Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose. Thornton on the first PP unit. Weak. Nice work keefe. Do better.

[MeSorry]

Would limit Big joe's minutes, have a talk to Marner and Nylander about them being so afraid of getting hit, or getting hit on entry. Did you see their entries, if someone was in front of them. Every single time they would pass to a Habs player literally every single time to avoid a contact hit. The bright side Matthews was a rocket out there and Rielly and Nash played pretty well defensively. Don't even start with Kerfoot and Thorton my god. What is the old timer doing in the Power Play? Either put Marner in the second unit, let Nylander take on the first unit. Or bring up Hyman and Folg in the first line to change things up. Passing to front presence, because obviously their just waiting for Marner to pass in the slot to Matthews.

 

[Leafsfan74]

This is not a rant per se, but an honest observation. I recall having this discussion earlier about how boring the Flames games are and I said, they are exciting compared to the Habs games which are the least inspiring games. They've been the most boring team for a decade, and they build their teams like a mid-tier franchise looking to win a series and then get punted out when they run out of goaltending.

Unfortunately, we have to meet that snoozefest, and it comes down to a goal one way or another. Their fans know they are boring, but like Leaf fans they will hang on to it for a celebration or two. They've accepted this brand of hockey for their city.

It's going to be a tough haul with Tavares out, Galchenyuk I imagine comes in and the lines get mixed up but I see 1990s hockey creeping in. Even as a fan, I can't waste three hours to watch a soccer game on skates. It's effective, but it's far too boring to see millionaires play to not lose.

 

[Clark4Ever]

It was one of those nights where everything that could have went wrong did. I knew Price would show up, but we still had enough chances to win the game even after a deflating injury to JT. A post, a cross bar, missed opportunities, and a ridiculous SH goal by Byron were the difference.

Time to regroup. It's going to be much tougher now without JT.

 

[The Apologist]

Habs gave us all they had.
We take over on Saturday.

 

[Gallagbi]

Big mistake playing Sandin and he was beaten on both Montreal goals.

That is one reason Montreal didn't play their kids in hopes of eliminating rookie mistakes.

Have to give the Leafs a pass otherwise despite playing down to the level of their competition because of the impact the Tavares injury may have played. Those 3 over the glass penalties however particularly by skilled played like Marner and Nylander are not really excusable as those could also be different makers in other games.

Play the kids amirite, but honestly the Vets and "toughness" certainly weren't noteworthy tonight.

We need to play with more pace and more possession. Felt like we were "trying to play playoff hockey" instead of playing composed and controlled.

 

[egd27]

To satisfy the grit and heart fans. While our rival is enjoying a skilled player in Hall.

Maybe because they already had the grit and heart ?

It's ok, you don't have to jump to Kyle's defence after one game.

 

[glue]

I have No Be-leaf…we’ll win a couple games, that’s probably it

 

[wingman75]

Was Sandin skating on quick sand because he was anything but quick on that play or is Paul Byron really THAT fast? To me it looked like the former

Combination of both, Sandin's top speed is not very high, he has good quickness... that being said, Byron would have been at one time one of the fastest skaters in the league, he's got wheels.

 

[fahad203]

Right - it's the fact that he's being used at all despite being terrible.

Keefe didn't make Thornton completely bumble the puck repeatedly resulting in 2 goals.

No doubt. Then dont' play him much. that's on the coach
But to keep playing Simmonds and Mikhayev and Joe over Engvall who has 4 goals last 6 games and Gally that's on the coach as well

I been screaming about SImmonds all seaosn, he just sucks

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Engvall, Gally, Brooks in. Rotate spezza, thorton. There, just did the coaching staff's job.

 

[Gallagbi]

Habs gave us all they had.
We take over on Saturday.

Saturday is basically do or die, so let's hope so.

 

[michi510]

Love all the optimistic comments about it it being just one game and the big boys will bounce back. I hope you’re all right.

But that’s what we said about Boston, that’s what we said about CBJ. This teams track record isn’t good, and we’re starting to see signs of a collapse again.

 

[stickty111]

Also once again we aren’t scoring in playoffs. Not panicking yet but a reminder, an offensive player was available at the deadline for cheap and the Leafs went in another direction.

Yup. We'll see if it's the right one, but so far that group of fans look pretty dumb right now

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Perry always wants to make contact. Look at his history.

This.

 

[The Examiner]

No he wasn't. It seemed that way because he never faces good competition. Joe actually gets to face their top players, especially on PP
Joe turned over both goals. He has always done that

Simmonds just sucks. Not sucks like a bag game, he just sucks as a player

If he's not hitting what is he really doing

Ive been saying Simmonds sucks, all year. I just don’t think he was that bad tonight. Thornton was much worse and they play a good chunk of the game together.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

How can you call yourself a contender with all the talent on the PP (even without Tavares), and give up a SHG in a tie game with 8 minutes left in the third period.

I feel bad for Tavares. Way to get him the win.

What? They stepped up, the exact same as they stepped up for John on his first trip back to Long Island...

 

[Throw More Waffles]

After seeing the blood dripping down Tavares' face, I told my wife the leafs will lose this game but win the series.

They wouldn't be able to get the Tavares incident out of their heads today.

But Saturday forward will be more "win this for Tavares" and rally them.

 

[mikeyz]

It's one game boys and girls.

We win this series. 100%

Don't believe me just quote this.

If I'm right you never post again, if I'm wrong I'll never post again.

You're playing with fire with this post my guy.

FTR I still think we'll win too. But I certainly wouldn't bet my account on it. Lol.

 

[LastOne2100]

Why is everyone talking about 41 year old Thornton and not the fact that our top line didn't do anything

Watch both goals and see how both plays started with Thornton being given possession in the offensive zone with no pressure and yet resulted in goals against due to his incompetence.

 

[fahad203]

Engvall, Gally, Brooks in. Rotate spezza, thorton. There, just did the coaching staff's job.

Agreed. Keep Spezza.

Simmonds and Joe needs to sit. maybe even Mikaheyev

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

This team makes it really tough to cheer for them at times.

 

[MoreMogilny]

How bout Simmonds out too?

For all this alleged grit he's supposed to bring, he sure made himself invisible lately.

Can we just go all in on our speed and skill identity? Mixing grit in does nothing, every player who comes here eventually blends in and completely abandons their physicality.

Simmonds is too slow to hit anything.

Galchenyuk needs to get into the game. Especially now. I’d rather ice guys like Brooks and Galchenyuk over Thornton and Simmonds.

 

[Stephen]

Why is everyone talking about 41 year old Thornton and not the fact that our top line didn't do anything

It’s easier to lay into the fringe players than to get tough on the fan favorites who absolutely didn’t bring it.

 

[dm1371]

I bet 100$ with my co worker for a Leafs series win, predicted Habs win game one and lose the next 4. You guys will be fine, don't let me down though.

 

[disgruntleddave]

I'm gutted.

The thing is, I'd say we were slightly better aside from the score. So I'm worried but shouldn't be that worried yet.

Thorton is not equipped to play any role above 4th line and that's a stretch.

Hyman and foligno both looked slightly better as the game went on, still not good enough.

Let's see what the lineup turns into. We need more O to be introduced for sure.