Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose Game 1: 4-2

[notDatsyuk]

Not feeling to bad about this, just puts the pressure on us to win the next game and split at home. Very leaflike how we lost though, in the playoffs to boot to make it even worse.

1. Powerplay and team needs to be more opportunistic. Team had chances at the start of the game with two power plays and chances to really take momentum in the game and failed to do so, going 0-3 on the PP will cost you. Needed more from Willy

2. Coaching/defensive needs to be improved, and fast. Going on to game 7 in the playoffs and we haven't locked it down in one game, leading only 20% of the time in games isn't a good way of trying to win. Far too many open chances/breakaways/2on1 given up.

Willy had about half the PP time of Matthews, Marner, Tavares, ROR, and Reilly, and most of it was on the second unit. Why single him out?

 

[Stephen]

I hope we haven't woken up Columbus Bob.

Great teams have to beat great players to win. Just got to play the series.

 

[Stephen]

We need McCabe to have that same physicality, but be much more stable. He was too erratic tonight.

Leafs need to harness the good that comes with McCabe's aggression while managing all the risk he incurs. If he's going to step up on guys on a regular basis, that's great but build in some backup on the coverageand also give him some parameters when he can go chasing.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Do you really think Nylander knew no one was there?

Zero chance he doesn't take that to the net.

I just can't figure out what the actuall hell he was looking at. Terrible brain cramp or absolute zero feel on that play

One single frame can be very misleading, especially when selected by someone with an agenda.

He deked the jock off the D, but in doing so turned back. He then fed the trailer.

 

[notDatsyuk]

i am still trying to understand the swap of nylander on the 2nd pp unit. this is entirely on coaching

I think it's because he wants ROR on the first unit to take faceoffs.

Also, Willy has made the second unit much better.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Your question is how did our 4th line play vs. Tkachuk's line, when MT had 3 points, none against that line and Keefe trust them in defensive situations.

Maybe youre asking the wrong question here

MT had two assists at 5on5 (the third was 6on5 on the delayed penalty to McCabe).

The only Leaf on the ice for both goals was Marner.

Mitch is great on the PK, but I think he has trouble when the other team gets on a heavy forecheck cycle.

 

[Superstar]

Maybe he was predicting how many goals Pavelski would score tonight

Pavelski is some player, my goodness, and not young anymore.

 

[Squiffy]

No one feels too bad about that right? Thought we were easily the better team. Never felt less bad about a playoff loss. We got this.

 

[Superstar]

I thought Nylander was very good tonight myself, strange take. Agree with the rest of it though.

Overall it was a really good game 1 except for the result. We outplayed them, but their goalie stole it. Can't really complain too much about that after how we got past TB, just gotta win the next one.

GLG!!

Edit - nice goal by Knies. That was a slick move, nice pair of hands!

Bob was great, but I don't think he stole the game...the Leafs gave the game away with their boneheaded plays...2 goals is good enough for a win if the Leafs didn't play loosie goosie with all those defensive breakdowns. Brodie and McCabe pairing were atrocious, especially McCabe...he needs to be more defensively sound, rather than blowing his zone like on Florida's 3rd goal and leaving Brodie in no man's land.

 

[Squiffy]

Bob was great, but I don't think he stole the game...the Leafs gave the game away with their boneheaded plays...2 goals is good enough for a win if the Leafs didn't play loosie goosie with all those defensive breakdowns. Brodie and McCabe pairing were atrocious, especially McCabe...he needs to be more defensively sound, rather than blowing his zone like Florida's 3rd goal and leaving Brodie in no man's land.

Whatever matchup they were trying against the Tkachuk line, I'd adjust. Or maybe, keep the adjustment, it got better as it went on.

That third goal was a bounce, he executed the play he was making fine, it hit a skate. I guess you want to contain there late in the period not go for it, but they had all the momentum at that point and I get going for it.

 

[Superstar]

Going back to the Tampa series, the Leafs play from behind way too much. They aren't going to make heroic comebacks every night. They need to capitalize on their chances and dictate the game or Florida will beat them

I agree...this game one loss shouldn't really be brushed off lightly...it was a great opportunity to start on the right foot, and the Leafs blew it...Florida will play even harder on Thursday to get that 2nd win...if Leafs lose on Thursday, they will be in trouble.

 

[ZEBROA]

So 7 shots on goal and Nylander sucked? He better have 14 shots on goal next game. (would offcourse prefer 3shots 2 goals, but he has been snakebitten for a while)

Marner need to shoot more, he has a lot better shot this year. And it will be harder to defend against any line he is on.

 

[Squiffy]

The fact that this thread isn't 1000+ posts already is encouraging. We got this.

 

[Superstar]

Whatever matchup they were trying against the Tkachuk line, I'd adjust. Or maybe, keep the adjustment, it got better as it went on.

That third goal was a bounce, he executed the play he was making fine, it hit a skate. I guess you want to contain there late in the period not go for it, but they had all the momentum at that point and I get going for it.

The 3 forwards were already attacking hard...there was no need for McCabe to rush in so deep to join them...he's not Bobby Orr...there is a thing called patience...nearing the end of a period is not the time to gamble when you're a defenseman with limited abilities...just play defense.

 

[Squiffy]

Matthews was a beast again. He alone if no one else will not allow them to lose this round. I have never seen him playing better. If I had the option watching a replay of a game I'd just isolate on him every second he's on, it's ridiculous.

Honestly, I don't know if it is even possible to be under-rated as the face of the Leafs in the midst of a playoff run and the acknowledged best player on the Leafs, but I kind of feel like it's happening. His defensive play, his battle, the approaching Clark level heart in totally a different way from Clark that he is putting out, is... just wonderful.

 

[Morlu]

No one feels too bad about that right? Thought we were easily the better team. Never felt less bad about a playoff loss. We got this.

I think most Leaf fans are okay with the effort. We’ve all seen this before though, we dominated Montreal and couldn’t score. Excited for game 2!

 

[Squiffy]

The 3 forwards were already attacking hard...there was no need for McCabe to rush in so deep to join them...he's not Bobby Orr...there is a thing called patience...nearing the end of a period is not the time to gamble when you're a defenseman with limited abilities...just play defense.

Ya, just as I said. Should have contained.. emotion over logic there and maybe the game on it. He'll se the video for sure.

 

[Divine]

The adjustments I would make:

1: Put Bunting on the first line over Knies. Knies has no chemistry with Matthews, so many missed opportunities because Knies and Matthews don't know where the other is and pass it to the wrong place. Bunting had played with Matthews more than a few games, he will make more of an impact. Let Knies feast on weaker competition.

2.) Keefe needs to please show them how much Bobrovski is cheating. Every shot and pass, he pushes as hard as he can to the opposite side. Any hint of a shot and he pushes forward. If you look at both Knies and Bunting's goal - Bobrovski slides out of the net because they both deked instead of shot right away. The Leafs need to fake shots to get Bobrovski off his angle, there was too much straight shooting, even Matthews on the breakaway - both Bunting and Knies scored by faking Bobrovski who bit hard, both times, slid out of his net because he was cheating. Mix it up.

3.) DO NOT PUT HOLL BACK IN BECAUSE WE LOST 1 GAME. Keep the same lineup.

 

[Kiwi]

Leafs need to harness the good that comes with McCabe's aggression while managing all the risk he incurs. If he's going to step up on guys on a regular basis, that's great but build in some backup on the coverageand also give him some parameters when he can go chasing.

I don't care if he likes to be physical or step up on guys if it puts him in poor defensive position he needs to stop

He's a defenseman, forwards can cover a pinch but it's bloody difficult to cover a defenseman doing something I'll advised in the neutral or defensive zones

He's already shown extremely poor judgement when he makes those plays and it's unforgivable he hasn't stopped already

 

[Squiffy]

I don't care if he likes to be physical or step up on guys if it puts him in poor defensive position he needs to stop

He's a defenseman, forwards can cover a pinch but it's bloody difficult to cover a defenseman doing something I'll advised in the neutral or defensive zones

He's already shown extremely poor judgement when he makes those plays and it's unforgivable he hasn't stopped already

Holl in?

McCabe has been good, lets not hang it on him. Officer Bobvorsky got one there, but he's a loose cannon.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Brodie and McCabe pairing were atrocious, especially McCabe...he needs to be more defensively sound, rather than blowing his zone like on Florida's 3rd goal and leaving Brodie in no man's land.

It's a simple 1 on 1 with Verghaeghe if Brodie didn't go for the puck. Leafs were in a fine position even with McCabe joining the rush, but Brodie made a poor decision in the end

 

[Squiffy]

It's a simple 1 on 1 with Verghaeghe if Brodie didn't go for the puck. Leafs were in a fine position even with McCabe joining the rush, but Brodie made a poor decision in the end

It really was a tough bounce though.. he didn't mis the play he was going for, it just squirted the wrong way. And for the third time, yes, yes, the mere possibility of hat bounce is why you don't do it. Like 70/30 that play works out but with the momentum make the safe play.

 

[Kiwi]

Holl in?

McCabe has been good, lets not hang it on him. Officer Bobvorsky got one there, but he's a loose cannon.

I'd stick with McCabe but I'd tell him to stay in good defensive position

He can't continue losing position and leave Brodie to clean up after him

 

[Sniper99]

Two lousy PPs killed them in the first.

i wouldnt say they were lousy at all, we had some great chances just couldnt finish. Lousy would be no shots on the 1st PP and 1 shot on the 2nd.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Matthews was a beast again. He alone if no one else will not allow them to lose this round. I have never seen him playing better. If I had the option watching a replay of a game I'd just isolate on him every second he's on, it's ridiculous.

Honestly, I don't know if it is even possible to be under-rated as the face of the Leafs in the midst of a playoff run and the acknowledged best player on the Leafs, but I kind of feel like it's happening. His defensive play, his battle, the approaching Clark level heart in totally a different way from Clark that he is putting out, is... just wonderful.

Size and skill aside, he makes the right play 99% of the time in all zones. He’s the only Leaf that I don’t panic when the puck is on his stick, it’s going to be a crisp correct play to get it moving in the right direction almost every time.