Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 4-1

[Gallagbi]

I'm hearing what you're saying and by no means defending the triplets but reverse the situation. Can you imagine our top guys going against our defense? They would score 6 every game. Other teams forwards help in the defensive zone ours look to counter punch with a quick breakaway. I'm convinced this is a coaching decision and strategy.

We've been the exact opposite of a counter punch team for years. We've been heavy possession, control play, wear teams down to open up chances. Not a high risk, counter attack team

 

[PromisedLand]

I don't think they don't care, I think they don't know how, or what to do, to play in these types of games. The way they normally play goes against what you have to do in games like this. They aren't consistent in close combat situations for full games.

If it is not that, then that means they are not willing to do what it takes, and I don't feel that is the case.

They were hardly alone, Bertuzzi was largely ineffective, Nylander was meh, Domi other than the one shot didn't do much.

That felt like every game 7 over the past 7 seasons tbh.

Stamkos started a scrum when they were losing

Florida is filled with players who would start scurms, facewash, do whatever it takes to get opposition of their game if the opposition is playing well

VGK has giants as the D-core who take no prisoners in the playoffs

Avs have freakin' Makar

Leafs should have already figured out what to do to get opposition off their game; if the opposition is playing well and Leafs' own game is sucking. Somethings gotta give

 

[meefer]

Rangers didn't protect the middle of the ice well enough IMO as leafs got easy entries and Leafs also allowed easy entries to the Rangers. It was a goalie showdown where goalies made some huge saves.

I don't think you can compare that game to tonight where the score4 were mostly kept to the outside there weren't many clean looks either

Fair comment, but would it also be fair to say that the effort level of tonight's game didn't match that of the Ranger game? That's my issue. We have a talented squad. That cannot be denied. However, while I can appreciate the differences you outline, and credit where credit is due, Boston can play a very disciplined, effective game, our team did not play 'hard' enough to win, and that's a problem I think is fair to mention as I've seen this issue occur too many times before. Just my opinion.

 

[Enniskillen]

MATH LESSON EVERYONE!!!

What is a "Perimeter"?

That’s the regular expression on Marner’s face during the playoff games, like wtf am i doing here?

 

[BraveCanadian]

x.com

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Here we go again with the lesson learned. We are heading towards another first round exit.

Makes you wonder how many times they need to learn the same lesson..

 

[ToneDog]

Willy's bro showed up to work tonight in Columbus. Willy not so much.

 

[Evilhomer]

x.com

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Here we go again with the lesson learned. We are heading towards another first round exit.

I like Tavares as a player, but his interactions with the media are almost always painful. He would be better off saying nothing instead of these mindless statements.

Now that the game is over and the emotion gone, I remember that the Leafs have beaten a lot of good teams over the past 20. They can toss this one out with a way better effort against Bos Thu, after hopefully winning Wed.

Dal, Win x2, Col, Veg, NYR were all legit wins and good efforts. Hopefully this is a one off and they come back strong.

Still hoping for a 3-1 week

Hmmm...so the world isn't ending? Interesting.

 

[PromisedLand]

Fair comment, but would it also be fair to say that the effort level of tonight's game didn't match that of the Ranger game? That's my issue. We have a talented squad. That cannot be denied. However, while I can appreciate the differences you outline, and credit where credit is due, Boston can play a very disciplined, effective game, our team did not play 'hard' enough to win, and that's a problem I think is fair to mention as I've seen this issue occur too many times before. Just my opinion.

I've been saying for years now. When Matthews-Marner are not allowed to play "fancy and cute" hockey i.e. when time and space is taken away from them, and they are kept to the outside they are never effective. They don't know how to play in those games.

The best outcome in those games are that hopefully they won't get scored on because they don't score.

Its like something in their mind gets switched off if they are not allowed to play fancy-cute hockey with time and space. Then their shoulders drop. They both wear "A" and they make a lot of money i.e. significant proportion of the cap. If these guys don't show up and find a way; the ret of the team cannot motivate and/or energize the rest of the team either.

When chips are down you look to your leaders to lead the way. When leaders themselves are in moping phase when things don't go well their way then expecting someone else to lead the way is quite frankly not that realistic.

Somethings gotta give here. Its been years now. They aren't young kids/rookies anymore

 

[Kiwi]

Willy's bro showed up to work tonight in Columbus. Willy not so much.

Nobody did

Unfortunately we seem to need an injury or suspension before the guys decide to give a good professional effort

 

[ToneDog]

Fair comment, but would it also be fair to say that the effort level of tonight's game didn't match that of the Ranger game? That's my issue. We have a talented squad. That cannot be denied. However, while I can appreciate the differences you outline, and credit where credit is due, Boston can play a very disciplined, effective game, our team did not play 'hard' enough to win, and that's a problem I think is fair to mention as I've seen this issue occur too many times before. Just my opinion.

IMO this game meant more to the Bruins than the game on Saturday meant to the Rangers so the Leafs needed a better effort to win tonight IMO.

 

[ULF_55]

I would like to thank everyone who watched and are contributing their raw emotions in this thread.

I watched a made for the wasting time movie called The Family Plan.

My expectations were not dashed in the movie nor the game.

Bring on the deadline and then the 1st round.

 

[meefer]

Makes you wonder how many times they need to learn the same lesson..

Which makes me wonder if it's not a learning curve issue, but a 'this is who I am' issue. Again, talent is a blessing, but when I see Bobby McMann pushing harder than some others on the team, what am I supposed to expect.

 

[ToneDog]

Nobody did

Unfortunately we seem to need an injury or suspension before the guys decide to give a good professional effort

I thought JT put in a good effort.

 

[baton elevated]

We've been the exact opposite of a counter punch team for years. We've been heavy possession, control play, wear teams down to open up chances. Not a high risk, counter attack team

I disagree, when the forwards are playing as high as they do on the points, they are looking to be sprung. Other team's forwards collapse down to help the defense or take away the middle. We can play high at the point if we attacked the puck with more aggression. We give too much space for attacking team to set up.

 

[Kiwi]

I thought JT put in a good effort.

He was good but he can't lead the team like the other 3 guys can

 

[TheShape]

Just a reminder to the Bridge Jumpers - - Leafs are 8W 2L in the past 10 games and 13W 4L in their last 17 games.

Breathe deeply and take a rest in the Calming Corner before getting even more irrational.

I consider myself a realist, leafs have played some really good hockey lately and taken down some giants. We’re not going to win them all, I understand that.

What’s concerning is how they lost. When the other team decides to shut it down and not give up an inch, the leafs have shown zero alternatives or ideas to combat this.

 

[Evilhomer]

IMO this game meant more to the Bruins than the game on Saturday meant to the Rangers so the Leafs needed a better effort to win tonight IMO.

Let's see what they do in Boston on Thursday. I think we will see a different result.

 

[BallardEra]

What’s concerning is how they lost. When the other team decides to shut it down and not give up an inch, the leafs have shown zero alternatives or ideas to combat this.

All points back to coaching. They need a new voice and direction to get them to that next level.

 

[Enniskillen]

I believe this is both the coaching and our core players’ character problem. Coach comes up with shitty tactics which is compounded by unwillingness to fight through adversity. Let’s see if a new coach drills them some new holes next year, I am looking at your Berube.

 

[Stephen]

liljegren is kind of player who can raise his game for 5-10 games where he looking great, giving hope hebwill finally become the top 4 dman everyone hoping for... and next 10-20 playing like acrap and cost game like it was the game tonight. He was completly useless on goal #2 3 and 4...

thats why im always compared liljegren to dermott, it was the same thing with him.

He's basically Dermott's right handed brother.

 

[IPS]

He's basically Dermott's right handed brother.

Perfect way to put it.

 

[ACC1224]

Biggest impactful thing they can do is change the Coach. Long overdue.

 

[ToneDog]

Let's see what they do in Boston on Thursday. I think we will see a different result.

At this point, it may not matter to either team. We need to see a different result when they play for keeps in 6 weeks. Only then will we find out what this team is truly made of IMO.

 

[Evilhomer]

Was there any explanation of the goaltending decision? Unless they go back to Woll for the Buffalo game (which I guess is possible), are they really going to ease Woll back in by playing him in both Boston games?

 

[PromisedLand]

Bruins just so smart or is it coaching? They take everything away in the middle and guide you to the boards where they dominate you. Along the boards your options are minimal.
Leafs played slow tonight too, they allowed the Bruins to be on them quickly (move the puck faster!).
Hard to believe this team is playoff ready and it will be the same story. This was a statement game on many levels.
1) you have already lost to them twice
2) home ice
3) close in the standings and able to cut into the gap.
4) way not enough compete against a team you know will bring it.
Not acceptable!

Look no further than Marchand laying a body check on marner and taking the puck away like a grown up taking a candy from a child

hockey is not just about cute-fancy plays. Its also about:

- winning puck battles
- winning board battles
- winning puck races
- winning 50-50 battles
- taking body of opposition instead of just pokechecks or trying to lift the stucks. I mean you dont have to throw your body everytime but there should this threat of it for opposition that yes he might body check me so let me shield myself first before making the play.
- etc....

The way Leafs are playing right now; Leafs are gonna need a vezina level goal tending to have any post season success because the forward who take large share of the salary cap pie, I am afraid, are not putting in the work or have shown any indication that they've learned from past experiences (Nylander excluded to certain extent)