Post-Game Talk: Leafs Lose In Columbus

[Scion]

I agree on the last point. Today was mainly Campbell.

Cool story bro

 

[Stephen]

I don't think he can skate with his team mates.

Agreed. I don’t think he fits in the Big 3 in any way and would benefit from playing a slower unit that can come up the ice slow and heavy and grind out chances. But they play him like he can fly out there with two speedsters and it’s not working lately.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Our coach is even saying we played well but Campbell was bad.
Interesting

I disagree with his structure comment though he is right they could have easily have had 2 points. Maybe there were flashes of it, but they gave up 2 on 1s and partial breaks. Leafs didn't have any such offensive chances.

Leafs forwards are reverting back to their usual style of trying to score off the rush. Opponents know this and simply play a "wait and counter" style, working for the turnover and their own rush.

Earlier in the year they were playing a harder game around the net and in the corners. For too much of this season they have been relying on a hot PP.

They need to feel comfortable winning low scoring, boring games again.

 

[Superstar]

Blaming the refs is taking away the wrong thing from this game

I'm not just blaming the refs, but it's also a recurring theme.

 

[Torontonian]

This says it all right here, It's simply not good enough to try to be a contender with that stat right there.

 

[stickty111]

We’re not good defensively, never have been. We’ve gotten good defensive results because we’re a great puck possession team, they can’t score if they don’t have the puck.

We give up extreme high quality chances against far too often. We might only give up 8 shots in a period but 5 of them end up being wide open 2 on 1’s, completely blown coverage right in the slot, etc.

A bad stretch doesn't take out the parts we were good defensively.
The bolded in the end is flawed logic. You could say that about any team.

 

[Clark4Ever]

The goaltending situation is becoming a serious problem. I have been hopeful that this is just a slump but the sample size continues to grow.

 

[Gallagbi]

maybe he wants to stay in Chicago? do you know what he wants ?

Could be. The question you asked was why would he come here. To play in the playoffs is the answer.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

We’re not good defensively, never have been. We’ve gotten good defensive results because we’re a great puck possession team, they can’t score if they don’t have the puck.

We give up extreme high quality chances against far too often. We might only give up 8 shots in a period but 5 of them end up being wide open 2 on 1’s, completely blown coverage right in the slot, etc.

Not even remotely true.

 

[Bomber0104]

No I think you do. Clearly the coach didn't get the memo that our defence was bad.
Look I get we should always blame the defence, but Jack lost us this game.
Some of Leafs nation just has the narrative the goalie has no chance.

You'd think after being so horribly wrong about Leafs goalies / Freddie Anderson you'd have learnt something by now..

 

[LastOne2100]

I'm not just blaming the refs, but it's also a recurring theme.

Yes, and in the playoffs we'll definitely get more favorable whistles.

Let's also not forget the Power Play has laid an egg a few games in a row now.

 

[Stephen]

This core does not respond very well to adversity, it's really bizarre and I'd love to hear the inside perspective of the players one day when they care to talk about it publicly.

I think all three of the Big 3 lack that blue collar hockey persona that you kind of need in your elite group. We have 3x Adam Banks and not enough Charlie Conway’s, to use a Mighty Ducks analogy.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Its so exhausting being a fan of this team. There always seems to be somthing wrong, wether its defense, goaltending, both. If things play out like last year I don't believe Matthews stays when his contract is up.

 

[Shooter2x]

I guess if you're going to get cold goaltending, better now than in the playoffs. I'm not saying what's going on out there isn't concerning; it really is, but it's not likely that Campbell has just kind of forgotten how to play goal. Odds are, he cleans a few things up and we're good to go again.

What historic data do you have to back this up? It's more likely he doesn't go back to being a no.1 than it is he does.

 

[TiMo15]

Same old result.

 

[Superstar]

They gave us a goal that was an obvious kick. Let's not call out the refs tonight.

It wasn't a kick, Spezza's foot was planted on the ice...he turned his foot and the puck went off it.

 

[stickty111]

This says it all right here, It's simply not good enough to try to be a contender with that stat right there.

If anything the defence can't compete with that goaltending. When every medium chance could go in, you can't do much about that.

 

[wingman75]

Cap doesnt work. And I dont think I want to spend anything till this team shows they can play tough hockey.

It would probably take 1st+ for MAF and then another ++ for retention to get another team involved; I am not sure Leafs should do this given this team hasn't shown they can brave the adversity and find a way.

With MAF there is no guarantee that Leafs win against Tampa or Florida

Hard to disagree with that. Last season was the season with the easy path. Everyone knew the Atlantic was going to be killer this season. If I am Dubas and Keefe, I circle some specific dates on my calendar to help me make any decisions on what I do heading into the trade deadline.

Thu, Feb 24 VS. MIN - heavy opponent, similar to STL
Mon, Feb 28 @ WSH - another team not playing well, can we take advantage?
Thu, Mar 17 VS. CAR - best team in the east
Sat, Mar 19 @ NSH - quick and physical team

Not necessairly looking for wins in those games, but more compete level and play adjustment. Be on the right side of the puck defensively, get to some dirty areas for some greasy goals, and for the goaltenders, make some effin saves. Step up to the adversity and own it... give yourself a chance.

The game tonight was not a travesty, but that first period effort combined with the mess the previous night was astounding and unacceptable. They played well the rest of the way and need to start games like that... Not sure what you can do with the goaltending... we're kinda effed there.

 

[Cleetus]

Could be. The question you asked was why would he come here. To play in the playoffs is the answer.

maybe to you it is, but maybe he does not want to come here? like have you heard he want to come to the leafs? he has earned that right? no?

 

[stickty111]

Cool story bro

True story.

 

[PromisedLand]

f*** now we play Minnesota Washington and…. Detroit

That’s an auto loss to Detroit
An win against Minnesota
a High scoring loss against the capitals

I think Ovi gonna beat Gretzky's record in the game against hte Leafs

 

[Stephen]

seemed like he was really performing well, auditioning for the Olympics, once that fell through and he got covid it really went off the rails for him... I think he bounces back, and hopefully soon.

For sure. He looked terrible last year for long stretches but got extremely hot down the stretch. So I don’t know if it’s physical, mental, both. He’s shown the ability to get right. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t frustrating when he can bring so many B Games.

 

[ToneDog]

Get Miller and Gio and pray Soup and Muzz are ready in May.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Can't get a save. Pathetic. Team is going nowhere.

 

[wingman75]

If anything the defence can't compete with that goaltending. When every medium chance could go in, you can't do much about that.

I was thinking that as I watched this game... lately it seems every mistake, big and small, end up in either a glorious chance against or in the back of the net. Our goals against off turnovers must be massively high.