Post-Game Talk: Leafs begin season with a WIN. 6-5 in the shootout

[Sypher04]

I'm watching highlights. Klinberg defending the 2 on 1 on 2nd goal gave me Barrie flashbacks. Just skate backwards and not commit to any of the attackers.

of course that’s your take away. Loads of good, smart plays and that’s the one you focus your post on. Sounds about right

 

[thusk]

First goal: Clean breakaway after Brodie forgets how to skate. Could've been stopped but it was a clean bloody breakaway.
Second goal: 3 on 1 break, well executed. McCabe horrid pinch and Klingberg may as well have been a pylon.
Denied offside goal: Powerplay, pass from behind the net across the mouth of the net put straight up into the blocker side corner. Well executed.
Third goal: Powerplay, 100% screened (by his own player), absolutely deft deflection (by his own player) right into the top corner.
Fourth goal: 100% screened (by his own player, again), another perfect deflection.
Fifth goal: Partial breakaway after Liljegren forgets how to hockey. Cut down the angle and got froze by the fake shot. Probably the one he could've had if any.

2 well tipped screened goals, 1 full blown breakaway, 1 partial breakaway, and a 3 on 1.

But lets go blame the goalie after that pitiful performance from our Dmen. Watch the highlights please and tell me which ones he should've had and remember the highlights also don't show a few huge saves he had in clutch moments.

Imo the 1st and 5th were stoppable but they were both basically clean breaks due to the D completely fumbling. To blame a goalie for those idk man... I bet if it was Woll we'd be singing a different tune.

1st yes it was a breakaway but was not the hardest one..he was just slow to react, allen saved a similar deke on tavares 2 min later...

Second goal cant blame him for sure

3rd goal yes the puck deflected and having a small screen but a NHL goalie need to fight and be able to track those kind of puck in traffic. You cant hope puck hiting you every time.

4rd goal its a much better screen and samsonov had no chance chance to stop it.

5th goal: yes it was a dangerous scoring chance but overplay it and get caught easily out of position...it was a weak goal

3 of 5 goal was avoidable. I would be okay be letting 1 of 3 goes in but not all 3... a NHL goalie need to make hard save and not only easy one but yesterday samsonov just made easy save and thats why he allowed 5 goal

 

[Gilmour1996]

Love that Xkehaj had this date circled because he wanted to flex on Reaves. Dude gets an instigator, barely does anything, then pushes Reaves into the net ending it. I am sure Habs fans are acting like hes UFC champ though

I laughed when they pronounced Xkehaj's name. Sounds like jack***.

 

[Dayjobdave]

I do very much appreciate how open Matthews is with his absolute disdain for Simmons. Don't think it matters if he asked a good question he is never getting a decent answer out of him ever again lol

I love the way he says "Steve"

 

[Gallagbi]

A breakaway is stoppable. Top goaltenders do it all the time... that's why they are top goaltenders. The Leafs had mistakes but they also only let up something like 15 shots and there was 4 goals against. Samsonov was not busy. He needs to make tough saves. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a good goaltender to make tough saves when needed, in particular breakaways especially.

If this was Woll, my tune would be similar. The difference is that Samsonov is the defacto #1 goaltender and he needs to be better. So much better. But it's a long season and 1 game does not make a season. But he wasn't good last night, by his own admission as well.

He wasnt in control last night. He was over committing and awkward, playing small and out of position

 

[ToDavid]

I'm watching highlights. Klinberg defending the 2 on 1 on 2nd goal gave me Barrie flashbacks. Just skate backwards and not commit to any of the attackers.

He’s certainly not going to win any defensive defenseman awards (although I think people are being a tad critical of a guy trying to defend a 3-on-1) but as someone who has doubted the Klingberg signing I thought he had a good game. The puck moving skill, which didn’t really stand out to me in the pre-season, was on full display.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Sorry, did not read through all the posts. Anyone else think Minten will be going back to Kamloops? If so, will Holmgren get a chance?

 

[thusk]

A breakaway is stoppable. Top goaltenders do it all the time... that's why they are top goaltenders. The Leafs had mistakes but they also only let up something like 15 shots and there was 4 goals against. Samsonov was not busy. He needs to make tough saves. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a good goaltender to make tough saves when needed, in particular breakaways especially.

If this was Woll, my tune would be similar. The difference is that Samsonov is the defacto #1 goaltender and he needs to be better. So much better. But it's a long season and 1 game does not make a season. But he wasn't good last night, by his own admission as well.

Yes like i also said, an NHL goalie cant only making easy saves and its what samsonov did in that game. It was not a performance of an NHL goalie and we dont talk about an #1 goalie.

Samsonov didn't had a pretty good pre-season and its only 1 game... but he better to get back at his level as soon of possible because he can looe his #1 spot sooner than what everyone could anticipate.

Sorry, did not read through all the posts. Anyone else think Minten will be going back to Kamloops? If so, will Holmgren get a chance?

Its only 1 game, lets give him at least 5-9 game to see how he's adapt...

 

[GoonieFace]

A wins a win. Pigman looks ready to rock this year. Although just 1 game, the D scares me

 

[MCR74]

I laughed when they pronounced Xkehaj's name. Sounds like jack***.

It certainly fits the player.

 

[shaner8989]

Jarnkrok sucks. I’d love to off load him and his contract. Provides f*** all.

Brodie and Gio will murder the back end. Truly abysmal.

Sammy sucks

Take the win though. Mtl is hot garbage

 

[Gary Nylund]

Don't give a f*** what it looked like. Matty hatty, beat the Habs, 81 more games to make it look pretty in the process

My sentiments exactly. Game was ugly as hell but two points is two points, nobody got hurt, Matty hatty and beating the Habs is good on any night.

On to the next one, GLG!!

 

[The Masters]

 

[RunItBackAgain]

1st yes it was a breakaway but was not the hardest one..he was just slow to react, allen saved a similar deke on tavares 2 min later...

Second goal cant blame him for sure

3rd goal yes the puck deflected and having a small screen but a NHL goalie need to fight and be able to track those kind of puck in traffic. You cant hope puck hiting you every time.

4rd goal its a much better screen and samsonov had no chance chance to stop it.

5th goal: yes it was a dangerous scoring chance but overplay it and get caught easily out of position...it was a weak goal

3 of 5 goal was avoidable. I would be okay be letting 1 of 3 goes in but not all 3... a NHL goalie need to make hard save and not only easy one but yesterday samsonov just made easy save and thats why he allowed 5 goal

Stoppable, yes. To be blamed? I’m not sure guys. We’re now down to blaming him for Brodie and Liljegren not playing hockey on 2 of 3 and an absolutely deft deflection with a screen on the other.

This is like saying you can’t come into work because you have a headache when scans reveal you actually have a brain tumour (our D that game leaving Sammy to f***ing dry)

 

[MCR74]

Don't give a f*** what it looked like. Matty hatty, beat the Habs, 81 more games to make it look pretty in the process

Exactly. Two points are hard to come by these days. Ask Campbell and the Oilers.

 

[horner]

Sorry, did not read through all the posts. Anyone else think Minten will be going back to Kamloops? If so, will Holmgren get a chance?

It was his 1st nhl game
Knies wasn't great either
They are both rookies
4 or 5 games and they will be fine

Minten F/O 60%

 

[ACC1224]

Biggest take away for me was they seemed to play with a little more aggression particularly Matthews and Nylander. Not sure if it’s the new guys rubbing off or maturity but it was great to see.

 

[SprDaVE]

Sorry, did not read through all the posts. Anyone else think Minten will be going back to Kamloops? If so, will Holmgren get a chance?

If he keeps playing like that, Holmberg will be up in no time for sure. He wasn't overall bad but that line struggled to generate much of anything.

 

[The Masters]

Bertuzzi was a fkin dog out there. Once he gets used to playing with Marner who will be serving him perfect passes on his stick, he will bury them

 

[robertmac43]

Garbage ice, terrible giveaways, pure chaos....Leafs hockey is back.

Fun game overall, we can straighten things out as the season goes on. Just happy to have the excitement back.

 

[thusk]

Stoppable, yes. To be blamed? I’m not sure guys. We’re now down to blaming him for Brodie and Liljegren not playing hockey on 2 of 3 and an absolutely deft deflection with a screen on the other.

This is like saying you can’t come into work because you have a headache when scans reveal you actually have a brain tumour (our D that game leaving Sammy to f***ing dry)

Im not blaming for specific goal, i blame him to dont made any hard saves...its exactly what he did in playoff too except

You need to be able to make difficult save when its matter, thats what Bobrovsky did, thats whats hill did...

When you goalie not making those save and opposite goalie doing it... you will lost most of the time... especially in playoff and when pressure coming high

 

[Thornbury]

It was his 1st nhl game
Knies wasn't great either
They are both rookies
4 or 5 games and they will be fine

Minten F/O 60%

Or in 4 or 5 games they realize Minten isn't yet ready for the big show and send him down for his final year of junior. I think that is more likely, but we'll see.

 

[Evilhomer]

Or in 4 or 5 games they realize Minten isn't yet ready for the big show and send him down for his final year of junior. I think that is more likely, but we'll see.

I think this is exactly what will happen, but probably after 9 games rather than 4 or 5. In any event, I don't think there is any way they are contemplating having Minten be the third line centre in the playoffs. They will fill that position through trade during the season.

 

[RunItBackAgain]

Im not blaming for specific goal, i blame him to dont made any hard saves...its exactly what he did in playoff too except

You need to be able to make difficult save when its matter, thats what Bobrovsky did, thats whats hill did...

When you goalie not making those save and opposite goalie doing it... you will lost most of the time... especially in playoff and when pressure coming high

Totally agree we need a goalie to carry some wins in the playoffs but the original post I responded to said something along the lines of “Samsonov was trash” when from my pov it wasn’t even close to his fault but I’m done I made my point. Yall will get Woll soon and we’ll see if his 5 game stretch last year was who he really is or maybe it’s the goalie we had for the 6!!! YEARS before that lol

 

[Captain Crunch]

It was his 1st nhl game
Knies wasn't great either
They are both rookies
4 or 5 games and they will be fine

Minten F/O 60%

I hope so. Fingers crossed!