GDT: Leafs @ Nashville 7pm ET March 19th 2022

[crump]

This maybe



Dermott likely in tn with Sandman for one last showcase

Clifford has been OK. Low minutes laying out some hits. Still makes me nervous in his own zone a little. Need the physicality on the 4th.

 

[Fogelhund]

"

 

[NinjaKick]

strong team defence and support our G

 

[Nylander88]

I've liked Clifford in the lineup the last two games. He's done his job. All while being the best skater between Spezza, Simmonds, and himself. Most defensively responsible of the 3 as well. It's painful cuz I like them both a lot, but Spezza & Simmonds might be riding the bench on an ideal Leafs playoff team. One of Simmonds or Clifford needs to play for some grit there...but Clifford seems to be the better fit right now. If you can get a winger for JT & Nylander....that bumps Kase and Kerfoot down to the fourth line (if you keep Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev together)... Clifford-Kerfoot-Kase or Simmonds-Kerfoot-Kase....I think Clifford is the more natural pick to play with their pace and still be a defensively responsible unit. You then have lines 3A & 3B that you can run over the boards without worry and often

 

[Larcos_Unal]

i hope hockey gods do 34 justice and allow him to widen the gap on the rocket race

34 can do himself justice just fine, he's as close to a hockey god as we're ever gonna see in this city.

 

[LeafChief]

I've liked Clifford in the lineup the last two games. He's done his job. All while being the best skater between Spezza, Simmonds, and himself. Most defensively responsible of the 3 as well. It's painful cuz I like them both a lot, but Spezza & Simmonds might be riding the bench on an ideal Leafs playoff team. One of Simmonds or Clifford needs to play for some grit there...but Clifford seems to be the better fit right now. If you can get a winger for JT & Nylander....that bumps Kase and Kerfoot down to the fourth line (if you keep Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev together)... Clifford-Kerfoot-Kase or Simmonds-Kerfoot-Kase....I think Clifford is the more natural pick to play with their pace and still be a defensively responsible unit. You then have lines 3A & 3B that you can run over the boards without worry and often

I've liked what Clifford has done the last 2 games. Finishing his checks. Skating fast and hard (except for when he has the puck). We should be alternating Simmonds and Clifford to keep them hungry/rested so tey can play at that output. The only time I want to see them in the lineup at the same time is the upcoming game against the Jets.

I'd like to see Stanley get his face fed after his celebration of the refs saving his life.

 

[Once]

aaaand it's Mason Marchment, take 2.

Dermott needs a change of scenery and will certainly thrive in a market with less pressure (e.g., ducks, Seattle). He just isn't a fit here.

If he becomes a top 4 that won't be on Dubas but there will be folks who will make it about Dubas.

 

[therealkoho]

I wish Keefe would chill with his hard on for Matthews-Marner.

Yeah it's pretty tough finding someone Marner can actually mesh and maybe produce with, it's been a real struggle up to this point.

 

[therealkoho]

Kallgren took the opportunity and has run with it so far. Mrazek has had a few chances and has dropped the ball in all of them.

It has certainly helped that the Leafs tightened up a little defensively and didn't allow too many odd man rushes and blocked the shots they got in front of.

 

[lovemyleafs]

Matthews hat trick tonight. Book it.

 

[McSnypsky]

Matthews hat trick tonight. Book it.

 

[BigFatCat999]

Any chance of sending Dermott to Nashville and how much?

 

[Burnie97]

There's been so much trade talk and that's fun too but really looking forward to tonight's game.

Kallgren just keep playing like you are. Steady.

Matthews is back and he's probably angry after that bullshit suspension. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get a couple.

Nashville is battling for a playoff spot still. Should be a good tilt.

One day I'd love to see a game down there. Looks like it's pretty rocking at that arena.

 

[therealkoho]

There's been so much trade talk and that's fun too but really looking forward to tonight's game.

Kallgren just keep playing like you are. Steady.

Matthews is back and he's probably angry after that bullshit suspension. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get a couple.

Nashville is battling for a playoff spot still. Should be a good tilt.

One day I'd love to see a game down there. Looks like it's pretty rocking at that arena.

I wouldn't be surprised either, of course he'll probably put a 6ix pack together a la Sittler, but only if he finally gets to have Nylander on his wing

 

[PROUD PAPA]

We have to keep an eye on Josi he's so dangerous.
I would say an effort similar to the last 2 should suffice. Reverting back to being overly focused on offense wouldn't sit well with me.

 

[riffle]

"

Matthews had 1 in the first vs. Saros last meeting and should've had a 2nd in the 1st period. Got absolutely robbed after a sweet pass from Marner. Looks like Saros is starting, tonight, but not confirmed.

Campbell got the shutout with some help from the goal posts as Preds hit multiple posts in that game, if memory serves. Wish that Jack would come back.

Leafs beat Preds at Scotia back in November, 3-0, including ENG from Marner.

 

[therealkoho]

That's Marner for ya padding the stats!

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Keefe is as stubborn as Babcock when it comes to Matthews-Marner. Tavares has looked good every time he’s been reunited with Mitch and utter crap next to Nylander.

Not sure what he’s trying to accomplish but man, stop being an idiot already with this.

 

[Once]

Keefe is as stubborn as Babcock when it comes to Matthews-Marner. Tavares has looked good every time he’s been reunited with Mitch and utter crap next to Nylander.

Not sure what he’s trying to accomplish but man, stop being an idiot already with this.

I agree with this to an extent but the Bunting - Matthews - Marner line is probably the best line we’ve seen on the leafs in almost 2 decades.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Keefe is as stubborn as Babcock when it comes to Matthews-Marner. Tavares has looked good every time he’s been reunited with Mitch and utter crap next to Nylander.

Not sure what he’s trying to accomplish but man, stop being an idiot already with this.

He's trying to keep the best line in hockey together. Tavares and Nylander should be able to figure out how to be an effective 2nd line without being carried

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Tavares and Nylander not producing with each other is a problem they need to figure out. People actually shitting on the coach for not breaking up the best line in hockey is definitely peak Leaf fan thing to do though.

 

[Advanced stats]

Keefe is as stubborn as Babcock when it comes to Matthews-Marner. Tavares has looked good every time he’s been reunited with Mitch and utter crap next to Nylander.

Not sure what he’s trying to accomplish but man, stop being an idiot already with this.

It's a good thing when that line legitimately scores 2 goals a game.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

He's trying to keep the best line in hockey together. Tavares and Nylander should be able to figure out how to be an effective 2nd line without being carried

They’ve been trying and failing almost all season. You need a balanced attack for the playoffs. One line isn’t gonna cut it. Especially if the line that’s been struggling consists of 18 million dollars of cap space preventing you from upgrading elsewhere.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

He's trying to keep the best line in hockey together. Tavares and Nylander should be able to figure out how to be an effective 2nd line without being carried

My feeling is it's okay if Line 1 takes a little hit if it means significant improvement/effectiveness from line 2.
Plus i couldn't care less about individual achievements, we've had those, yet team success has eluded us.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

It's a good thing when that line legitimately scores 2 goals a game.

I’m confident a Bunting-Matthews-Nylander line would be very effective as well. Prob not as good but Matthews on his own, can carry a line. Tavares can’t.