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

[Stephen]

Regardless, this has been a shaky series. Yes we're up 3-1, realistically we were outplayed game 2. Game 3 was a coin flip.

Game 1 wasn't even a traditional blowout. We just converted absurdly high ratio.

I say these things, not to dreg on the team or something. Just some caution.

Honestly, I'm not too impressed with Berube, I think Stollarz/Woll/Brad Treveling are doing a much better job than the coach.

Does Berube hockey mean less shots and possession? Not my cup of tea.

Berube's defensive sliders are a little too extreme for me and the closeness of the last 3 games is sort of the byproduct. On balance it works, but it's exploitable because it neutralizes our skill advantage. In Games 1-3 we allowed 2 goals apiece and made it a race to 3, but I also feel like if we opened up vs Ottawa it's not like they're likely to outgun us.

 

[Jmo89]

I'm not really bothered by the loss. The team has built a nice cushion and they really weren't feeling it last night. Seemed like they were battling the puck all game and I thought they did a good job fighting through that and making it to OT.

What pisses me of was the top PP unit not going through a wall when they could have closed the series on a 4m pp. I'd have actually felt better if they lost in regulation.

I think they'll win, but I really hope they do it in 5. They won't have a 3 game cushion next round and they need to shut the media up about 1-12 in elimination games.

 

[Confucius]

That 4 minute PP can mean nothing if we win in 5: or everything if it leads to us losing the series. We should win it, Ottawa just isn’t that good. But, if nothing else, you’ve given them some life.

And if Benoit didn’t score in OT we could be tied with 2 games apiece. So how good are we?

 

[Leafs87]

The series winning game is always the hardest to win. Overall I’m happy with the turnaround this season and the series overall. That being said they need to close it out game 5.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Is the expectation for us to not lose a single playoff game? I am confused.

 

[1specter]

Helle in the playoffs

 

[rumman]

Berube's defensive sliders are a little too extreme for me and the closeness of the last 3 games is sort of the byproduct. On balance it works, but it's exploitable because it neutralizes our skill advantage. In Games 1-3 we allowed 2 goals apiece and made it a race to 3, but I also feel like if we opened up vs Ottawa it's not like they're likely to outgun us.

Ottawa is completely overmatched in the offence department, even playing Berube’s style the Leafs should be killing it, which they’re not, this won’t bode well for the next series if they get there………

 

[All Mod Cons]

Holy f*** people. We're up 3-1. There are 0 sweeps on the cards in the 1st round.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

And if Benoit didn’t score in OT we could be tied with 2 games apiece. So how good are we?

But he did. Just like Domi did. Using this line of thinking, if Tkachuk didn't score in third of game 3, we'd have won in regulation. If the puck doesn't hit Gaudette in game 2, we'd have won in regulation as well. Would that have meant we played any better or worse?

 

[rumman]

But he did. Just like Domi did. Using this line of thinking, if Tkachuk didn't score in third of game 3, we'd have won in regulation. If the puck doesn't hit Gaudette in game 2, we'd have won in regulation as well. Would that have meant we played any better or worse?

IF’s snd BUT’s never makes for a good conversation imo…….

 

[BallardEra]

I think some people need to realize that today's NHL is a parity league after the salary cap came in.

The margins for winning and losing are razor thin and that's what we are seeing in this first round in pretty much every series. It will always come down to good health and a bounce or two going your way.

Don't get too high or too low and just roll with it in hopes that it goes our way for a change.

Any team is capable of beating any team at this point.

 

[kevsh]

Any team is capable of beating any team at this point.

Except the Leafs when they have a chance to clinch.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I think some people need to realize that today's NHL is a parity league after the salary cap came in.

The margins for winning and losing are razor thin and that's what we are seeing in this first round in pretty much every series. It will always come down to good health and a bounce or two going your way.

Don't get too high or too low and just roll with it in hopes that it goes out way for a chance.

Any team is capable of beating any team at this point.

Yea, but that's not how it should be. Leafs should have a sizeable gap between them and Ottawa. This league sucks if every matchup is just a coin flip. IMO.

 

[ToneDog]

Yea, but that's not how it should be. Leafs should have a sizeable gap between them and Ottawa. This league sucks if every matchup is just a coin flip. IMO.

There is a gap but look at what the #8 seed Blues are doing to the President's Trophy #1 seed? I expected more from the Sens. They have been good at times but they might be an easier out than the #8 seed Habs.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Yea, but that's not how it should be. Leafs should have a sizeable gap between them and Ottawa. This league sucks if every matchup is just a coin flip. IMO.

They do. It's 3-1.

 

[Mugzy97]

Is the expectation for us to not lose a single playoff game? I am confused.

I think the biggest issue is the scars of past collapses. Realistic expectations take a hike for this fan base because of them. If the leafs win the next game everything will be OK.

It’s not realistic to expect to sweep a team, and it’s not realistic to expect a goal on every PP. Any team could get a 4 minute PP and not score on it and it’s completely normal, but the body language was not good as in they showed no killer instinct. Even so, Matthews hit the post and if it bounces the other way people are praising the PP. It is and always is been a game of inches. There’s no reason to panic but that’s exactly what a lot of leaf fans are doing lol.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Regardless, this has been a shaky series. Yes we're up 3-1, realistically we were outplayed game 2. Game 3 was a coin flip.

Game 1 wasn't even a traditional blowout. We just converted absurdly high ratio.

I say these things, not to dreg on the team or something. Just some caution.

This is what is very alarming. 3 straight OT games vs a pretty subpar Ottawa team is not giving me much confidence going up vs Tampa or much less, Florida.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Berube's defensive sliders are a little too extreme for me and the closeness of the last 3 games is sort of the byproduct. On balance it works, but it's exploitable because it neutralizes our skill advantage. In Games 1-3 we allowed 2 goals apiece and made it a race to 3, but I also feel like if we opened up vs Ottawa it's not like they're likely to outgun us.

There's a fine line between wanting to tighten things up vs taking away our ability to create 5v5 offense. I think calibration is required in the settings.

 

[sunstersun]

This is what is very alarming. 3 straight OT games vs a pretty subpar Ottawa team is not giving me much confidence going up vs Tampa or much less, Florida.

3-1 leads are not created the same.

Did anyone think the Leafs had a chance against Florida? No, because beyond it being 3-0. We were thoroughly outplayed. 3 straight OT games is closer to a 2-2 series. I hope we close it out on game 5 or else, it's going to be a fcking trainwreck.

 

[Jojalu]

Chart seems to align with what we watched.

Really?

I have read a lot of people complaining about Matthews, Marner and Nylander.

I don't know. I thought it was Tor's best game after the first period. They pretty much dominated the rest of the way.

 

[rumman]

There is a gap but look at what the #8 seed Blues are doing to the President's Trophy #1 seed? I expected more from the Sens. They have been good at times but they might be an easier out than the #8 seed Habs.

Ottawa stops hitting Leafs take control, I can’t believe no one on the Sens have addressed this. Series is pretty close which it shouldn’t be, league parity not withstanding……

 

[TheGroceryStick]

This Berube system against Ottawa can be hard to watch. Simply because I think we can gun them down.

My hope is we get our ass through this round and have these low event/frustrating games/series against the teams we implemented the system to beat.

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

Helle in the playoffs

View attachment 1024199

Most overrated goalie in the NHL.

 

[Bellzy]

Don't talk about "3 chances" They need to finish it next game. If they drop the next 2 games, that doesn't give me any confidence at all. Even if they win game 7.

I’m just saying. Less pressure

 

[Bellzy]

0 pressure on Ottawa. All on the Leafs and if they don’t end it on Tuesday it’ll get real interesting.

Maybe the keefe leafs. These boys are different. Pressure won’t matter. It ends Tuesday anyways