Post-Game Talk: Leafs Lose In Columbus

[CabanaBoy5]

The team didn’t play that bad, but still some glaring errors being made all over the ice. These things happened in Nov but Campbell bailed us out.

Right now, we have a massive problem in goal. Campbell looked off all night and truly cost us this game. Yeah the defence wasn’t very good but an NHL goalie cannot allow that second goal. Problem is that Mrazek is worse.

Rielly has to relax with jumping into the play, he cost us a goal and got the penalty. Dermott or Holl? Hard to say but Holl is better which says it all.

 

[The Podium]

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.

We allow the 14th fewest high danger chances against and 6th fewest rebounds.

 

[LastOne2100]

We are the 18th in high danger chances against and we are 26th in rebounds allowed.

Not sure why people keep giving this defense a pass. They are awful, definitely nowhere near what you would hope to have in a contender.

3/6 of our D would likely not crack the roster of any of the top teams.

They only look good when a goaltender stands on their head with a .940% save percentage . When we stop getting that, blame the goaltending!

 

[Bomber0104]

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.

Correct.

"Advanced" stats don't concern themselves them with the eyeball-captured events that frequently cost the Leafs goals against and games. Offensive cheating / blown coverages / errant passing plays resulting in heavy volumes of odd-man rushes, breakaways, down-low puck chasing...

People think because something isn't measured on a blog, it doesn't matter.

 

[wingman75]

We are the 18th in high danger chances against and we are 26th in rebounds allowed.

Great stat!! Those rebounds are a big part of what make our D look bad... the plays continue rather than end... scrambling ensues and we get tired, out of position...

A goalie that sucks up rebounds might be the most valuable thing in the league.

Not to mention not tying up the oppoenents for said rebounds.

 

[The Podium]

Thanks for this. Not sure why people keep giving this defense a pass. They are awful, definitely nowhere near what you would hope to have in a contender.

3/6 of our D would likely not crack the roster of any of the top teams.

They only look good when a goaltender stands on their head with a .940% save percentage . When we stop getting that, blame the goaltending!

You’re reading that backwards. Those are good stats.

 

[Gallagbi]

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?

I don't think anyone is suggesting were holding him at gunpoint to become a Leaf. The thought is he would be a good addition to the team and would need to be acquired.

We would also need to pay a price for him which could kill the deal

 

[leafsfan5]

The Leafs have honestly done a really good job in the last 2 months even though their goaltending has been complete ass

But it's catching up to them now. You can't have AHL level goaltending and expect to win

 

[The Podium]

Great stat!! Those rebounds are a big part of what make our D look bad... the plays continue rather than end... scrambling ensues and we get tired, out of position...

A goalie that sucks up rebounds might be the most valuable thing in the league.

Not to mention not tying up the oppoenents for said rebounds.

You are reading it backwards, those are good stats….we don’t give up rebounds

 

[PromisedLand]

Normally I would expect to win the hard game and drop the easier ones. But this team's psychology has taken a big hit lately for no discernible reason. It's like Tavares' leading everyone off a cliff in terms of confidence or something.

Till this day I have no idea why the hell did they make tavares captain. Its not like he was leading NYI to glory when he was there

 

[LastOne2100]

You’re reading that backwards. Those are good stats.

Uhh I think you phrased it wrong then.

If you say 26th in goals allowed, it means you gave up a lot of goals.

EDIT: If we're cherry picking stats, how about that we're #2 at defensive zone giveaways, behind only Montreal.

 

[TheShape]

Get Nylander the hell away from Tavares already PLEASE

 

[egd27]

I don't see how we gonna beat Vasy in a 7 game series. Our forward especially the high AAV forwards do not know how to make in game adjustments. They keep trying fancy and cute plays instead of having different looks to keep goalie and opposition defense guessing when things arent working.

Florida might finish 1st; and even if they don't - not sure how our D i.e. entire team defense is going to play against hard forechecking panthers

Beat Vasy?
They need to get past Hedman, Sergachev, McDonagh, and Rutta just to get to Vasy.

 

[Mr_Fun]

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.

Ok, I can play that game too -- based on what?

 

[Zybalto]

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

5v5 Medium danger chances against/60 since Jan. 1st: 7th fewest in the league (like all defensive stats, Leafs are top 10 best)

5v5 Medium danger goals against/60: 5th most in the league

Just do the math on what it takes to have the 7th fewest but give up the 5th most.....

 

[Mr_Fun]

Ok, I can play that game too -- based on what?

I think decline generally happens over years, not in a couple of months during a slump.

 

[Enniskillen]

Why not try Woll while we still can? Fresh blood just for fun. They are going nowhere in the playoffs as we know that they can’t fight adversity.

 

[Shooter2x]

Ok, I can play that game too -- based on what?

There is no game to play. You brought it up and I challenged it. If your reaction is to switch the onus onto me it's clear you realize it's more of a "uh oh" situation.

 

[leafsfan5]

A lot of people don't really know hockey in this forum. It is always the easiest to blame the goalie.

The 2nd and 3rd goal are inexcusable, it should've never come to a good goal in OT

 

[The Podium]

Uhh I think you phrased it wrong then.

If you say 26th in goals allowed, it means you gave up a lot of goals.

I mean, that’s incorrect but I edited it for clarity.

If you sort the teams by goals against, the highest amount of goals against would be at the top of the list.

 

[Cleetus]

I don't think anyone is suggesting were holding him at gunpoint to become a Leaf. The thought is he would be a good addition to the team and would need to be acquired.

We would also need to pay a price for him which could kill the deal

yea id imagine if he wanted to come here, the price will be steep, id be pumped if we could get him

 

[PromisedLand]

For all the time that Campbell saved this team's bacon when they were playing like shit; may be the team can pot a few goals for when the goalie is having tough nights instad of expecting perfection from your goalie every game

 

[LastOne2100]

Why not try Woll while we still can? Fresh blood just for fun. They are going nowhere in the playoffs as we know that they can’t fight adversity.

I wonder if we can afford to even call him up. Maybe with the Muzzin injury we can?

Can't hurt, except for Woll's confidence.

 

[Gallagbi]

A lot of people don't really know hockey in this forum. It is always the easiest to blame the goalie.

I mean anyone who knows hockey also sees the chances for and against, understands what saves goalies typically makes and how the equality of chances tonight doesn't typically result in 4 GA. That's just the experienced eye test, without stats (that also back it up btw)

 

[thusk]

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 multiple 2 on 1s and 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 ow 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.

Scoring chance even strenght
Toronto 21
Columbus 14

High danger
Toronro 7
Columbus 3

All situation
Scoring chance
Toronto 30
Columbus 16

High danger
toronto 10
Columbus 3

That game was all about goalie, campbell . The good thing still 32 games left to campbell to find his game back and be ready for playoff.

But i just hope seing toronto to continue playing the way they played tonight for the majority of the rest of remaining game.