Pre-Game Talk: Leafs @ Blues | Sat Nov 02

[Enniskillen]

The Leafs are going on their annual November run, so they will win both games this weekend regarding of who is or isn't in the lineup. However, in the middle of the streak they will lose against a mediocre team, and someone will start a "fire Berube" thread.

Do you enjoy watching the games or solely focus on forecasting? Like that broken clock that is right twice a day?

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Craig.

Go get 'em, boyz..!!!

 

[Rude Dog]

Hoping they can finally get an emotional win. It still makes me mad that they wilted every time Tavares went back to the island. Even the opening night loss to the Habs the year after they got humiliated by them in the playoffs.Or even this year. Reaves had to show up to avenge the wifi mugging in pre season but was a ghost. A decade of losses in Buffalo etc, getting bullied by Boston n the playoffs They already failed once this year.

Hoping this team has more of a backbone. I think they do.

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

Hoping they can finally get an emotional win for one of their guys. It still makes me mad that they wilted like cowards every time Tavares went back to the island. Even the opening night loss to the Habs the year after they got humiliated by them in the playoffs. Or even this year. Reaves had to show up to avenge the wifi mugging in pre season but was a ghost. A decade of losses in Buffalo etc.

They already failed once dramatically this year. Hoping this team has more of a backbone.

Yup. All of those things read like a nightmare list of Leaf failures to meet a simple and direct challenge.

Almost like OT games, power plays, game 7's and every other "crunch time" or pressure-filled moment you can think of. I still somehow remain hopeful they will eventually be able to finally fight back the Demons and slay the frickin' beast (their own fear) once and for all.

Let's start with getting one for Craig boyz

 

[TIGERCOOL]

Rielly Tanev
OEL McCabe
Benoit Hakanpää

People are gonna need to accept sooner or later that Berube likes Timmins. In my eyes Benoit has been the worst defender on the team. Rough start for him. Timmins has so many tools that Berube values... he's also a close second to OEL at executing a breakout with poise and vision. You just can't give up on a guy as big, fast and dynamic with the puck as Timmins (RHD!). He at least deserves a chance to work on his positioning after missing so much time.

 

[Da Cool Rula]

They gotta start Woll tonight right?

 

[Da Cool Rula]

People are gonna need to accept sooner or later that Berube likes Timmins. In my eyes Benoit has been the worst defender on the team. Rough start for him. Timmins has so many tools that Berube values... he's also a close second to OEL at executing a breakout with poise and vision. You just can't give up on a guy as big, fast and dynamic with the puck as Timmins (RHD!). He at least deserves a chance to work on his positioning after missing so much time.

Always liked Connor Timmins. Classic case of someone who looks to be finally healthy and ready to blossom. He has all the tools to be a good one. And the right coach in his corner to make it happen.

 

[Evilhomer]

You figure the stats would say the leafs will win tonight (against the team with the worse record) and lose tomorrow (against the team with the better record), so presumably the opposite will happen.

 

[Da Cool Rula]

You figure the stats would say the leafs will win tonight (against the team with the worse record) and lose tomorrow (against the team with the better record), so presumably the opposite will happen.

I'm getting George Costanza vibes right now

 

[Roo]

People are gonna need to accept sooner or later that Berube likes Timmins. In my eyes Benoit has been the worst defender on the team. Rough start for him. Timmins has so many tools that Berube values... he's also a close second to OEL at executing a breakout with poise and vision. You just can't give up on a guy as big, fast and dynamic with the puck as Timmins (RHD!). He at least deserves a chance to work on his positioning after missing so much time.

Def agree here. Seems McCabe was likely carrying Benoit too as he doesn’t seem to be the same guy this year, with lesser minutes. It would be nice to see Timmins get the benefit of a stronger partner, maybe something like this:

Rielly-Tanev
McCabe-Timmins
OEL-Hakanpaa

Or some variation of it

 

[bax]

You figure the stats would say the leafs will win tonight (against the team with the worse record) and lose tomorrow (against the team with the better record), so presumably the opposite will happen.

They'll win both

 

[Nineteen67]

People are gonna need to accept sooner or later that Berube likes Timmins. In my eyes Benoit has been the worst defender on the team. Rough start for him. Timmins has so many tools that Berube values... he's also a close second to OEL at executing a breakout with poise and vision. You just can't give up on a guy as big, fast and dynamic with the puck as Timmins (RHD!). He at least deserves a chance to work on his positioning after missing so much time.

Timmins shows flashes of brilliance that others can’t. I get why he’d want to develop him into a regular when the goal is not to be perfect today, but be ready in April.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

You figure the stats would say the leafs will win tonight (against the team with the worse record) and lose tomorrow (against the team with the better record), so presumably the opposite will happen.

funnily enough I think they also play St. Louis worse than they do Minnesota

I can’t remember the last time we lost to Minnesota

 

[Stephen]

This would be a good candidate for a revenge game as any, but whenever you think there's an emotional angle to get up for something...

 

[Stephen]

funnily enough I think they also play St. Louis worse than they do Minnesota

I can’t remember the last time we lost to Minnesota

St. Louis has had our number for as long as I can remember going back to the Hull, Gretzky, Fuhr, MacInnis team. They're like the Sabres of the west.

 

[Dekes For Days]

We're 5-3-1 against St Louis since 2019-2020.

 

[Stephen]

We're 5-3-1 against St Louis since 2019-2020.

Leafs Vs Blues Game Log | StatMuse

leafs vs blues game log

www.statmuse.com

 

[Nineteen67]

St. Louis has had our number for as long as I can remember going back to the Hull, Gretzky, Fuhr, MacInnis team. They're like the Sabres of the west.

Overall I think they’ve done well, but there have a few clunkers in the mix.

Leafs Vs Blues Game Log | StatMuse

leafs vs blues game log

www.statmuse.com

That 6-5 loss was one of the clunkers.

They'll win both

At least if the lose one, lose it in OT.

 

[PromisedLand]

They gotta start Woll tonight right?

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852734591599100298

whats with the holmberg love? he hasnt been good. Or for that matter Kampf?

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852745007767196078

 

[PromisedLand]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852074541415268692

 

[DarkKnight]

Woll back in is interesting.

Holmberg on the third line again after another statistically worst Leaf night I don't get, he needs to bring something to table besides sucking.

 

[Nineteen67]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852074541415268692

That’s why they have those black sweaters. The younger generation (his parents) love that.

 

[Nineteen67]

Woll back in is interesting.

Holmberg on the third line again after another statistically worst Leaf night I don't get, he needs to bring something to table besides sucking.

Like I said about Timmins I think Berube sees potential is trying work through it. It’ll be interesting to see how long he sticks with it after the injured guys return.