Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 3-1; lose series

[Pookie]

Who's responsible when 40% of your cap-space scores zero goals?

geez tough one. My notes are a little out of date ... let’s see

Phil Kessel? No wait Phaneuf? No wait, Burke? No wait, Andersen? No wait, Babcock.

it’s Babcock right? Did I get it right?

 

[17 Clark]

Serious question. How do u beat Colorado when they have Mac making half what 34 is making Ranta making 1.5m less than 16 and they have a young strong D? Simplest answer I can think of is a #1 goalie who does not give up many softies.

Come on blaming it on Campbell it’s like saying it was Joe thorton’s fault Just lame excuses from what the truth is

 

[Gallagbi]

Lol - there is pessimism and then there is this.

The Leafs will not even struggle to make the playoffs next year.

It is what how perform in the postseason that is the concern.

There's a good chance this team is playing on eggshells all next year

 

[93LEAFS]

If he had managed to that here he probably would have kept his job

He only got 2 shots and never as the favorite. He really didn't deserve to go. But, Shanahan panicked about losing the boy wonder, who has led us to 3 straight 1st round exists (if you can even call the Columbus loss a first round exit).

 

[Lightsol]

The Leafs are not a totally different teams come the playoffs, all the other teams are.

I would say the issue is more that despite the NHL's constant insistence that they HATE the neutral zone trap and they HATE teams that work to prevent all offence to win, they're perfectly okay with it, which is why in the playoffs they lower the bar and allow such teams to muck and grind it up to go to the finals.

 

[Pookie]

Well, THERE's the kind of stupid hyperbole we don't need...

Find me one that is worse than blowing a 3-1 series lead against a team you finished 18 points up on in a 56 game reg season, going 7-2-1 against?

 

[EGL22]

Interesting thing for me is that Lou has been a GM for 40 years and has done great and never learned to play golf.

Dubas has been a GM for 3 years,done nothing,but on the bright side should be good enough to join the PGA tour after he gets fired.

 

[Gallagbi]

Well, THERE's the kind of stupid hyperbole we don't need...

Serious question, what was worse?

We've been closer, but this was the biggest choke we've had IMO, especially when talking series instead of moment.

 

[ToneDog]

If he had managed to that here he probably would have kept his job

He had no chance cause Shanny was buying whatever bs Golden boy was selling.

BtW how's that decision going for Shanny? Pretty sure Isles are pretty happy with the old bugger.

 

[HellebuyckOurSaviour]

Hey Leafs fans, Jets fan coming in peace. Yah yah, I see you guys gave up a 3-1 series lead and I was really hoping to play you guys next round. But honestly just get rid of the odd guy on your team to shore up some more cap space and you guys will be fine. You guys aren't the first and won't be the last to give up a 3-1 series lead. I know it's another bump in the road but you guys can say you were the best Canadian team in the Canadian division. We'll see you guys hopefully next season and have more amazing games where we swear and tell each other were better than each other. Just get rid of the dead weight, keep the core intact and go out and start by beating Boston and Montreal when the divisions are changed again. We'll try and take out the Habs for you and let them know why they should have lost and why playing you guys would have been alot more fun.

 

[17 Clark]

He actually acquired Hyman too

I don’t think this is his fault. He built a good team and his best players turned into Casper when it mattered most.

He’s too friendly with his players they don’t care he’s a Bad judge of character always said he was too young for this job he’s been fleeced more than a couple times God help us if he trades Junior mint Probably get ripped off

 

[Menzinger]

Lou's Leafs were way better when they were losing to Cup contenders like the Caps and Bruins in the first round, fresh off of finishing last in entire league.

Dubas is getting straight up embarrassed by the lowly, lowly Blue Jackets and Habs.

Both GMs will have spent their summers golfing.

No need to celebrate past failures as any grander than current ones

 

[93LEAFS]

More draft picks gives you more opportunities for value. Doesn't really mean you will do all that well with them though. We had a ton of picks in 2016 and we wasted a lot of them on guys who should have never been drafted. 2019 had half the picks and no 1st rounder and we will probably get significantly more value out of that draft (besides Matthews) than we will get from 2016.

Ultimately, it is more about pick value and selecting the right players in the right spots... And I am not talking about those static pick value models you find on the internet. Those are awful and useless.

And finding, or at least narrowing down, the "right players" is a lot easier than NHL teams are making it seem with their drafting abilities.

Consistently dramatically out drafting your picks isn't a reliable model. Let's see 2019's players actually do something in the NHL before we start saying its way better, 3 years ago people were just as excited about guys like Grundstrom and Woll.

 

[killer1980]

I would say the issue is more that despite the NHL's constant insistence that they HATE the neutral zone trap and they HATE teams that work to prevent all offence to win, they're perfectly okay with it, which is why in the playoffs they lower the bar and allow such teams to muck and grind it up to go to the finals.

It's all about winning... anyway you can.

 

[Dreakmur]

100% right.

I think people just underestimated the damage a bad coach could do.

 

[Bomber0104]

Both GMs will have spent their summers golfing.

No need to celebrate past failures as any grander than current ones

Who's celebrating?

Who won their hockey game tonight in the second round of the playoffs against a legit Cup contender, and who got ejected from the first round against a lowly, lowly team?

It's ok, you can say it!

 

[Duffman955]

I return to a familiar hell with the boys in this forum.

Different year same story, the same family supporting the same team.

The players, coaches, GM's all change but we are still here.

Good Knight Leaf warriors, every year we show more heart than the men on the ice. See you next year.

 

[Menzinger]

He only got 2 shots and never as the favorite. He really didn't deserve to go. But, Shanahan panicked about losing the boy wonder, who has led us to 3 straight 1st round exists (if you can even call the Columbus loss a first round exit).

Then Lou should have made a stronger case to Shanny that he should have been allowed to stay.

 

[Lightsol]

Find me one that is worse than blowing a 3-1 series lead against a team you finished 18 points up on in a 56 game reg season, going 7-2-1 against?

6 shots in one period in a game 7? Coming into a series with half the team injured, then adding in the "much better" injured players and somehow looking worse and losing? Two straight playoff appearances with a "team built for the playoffs" and losing in the first round in less than 7? Blowing the 4-1 lead in Boston?

 

[keonsbitterness]

This shows once again the regular season has only two outcomes that matter: making the playoffs and missing them. For the teams that make the playoffs, expected goals, possession numbers, high danger chances, hits, shots, goals, etc, whether team or individual -- those things mean squat when game one hits.

The Bruins lost in OT tonight, but Marchand and Bergeron led their third period comeback by showing skill and will. For whatever reason, our skill wilts when the opponent shows more will.

 

[phillipmike]

 

[93LEAFS]

Then Lou should have made a stronger case to Shanny that he should have been allowed to stay.

Or maybe Shanahan isn't a good judge of who should have stayed? I'd fire him too since this was his choice.

 

[Canadian Wampa]

Legit, how are we supposed to enjoy the regular season next year? They could win the presidents trophy and it would mean shit all

 

[HockeyThoughts]

There's a good chance this team is playing on eggshells all next year

That's just like.. Not happening. The Leafs are undeniably an awesome regular season team and have been for several years now. They expierence heartbreak every playoffs and come back and play well during the regular season.

 

[17 Clark]

Those big gritty fans are now deflecting blame.

He was hurt in Columbus are Master mine GM gave a first round pick for him Wonder what he would’ve gave up he wasn’t hurt