Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 6-3

[Nineteen67]

He's been good.

But that's the problem. Good isn't good enough. They need someone great.

At least he's earning his salary so far and that's better than a few other players on this team.

You pretty much only get great ones through the draft. Something they've abandoned and forgotten about 8 yrs ago.

 

[egd27]

Only 5 pages after a loss.
The interest in this place seems to be on a downward trend.

Wonder where people have migrated to?

Just not that enthused this season for some reason. Plus how many times can you read the same stuff about 16, 88, 91 and 34

 

[Niagara Bill]

Reaves is dressed.
Team looks like poop
No push, no urgency
Reaves does nothing more than Steeves, or Alex N and far less than what Minten may have.
Why is he here?

 

[Nineteen67]

People are complaining about the schedule, but don't seem to mind that the Leafs have played a very home-heavy schedule, against mostly mediocre teams, so far. They will be on the road a lot more in the second half of the season.

They have 1 home game in February

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I hate losing.
I love winning.

 

[Evilhomer]

Brutal schedule is probably the same for all teams given this 4 Nations Tournament? They've played 3 playoff teams in December. Lost to the Caps and beat NJ and Dallas thanks to their goalies sucking and ours excelling because they were outplayed in both games IMO.

View attachment 949834
Hawks, Preds, Ducks, Sabres, Wings are a combined 58-87-21

The Leafs have had a butter-soft schedule so far. I don't think anyone should be complaining about it, even with the back to back games.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

Only 5 pages after a loss.
The interest in this place seems to be on a downward trend.

Wonder where people have migrated to?

Waiting for the playoffs. I mean what can you even say about this loss? They stank against a bad team.

Beyond that, though, they're scoring less and there aren't as many "great storylines" besides the goalies playing well... until last night, anyway. Maybe Nylander vying for the Richard might interest people but it's hardly "will he score 70?".

 

[Antropovsky]

Islanders were all around the net yesterday. Berube is struggling mightily to get his team to play around the net, just as Keefe did. Berube has said it regularly in post games. When he put Nylander with Marner and Matthews, he specifically said they need to not play fancy. There are 4 lines, you need everyone to buy in... if two players on separate lines dont buy in, then 2/4 lines are in trouble.

Patrick Roy has waived Engvall 2 times this year and specifically said that hes a great player, but he wont regularly buy into playing the physical area...so there isnt a spot for him.

 

[Niagara Bill]

Islanders were all around the net yesterday. Berube is struggling mightily to get his team to play around the net, just as Keefe did. Berube has said it regularly in post games. When he put Nylander with Marner and Matthews, he specifically said they need to not play fancy. There are 4 lines, you need everyone to buy in... if two players on separate lines dont buy in, then 2/4 lines are in trouble.

Patrick Roy has waived Engvall 2 times this year and specifically said that hes a great player, but he wont regularly buy into playing the physical area...so there isnt a spot for him.

Every spot is available, he played well here with his ďipsey and doodle for a 6 ft 4 guy.
He fits right in. Can replace Reaves, why not, neither one is aggressive and neither one can be counted on to do their job.

 

[Beneven Stanciano]

The problem with this team that remains unchanged is they have no "dictate"
To their game. When they DO happen to get off to good starts, it's usually because the other team is flat. They have never gone out and asserted their will against a team. If the opposing team has a weak start or suffers brain lapses, then the leafs will usually capitalize on that. How many games have they had this season where they have like 10-13 shots through 2 periods? I followed Babcock from the Wings to the Leafs and ry fell in love with the team when the core came together. But ultimately, I've seen teams in NARCh Roller Hockey Tournaments that play harder than this team regularly. Then when you get to the playoffs, that's when teams are stepping up their intensity, their focus, their compete. In the playoffs teams start on time, focused and ready to go, to implement their will and game. That's why this team is so weak, none of the foundational pillars here are the types of guys that are going to do something about it. And I get it, how could you trade one of these guys, they are all so talented?! But really, ok, the "talent" is neat and cool, but what is it really achieving?

The Leafs core look like a bunch of guys who are just happy to be in the NHL, and that's not bad in a vaccum, but at some point you need to mix it up with some players that will actually do something about it and can lead the team.

 

[ToneDog]

The problem with this team that remains unchanged is they have no "dictate"
To their game. When they DO happen to get off to good starts, it's usually because the other team is flat. They have never gone out and asserted their will against a team. If the opposing team has a weak start or suffers brain lapses, then the leafs will usually capitalize on that. How many games have they had this season where they have like 10-13 shots through 2 periods? I followed Babcock from the Wings to the Leafs and ry fell in love with the team when the core came together. But ultimately, I've seen teams in NARCh Roller Hockey Tournaments that play harder than this team regularly. Then when you get to the playoffs, that's when teams are stepping up their intensity, their focus, their compete. In the playoffs teams start on time, focused and ready to go, to implement their will and game. That's why this team is so weak, none of the foundational pillars here are the types of guys that are going to do something about it. And I get it, how could you trade one of these guys, they are all so talented?! But really, ok, the "talent" is neat and cool, but what is it really achieving?

The Leafs core look like a bunch of guys who are just happy to be in the NHL, and that's not bad in a vaccum, but at some point you need to mix it up with some players that will actually do something about it and can lead the team.

They sell lots of jerseys. Why else would you not run them back year after year?

 

[Confucius]

They sell lots of jerseys. Why else would you not run them back year after year?

Doesn’t everybody already have them? Lol

And if fans don’t want them, why are they buying the jerseys?

 

[thewave]

Doesn’t everybody already have them? Lol

And if fans don’t want them, why are they buying the jerseys?

The new one with the neon stripe is coming out soon. Word hads it it is to the Leafs what the Dodge Viper was to North American Automotive Industry

 

[Stephen]

Reaves is dressed.
Team looks like poop
No push, no urgency
Reaves does nothing more than Steeves, or Alex N and far less than what Minten may have.
Why is he here?

I hear you on the general Reaves criticism, but I thought he played pretty well yesterday on what he's supposed to bring. Got a few offensive looks and a breakaway and laid the body often.

 

[Nineteen67]

The problem with this team that remains unchanged is they have no "dictate"
To their game. When they DO happen to get off to good starts, it's usually because the other team is flat. They have never gone out and asserted their will against a team. If the opposing team has a weak start or suffers brain lapses, then the leafs will usually capitalize on that. How many games have they had this season where they have like 10-13 shots through 2 periods? I followed Babcock from the Wings to the Leafs and ry fell in love with the team when the core came together. But ultimately, I've seen teams in NARCh Roller Hockey Tournaments that play harder than this team regularly. Then when you get to the playoffs, that's when teams are stepping up their intensity, their focus, their compete. In the playoffs teams start on time, focused and ready to go, to implement their will and game. That's why this team is so weak, none of the foundational pillars here are the types of guys that are going to do something about it. And I get it, how could you trade one of these guys, they are all so talented?! But really, ok, the "talent" is neat and cool, but what is it really achieving?

The Leafs core look like a bunch of guys who are just happy to be in the NHL, and that's not bad in a vaccum, but at some point you need to mix it up with some players that will actually do something about it and can lead the team.

They have never been known to dictate the outcome of a series and have always relied on the opposition. They won a round when Vasi forgot how to play goal, but were manhandled in round 2.

Matthews was supposed to be the next great one, but he’s done nothing in his hockey career that makes me think he deserves to have his name on the Cup.

 

[Confucius]

They have never been known to dictate the outcome of a series and have always relied on the opposition. They won a round when Vasi forgot how to play goal, but were manhandled in round 2.

Matthews was supposed to be the next great one, but he’s done nothing in his hockey career that makes me think he deserves to have his name on the Cup.

Hart, 3 rockets, Lindsay, 69 and 60 goal seasons. I’d say there is more than a thousand less deserving with their name on the cup

 

[arso40]

I hear you on the general Reaves criticism, but I thought he played pretty well yesterday on what he's supposed to bring. Got a few offensive looks and a breakaway and laid the body often.

That’s fine but he shouldn’t be in the line up at all that fourth line can be something with him off of it it’s not a defensive line with him on it replace him with dewer or Holmberg to name a few the line becomes a better line and more effective line

 

[therealkoho]

The December schedule couldn't end soon enough. It really sucks.

Unfortunately, January is much the same, and probably without a lot of participation from the captain, hopefully all Stolie needed done was some arthroscopic work.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Only 5 pages after a loss.
The interest in this place seems to be on a downward trend.

Wonder where people have migrated to?

It may be that, despite the loss, there isn't all that much to whine about (or praise).

 

[therealkoho]

we were due for a loss... guys are probably tired given the ridiculous schedule, and it showed in their sloppy play, defensively.


probably people sick of the 'sky is falling, blow it up' crowd that is generally around and bitching following a loss

Yeah considering the heavy slogging they were definitely due

You're exactly right, the whole chicken little nonsense has ceased being funny. The whole character assassination narratives are childish at best and at their heart just unnecessarily cruel and I believe from people who've probably never played any real competitive hockey

 

[johnnyonthspot]

If they want this game more than the Leafs, and not going through the motions to get to the Xmas break, of course they can win. Leafs just lost to the Islanders who can't score or defend much. Matthews is also probably out.

I agree this is a tough game for both teams heading into a break. I get the sense the leafs play, short term, fine without AM but the Jets are a fragile travel team these days and leafs have had their number. Appreciate you replying to me!

Hexes and spells aside, yes absolutely.


...but then there's whatever the words "Anything better than beating the Leafs?" cast into existence....pretty fascinating.

I will admit the " collective" disdain for the leafs created by the media bias not you fans led to that fateful comment. I think the hex will stay over the Jets head tomorrow and leafs win 4-1.

 

[arso40]

That was a nice pass by kampf yesterday actually surprising tbh

 

[arso40]

Yesterday would have been a good night to try Willy at center again but I guess that ships sailed I’ve liked his intensity last couple games though

 

[Niagara Bill]

I hear you on the general Reaves criticism, but I thought he played pretty well yesterday on what he's supposed to bring. Got a few offensive looks and a breakaway and laid the body often.

He did! Like that.
But 10 others should do that, because he gets paid to set the tone, to change the level of emotion and to wake up his team.