Pre-Game Talk: Leafs @ Panthers - Wednesday 7:30 - SN

[Voodoo Child]

Holmberg's motor is commendable, he can take faceoffs and he's adequate in our zone.

But he plays kinda small, some sandpaper but scares no one, and doesn't really have any offensive chops. As a stop-gap, he's okay but he's not really any better or worse than some guy you can chuck 1.75 at in July. He's a Kerfoot-lite because Kerfoot was still usually good for 30-40 points a season.

I'd say at this time in this forward group the only guys he's above are Robertson, Reaves and Kampf. Kampf is limited offensively but a great faceoff and PK guy, Nicky Bobby is likely playing in Europe in a few years and Reaves is Reaves.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I don't care if they win this one 10-8

Or 2-1

Just win this one, go 5 points up on Florida and start creating a cushion for themselves.

IF Washington could get a win over Tampa that would be extra nice.

If they could end the night 5 points up on Florida and 6 points up on Tampa then you are starting to get in a real good spot.

Stolarz and the special teams need to be on point for this one.

 

[Leafs87]

Our game day lineup is starting to look like a preseason lineup. If McCabe is out too we’re f***ed

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Our game day lineup is starting to look like a preseason lineup. If McCabe is out too we’re f***ed

He isnt out.

 

[The Shadow]

Stolarz in tonight ?

 

[Nineteen67]

I hope to catch some of this game while getting ready to give thanks.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Hopefully Stolarz isnt rusty. Hasnt played in 10 days

I'm not too worried about that. It's like I heard on a podcast, he's used to sitting out for long stretches, having always been a backup.

Big question will be does Matthews and Marner wear the same colour jersey.

I think Matthews will play if he's as close to being fully recovered as he can be. Otherwise they will keep him out, especially since they have been winning games without him.

 

[ACC1224]

I'm not too worried about that. It's like I heard on a podcast, he's used to sitting out for long stretches, having always been a backup.


I think Matthews will play if he's as close to being fully recovered as he can be. Otherwise they will keep him out, especially since they have been winning games without him.

If I were to bet I'd say he misses this one as well.

 

[Evilhomer]

I don't care if they win this one 10-8

Or 2-1

Just win this one, go 5 points up on Florida and start creating a cushion for themselves.

IF Washington could get a win over Tampa that would be extra nice.

If they could end the night 5 points up on Florida and 6 points up on Tampa then you are starting to get in a real good spot.

Stolarz and the special teams need to be on point for this one.

The leafs will win this one, but I could see them losing the Tampa game. Either way, no one is catching the leafs for the division.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Interesting too see where Domi slides in when he returns.

Knies up in Holmberg's spot. Maybe Domi goes to the Matthews line and Willy takea over the 3rd line?

That's what puzzles me. I've heard these discussions countless times. Supposedly management is very hesitant to do this because whoever gets put on the 3rd line will see their normal amount of minutes reduced. But yet the team is lacking in secondary scoring. So why would it not make sense to have one of the three play on the 3rd line? Would that not help the lack of secondary scoring?

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Can't see the Panthers dropping 5 straight but a win would be huge.

5 point gap with a game in hand before Thanksgiving.

 

[Captain Crunch]

If I were to bet I'd say he misses this one as well.

Yup, me too!

 

[Macallan18]

Stolarz in tonight ?

of course!! to face his Stanley Cup team! That's why I think Woll played twice.

That's what puzzles me. I've heard these discussions countless times. Supposedly management is very hesitant to do this because whoever gets put on the 3rd line will see their normal amount of minutes reduced. But yet the team is lacking in secondary scoring. So why would it not make sense to have one of the three play on the 3rd line? Would that not help the lack of secondary scoring?

I don't care too much about sorting out which line is which, but I want Domi with Matthews, and Mitch on another line.
Domi can't play centre to save his life, and he was actually very effective last year with Matthews.

 

[DarkKnight]

Man, with them losing last night, we win here and we open up a nice gap for first.

 

[Jojalu]

That's what puzzles me. I've heard these discussions countless times. Supposedly management is very hesitant to do this because whoever gets put on the 3rd line will see their normal amount of minutes reduced. But yet the team is lacking in secondary scoring. So why would it not make sense to have one of the three play on the 3rd line? Would that not help the lack of secondary scoring?

The 4th line plays in and around 10 mins a game if that.

They could all play on their own line, and Berube could throw Nylander up on one of the top 2 in situations to add minutes.

Marner will always have 20 mins as he PK'S and is on PP1.

Not the worst if they all sit around 18-20 mins a game.

 

[ACC1224]

Man, with them losing last night, we win here and we open up a nice gap for first.

I think they are in tough tonight, I'd be surprised by a win here.
Haven't thought that often this year.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I think our boys are up for this game but it may be a case of just being short up front with the injuries.

Florida will likely want to send a message too, could get stupid.

 

[crump]

In this situation, who has the advantage in a goalie facing his old team. The Goalie who knows the players tendencies or the players who know the goalies weakness?

I think this will be the story tonight, hopefully Stolarz frustrates them to no end tonight.

 

[DarkKnight]

I think they are in tough tonight, I'd be surprised by a win here.
Haven't thought that often this year.

We're due for an off game but with all the time between games I think we will be focused. Three guys getting rings tonight too, should be pumped.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I think our boys are up for this game but it may be a case of just being short up front with the injuries.

Florida will likely want to send a message too, could get stupid.

Only Matthews and Knies are of any significance. The other guys have been replaced, and then some. The injuries are not as impactful as you would think.

 

[Puckstuff]

OEL, Stolraz and Lorentz were 15 % of their team

Our guys will be fired up to prove them wrong

 

[Jojalu]

OEL, Stolraz and Lorentz were 15 % of their team

Our guys will be fired up to prove them wrong

Well, if we look at the trip to St Louis for Berube, the trip to Long Island for JT, etc, the Leafs should prove they have OEL's, Stolarz back by putting on a no show clinic.. lol

 

[HockeyVirus]

We are 7-1 without Matthews and with a ton of injuries, I don't know if it is exactly fair to expect the Leafs to win this one. But doing so would go a long way to showing me this team is different. We have NEVER shown the ability to separate from the pack in the standings when we have the runway before.

A win tonight, we are 5 points up on the division with a game in hand going into December. Suffice to say, this is a position this core has never been in. I want to see how the team responds.

 

[LeafSteel]

Damn, it feels like forever since we last played.

Drop the damn puck already!

 

[Jojalu]

View attachment 936344

Damn, it feels like forever since we last played.

Drop the damn puck already!

This past 10 days feels awful. Feels like the NFL where they play once a week