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

[SprDaVE]

Early in the season, the 1 stat I will be watching very close is ice time. How much ice time certain players get vs expectations will give us a good idea of how the coaches are thinking of their role/their overall play.

I didn't see much of the game last night due to work, so I apologize if there were any injuries that caused changes in ice time (someone can correct me) but what stood out:

-Klingberg led D-men with almost 25 minutes
-Giordano averaged almost 19min last year, only had 15:50 last night.
-Domi with only just above 11 minutes?

Klingberg won't get that many minutes if the team is ahead. He got a lot more minutes because the team was down late in the 3rd. He was good all around though so I would not be surprised if he gets a lot of those minutes through the season.

Domi won't get #1 PP minutes like he did in recent years. He wasn't all that good either. I suspect he'll play more if he's playing a little better.

 

[Clark4Ever]

It was a bit messy, but good on the boys for showing heart and fighting back.

The Habs got lucky bounces on a couple of their goals.

 

[TMLeafer]

I'm surprised they didn't. They usually do that type of stuff.

You're a regular there so youre probably right but I remember having this sense over the last couple of years too, where the broadcast would note the milestone but the PA announcer didn't. I'm sure they flash something on the jumbo Tron eventually?

 

[AvroArrow]

Habs fans having a meltdown after game 1, lmao they're in for a loooong season.

 

[Bust]

Was at the game last night. A few takeaways:

- Nylander is incredible and was overall the best player on the ice
- Matthews is (still) so clutch. We are so lucky to have him
- Samsonov, while letting in 5 goals, did look poised. Team defence was rough
- our 4th line had a rough first shift, but was solid after that.
- Reaves is worth every penny
- Brodie did not look good at all, he may be a candidate for a reduced role
- Klingberg is really good. If he keeps this up he will be getting a large contract from someone. Probably our biggest upgrade replacing Holl’s ice time with klingberg. Good player.
- having bertuzzi on the top line over bunting is a thing of beauty. We went from a mouse to a rat. Bert is the man.

 

[Niagara Bill]

Klingberg won't get that many minutes if the team is ahead. He got a lot more minutes because the team was down late in the 3rd. He was good all around though so I would not be surprised if he gets a lot of those minutes through the season.

Domi won't get #1 PP minutes like he did in recent years. He wasn't all that good either. I suspect he'll play more if he's playing a little better.

George Armstrong was a better skater than Domi.
I hope we are not too disappointed by him, but he ability to keep up in straight line speed is noticeable. Not sure if that was strategic as he thinks positioning or just plain lack of speed. When he forechecked he was 15 feet from anyone and turning back, when back checking his closing distance was huge. It was like he was playing 70 feet either side of centre.
We may find out why 6 other teams moved passed him.

 

[thewave]

Was at the game last night. A few takeaways:

- Nylander is incredible and was overall the best player on the ice
- Matthews is (still) so clutch. We are so lucky to have him
- Samsonov, while letting in 5 goals, did look poised. Team defence was rough
- our 4th line had a rough first shift, but was solid after that.
- Reaves is worth every penny
- Brodie did not look good at all, he may be a candidate for a reduced role
- Klingberg is really good. If he keeps this up he will be getting a large contract from someone. Probably our biggest upgrade replacing Holl’s ice time with klingberg. Good player.
- having bertuzzi on the top line over bunting is a thing of beauty. We went from a mouse to a rat. Bert is the man.

How was Marner? On the TV he looked weak and was pushed off the puck a lot or just gave up on plays. Some were citing his line stats were great but he is only a component of the line.

Agreed man. Blaming Sammy for 5 GA last night is WEAK. Defense was atrocious.

Yeah we have to work on that and Keefe as well. Meaning primarily I don't think Keefe teams are ever defensive stalwarts.

 

[Maple Leaf]

How was Marner? On the TV he looked weak and was pushed off the puck a lot or just gave up on plays. Some were citing his line stats were great but he is only a component of the line.



Yeah we have to work on that and Keefe as well. Meaning primarily I don't think Keefe teams are ever defensive stalwarts.

Why we still have an AHL coach i am not sure

 

[thusk]

How was Marner? On the TV he looked weak and was pushed off the puck a lot or just gave up on plays. Some were citing his line stats were great but he is only a component of the line.



Yeah we have to work on that and Keefe as well. Meaning primarily I don't think Keefe teams are ever defensive stalwarts.

He was okay not good/not bas just okay. he made some good play who just didn't connect

 

[Hellcat]

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

That was the word I had in my head too.

Why we still have an AHL coach i am not sure

He won a Championship 50 years ago...

Habs fans having a meltdown after game 1, lmao they're in for a loooong season.

They are mathematically already eliminated from the play off race ....

 

[Bust]

How was Marner? On the TV he looked weak and was pushed off the puck a lot or just gave up on plays. Some were citing his line stats were great but he is only a component of the line.



Yeah we have to work on that and Keefe as well. Meaning primarily I don't think Keefe teams are ever defensive stalwarts.

I will preface my response with saying I am admittedly tough on Marner.

Habs played him really hard. I wouldn’t say he was giving up on plays, but Marner looked like he was fighting the play a bit and seemed to be overpassing. He looked like a player not confident in his shot. He had a few lanes he could of taken himself, but decided to pass the puck. I’ll give it to the guy, the section would be yelling “SHOOOOT”, then he would make an absolutely beautiful play that not many players could make.

I wish Marner would simplify his play sometimes, but that’s what makes him a special player. He does things that meatheads like myself can’t comprehend in real time - but he is frustrating in the regard that he doesn’t shoot enough IMO.

I will also note that he wasn’t weak defensively and I can’t say I noticed him on the wrong end of the play.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

 

[Mr_Fun]

Sorry
can’t please everyone
So you got to please yourself ……..da da da do da da
Personally I use Rightguard
You?
You have this tiny button that you can use you know ..
Some peeps kinda dig it , what to do , what to do ?
I guess I’ll have to mull this over ..
Ok , mulled .
I’m keeping it
GLG

These are great, as are all of the post game "win" rituals. Keep 'em coming...

 

[ACC1224]

You're a regular there so youre probably right but I remember having this sense over the last couple of years too, where the broadcast would note the milestone but the PA announcer didn't. I'm sure they flash something on the jumbo Tron eventually?

Just asked my daughter. She thought it was weird they didn't announce it(yes she knew he was at 299 lol) but they did put it on the scoreboard.

Also, any even more surprising, they didn't acknowledge Amirov's passing.

 

[Squiffy]

Just asked my daughter. She thought it was weird they didn't announce it(yes she knew he was at 299 lol) but they did put it on the scoreboard.

Also, any even more surprising, they didn't acknowledge Amirov's passing.

Ya, that's strange huh, now that you mention it. Not the tone for opening night maybe the thought process? But that's not a good reason. Maybe they do it Saturday for HNIC?

 

[stickty111]

Asked Matthews if he felt the crowd was dead. Matthews response to Steve was just like, gtfo of here Steve. Just some really odd questions, he asked a couple other dumb questions that Matthews was left speechless haha

This was the other question he asked him:

Okay thanks. Yeah thats how Matthews should respond to him.


Burke left on a good note

 

[ACC1224]

Ya, that's strange huh, now that you mention it. Not the tone for opening night maybe the thought process? But that's not a good reason. Maybe they do it Saturday for HNIC?

Yeah, could be it. When they do these things, it's usually during a tv timeout, not pre-game.

I'll there Saturday and Monday, so we'll see if they do something.

 

[Fogelhund]

Just asked my daughter. She thought it was weird they didn't announce it(yes she knew he was at 299 lol) but they did put it on the scoreboard.

Also, any even more surprising, they didn't acknowledge Amirov's passing.

I think they will at some point. Perhaps with the opening game, and all of the excitement around that, they didn't want to take away from a tribute... I mean I hope they do something at some point.

 

[stats1]

It was a bit messy, but good on the boys for showing heart and fighting back.

The Habs got lucky bounces on a couple of their goals.

That 3rd goal where it deflected twice and floated over Sammy’s head was some lucky charms B.S I

 

[Squiffy]

Yeah, could be it. When they do these things, it's usually during a tv timeout, not pre-game.

I'll there Saturday and Monday, so we'll see if they do something.

Boy I'd hope they do a moment as part of opening ceremonies in this case. 21 years old, brain cancer, I mean he was a Leaf. Can't shove that in in between a shovel scrape and a fan trivia contest, that's not right.

 

[ACC1224]

Boy I'd hope they do a moment as part of opening ceremonies in this case. 21 years old, brain cancer, I mean he was a Leaf. Can't shove that in in between an shovel scrape and a fan trivia contest, that's not right.

I'd agree. We'll see Saturday.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'd agree. We'll see Saturday.

I've asked Leafs PR on Twitter if and when they might do a tribute.

""

 

[thusk]

I watched habs game again and sorry everyone who saying leafs had a bad defensive game... watch this game again because youre probably only watched highlight... leafs d was most better than whats score suggesting

 

[ACC1224]

I've asked Leafs PR on Twitter if and when they might do a tribute.

""

Hard to imagine something not being in the works.

 

[Razz]

I actually believe Matthews will get 70 goals this season. He looks that good right now. After seeing that 2nd and 3rd goal, I knew he was back to form.