Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 4-3

[Nhlpowerweek]

Let's face it, the Bruins were the better team for most of the game. We kept it interesting, but I'm just not sure we're at their level this season. We need to find another gear.

Would've been nice to get the point, but I mean, it's the Leafs, so of course they were going to blow it with unforced sloppy turnovers in the last minutes.

We gotta get more G's........... that is the only way. G our way to the top. Just like Michael Mann.

 

[Enga Olly]

That stick throw no call is going to bother me for a while. I wanted to throw my beer at the TV when the panel all said its nothing.

Its also disgusting how much CBC and Rogers try to overcompensate to not appear Leaf bias. Not just tonight but all year they go anti leaf. Bring back Don Cherry and Joe Bowen.

and yet read the comments from the dummies and they still say HNIC are cheering the Leafs. Anything short of sounding like an HF Board hater, is a Leaf cheerleader according to the dummies. That was so obvious a thrown stick to say otherwise means you're either a liar or you simply don't know the game and I don't think for a moment Bieksa, Botterill and Hrudey don't know the game. Bieksa is a Leaf hater, Botterill and Hrudey are just typical commentators living in dread of being called a Leaf supporter.

 

[notDatsyuk]

The dilemma is that while Matthews/Marner are great together, when you take Marner away from Tavares he turns into a pumpkin.

Tavares was directly responsible for three of the last six goals allowed, two of them when he was with Marner. His bad defensive play is not anyone else's fault.

 

[ZEBROA]

Most shots on goal by Nylander. Hope he finds net soon again.

 

[hockeyes]

Most shots on goal by Nylander. Hope he finds net soon again.

That is an interesting stat, because Nylander was terrible tonight. Borderline if he didn't dress, the team might have done better type of terrible.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I thought it was a quite even game.

A few mistakes (Tavares, Timmins, Tavares, and Ullmark missing Engvall's goal), but otherwise not bad. Murray maybe should have had one of them.

We saw the real advantage of home ice - Boston got to put their top line out against JT's line all night, with predictable results.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Most shots on goal by Nylander. Hope he finds net soon again.

Also led in takeaways. One of our better players again.

Mitch (third) and Willy (sixth) right up there league-wide in takeaways.

 

[francis246]

Catching the highlights but looks like Timmins had a rough game

Tavares was directly responsible for three of the last six goals allowed, two of them when he was with Marner. His bad defensive play is not anyone else's fault.

That first bruins goal was Rielly and Timmins fault, not Tavares.

Rielly turns the puck over, Timmins caught way too high blowing the zone and Marchand finds Bergeron.

 

[Torontonian]

All their goals came from our mistakes. Plus one bullshit add non call with Bergeron.

The leafs tend to have a tendency to gift the other team goals off of our own mistakes, Keefe said it best in the post game interview, “you’d think we would have learned by now”. We have breakdowns in our own end that leads to goals, but a lot of them feel self inflicted.

I don’t come away from this game thinking we can’t compete with Boston, we’re a top team in the league for a reason, but the mental mistakes are killing this team.

3 out of the of the 4 goals were off of just bad gives aways from us.

 

[francis246]

Tavares was directly responsible for three of the last six goals allowed, two of them when he was with Marner. His bad defensive play is not anyone else's fault.

I just went back and watched the goals. Really struggling to find how any of the four goals tonight were Tavares’ fault. Goal 1, Rielly whiffs on a pass. I’ll give you goal one if you wanna blame that one on Tavares for bringing it back into the zone, but he never really had possession of the puck. It was bobbling. Rielly gets possession and doesn’t make a good pass and Timmins completely blows the zone

Goal 2, Timmins make a Galchenyuk pass

Goal 3 - Simmonds and Kerfoot bump into each other. Leading to an odd man rush

Goal 4 - scramble play, Tavares does his job and tied up his man in front of the net. The winger should have been up high attacking the defender with the puck. No way shape or form is that Tavares’ fault

 

[Enga Olly]

just a small point

Leafs apparently out hit Boston 35-26

it's high time this stat is recognized as the most misleading and useless stat there is

 

[francis246]

IMO Lily is the best d-man on the team at the moment. No reason to ruin his confidence.

Lily should be given the reign to play freely as he was drafted as an offensive d-man; Rielly should grow the F up. He is not a kid anymore

So only kids are allowed to be offensive dmen?

When the hell has Rielly ever been touted as strong two way defender? Never. The Leafs knew exactly what they were getting with Rielly from day 1. That is a top pairing offensive dman who will give you 50+ points a season.

 

[leafsfan5]

I just went back and watched the goals. Really struggling to find how any of the four goals tonight were Tavares’ fault. Goal 1, Rielly whiffs on a pass. I’ll give you goal one if you wanna blame that one on Tavares for bringing it back into the zone, but he never really had possession of the puck. It was bobbling. Rielly gets possession and doesn’t make a good pass and Timmins completely blows the zone

Goal 2, Timmins make a Galchenyuk pass

Goal 3 - Simmonds and Kerfoot bump into each other. Leading to an odd man rush

Goal 4 - scramble play, Tavares does his job and tied up his man in front of the net. The winger should have been up high attacking the defender with the puck. No way shape or form is that Tavares’ fault

Goal 4 resulted from Tavares messing up a simple zone exit which gave Boston possession

 

[francis246]

And implement a proper dress code. Enough of the ridiculous outfits they were to the rink pre game……..oh ya I would outlaw Bieber from the arena.

Who cares what they wear? It has zero effect on the game. A dress code in pro sports has to be among top 10 stupidest rules. Let people be who they want to be. A lot of hockey culture is trying suppress personality and make everyone conform to this one type of personality. It’s really weird IMO. The NHL would generate even more revenue and popularity if they let the guys be who they are.

I’m a teacher and the amount of kids that have talked to me about the leafs Instagram pics of their pre game outfits in recent weeks is amazing. That’s the out reach you want. That’s how you grow the game. My students are also far from your traditional “hockey kids” but they’ve become interested because they love the way Marner and Matthews dress.

 

[Sniper99]

At what point do they get concerned about Rielly's play?

I've been told to relax, he just came back from injury. Not sure how long that window lasts before we can criticize him.

 

[Sniper99]

I would f***ing riot if they bring back dubas/keefe/shanahan especially if they shit in the 1st round again.

wouldn't be surprised if leafs find themselves up 3-0 in the series only to lose in 7. that is the only other embarrassing thing that hasnt happened yet

"but but we put up another 100+ point season, why fire someone?" Thats all I heard in the off season up to now.

Sorry but f*** that! If a 115 point season and nothing to show for it means so much put up a banner beside Bon Jovi's for it. Doesnt mean shit when at the end of the hugs and handshakes we're the ones goin home and that team is moving on to the next round.

 

[Dreakmur]

Who cares what they wear? It has zero effect on the game. A dress code in pro sports has to be among top 10 stupidest rules. Let people be who they want to be. A lot of hockey culture is trying suppress personality and make everyone conform to this one type of personality. It’s really weird IMO. The NHL would generate even more revenue and popularity if they let the guys be who they are.

I’m a teacher and the amount of kids that have talked to me about the leafs Instagram pics of their pre game outfits in recent weeks is amazing. That’s the out reach you want. That’s how you grow the game. My students are also far from your traditional “hockey kids” but they’ve become interested because they love the way Marner and Matthews dress.

When other teams take it more seriously, Toronto is at a disadvantage.

 

[ZEBROA]

EveThat is an interesting stat, because Nylander was terrible tonight. Borderline if he didn't dress, the team might have done better type of terrible.

There is no way he was the worst player or that there was a better player we could dress. Even if he had a bad day.

 

[Ambassador Bridge]

Brutal power play. can't win the face off in the opponent's zone, puck gets sent down the ice and Leafs have to go back to get it. Try to enter the zone (stupid drop pass). Cannot maintain puck possession. End up with few or no shots on goal.
Need more shots from the point too.

 

[Zybalto]

Really good game last night.

Just like the last game in Toronto, had a real playoff vibe.

Both goalies were better than the 4-3 score. Wouldn't be surprised if one of these 2 teams comes out of the East. The two favorites for sure.

 

[Griffin76]

Thought Liljegren and Giordano were great. Sandin and Holl were their normal selves with their normal mistakes. Sandin a few because of his size and lack of speed. Holl a lot because he can't possibly make the right decision along the boards in the defensive end. Rielly and Timmins were horrible. I'm a Rielly fan and I do believe he is a Number 1 D but maybe he came back too soon and out of shape. Bag skate him or sit him out till he's actually ready. Timmins should be our #7 and Benn #8.

I said before the game started that Murray would determine the outcome. The goals that beat him were not unstoppable. If I remember correctly every single one went through him. No wicked writers high stick or glove side. No incredible dekes.

Beat by a better team last night. No shame in it. Boston is playoff ready and will probably add at the deadline. Leafs should have seen what they needed and hopefully they go get that.

 

[Zybalto]

Thought Liljegren and Giordano were great. Sandin and Holl were their normal selves with their normal mistakes. Sandin a few because of his size and lack of speed. Holl a lot because he can't possibly make the right decision along the boards in the defensive end. Rielly and Timmins were horrible. I'm a Rielly fan and I do believe he is a Number 1 D but maybe he came back too soon and out of shape. Bag skate him or sit him out till he's actually ready. Timmins should be our #7 and Benn #8.

I said before the game started that Murray would determine the outcome. The goals that beat him were not unstoppable. If I remember correctly every single one went through him. No wicked writers high stick or glove side. No incredible dekes.

Beat by a better team last night. No shame in it. Boston is playoff ready and will probably add at the deadline. Leafs should have seen what they needed and hopefully they go get that.

Just getting Brodie back in the lineup might have made the difference last night, and yea, Rielly is still getting up to speed after all that time off.

It wasn't like Boston was the better team all night as the Leafs had solid stretches where that flat out outplayed them.

I don't think the Leafs are looking that hard at the D at the moment but will pick up a solid scoring winger first. All depends on who is available and for what price.

 

[stickty111]

From Leafs Hot Stove

There was also no shortage of positives for the Leafs. It’s rare for Boston to concede three and not a common sight to see them scramble so much defensively as the Leafs were rolling around in the offensive zone against them for sequences within each period; I mostly liked how the Leafs handled the physical challenge, attacked the net against them, and caused problems off of the cycle. Special teams were plus-one. Auston Matthews and Michael Bunting were dominant in their minutes. Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren acquitted themselves well in an intimidating atmosphere and continue to show their maturation on the biggest stage.

Bring on the February 1 rematch.

I agree. Despite the loss, lots of positives. I'd like the win but we showed well. Just beat ourselves too much. We handled them well physically and broke them down defensively which isn't easy.

 

[Anthrax442]

Giveaways, boneheaded plays, no-look passes. otherwise a solid game.

 

[notdoneyet]

At what point do they get concerned about Rielly's play?

When the puck is dropped to start the game
His defense is atrocious