GDT: Leafs @ Caps - 7:30 - SN

[Evilhomer]

Unfortunately, have to agree.
I feel like the Leafs usually play well in Washington, not sure if that's actually the case.

The Leafs do usually win in Washington. I'm not sure I buy Washington's hot start, but I have nothing but respect for Ovechkin.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Rielly-Tanev
McCabe-Timmins
OEL-Hakanpaa

 

[stickty111]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856754993568911806

Play your best lineup. Handedness shouldn't matter.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Also as soon as it’s feasible Holmberg should be waived. Can’t tell me that Steeves (who’s up now), Grebenkin, or Minten wouldn’t be giving better play in the minutes he’s gotten. Now that Dewar is back there’s even less reason for him to be up here.

 

[Fogelhund]

Also as soon as it’s feasible Holmberg should be waived. Can’t tell me that Steeves (who’s up now), Grebenkin, or Minten wouldn’t be giving better play in the minutes he’s gotten. Now that Dewar is back there’s even less reason for him to be up here.

The current challenge, is a lack of C's. Holmberg has been playing 3C, something that neither Steeves, nor Grebenkin can do.

When Matthews comes back, it's an option to waive him.. but that still leaves us short at C, if there is an injury... of course, it seems unlikely at this point that Holmberg would be claimed, so he could be sent to the Marlies and called up if necessary...

I think it's far too early for Minten. My preference is to give him a year in the AHL, and grow his offensive game more.

That puts Domi back at 3C for now... though that wasn't working too well either...

Bottom line, I think we will need a 3C upgrade at some point.

 

[SprDaVE]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856754993568911806

Play your best lineup. Handedness shouldn't matter.

Why not just put Rielly, OEL and McCabe on separate lines and pair whoever up if needed through the game.

Also, it's possible the Leafs go with 7D. Never seems to work but could be ok. Might as well just double shift Marner and Nylander

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

The current challenge, is a lack of C's. Holmberg has been playing 3C, something that neither Steeves, nor Grebenkin can do.

When Matthews comes back, it's an option to waive him.. but that still leaves us short at C, if there is an injury... of course, it seems unlikely at this point that Holmberg would be claimed, so he could be sent to the Marlies and called up if necessary...

I think it's far too early for Minten. My preference is to give him a year in the AHL, and grow his offensive game more.

That puts Domi back at 3C for now... though that wasn't working too well either...

Bottom line, I think we will need a 3C upgrade at some point.

Dewar can play centre. It’s not the ideal option but I think he can do better in the interim until Treliving trades for a legit 3C.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Last night leaf:

 

[likecheese]

Dewar can play centre. It’s not the ideal option but I think he can do better in the interim until Treliving trades for a legit 3C.

I hope he can. We have no 3C, nothing, nada, and it's buggering up all the lines. If Domi never plays another shift at center, it'll be better late than never. Holmberg can't do anything except take ozone penalties and look confused on the pk.

 

[1specter]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856754993568911806

Play your best lineup. Handedness shouldn't matter.

Would be stupid to take Timmins out with how good he's been plus our need for mobility. Rielly has also shown he plays well with these stay at home types like Hakanpaa, so why not just go

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Hakanpaa
OEL-Timmins

Hakanpaa and Tanev can also be swapped if need be. Pretty straightforward and everyone is playing their proper sides.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

I expect to see a much greater effort tonight. They may not have the legs to go hard for the full 60 but they better start the right way.

 

[Leafs98]

Washington has been shockingly impressive this season.

They now have a pretty deep roster with lots of talent.

This feels like a game that will be very tough to win on a back to back.

Take a few years off from playoffs and rebuild can happen

 

[arso40]

Why not just put Rielly, OEL and McCabe on separate lines and pair whoever up if needed through the game.

Also, it's possible the Leafs go with 7D. Never seems to work but could be ok. Might as well just double shift Marner and Nylander

Like it should be

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

Is Ellers suiting up tonight?

I feel like that might have the Caps super pumped if so.

 

[arso40]

Is Ellers suiting up tonight?

I feel like that might have the Caps super pumped if so.

I forgot he won there and he hates us

 

[ACC1224]

Would be stupid to take Timmins out with how good he's been plus our need for mobility. Rielly has also shown he plays well with these stay at home types like Hakanpaa, so why not just go

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Hakanpaa
OEL-Timmins

Hakanpaa and Tanev can also be swapped if need be. Pretty straightforward and everyone is playing their proper sides.

This seems like the most logical approach.

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

I forgot he won there and he hates us

Well, that sucks that he hates us but I guess who doesn't?

No reason really. Just, Leafs..........

 

[BallardEra]

So the last time the Caps were sitting waiting for a team on a back to back was against the Pens. Caps were down early 2-0 and weren't ready to play as they lost 4-2.

Players admitted that they expected a much easier games against the Pens and underestimated them.

We will see if they learned anything. McMichael and Protas have taken the next step for them this season and Strome has been great as well.

They are a much faster team than last season too.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

Hopefully we don’t take Timmins out, he’s actually been all around solid


Moreover a Haakanpana-Benoit pairing would make getting the puck out cleanly nearly impossible

So the last time the Caps were sitting waiting for a team on a back to back was against the Pens. Caps were down early 2-0 and weren't ready to play as they lost 4-2.

Players admitted that they expected a much easier games against the Pens and underestimated them.

We will see if they learned anything. McMichael and Protas have taken the next step for them this season and Strome has been great as well.

They are a much faster team than last season too.

In a game like this who do you cheer for?

Or is it just a hope for OT and then who cares

 

[BallardEra]

Hopefully we don’t take Timmins out, he’s actually been all around solid


Moreover a Haakanpana-Benoit pairing would make getting the puck out cleanly nearly impossible


In a game like this who do you cheer for?

Or is it just a hope for OT and then who cares

I hope for OT but the Caps have won their Cup.

It's time for the Leafs to get one!

 

[bax]

The Leafs do usually win in Washington. I'm not sure I buy Washington's hot start, but I have nothing but respect for Ovechkin.

He's been great. I want to see him break the record mid season and then just retire on the spot. Usual fist bumps past the bench and then straight down the tunnel

 

[wingman75]

Nylanders give-a-shit meter bottomed out last night. I'd expect a much better effort from him tonight.

He was hardly alone, but he does show it the most.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Good teams also don't have an absurd amount of money tied up in 4 forwards, with plans to make them even more higher paid.

You will never, EVER have good depth with the core 4 + pawn shop squad model of building a team.

There’s precisely 2 guys in Florida’s bottom 6 making more money than Kampf and they make 0.5 million more while sitting on 7 and 9 points, or more points than everyone except for the top-6 and Rielly. What are we really talking about here? Good teams build better bottom 6s than us while spending less on that bottom 6 regularly. Reaves would be the 3rd most expensive member of their bottom 6, it’s not like we’re not spending the money we’re just spending it on guys that can fill incredibly niche roles mediocrely and are useless otherwise.

We’ll never have a Shesterkin at 12 mil + multiple 8mil+ D men, sure, but quality depth is the easiest thing to add cap wise if you have the pro scouting to identity it.

 

[wingman75]

Looked like it was an optional skate last night with most not participating.

4th line, Timmins, Stolarz got fooled into showing up!

 

[ACC1224]

He was hardly alone, but he does show it the most.

That he does.