Well, these are threads to discuss the game itself... so that is all fair game.
Beating Tampa is not the same as beating Florida imo.
Fights make styles. Matchups matter. That’s why it’s easier against certain teams and harder against others.
The Leafs as a team often struggle in low scoring, hard checking, grinding, defensive and physically tight games against big physical teams playing that brand of hockey. That’s why we struggle against teams like Ottawa (0-4 against them this year ), Washington (1-2 against them this year) and Florida (1-3 against them this year ) but we thrive in much more softer physically, offensively open games against free wheeling and run and gun based finesse teams like New Jersey (3-0 record against them this year )Tampa Bay (also a 3-0 record against them this year ) and Montreal (2-1 record against them this year )
Tampa is the best team in the East based on goal differential. They have a goal differential of 74, the best one in the East and the second best one in the league after the Jets. In theory, they should be extremely hard to beat for Toronto. But for some reason, vasi is not at his best when he plays against the Leafs and Tampa/Toronto games are usually open and not physical with both teams trading offensive scoring chances. It’s easy for the Leafs when The game is played on the rush instead of being played along the boards . They are comfortable in that environment/situation. When it’s a skill game rather than a grinding and physical game, it will be likely for the Leafs to win it. When the game is reduced to physical and grinding puck battles, when defensemen are heavily pressured and can’t make first passes out of their zone to manufacture zone entries, when there’s no time and space for forwards to create and finish plays. That’s when It’s hard as hell for The leafs. Toronto can’t win games when they become wars of attrition.
. As for Carolina ( the leafs are 1-1 against them this season) they are not a run and gun finesse based team but they are not a physical, brutal and mean team to play against either. They are sound defensively but they don’t have elite game breakers on offense so if you shutdown the Aho line you will win. And you can’t even trust their goaltending to help them win games when it matters most.
Our kryptonite is a team with almost all of these elements :
1. a smart and quick transition game (quick counterattack and efficient zone entries)
2. an aggressive and relentless forecheck that puts heavy and constant physical pressure on our D
3.great defensive awareness/hockey sense. Basically a Suffocating Defensive team who is frustrating to play against
4. Speed( the leafs are slower than most people think )
5. Physicality/mean factor
6. Strong on the puck and wins most of the puck battles along the boards
7. Great power play primarily managed by an elite defenseman with great vision, great puck moving, playmaking and power play quarterback abilities, and a powerful and accurate shot from the point.( basically the opposite of current Morgan rielly )
8. Elite goaltending
9. Team who can both beat you in the alley and on the ice. Winning the physical and mental wars of intimidation and attrition. - basically a team that has as much Will as skill.
