Pre-Game Talk: Leafs @ Habs, HNIC

[Thread The Needle]

Google has an excellent translation function. What language do you need those posts in?

!

 

[Nithoniniel]

One word

No offense, but you'd probably be better served using more words.

 

[OnceWasNot]

Here is how the Canadiens shake down. Price is an all star, but they are young every where, and cannot really defend well. They also cannot score at the moment. The bad news for us is Montreal took it to Chicago, and Crawford stole that game for them. At one point the shots were 19-6 or something or other. If we do not learn how to defend, and that was us, the way Andersen has gotten no help in front with seeing pucks we are in for it.

The shot totals are deceptive. We generate lots of shots and plenty from high danger areas, but outside of Pacioretty, Lehkonen, and Galchenyuk (who has been inexplicably demoted to the 4th line to play with plugs), nobody on this team can finish. We're shooting at around 2% right now, which is obviously unsustainable and goals will start going in, but don't mistake the Habs for a decent offensive team. We may control the puck in your zone for long stretches thanks to Julien's possession system, but we're rarely a threat to score.

 

[firstemperor]

I've caught all of MTL's game this year when the Leafs + Habs weren't concurrently playing. Based on what I've seen, it will be a blow-out. The Habs back-end can barely move the puck past center ice, they can't score, and have zero creativity in the offensive zone. Price has looked very mediocre. Once we get the speed game going they are going to have a lot of trouble.

Though with Andersen's play lately and our bottom-pairing sieve with Carrick out, I wouldn't say it's a guarantee. I would be surprised if we don't get at least a loser point.

 

[jrgtml67]

Agreed--Bergevin really screwed you guys, like Ferguson Jr. screwed us up. He traded away your skilled smaller players in favor of bigger brutes, and now look whoops ! The players to me that are dangerous on your team, Patches, Drouin, Plekanec and that Mete kid is good, Hudon looks like he may well be a scorer as well. As you say though, those kids need to finish and cannot yet. Poor Price, best NHL goalie, and in front of him they cannot score or defend. Alas with us we can score, but if we dont learn how to defend we are in trouble. Even college kids could score half the goals Andersen has allowed. We are leaving guys all alone infront, way too many odd man rushes, and penalties. Should be interesting. On paper, and skill we should murder you guys. But again we play that badly defensively you guys will finally put some in.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

So far the Hyman - Matthews - Nylander line has an expected goal differential of 3.07
the second best line in the league is the McDavid line at 1.84
absolutely insane how good those 3 have all been

 

[egd27]

So far the Hyman - Matthews - Nylander line has an expected goal differential of 3.07
the second best line in the league is the McDavid line at 1.84
absolutely insane how good those 3 have all been

What's the actual goal differential? Or does that matter?

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

What's the actual goal differential? Or does that matter?

not sure exactly. The point is that the high quality chances they're generating is the best in the league, comfortably

 

[Clark4Ever]

It would be a great time for Andersen and the defence core as a whole to put it together for 60 minutes.

 

[GrizzLeaf]

Leafs got beat last night.

Time to take it out on the Habs.

 

[Pickle Juice]

what if they lose ?

would people start CRYING

 

[Maplebeasts]

what if they lose ?

would people start CRYING

I mean.......maybe.

 

[Mitchy]

It would be something else if we beat the Habs in a shootout. I'll take a blowout win though, thanks.

The Habs have like a 2% team shooting percentage. Hopefully, that doesn't change against us.

 

[Thread The Needle]

what if they lose ?

would people start CRYING

Some people would definitely start crying.

 

[Schennanigans]

Habs are going to come out desperate I think. A little early but just a feeling. I think whoever wins this it's going to be one of those 3 point games.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

Long shot but does anyone remember a song that would get posted in all the leafs post game threads? It was like a east coast folk song and I can't find it in any of the recent threads.

 

[96]

Long shot but does anyone remember a song that would get posted in all the leafs post game threads? It was like a east coast folk song and I can't find it in any of the recent threads.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

what if they lose ?

would people start CRYING

I will.

 

[egd27]

what if they lose ?

would people start CRYING

Crying? Probably not.

Whining? Without question. (some will whine even with a win)

 

[NarcoPolo]

Is Rosen playing? I really hope he isn't.

 

[X66]

Even though the 14 game losing streak has been one of the best things to ever happen to this franchise, hopefully it ends Saturday though.

 

[ACC1224]

Even though the 14 game losing streak has been one of the best things to ever happen to this franchise, hopefully it ends Saturday though.

"One of the best things ever to happen".....what?

 

[X66]

"One of the best things ever to happen".....what?

Without those losses there are no Matthews/Marner/Nylander

 

[ACC1224]

Without those losses there are no Matthews/Marner/Nylander

Ok?

 

[Nithoniniel]

The Habs have like a 2% team shooting percentage. Hopefully, that doesn't change against us.

Yeah. That won't last, but I hope it remains the same for one more game.