Post-Game Talk: Leafs down Lightning 4-1

[Teeder Keon]

I really think Holmberg has much more to offer .
This kid is playing tremendous hockey since game 1 .
He definitely has more of an offensive upside than Kampf ( awesome player ) .
I think we found someone special here in the bottom 6 for a long time . A big piece of a cup contending hopeful .
Very impressive indeed , as well as Kampf

I’m hoping A Steeves gets a opportunity soon

 

[mikeyz]

Of course you can - whether a game matters or not in the regular season, shouldn't depend on the result of that game.

Well. When a certain group of people talk about the Leafs playing "Playoff type" games and winning them and then making smart ass comments afterwards like "I guess it means nothing when they win but would mean everything if they had lost" Then expect the other side to come back and mention how they've lost in the 1st round 6 years in a row and counting.

That's just how it is. Certain people are not going to be pumping the team's tires just because they win a playoff like game in the regular season until they at least win an actual playoff round when it really matters.

 

[Tak7]

Well. When a certain group of people talk about the Leafs playing "Playoff type" games and winning them and then making smart ass comments afterwards like "I guess it means nothing when they win but would mean everything if they had lost" Then expect the other side to come back and mention how they've lost in the 1st round 6 years in a row and counting.

That's just how it is. Certain people are not going to be pumping the team's tires just because they win a playoff like game in the regular season until they at least win an actual playoff round when it really matters.

It's a regular season game against a really good team.

It's a measuring stick regardless of the outcome - that doesn't change whether they win or lose. Neither should the narrative surrounding it.

 

[Gabriel426]

Great dominate bounce back game. All the good habits(minus the Timmins play) they developed over the past month or so are back. The whole team was doing all the little things.

Gio is ageless, they way he battled in front of the net is amazing.

Holmberg is quietly playing very solid hockey. Wonder if Keefe will try him on the second line.

Kampf is also really good, he needs to be resign right away or some GM will give him a 4-5mil deal in summer.

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

Our kids are growing up. *Sniff*

 

[NVious]

Pure destruction, great effort after last 2

 

[Leafsfan74]

Well. Considering what they've done in the last 6 years of the playoffs, you can't really blame people for thinking this way no?

The fans can't get high or low. It's unnecessary, they area a good team, a strong team, even those who hate T.O know this. They also believe come playoffs this team has folded and not fought through. Space wil disappear...drastically.

This is the difficult task in which a GM and his team must bear down and ask, "you know, we have slowly brought in some players who have improved this teams prospects over the last two years alone, what do we need to improve in that short deadline window that will catapult us to the last dance?

A single win or loss isn't as meaningdul in itself as long as their process has generally been consistent.

It's a regular season game against a really good team.

It's a measuring stick regardless of the outcome - that doesn't change whether they win or lose. Neither should the narrative surrounding it.

Its a season in which earlier than usual you assess their potential in an honest manner. Dubas likes to be active, fans like it as it shows he is reaching deep within his team to find the improvements needed. Some players might find better fits elsewhere while Leafs get the Gamers needed.

It can't be easy. The reward for winning is well worth it.

 

[nsleaf]

My apologies………
To the Leaf organization, especially the players and most everyone in here ….
I’ve been fortunate to be a Leaf fan for over 60 years now, few of you know what I mean indeed .
Ups downs and most of all just being a fan …
Sometimes though my “ downs of being a Leaf fan “ get to me and I cross the line in my fair judgement of players and teams and games .
I pride myself in at least calling out situations and players and coaching and management decisions down the middle and honest , without prejudice…
But sometimes and tonight I crossed the line and let my emotions and just burnt out sometimes as a fan and this recent pattern of “chocking “ gets to all of us especially me !
I still feel exactly the way I’ve been screaming about the net negative value of , Engvall and Kerfoot and jarncrok ? Sp ? And Holl and before Malgin .
But tonight I made errors in my judgment and called out the team for falling into a “defensive shell “ and playing on their heels …
I was wrong , they played real good tonight , that’s a great team out there against us , Champions , warriors and they are not as dominant anymore, but extremely and rightfully prideful and arrogant.
So they obviously were going to come at us as they did , I didn’t give them any credit and more importantly I didn’t give us any credit for sticking with it and trusting our talent to take advantage.
We did a great job at defending and have for a while …
So in summary
I really think we need a top 6 LWer
And
Hopefully a tough good d man
And one more “ Perry “ like player , younger hopefully .
Either way
My sincere apologies to Mighty Mighty Leaf Nation and our beloved franchise and Team
Go Leafs Go !!!!!

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Great win. Tampa's a bunch of pukes.

 

[Aashir]

Really love how nylander stood up for Marner at the end of the first. Surprised that he was the one who came to his aid, but it’s nice to see big guys stick up for each other

Near perfect game, vasi made it close, I don’t want to play him in the playoffs again, can’t say much more

 

[Jozay]

Great game. Nice to see the Leafs dominate like that

 

[JSn0w93]

I really think Holmberg has much more to offer .
This kid is playing tremendous hockey since game 1 .
He definitely has more of an offensive upside than Kampf ( awesome player ) .
I think we found someone special here in the bottom 6 for a long time . A big piece of a cup contending hopeful .
Very impressive indeed , as well as Kampf

I’m hoping A Steeves gets a opportunity soon

Couldn't agree more. Holmberg has been so impressive for such a young player.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Hope Sandin is ok. He and Liljegren have been an excellent pair.

Timmins looked slow to react on their goal, but meh.

Kampf solid as usual, and Holmberg looked good.

Top line excellent again, but I'm starting to worry about the second line, who aren't doing anything. It will be hard to keep winning with only one line generating offence.

 

[jiggy35]

It definitely needs more attention. It was really weird.

Please explain what happened !!!

 

[saltming]

This team is strong but it means little until the playoffs. This can't be overstated. It's a team generates some hope, but it's always with a "well, how will the playoffs go?" As with other years, nothing should be left to chance.

Every win or loss is always a reaction from this base, a base hungry for a Cup. This is NOT the same T.B team we would be dealing with for a series, it also shouldn't be the same Leafs team IMO.

it's weird, but as much as I believe they seemed to have figured it out, the more I believe they need the right fits to put them over the top. The difference in revenue for the team with a deep playoff success to a Cup hopefully, is many millions of dollars (much more in the future if they win). A couple of key players can be the difference. To me, this team is probably a couple of pieces in and out to be that legit Cup contender, in the toughest division in the game with no easy marks.

No one should look at any one win or loss as the deciding factor, but understand that none of these teams will be easier to play against in the playoffs.

Honest question: why can we enjoy the regular season on its own and then hope and watch the post season to see what happens?
Why can we not enjoy great hockey when we see it? Why do we have to restrain our enjoyment because of what might or might not happen in the future?
Ok sorry it was a few questions

 

[Dayjobdave]

Honest question: why can we enjoy the regular season on its own and then hope and watch the post season to see what happens?
Why can we not enjoy great hockey when we see it? Why do we have to restrain our enjoyment because of what might or might not happen in the future?
Ok sorry it was a few questions

I’m with you.

This team has delivered several years of fantastic hockey to watch. I’ve really enjoyed it.

Yeah I want them to win in the playoffs but I don’t let that affect how much fun they are to watch all year.

 

[ACC1224]

Yeah bunting needs a tucker moment. Just grab him and start throtting make him remember that shit doesnt get forgotten

Tucker had that ability. Has anyone ever seen Bunting fight?

 

[Gary Nylund]

This team is strong but it means little until the playoffs. This can't be overstated. It's a team generates some hope, but it's always with a "well, how will the playoffs go?" As with other years, nothing should be left to chance.

Every win or loss is always a reaction from this base, a base hungry for a Cup. This is NOT the same T.B team we would be dealing with for a series, it also shouldn't be the same Leafs team IMO.

it's weird, but as much as I believe they seemed to have figured it out, the more I believe they need the right fits to put them over the top. The difference in revenue for the team with a deep playoff success to a Cup hopefully, is many millions of dollars (much more in the future if they win). A couple of key players can be the difference. To me, this team is probably a couple of pieces in and out to be that legit Cup contender, in the toughest division in the game with no easy marks.

No one should look at any one win or loss as the deciding factor, but understand that none of these teams will be easier to play against in the playoffs.

I think everyone agrees that the playoffs are what matters most, you're just stating the obvious.

As far as leaving nothing to chance, I have no idea what you're talking about. There are never any guarantees no matter what.

Everyone's always clamoring for "a couple of pieces" but good pieces always cost a lot so it's always a question of what pieces do you want, and more importantly, are you willing to pay the price to acquire those pieces? Are you willing to give up Knies, Niemela and a 1st round pick for those "couple of pieces"? Do you understand that even if we do that, we still probably have no more then maybe a 15% chance to win the cup (no team ever has more than that in this parity/cap era). And if we fall short, are you OK with the fact that the cupboards are empty making it that much harder to win going forward, making it harder to attract free agents and perhaps making it harder to sign Matthews?

These are always tough decisions for a GM, balancing present and future needs is so hard. Easy to say "add a couple more pieces", hard to make the right decisions for the team for both the short and long term.

 

[Gary Nylund]

So in summary
I really think we need a top 6 LWer
And
Hopefully a tough good d man
And one more “ Perry “ like player , younger hopefully .
Either way
My sincere apologies to Mighty Mighty Leaf Nation and our beloved franchise and Team
Go Leafs Go !!!!!

I'll just copy/paste what I said to someone else:

Everyone's always clamoring for "a couple of pieces" but good pieces always cost a lot so it's always a question of what pieces do you want, and more importantly, are you willing to pay the price to acquire those pieces? Are you willing to give up Knies, Niemela and a 1st round pick for those "couple of pieces"? Do you understand that even if we do that, we still probably have no more then maybe a 15% chance to win the cup (no team ever has more than that in this parity/cap era). And if we fall short, are you OK with the fact that the cupboards are empty making it that much harder to win going forward, making it harder to attract free agents and perhaps making it harder to sign Matthews?

 

[Macallan18]

Honest question: why can we enjoy the regular season on its own and then hope and watch the post season to see what happens?

Some of us do!!!!!

 

[saltming]

Some of us do!!!!!































I think if you like hockey you enjoy watching good hockey when it happens. But I guess we are strange 

 

[Macallan18]

I'll just copy/paste what I said to someone else:

Everyone's always clamoring for "a couple of pieces" but good pieces always cost a lot so it's always a question of what pieces do you want, and more importantly, are you willing to pay the price to acquire those pieces? Are you willing to give up Knies, Niemela and a 1st round pick for those "couple of pieces"? Do you understand that even if we do that, we still probably have no more then maybe a 15% chance to win the cup (no team ever has more than that in this parity/cap era). And if we fall short, are you OK with the fact that the cupboards are empty making it that much harder to win going forward, making it harder to attract free agents and perhaps making it harder to sign Matthews?

Absolutely. This year, I'd give up those pieces.
I know the odds are still high against winning it all, but I believe IF we get a real impact player, it will win us a game.
Not something stupid like a broken down Foligno, but for a Toews or ROR. Both are playing great, not injury prone, have won cups etc. Insurance for a major injury as well.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Absolutely. This year, I'd give up those pieces.
I know the odds are still high against winning it all, but I believe IF we get a real impact player, it will win us a game.
Not something stupid like a broken down Foligno, but for a Toews or ROR. Both are playing great, not injury prone, have won cups etc. Insurance for a major injury as well.

As long as you're willing to live with the consequences, fair enough. Me personally, I would only give up top future assets for players with more than one year of cost control, a Chychrun type situation.

I'll say it again, in this parity/cap era, no team has more than a ~15% chance of winning the cup.

And BTW, Macallan is overrated.

 

[Notsince67]

Just imagine how much Toronto would have won by if it traded one of the expensive core for a couple of plugs that will guarantee a cup.
All kidding aside, I am thankful to witness such great hockey in the dead of winter. Great entertainment.
Not grateful that tomorrow's game is at 2 o'clock.

 

[Leafsfan74]

I think everyone agrees that the playoffs are what matters most, you're just stating the obvious.

As far as leaving nothing to chance, I have no idea what you're talking about. There are never any guarantees no matter what.

Everyone's always clamoring for "a couple of pieces" but good pieces always cost a lot so it's always a question of what pieces do you want, and more importantly, are you willing to pay the price to acquire those pieces? Are you willing to give up Knies, Niemela and a 1st round pick for those "couple of pieces"? Do you understand that even if we do that, we still probably have no more then maybe a 15% chance to win the cup (no team ever has more than that in this parity/cap era). And if we fall short, are you OK with the fact that the cupboards are empty making it that much harder to win going forward, making it harder to attract free agents and perhaps making it harder to sign Matthews?

These are always tough decisions for a GM, balancing present and future needs is so hard. Easy to say "add a couple more pieces", hard to make the right decisions for the team for both the short and long term.

I might not even need to trade even one prospect nor a First or even.Second Rounder depending on the other teams ask. There are a couple of.players I can.think of where I might entertain such a trade, but it's rare.

Leafs don't need all stars, they need the right types in and the more regular season heroes out. They need to fill in the cracks and balance a playoff lineup.

Yes, all that matters in the playoffs. You can almost sense it with the key players in the post game interviews. It's their focus...process to playoffs. I admire their commitment to the process, they have to be chomping at the bit, one step at a time of course

Such a team is not one any opponent would want to meet in the ffirst round. This team might be even more formidable by then.. Roll four lines in which the opponent can't sit back even more a moment.