Post-Game Talk: Leafs Lose 4-3 in OT | Lead Series 3-1

[MSZ]

Classic playoff Marner on full display

At least he got a point tonight. Normally in elimination games he couldn't even get any points. He and Matthews have to be better in game 5.

 

[The Legend]

Knies had a slapped on the pp, didn’t go in
Holmberg had a break, didn’t go in
We had a 4 man screen for most the pp, didn’t go in

Stolarz cost us the game, it’s fine probably he will bounce back but he’s gotta own that lne

He didn't cost us shit. Not scoring on a 4 minute powerplay was far more impactful.

 

[notbias]

I don't think Stolarz was the reason. Berube seemed to be fine with him in the presser. I agree with him.

You are both wrong.

He was not good tonight.

It's fine, he's been great all season and most of this series, but he was bad tonight.

 

[Divine]

It just looks like he’s not carrying the puck and making any plays.

I was hopeful they could sweep so he could get some rest and work on his wrist. Maybe a little adversity is good for them. Don't want them waiting a week for the Florida series to end.

 

[scotian1]

Matthews has to play like he is the best player on the team, still waiting for that. Marner looked like he was tripping over himself. Pacioretty was a non contributor tonight.

​

 

[3blizzard4]

Have to be better.

Ottawa had less shots but tons of o-zone time. Very nerve wracking watching that all game.

That four minute PP in OT was almost played in slow motion. So lackadaisical.

 

[Stephen]

I don't think Stolarz was the reason. Berube seemed to be fine with him in the presser. I agree with him.

I feel like tonight wasn’t an especially strong Stolarz night. Weird bounces on 2 of the goals. Not his fault overall but not necessarily justifying the pure shut down lock down approach.

 

[MK78]

Ah well, back to Toronto. They had their golden chance earlier in OT, but the PP just couldn't click.

Let's hope they regroup and spank them in Game 5. These last 3 games were far too close for comfort.

 

[Stephen]

Matthews has to play like he is the best player on the team, still waiting for that. Marner looked like he was tripping over himself. Pacioretty was a non contributor tonight.

​

I think he’s been outplayed quite easily by many in the Top 6.

 

[wingman75]

It just looks like he’s not carrying the puck and making any plays.

He's skating like he is dragging a boat anchor. That mystery injury reactivated?

He had ample opportunity to win the game tonight, I think that is the concerning thing for me. If he wasn't getting chances that would be one thing... but missing ALL the chances he gets is even more worrying!

He'll have another crack at it on Tuesday.

 

[ZEBROA]

Switch mcmann with Holmberg for both lines sake. Nylander and tavares need more space, no threat Holmberg wont create that.

Looks like the "ahl" goalie won this time.
A 80% of loosing next game. 50/50 after that.

 

[Ho Lee Mackinaw]

Leafs will win the series, but going to OT in three straight games with Ottawa does not bode well for the next round.

Matthews needs to find some intensity, grab the game by the throat. He can't hit the net these days. If he doesn't score the Leafs are in trouble next round. Yes, he has some assists, has been great on face offs and defensively solid. But he needs to score.

 

[Stephen]

I was hopeful they could sweep so he could get some rest and work on his wrist. Maybe a little adversity is good for them. Don't want them waiting a week for the Florida series to end.

Whatever state his wrists are in we are better off if he’s getting into position and shooting whatever he can.

 

[1specter]

I think McMann should sit a game. I think it will kick him back into high gear

There are too many passengers up front. McMann, Pacioretty, Holmberg have brought little so far. Our fourth line has controlled play and done well defensively but not much production there outside of Laughton's one assist in game 1. Domi has the one big goal. Like usual it's core four and Knies.

We need more guys to chip in like Nick Paul, Logan O'Connor, Nic Roy etc

 

[Stephen]

He's skating like he is dragging a boat anchor. That mystery injury reactivated?

He had ample opportunity to win the game tonight, I think that is the concerning thing for me. If he wasn't getting chances that would be one thing... but missing ALL the chances he gets is even more worrying!

He'll have another crack at it on Tuesday.

Yeah he’s done enough to help the team get out to a 3-0 lead so hardly time to be getting hyper critical. But there’s another level he needs to get to, injury or not.

 

[garce]

this is a team that has haad 7 years of playoff experience now. They should have learned now about puck management and game management

3OT games out of 4 games played against a team that is a newbie to the playoff doesn't give me a lot of confidence

I dunno they’re playing a new way that’s unfamiliar. From what I see Ottawa almost never threatens. Previous years I’d agree but they are so solid defensively and in goal that I don’t see them collapsing

 

[Jojalu]

I don't think Stolarz was the reason. Berube seemed to be fine with him in the presser. I agree with him.

Bad goal on the Sanderaon shot.

Breakaway goal I can't fault him but he usually makes that save.

Berube is never going to throw him under the bus so what he says publically doesn't matter.

For the record, they had their chance on the 4 min PP so it's not entirely his fault, but the Leafs are killing themselves blocking shots and limiting chances. Catch the puck.

 

[Stephen]

There are too many passengers up front. McMann, Pacioretty, Holmberg have brought little so far. Our fourth line has controlled play and done well defensively but not much production there outside of Laughton's one assist in game 1. Domi has the one big goal. Like usual it's core four and Knies.

We could take Patches out and put Robertson back in for some of his pep. Probably an automatic for his scratch and score properties.

 

[Tak7]

I feel like Matthews has not truly put his mark on the series. It’s a bit mid and we need a signature game.

Im not convinced its even fair to expect him to be able to put in "signature" performances - only is his shot not there, but he has almost none of the power/explosiveness in his skating

 

[Petrus]

Bottom line and the silver lining: Toronto is leaving Ottawa with a win to maintain home advantage.

Onwards and upwards!

 

[Stephen]

I dunno they’re playing a new way that’s unfamiliar. From what I see Ottawa almost never threatens. Previous years I’d agree but they are so solid defensively and in goal that I don’t see them collapsing.

Me neither (famous last words) but a strong defense needs to be a sounding board for counter attack and opportunistic offense. I just feel like they’re a little short circuited. Sliders are too conservative.

 

[Beanzy]

They're gonna blow this, aren't they?

 

[1specter]

We could take Patches out and put Robertson back in for some of his pep. Probably an automatic for his scratch and score properties.

Maybe, but he's also a misfit who is hard to use in a matchup game. In general I don't love the options we have in the bottom six... Id consider bringing in Kampf for Holmberg and redistributing the lines a bit.

 

[Stephen]

Im not convinced its even fair to expect him to be able to put in "signature" performances - only is his shot not there, but he has almost none of the power/explosiveness in his skating

We also have to be careful not to make injury based excuses for Matthews subpar play. We have no clue.

 

[Gallagbi]

I don't think Stolarz was the reason. Berube seemed to be fine with him in the presser. I agree with him.

Generally a coach doesn't throw his starting goalie to the wolves after 1 bad game