GDT: Leafs @ Sabres 7pm Dec 20th

[mogs]

Murray has been doing great in the AHL and the Sabres are basically an AHL team so shouldn't be much of a change for him.

 

[kevsh]

This has all the makings of a "players looking ahead to the holiday" type of performance.

Hopefully, it's the Sabres that fall into that and the Leafs torch them for it.

(Edit: Just checked, Toronto has two more games before the break including the Jets on the 23rd. That's more likely to be the "holiday" performance. By the Jets, please.)

 

[Cleetus]

so it begins the start of the Matt Murray Redemption tour!

 

[wingman75]

I think we know what to expect tonight, no?

Slow start in the first, get down a goal... maybe 2.

Goalie makes a couple great saves, we pop a couple to get the lead before the end of the second and shut it down from there.

PP surely to be Inept.

PK Excellent after giving up an early one.

Win o meter in the Sabres favour. The boys do just enough, yet again.

I may watch just in case it doesn't play out like that tough lol

so it begins the start of the Matt Murray Redemption tour!
View attachment 948675

That man needs a 3rd ring

 

[pdson]

A game in Buffalo and Murray is starting?
Oye.

Would have preferred to give Hildeby another game in this situation.

But hey maybe it’s a little Xmas bonus for Murray coming off a strong game with the Marlies.

Setting my hopes low.. I bet Buffalo ends their skid tonight. Just a vibe.

Why wouldn't you want to start the better goalie ?

 

[ULF_55]

Nothing against him but he had been probably the worst of 5 leafs goalie since the beggining of season7

Perhaps, but you know what?

All teams have a worst goaltender.

 

[ULF_55]

A game in Buffalo and Murray is starting?
Oye.

Would have preferred to give Hildeby another game in this situation.

But hey maybe it’s a little Xmas bonus for Murray coming off a strong game with the Marlies.

Setting my hopes low.. I bet Buffalo ends their skid tonight. Just a vibe.

Perhaps they don't want Hildeby to be the one the ends the streak?

Murray is likely a disposable asset at year's end. If he's back he'll be signed elsewhere.

I'll be more surprised with a win than a loss.

 

[CincoHolio]

I would rather him be able to play in the playoffs at all rather than be be injured due to being overworked. Stolarz is already down. Why would not want to maximize the recovery time of your only other viable goalie? For the tenuous idea that he for some reason can "prepare" for a heavy schedule? Don't you think letting him physically recover provides a more certain benefit in this regard?

In any case, there is a TON of season left to play. If you really want to test Woll, may be do it when Stolarz is back.

Also, do you remember the last time we let our goalie save 40+ shpts and then have him play the next game?

1000% this. You don't unnecessarily overwork Woll while there is uncertainty surrounding Stolarz. Especially given his well documented reliability issues. Exactly as you said, wait until Stolarz is back before you start testing Woll.

 

[Fogelhund]

""

 

[TheDoldrums]

Sigh, this is a season where Matthews will be managing an injury throughout

 

[ACC1224]

View attachment 948684

""

Looks like Timmins, Dewar and Reaves are the scratches tonight.

What’s up with the Captain?

 

[DarkKnight]

View attachment 948684

""

Where’s Woll?

Holmberg instead of Dewar is gross.

 

[Fogelhund]

""

Where’s Woll?

Holmberg instead of Dewar is gross.

In Buffalo.. but he didn't take part in the morning skate.

Dewar has ONE point on the season. Holmberg has six.

 

[ITM]

so it begins the start of the Matt Murray Redemption tour!
View attachment 948675

We're here for it.

For team success, and to maximize one of these extra goalies into another useful asset.

Looks like Timmins, Dewar and Reaves are the scratches tonight.

What’s up with the Captain?

Timmins or Myers?

Couldn't make out a definitive answer from the X quote.

 

[Fogelhund]

""

 

[DarkKnight]

""


In Buffalo.. but he didn't take part in the morning skate.

Dewar has ONE point on the season. Holmberg has six.

Dewar has played half the games, all on the fourth, not really fair given Holmberg was top 6 with the injuries. Dewar is a vastly superior PKer as well imo.

 

[Fogelhund]

Dewar has played half the games, all on the fourth, not really fair given Holmberg was top 6 with the injuries. Dewar is a vastly superior PKer as well imo.

If the difference between winning and losing tonight is Dewar vs. Holmberg..... at least Reaves isn't in the lineup.

 

[budzz]

""

I still say it has to be a back issue. He looks labored out there. Anything else and they would sit him. Maybe time to sit him anyway... a month, 2 months, whatever it takes. Need him 100% for the playoffs.

 

[arso40]

I still say it has to be a back issue. He looks labored out there. Anything else and they would sit him. Maybe time to sit him anyway... a month, 2 months, whatever it takes. Need him 100% for the playoffs.

Yeah we’ll survive without him we won’t go far without him

 

[DarkKnight]

If the difference between winning and losing tonight is Dewar vs. Holmberg..... at least Reaves isn't in the lineup.

No, it’s the fourth line. I go Dewar, Reaves, Holmberg.

I still say it has to be a back issue. He looks labored out there. Anything else and they would sit him. Maybe time to sit him anyway... a month, 2 months, whatever it takes. Need him 100% for the playoffs.

Agreed, it’s his back.

 

[leafsfan5]

""

This is so depressing, every year that we have a decent team he gets an injury that will derail his whole season.

It's been obvious he's hurt, people seem to think he's not trying (which is crazy) when the reality is he can't skate as well as he usually does. That first goal Dallas got last game was a clear example, a healthy Matthews makes that a much tougher shot for Steel to get off

I'm not against just Kucheroving him till the playoffs. The only issue is would that even get him to 100%, backs injuries are notoriously very difficult to manage

 

[meefer]

I'd rather start Woll tomorrow. If he is your guy in the future, you need to see him make back-to-back starts 48 hours later after the last game.

Were Stolarz healthy, I’d agree.

 

[PanniniClaus]

I have to wonder why Matthews is playing through it then? The team was playing well without him so he could afford to rest it. I suppose it's possible they don't know what the heck is wrong which is scary.

I had a goaltender travel to Germany for a groin issue and he came back a few months later, better than ever. Germany tend to have excellent specialists for Achilles and groins. Not sure about back issues.

 

[Torontonian]

I have to wonder why Matthews is playing through it then? The team was playing well without him so he could afford to rest it. I suppose it's possible they don't know what the heck is wrong which is scary.

I had a goaltender travel to Germany for a groin issue and he came back a few months later, better than ever. Germany tend to have excellent specialists for Achilles and groins. Not sure about back issues.

My guess is rest isn't going to make the difference for 34 and that's why he's just playing through it. Seems like only surgery is going to be the only option to fix it, and I once again am going to guess, if he gets surgery now, he'll be done for the year.

 

[meefer]

Agree with starting Murray, let’s find out.
Matthews is a concern.
I’m more interested in seeing if the Domi line can continue to produce.

A dangerous game, for a number of reasons, but based on standings, we should win. GLG!