Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 5-3

[Al14]

I'm happy they play Ottawa again tomorrow. The quick turn around is very beneficial for forgive and forget for everyone involved. If we bury the Sens tomorrow then everyone will forget about this.

I won't forgive and forgot.

Tonight's loss was unforgivable for a few players that insisted on being greedy and overpaid.

This game was no different from the last few years. Matthews and Marner got paid handsomely, and yet their play DOES NOT match their paycheques nor the required effort levels. Matthews should be dominating, and based on his salary, so should Marner.

Even Nylander was a no-show tonight.

This team is overrated and overpaid. Their opponents are proving it.

 

[Cleetus]

Matthews desperately needs a winger who can cycle the puck with him. This one and done transition helps nothing.

Hyman says hi!

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

I think trading Marner Reilly and andersen for the right returns may have to happen. 3 core pieces that are just not working out.

 

[Faltorvo]

I think it’s more about working the other team, like a 60 minute bag skate. The hits are less important, you gotta wear them down.

We are giving opposition way too much time to breathe and think.

naw, when you are a wimpy team like ours

the other team has nothing to worry about

they never hear footsteps

they don't worry about hitting us and waking up our nasty side

 

[Critical13]

You are right! I would rather cheer for them than a team full of lightweights who took the money and ran.

Quite a way to quit a fan base! I enjoyed the theatrics.

Best of luck as a Sens fan.

 

[killer1980]

Maybe, but after he left to the Islander's , we hired Dubas.

The Isles went further in the playoffs last year than we have in almost 3 decades.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Hyman says hi!

The team needs another lw Hyman at the very least, I'd love a mark stone or a Josh Anderson but another Hyman would be just fine.

 

[Kazparov]

Yeah, not happening.

I know. Just stirring up the pot

 

[Critical13]

The Isles went further in the playoffs last year than we have in almost 3 decades.

Is that your new team? Not a bad time to jump on that bandwagon.

 

[fahad203]

There's really no point in Barabanov being on the team, especially if he's only going to play 4 minutes

I doubt he's worse than Vessey. I am not sure what this coach and management sees in Vessey. He's been garbage other than one fluky goal

 

[IranCondraAffair]

Stuetzle is as soft as they get.

Not from training camp, not from WJC, and certainly not from any scouting report I've seen.

Where is this coming form?

 

[Critical13]

I doubt he's worse than Vessey. I am not sure what this coach and management sees in Vessey. He's been garbage other than one fluky goal

Oddly enough, Vesey had the lowest xGA and wasn’t on the ice for many chances against. Hes quietly put together two reasonably good games all things considered.

 

[MapleLeafs77]

Its very clear that matthews is doing all the work on his line. Marner is way too weak for cycle hockey which matthews likes. Thornton is slow and done.

Hyman and nylander work because they are strong and work with matthews on the cycle.

 

[Critical13]

Your name is critical91 but you can't be critical of your team? Why is it so hard to admit that these core players aren't that great? They have no desire to out work other teams.

Are you afraid of them having to start over again?

im really confused by your post...he said he didn’t want to cheer for the Leafs anymore, that’s why I asked. I am plenty critical of them, but we’re 1-1 and I’m not ready to switch my fan base allegiance...yet.

 

[jaric1862]

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Vesey-Thornton-Mikheyev
Robertson-Spezza-Simmonds

1st and 2nd line get about 20 minutes a night, 3rd and 4th get about 10 minutes.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

For god's sake, get Thornton off the first line. What a joke.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Vesey-Thornton-Mikheyev
Robertson-Spezza-Simmonds

I am not sure Thornton should even be on the 3rd line.

 

[Byron Bitz]

I think trading Marner Reilly and andersen for the right returns may have to happen. 3 core pieces that are just not working out.

I disagree, I really believe in the core of Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Rielly. I think you can win a cup with that core. Unfortunately Dubas keeps failing to surround them with the right group of players.

 

[Critical13]

Alright, hear me out...

Tavares - Matthews - Marner
Hyman - Nylander - Robertson
Mik - Kerfoot - Thornton
Simmonds - Spezza - Vesey

 

[stealth1]

I disagree, I really believe in the core of Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Rielly. I think you can win a cup with that core. Unfortunately Dubas keeps failing to surround them with the right group of players.

Hard to surround them with good players when they take up so much cap money.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Hyman - Matthews - Nylander
Robertson - Tavares - Marner
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Vesey
Barabanov - Thornton - Simmonds

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

I disagree, I really believe in the core of Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Rielly. I think you can win a cup with that core. Unfortunately Dubas keeps failing to surround them with the right group of players.

He can't surround them with the right players because of the money he gave to this spineless core.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Alright, hear me out...

Tavares - Matthews - Marner
Hyman - Nylander - Robertson
Mik - Kerfoot - Thornton
Simmonds - Spezza - Vesey

I don't think you should touch that 2nd line. It has been good in both games, and I think if you anyone else other than Thornton on the top line, that line will be fine too. Barabanov would fit well given he is pretty solid on the cycle and in tight and has skill, but he is still getting used to the NHL. Hyman is the obvious choice. Simmonds might also work, but I'd put Hyman there since he is a better skater and has chemistry with Matthews.

I don't mind breaking up the third line. It's been solid, but I think it would be about as effective with Simmonds or Barabanov there instead.

Put Spezza and Thornton on the 4th line with the other of Simmonds or Barabanov. Spezza can shoot, Thornton can set up, Simmonds or Barabanov can dig.

I'd give Barabanov a few more games but if he doesn't improve, I'd swap him out for Robertson. Same principle applies to both Spezza and Thornton, but I doubt the Leafs keep either of them out of the lineup.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Alright, hear me out...

Tavares - Matthews - Marner
Hyman - Nylander - Robertson
Mik - Kerfoot - Thornton
Simmonds - Spezza - Vesey

At this point how could it hurt.

 

[SensontheRush]

Stuetzle is as soft as they get.

Stutzle had a big hit on a Leaf this game even! Guy is 19 years old, but he's tough/gritty for his age.

Did you watch the WJC this year? If so, if you saw the GER-CAN game I'm convinced you would have been left with the impression that the guy is surprisingly tough. He nailed Byram over the boards and into the bench!

Sorry, this made me have to unlurk.