Post-Game Talk: Leafs Blank Stars 4-0

[SeaOfBlue]

Liljegren and Sandin with some of their best play in their young careers as Leafs. We keep saying the Leafs need to trade for Dmen when we should be developing our own prospects and so far they've been playing pretty damn well.

Also can we move Rielly? Good person, but defense looks so much better without him it seems. Get some cap relief and some assets back from moving him and use it for something else instead.

No chance. Gio can't play like he has been for a full season, and Rielly's defensive game, especially since his crooked number in the first 7 games of the year, has been huge.

First 7 games: 6.34 GA/60 at 5-on-5.
Next 13 games (until he was hurt): 1.93 GA/60 at 5-on-5, with one of the best xGA/60 on the team.

Full marks to how this defense has looked without him, Brodie, Muzzin, etc. but Rielly has been a legit #1 for us for a while and we don't have anyone who can replace him right now.

 

[Blanche Blanche]

It's kind of the exact opposite of Campbell, where a bad goal turns into a bad game, which turns into a bad stretch of games. I still have some doubts about Murray's health, but he definitely looks like a winner. He must have hated ottawa

Right?

Just in Between - The centre of universe Toronto...
And awesome Le Mini France Montreal...

Can't blame him for wanting to be on the IR some nights there

 

[Seras]

The Holl hate is undeserved, he played very well

 

[Cor]

It makes me smile there’s some that can’t enjoy watching this team right now cause of weird bias and other BS.

Weird way to live life

 

[Griffin76]

 

[ponder]

Real solid game, crushed it on the PK. No complaints, good work boys! Murray was a wall too, he’s been so much better than I expected.

 

[BertCorbeau]

This stretch amidst injuries has really shown how important Gio is to the blue line .. He's leading by example, finding the fountain of youth for a stretch, which is having a resounding impact on the team.

Need to get healthy to ease of the heavy minutes so he can bring this effort in the playoffs.

Right now I'm happy with:

Rielly-Brodie
Sandin-Liljegren
Gio-Holl/Timmins

Gio's done well with Liljegren and I wonder if we could get a similar impact with Timmins if they're paired for a bit .. Sandin/Lily are proving they're capable of PK'ing.

 

[Enniskillen]

Connor Timmins had a nice debut with good play on Benn and a few good passes. Every time Engvall loses puck battles I want to unsee all these muscles he showed at the locker room.

 

[RealisticLeaf55]

Marner just plays on a different level than everyone else. Kid is insane.

 

[wingman75]

No chance. Gio can't play like he has been for a full season, and Rielly's defensive game, especially since his crooked number in the first 7 games of the year, has been huge.

First 7 games: 6.34 GA/60 at 5-on-5.
Next 13 games (until he was hurt): 1.93 GA/60 at 5-on-5, with one of the best xGA/60 on the team.

Full marks to how this defense has looked without him, Brodie, Muzzin, etc. but Rielly has been a legit #1 for us for a while and we don't have anyone who can replace him right now.

I am sure Rielly is watching intently. When he is ready to step back into the lineup, he is going to have to adjust and play the way this group is playing. He can, and no doubt he will.

I am sure we'll scour for another top 4 D, but building out defensive depth in season is awesome, because these guys are now part of the group.

 

[TMLeafer]

Murray post game interview:

 

[mikeyz]

Murray is really making the doubters including myself eat it right now.

He’s been fantastic.

 

[therealkoho]

1st star Dirty Murr
2nd Star the Leafs D
3rd Star the PK

Timmons looks like a guy who can play, good to know he's here

Dirty shut the door in those first 5 minutes and then the Leafs woke up and over the course of the first period found their legs and muscle.

Sandin looked like a seasoned vet and Liljegren solid as a rock, very calm, and can dominate some of the bigger guys, creating turnovers or breaking cycles.

Gio, Holl, and Timmins all played a lot of good minutes.

The Leafs forwards collapsed like I've not seen too often. Everybody skated hard getting back, getting in front of pucks initiating contact and working hard to be great defensively. The 14 mins shorthanded ran up the shots pretty much the PK was 7 for 7 what a great effort.

Is the real Leafs?

cause if so and I'll tell ya, I kinda really like them!.

Brodie is back soon which will take some pressure off and get minutes reassigned, and improve the D.

GLG

 

[Jozay]

Murray was crazy tonight. He looks a lot better than I ever expected him to.

 

[ACC1224]

Seems like they gave up a lot of shots. Was it a season high?

 

[Leaf Rocket]

 

[GQS]

No chance. Gio can't play like he has been for a full season, and Rielly's defensive game, especially since his crooked number in the first 7 games of the year, has been huge.

First 7 games: 6.34 GA/60 at 5-on-5.
Next 13 games (until he was hurt): 1.93 GA/60 at 5-on-5, with one of the best xGA/60 on the team.

Full marks to how this defense has looked without him, Brodie, Muzzin, etc. but Rielly has been a legit #1 for us for a while and we don't have anyone who can replace him right now.

I'm not convinced that Rielly can be depended upon to play good defense consistently when in his entire career he hasn't been able to do so. I think we can move him for some decent assets while getting a replacement if we need to that could play solid defense while costing much less.

I said a long time ago that signing Rielly to a big long term contract would have a good chance of turning into Phaneuf 2.0 and I still think the same now.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Seems like they gave up a lot of shots. Was it a season high?

that and we were hemmed during with penalties agains tus.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

So with Mete is out do we play 2 right handed shots on the 3rd pair in Timmins and Hollowell?

 

[AllDay28]

Where are the Murray haters now????

Extend Dubas.

 

[stickty111]

Thats hopefully a sign we have a good goalie. Bounce back with a great game all though we were fine in front of Murray. Nice effort by everyone

 

[Aashir]

Seems like they gave up a lot of shots. Was it a season high?

To be fair, Dallas isn’t a slouch if a team, 7 power plays which they had 17 shots. Moreover, they have an insane top line so it kinda makes sense.

 

[Fogelhund]

I am sure Rielly is watching intently. When he is ready to step back into the lineup, he is going to have to adjust and play the way this group is playing. He can, and no doubt he will.

I am sure we'll scour for another top 4 D, but building out defensive depth in season is awesome, because these guys are now part of the group.

I really wonder if we need another top 4 D at this point. Need to see more of the season, be patient to make decisions, but this group has played very well. Some great growth from Sandin and Lilly, Gio best value contract around, Holl has played well, and in theory, we are missing our two best D.

Then our depth, Mete, Holowell, Benn, and now Timmins have filled in adequately.

Again, let’s see how we continue to play against top teams, tough teams, and then make decisions.

I’m not sure another D is needed.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Seems like they gave up a lot of shots. Was it a season high?

Might have been

7 PP's to 2 is a factor, as are scoring effects late in the third .. the Leafs didn't give up a shot with the first several minutes of the third period and Dallas had a handful in the last 5 with the empty net and afterwards.

One of those games where the shots don't necessarily reflect the play.

 

[Mr_Fun]

Great effort by everyone. Could nitpick a few plays, but why would you after that effort?

This Timmins character is a man. His ability to put the puck on his teammates sticks while under pressure was impressive.

The broadcast got the three stars right tonight. Great game by Matt, Rasmus and Timmy!!

Great follow up to a disappointing finish vs Tampa.

I didn't think this group had this kind of play in them, especially based on the way they started the season. Impressive and welcomed turnaround from those early season days.

I really liked that he stepped into that shot from about 40 feet out, and made a nice hit at the later on. If this is what we're going to be seeing on a regular basis, this is really a shrewd move to get this dude.