Post-Game Talk: Leafs Lose in Game 7. Again.

[stealth1]

Yes, and yet both teams scored the exact same number of goals. That's the problem.

And despite Tampa blocking double the shots, they still got outshot. That should tell you something.

In fact, Leafs had more shot attempts, more unblocked shot attempts, more shots, more scoring chances, more expected goals, and an equal number of high danger chances and goals in game 7 against the B2B champs. We came to play. That wasn't the issue. The issue was that the refs took over the game, for the 2nd game in a row.

The Leafs also had 4 PP to do something with and except the last PP they didn't have any dangerous chances. For a team that the best PP in the league it didn't look good for most of the series. Even though Tampa didn't score on theirs either they had dangerous chances and lots of shots on each one.

 

[BTP]

What was Torontos record against the Kings this year? Tampa is better than LA however, the Kings team defence is amazing. The parity in the league allows anyone to beat anyone. Last Toronto lost to Montreal. Oilers lost to Winnipeg. Both the teams that beat the oilers and leafs were not in the playoffs.

Montreal went to the f***ing finals. They were good.

Edmonton would have been swept by Tampa. And the Leafs. The Pacific division is nowhere near as hard as The Atlantic. Its a joke

Go back to your board.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Glass half full:

The team seems to have really matured. They did not choke. I cant point to anyone that had a bad series. The stars showed up. They didnt play their worst hockey in the elimination games. This team was GREAT all year. Including in this series.

We got screwed by drawing this Tampa Bay team in the first round. Im shocked that THIS effort wasn't good enough. Goes to show you just how unreal Tampa Bay is. Because truth be told, we play this well against ANY other team in the east and we dummy them in 5 or 6. To me, these are the best 2 teams in the east, and we were right there.

We had a goal taken away, who knows what would have happened in OT had it gone there.

All in all, it f***ing sucks to lose AGAIN - but at least they showed growth. Our division is f***ing ridiculous, that you can get 115 points, have the best season in history, and get rewarded by your opponent be the back to back champs is just.. wow. Very Leafy.

TLDR: We played well, this effort would have beaten any other team in the east. Dont overreact.

They had that effort only because it was the back-to-back champs. Had it been like Washington or something, they would have turned in similar efforts that we have seen before. They have proven this for years already. I don't know why I have to assume they would have the same effort against anyone else.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Unfortunately, they didn't get to play the Leafs.

And with much gnashing of teeth here, McDavid and Draisaitl are in the 2nd. round again.

And I’m certain given how we played this series we would have handled the Kings easily. Probably wouldn’t even have been playing them as we would have finished 1st in the Pacific.

 

[Vaive50]

The refs absolutely 100% sucked and the league is a joke BUT the Leafs had it within reach, they just had to grab it. They didn't.

No, I feel that if the Leafs did score in OT of game 6 or tie it last night, the refs would have found a way to screw us over just like when JT scored. Watching this stuff is just like watching Wrestling, it's so funny how the refs only see what they want to see or how they make things up and use the "it's a fast game" excuse to cover themselves.

I bet the refs felt good last year when the Leafs screwed themselves enough that they didn't have to do anything.

 

[Aashir]

And I’m certain given how we played this series we would have handled the Kings easily. Probably wouldn’t even have been playing them as we would have finished 1st in the Pacific.

I guarantee you we’d lose in 7

Kings would shut us down and quick would go 2012 mode

 

[TheGreatOne11]

Damn right, this team is just full of record breakers.

 

[BTP]

LOL, MTL was not good. Leafs choked that. Tampa dusted them in 5 in the final. Shows you what kind of quality teams they faced to get there.

They swept Winnipeg and beat a great Vegas team. We did choke, they were also good.

 

[Racer88]

Seriously depressed. Like no hope depressed (when it comes to hockey)

There is no hope unless someone makes some serious changes

 

[3blizzard4]

Hfboards traffic about to go down to school zone driving.

 

[Dekes For Days]

The Leafs also had 4 PP to do something with

Leafs had 3 PPs, not 4, and neither team scored on the PP in game 7. You can point to this or that and it really doesn't matter. In the end, both teams scored 2 goals in the game.

 

[Apex Predator]

I don’t blame the refs. Leaf had chances to close it out. I think it all goes back to that game 4. The attitude leaving was it’s okay it’s one game and we had a good road trip.

 

[Aashir]

Leafs had 3 PPs, not 4, and neither team scored on the PP in game 7. You can point to this or that and it really doesn't matter. In the end, both teams scored 2 goals in the game.

Leafs needed to score more

Just because tampa didn’t score on the pp doesn’t mean it’s illegal for the leafs to do so

Apart from the final pp, there was no urgency to score, just perimeter passes

 

[Apex Predator]

Leafs needed to score more

Just because tampa didn’t score on the pp doesn’t mean it’s illegal for the leafs to do so

Apart from the final pp, there was no urgency to score, just perimeter passes

You need a big shot from the point. Other teams don’t press up and give Rielly the space because they aren’t scared of his shot. This way they can clog the middle and let the leafs pass it around. They keep close tabs on Matthews.

It’s how many years now the Powerplay didn’t come through in the playoffs?

 

[redgrant]

I didn't compare the two. You did.

All I said is that we can't kick the Oilers anymore because they actually won a playoff round (excludes 2006 as well).

Also won in 2017 too

 

[Nineteen67]

Bring back Nazem Kadri

I wonder where the Leafs would be if they left Tavares alone, kept drafting and developing, and did a proper rebuild? Kyle Dubas‘ decisions have made it so difficult.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Leafs needed to score more

Just because tampa didn’t score on the pp doesn’t mean it’s illegal for the leafs to do so

Apart from the final pp, there was no urgency to score, just perimeter passes

Exactly. You bring back the same core, it will be the same result next year. I don't see how we are not facing either FLA or TB in the first round next year.

 

[KingsHockey24]

You also have the advantage of seeing two Cups prior to the Vietnam war. We can’t even get a series win in what has become more than half my life let alone a f***ing Cup.

It's true.

My anxiety/frustration before I saw my boys lift the Cup was intense.

 

[CapspaceKiller]

It was clear Tampa had figured them out defensively in game 7. They couldn't get to the net and the team is too reliant on space. Tavares had the right idea all series long. Just dump and chase, dump and chase. The team is nearly unbeatable when they are given space and Tampa knew it and figured out how to play them. This happens every year, the leafs start scoring less late in the series. They need to be way better winning puck battles down low, because that's how you win in the playoffs. Dubas might not recognize it as he's so focused on puck control and skating, but the team needs to simplify things way more. Marner and Nylander really are a microcosm of the problems with this team. They are unbelievable talents and their effort was clearly there, but creativity and being dynamic playmakers isn't what wins games in the post-season, its good old fashion grunt work in the corners. Matthews and Tavares can clearly do it and they do, but Nylander and Marner can't, they just are too bloody reliant on space and flow. The team needs to get bigger or at least stronger in their top 9. I honestly think they should change their team identity into a big physical team that dominates through size and strength. Tavares and Matthews are great pillars for a team like that.

 

[Aashir]

You need a big shot from the point. Other teams don’t press up and give Rielly the space because they aren’t scared of his shot. This way they can clog the middle and let the leafs pass it around. They keep close tabs on Matthews.

It’s how many years now the Powerplay didn’t come through in the playoffs?

If Matthews gets kept close tabs on him…I’d rather he play around the bumper or front of the net

He doesn’t convert his pp chances like ovi does or like draisaitl did this year. He’s not a guy who can stand there and one time it in to the net

 

[Dekes For Days]

Leafs needed to score more

Every team wants to score more, but we scored the same amount of goals as our opponent in the game. That doesn't show that we didn't come to play. When you score the same number of goals as your opponent in a game, you should still be alive.

 

[stealth1]

Leafs needed to score more

Just because tampa didn’t score on the pp doesn’t mean it’s illegal for the leafs to do so

Apart from the final pp, there was no urgency to score, just perimeter passes

Just a question. Watching the way Moore was playing for LA its unfortunate the Leafs gave up on him so quick. I think he is something that missing in the bottom 6. IMO the one the keys to this game and series is the difference in bottom 6 forwards.

 

[hamzarocks]

How are we STILL bitching about losing I the 1st round???

How can this team not manage to win 1 f***ing round

They can't close a team out. Why does the offense always go MIA in the do or die game

Winning 4 playoff games is no accomplishment at all. Leafs are treating losing in the 1st like they have been through war. They can't even meet the lowest of expectations.

 

[Aashir]

Every team wants to score more, but we scored the same amount of goals as our opponent in the game. That doesn't show that we didn't come to play. When you score the same number of goals as your opponent in a game, you should still be alive.

Didn’t say we didn’t come to play

I’m saying it was not enough

The goal called back sucked, but they tied it right after so there’s no guarantee we’d even score had Tavares’s counted or not.

 

[HoweHullOrr]

Also won in 2017 too

Ya, forgot about that one. Good catch.