Oilers the momentum.

I don't ever wanna hear that bullshit about the refs "being bad both ways". That game was on pace to be a blowout before they changed the trajectory of it.

 

[IPS]

I swear I through my remote across the room when Brodie got crosschecked in the numbers at the end there in front of the ref with no call after all that other nonsense. A mix of zero consistency, awful game management, guessing games and sheer buffoonery last night.

Oh you mean the actual calls that need to made to PROTECT players? Doesn't matter, the Leafs being up 2 goals and Kerfoot's phantom slashing is a much more important issue.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

OMG watched that game and it was men playing boys except on scoreboard ... very solid game all around by team totally controlled all aspects of game ... hate it when refs try to make a closer game out of a game that was not remotely close ... but clearly those refs are of that school of thought ... absolute joke many of those calls meant to even up game ... not even worth remarking more ... i guess league does not want 8-0 blowouts ...

You could see some silly play even from Mitch who threw puck around like crazy trying to make highlight reel plays and turned puck over so many times it was a joke too (but it did not affect game overall so no one cares) ... Muzzy took night off completely you never see him leave guys wide open in front of net like last night (cost us tying goal but again no one cares) i wonder if he was just bored or maybe tired (if tired take him out for a game to let him rest Keefer) ...

Kerfoot was on fire ... Zach played like Zack ... Holl was amazing again .. Spezz played like he should never have been pulled out and my guess is Keefe will now question that decision ... liked the Boyd line ... maybe Engval in and Barabanov out but no real consequence

 

[Lightsol]

In football the refs don't give out flags just to keep the game close

Then you either don't really watch the NFL or you're a fan of one of the "chosen" teams. Try being a Lions fan some time; we accept three losses a year via intentional ref incompetence...

 

[BAM]

Then you either don't really watch the NFL or you're a fan of one of the "chosen" teams. Try being a Lions fan some time; we accept three losses a year via intentional ref incompetence...

The Lions are just bad, they're the Oilers of the NFL.

 

[HarryLime]

I'm not sure if I should be more disappointed in the individual refs, the league or myself tbh.

 

[Lightsol]

The Lions are just bad, they're the Oilers of the NFL.

I'm not going to argue that. However, they appear worse than they actually are because the refs hose them year after year. As I said, they're good for costing the team at least 3 wins every year.

 

[Brobust]

We need a Manny Malhotra appreciation thread.

In fact, if Keefe keeps making stupid lineup decisions, we may soon need a 'Manny for HC' thread.

 

[BertCorbeau]

We need a Manny Malhotra appreciation thread.

In fact, if Keefe keeps making stupid lineup decisions, we may soon need a 'Manny for HC' thread.

TBH outside of starting with Thornton on the top line wing, there hasn't been too many questionable lineup decisions asides from the fourth line at times. Nothing too egregious to really complain about.

I'd like to see Engvall-Spezza-Boyd on the fourth line next game though. Boyd's been very good, and Spezza looked like he had some jump after a needed night off.

I know folks were questioning and wanting the top unit stacked. And while that can be effective, it was a bit predictable last year. Splitting between two units has been really effective because it gives the Leafs a 1A/1B unit on the same PP. By my eye test a lot of the Leafs PP goals have come in the second half of that PP. That can be attributed to splitting the units up.

TBH the Leafs PP hasn't looked this good since the big 3's rookie year, when they had two split units .. A key difference is that Malholtra has them moving the puck a lot better, getting pucks to the net which helps open up seams for the skilled plays.

 

[SprDaVE]

I thought the Muzzin and Holl pairing had a rough one last night.

Leafs have to be better 5 on 5. Scoring on the PP is great though. They need to be a top 3 team on the PP.

Barabanov just doesn't cut it. Engvall needs to be in the lineup full time. Boyd has been pretty solid too.

 

[Brobust]

I thought the Muzzin and Holl pairing had a rough one last night.

Leafs have to be better 5 on 5. Scoring on the PP is great though. They need to be a top 3 team on the PP.

Barabanov just doesn't cut it. Engvall needs to be in the lineup full time. Boyd has been pretty solid too.

Interesting thing about last night is that 5v5, both McDavid and Draisaitl were neutered and had sub 50 xGF%. xGF% drivers on the Oilers were Kassian, Puljujarvi and some bottom sixer that I can't remember.

I can live with that. That's going to win them games even if they lose the overall 5v5 battle.

 

[thusk]

The first stick check penalty on Spezza...

The only penalty of spezza was a tripping and it was a penalty...

If you talk aboutfirst slash of kerfoot. he touch the hand with his stick and this season ref call it everytime. The second he never touch hand, so this one was a bad call by ref.

 

[Brobust]

TBH outside of starting with Thornton on the top line wing, there hasn't been too many questionable lineup decisions asides from the fourth line at times. Nothing too egregious to really complain about.

I'd like to see Engvall-Spezza-Boyd on the fourth line next game though. Boyd's been very good, and Spezza looked like he had some jump after a needed night off.

I know folks were questioning and wanting the top unit stacked. And while that can be effective, it was a bit predictable last year. Splitting between two units has been really effective because it gives the Leafs a 1A/1B unit on the same PP. By my eye test a lot of the Leafs PP goals have come in the second half of that PP. That can be attributed to splitting the units up.

TBH the Leafs PP hasn't looked this good since the big 3's rookie year, when they had two split units .. A key difference is that Malholtra has them moving the puck a lot better, getting pucks to the net which helps open up seams for the skilled plays.

Maybe I'm just a bit annoyed that that the younger guys haven't been given more priority. I want some energy on the bottom six.

 

[Team First]

I thought Bogosian looked much quicker last night.
I wonder if, at some point in the game or hallway, Kassian had a little snicker with Muzzin

 

[Zybalto]

The only penalty of spezza was a tripping and it was a penalty...

If you talk aboutfirst slash of kerfoot. he touch the hand with his stick and this season ref call it everytime. The second he never touch hand, so this one was a bad call by ref.

Did it hit his hand? On the replay it looked like it got nothing but stick. Thats a bad call. In the end, it was a nothing call. It didnt affect the play and, despite what some are saying, wasnt called every time last night.

Meanwhile, the NHL is promoting this play as a great way to start a goal scoring sequence.

Thats to be celebrated? What is going on?

 

[mix1home]

Oilers fans complaining about officials that gave this game to Leafs on platter in three.... two... one...

 

[Twine Tickler]

These things usually level out in the end as its super rare to even have a sub 45 or plus 55 PP share at the end of seasons but its quality (or lack thereof) of the penalty calls that is the worst part of all of this.

Even seeing the "Im so objective I wont even mention these sort of things" broadcasts starting to raise their eyebrows shows how bad its starting to get.

Leafs are 7-2 though which shows the quality of team they have this year and has certainly quieted frustrations from many but if we get near the 20 game mark and things havnt changed, it might get ugly for the officials and the league. I swear I through my remote across the room when Brodie got crosschecked in the numbers at the end there in front of the ref with no call after all that other nonsense. A mix of zero consistency, awful game management, guessing games and sheer buffoonery last night.

Ya, I understand the logic of not complaining while we are winning, and I totally understand that these things tend to regress to the mean. Unfortunately in my mind our 7-2 start is slightly fraudulent. Not overly, just slightly. There were a handful of games in that stretch where they probably did not deserve to win, and the remaining wins really could have gone either way. I am happy this team is getting rewarded for playing the right way (defensively cautious, harder on the forecheck...etc). And in general I really have liked what I have seen. But when the officials allow a team back in the game like they did yesterday, it could have easily been a very different ending. I felt really good about their first 38 mins of the game TBH. Structurally sound, played physical, excellent on the PK again, generated enough chances to win, and had a 2 goal lead. When you are down 2 men against a PP with McDrai for a minute and a half, more often than not its gunna end up in your net. I am not sure how any official feels comfortable calling ticky tacky shit like that knowing the potential ramifications. I honestly think that's the exact reason TOR gets zero calls. They understand that by giving TOR a PP, they have a higher than normal chance to score. Therefore there is more pressure on the official to make the right call. That's totally fine by me, but lets hide the whistle on both sides then.

 

[AvroArrow]

Refs did their best, but Barrie did better I cannot express how happy I am to play against him this year. Good forecheck, but my goodness what is he doing with the puck behind the net, gave up a freebie

 

[Leafsfan74]

The danger with all of the penalty calls last night, is that there is the perception of bias for the Oilers. The NHL, and particularly the Oilers I'm sure, want to see McDavid happy. I'm just hypothesizing, but McDavid didn't seem too happy after that loss. Losses add up when you are a star player, be it McDavid or Eichel, it wears on you. Even worse, if you are losing to players who are your peers, such as a few on this Leafs team; and you know they are going to the playoffs again.

It's why some of these young Leafs need to appreciate the opportunity they have. You can have all the talent in the world but not even see a playoff series. When you have the chance, apply yourself and go for the gold.

As it were, call the game straight. The call against Kerfoot in particular was absurd.

 

[Twine Tickler]

We need a Manny Malhotra appreciation thread.

In fact, if Keefe keeps making stupid lineup decisions, we may soon need a 'Manny for HC' thread.

I agree with the Manny love. I am from Vancouver, this guy was an absolute animal on the draws here. Everyone loves Manny in this city, including Canuck haters like me. The guy was so effective at what he did, and obviously his FO ability was elite. I am noticing we are not only wining draws, but cleanly. Literally snapping them tape to tape to the D-men. Its not a shock that our special teams have been so excellent TBH. Starting with the puck is massive in all situations, but especially special teams.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Barabanov just doesn't cut it. Engvall needs to be in the lineup full time. Boyd has been pretty solid too.

That won't happen until the Leafs are 100% convinced that Barabanov is not good enough.

Engvall only has 4 more games until he needs waivers, which means we can't put him on the taxi squad anymore without waivers (and I would think that someone would give him a chance). They are going to be very careful with those 4 games.

Joey Anderson is more likely to be given more chances as well, since he won't need waivers until next year. Brooks and Boyd have already cleared waivers and are not likely to be claimed at any point anyways, so they will likely get more games too.

 

[crump]

Refs ruined my points in the prediction thread.

Leafs were well on their way to a 5-4 victory.

 

[thusk]

Did it hit his hand? On the replay it looked like it got nothing but stick. Thats a bad call. In the end, it was a nothing call. It didnt affect the play and, despite what some are saying, wasnt called every time last night.

Meanwhile, the NHL is promoting this play as a great way to start a goal scoring sequence.

Thats to be celebrated? What is going on?

1st slash Yes he clearly slashed his hand = right call
2nd only lift the stick = bad call

His 3rd penalty (interference) just a stupid play by him.

A bad cover on turris cost a goal too. 2 bad penalty, 1 ghost penalty and a bad cover cost 3 goal. Really not a good game for him

 

[ULF_55]

Held on to win against a less than stellar team.

Take the points and hope they get much smarter.

 

[Jojalu]

I am not concerned with rotating players in and out for the 4th line.

I am confident they will figure out who needs to play come playoff time.

Also, if the Leafs can continue to learn to win 1 goal games, battle adversity, then when Tavares and Nylander get going 5v5, these should end up being 2 or 3 goal games.

Tavares wirh 0 goals and 3 points 5v5 can't last