Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 4-2

[cookie]

Nylander had a great game tonight even with the puck over the glass penalty. He could have easily gotten multiple goals tonight and created a few too. He and Kerfoot make an excellent duo, which is usually the case with any player that sees extended time with Willy.
I'm starting to think Marner and Rielly are the North American versions of the stereotypical "enigmatic Russian". I appreciate Keefe wanting to be loyal to his guys but you can't sit a guy like Willy but not hold Rielly and Marner to a different set of standards. Give other guys a chance (maybe Engvall or Boyd should see more PK time??) and also hold the entire lineup accountable to one another. Make sure you are being fair to everyone in the roster.

 

[The Legend]

You must be new, we're always like this

I still remember how upset half this fanbase was when we traded Jarrko Immonen and Max Kondratiev for Brian Leetch.

 

[Brown Dog]

Andersen is getting consistently outplayed by his backups.

 

[Advanced stats]

Good thing our schedule lightens up in March.

 

[hockeyes]

Leafs can still miss the playoffs with a bad losing streak here. I won’t be surprised.

LOL worst take yet

 

[ECYCLE]

For as much as I, and others, were on JT and Willy during their slumps they were still playing solid defensively.

Marner's always been this oddity where he's got huge creativity, but not always high IQ.

No, I'd say that he's got a high hockey IQ. Marner's problem is that he always goes for the high risk high reward play selection. Still very immature.

 

[34]

Ugh... I didn't really care that they lost to VAN on Thursday, but this loss is hard to swallow. Losing two games in a row to a shitty team isn't good.

The top line was atrocious tonight. What the f*** was with that line's passing and puck management?

Demko > Andersen

 

[The Legend]

Teams should also be picking up on the fact that if you draw us in the playoffs, make sure to turn the temp up in the building and get the ice as bad as you can get away with. You'll score off bad bounces while we struggle to complete a 5 foot pass.

I think the top line hit double digits in falls without contact today.

I think we need to fix our own ice before we complain about other rinks.

 

[Ciao]

Hockey - easy one week, tough as a son-of-a-gun the next.

A tough two game stretch in Vancouver, always a step behind, a puck jumping stick, passes just off, energy low. It's hockey.

To those jumping all over Andersen: tap in from the crease, deflection, off a skate, bullet. Blame a guy when he's at fault, don't when he's not.

I am concerned about Matthew's hand/wrist, he's not the same.

Matthews is not right and should not be playing.

I think Jumbo needs a rest, too.

 

[Leaf4Life79]

Maybe he does suck. But where are our big boys? Marner and Matthews haven't been doing anything.

His wrist is for sure bothering him.. he is my favorite player in the nhl 'hell I own his official jersey' I KNOW he is not feeling well... He didn't have his jump, his stuck and puck control, and I only saw him take one full out shot tonight, that was it.. he's hurting, and I suspect Joe is as well. what do we do about it? only Keefe and staff knows.. .we shall see.

 

[Superstar]

The puck got caught in his skate.

I really don't know if that was a bad play or just bad luck?

All he had to do was look straight and take his man instead of turning around when he's almost right up against Freddie...he had no awareness of the situation.

 

[The Best Leafs Ever]

Would have rather Matthews sit for 3 more games than this... Sad

 

[NK94]

Funny how very few are criticizing Marner right now. If it was Nylander today, oh boy.

Can't wait for Simmons' next Nylander slam piece on Monday.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

nah puck that..

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Thornton-JT-Willy
Engvall-Kerfoot-Soup

Keefe isn't breaking up the third line over one bad game. Can you people just relax lol

 

[Menzinger]

That was the mistake, it's like a bad icing.

Yep.

I mean, give.the guy a mild critique for not being careful enough with the puck, sure. But its seemingly as innocent as a mistake as one can make, and a decent reminder that its an incredibly dumb penalty rule. It should be just nothing more than a new faceoff back in the defensive zone

 

[Go4soda]

I agree that Marner tried to do too much but that was because with Matthews wrist injury Marner had to become the shooter on that line.

This. Marner was trying to compensate too much and it complicated his game. Having matthews unfit is killing the routine of how these guys play. There’s an adjustment period that has to happen.

 

[Notsince67]

If Nylander had played like Marner did today, there would be 20 new threads and 15 articles about him sucking

Hyman, Nylander and Brodie only players who didn’t suck

Not sure what your point is but 84 more career points with 7 less games might be a reason.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

Matthews clearly hurt, they even switched him to the netfront and Tavares to the shooter on the powerplay

And it looks terrible. May as well just rest Matty up until he's at the best possible level he can be barring surgery. Games down the road will be more important and we have a decent lead in the division.

 

[Gallagbi]

I still remember how upset half this fanbase was when we traded Jarrko Immonen and Max Kondratiev for Brian Leetch.

I'm still not completely over it.

Honestly, I don't even remember when I starting posting here (was right around the great lockout) but it's always been the same. I do understand it though, we've had some incredible ups and downs (moreso the downs sadly) over my time here

 

[Stephen]

Thing is I think the effort wasn’t far off, the execution was.

I didn’t see anything in their game tonight that causes me concern. Yes they need to be better in some areas for sure but it’s not as bad as it’s being portrayed here. Not happy about it but slumps happen in the season.

Hughson and Simpson did their best jinxes by saying the Canucks hasn’t come back in the third all year and the Leafs have been near perfect.

Shit happens. If this carries forward into the Jets series I’ll start to raise an eyebrow.

I thought the bottom six and blueline mostly did their job, but there was definitely a massive drop off in quality of play from the first line. Walking wounded or just struggling. As far as the goaltending, it wasn't the reason we lost but Andersen is a very beatable goalie. Losses like this happen.

 

[Leaf4Life79]

I'd rather see Willy with Matthews right now. Matthew and Marner look out of sync and it's a good opportunity to get some variety with the big 4

This is just my opinion, but I think the 'out of sync' has to do with Matthews wrist bothering him.. clearly he wasn't himself tonight. But hey... Lets see what happens!

 

[stickty111]

Leafs can still miss the playoffs with a bad losing streak here. I won’t be surprised.

Lol

 

[likecheese]

Teams should also be picking up on the fact that if you draw us in the playoffs, make sure to turn the temp up in the building and get the ice as bad as you can get away with. You'll score off bad bounces while we struggle to complete a 5 foot pass.

I think the top line hit double digits in falls without contact today.

 

[Confucius]

What exactly do you want Dubas to do? Our #1 goalie is hurt.

Anyone heard when he may be back?

 

[Gallagbi]

No, I'd say that he's got a high hockey IQ. Marner's problem is that he always goes for the high risk high reward play selection. Still very immature.

...but that's not high IQ. High IQ is situational awareness and understanding when is the right time to push or pull back.

I'd also say the "high reward" play on that third goal was a simple entry for a tired line. Not much of a reward, but a hell of a risk.