Post-Game Talk: Leafs Salvage A Point | Lose 6-5 in Shootout.

[rumman]

Goalies are in uncharted waters and are looking tired. They need to battle through the remaining 17 games.

You know eho looks tired? OEL, man his game has fallen off of late, he’ll be soap come the playoffs…….

 

[rumman]

I just watched the post game and heard Berube AGAIN make the excuse of the travel yesterday. Meanwhile in the pre-game he was saying they traveled early so they had time to adjust so they would be ready and no exuse.

By far the biggest disappointment is Berube who was sold as someone who brings accountability and a system that you win with. His system is questionable to say the least at this point given he killed our offense and our defense hasn't improved after a nice start.

No accountability. The playoffs are 10 games away and this team looks as unserious as ever Craig.

I feel for the Chief, I imagine he’s realizing what he’s got homself into by accepting the coaching duties of your Toronto Maple Leafs…….

 

[HockeyVirus]

Sloppy game start to finish. A lot of blame is going to be directed to Woll, but in reality he was no where near the biggest problem for us last night. He definitely wants the 4th goal back, that just cannot happen at this level, but other then that I am not exactly sure what we want him to do on the others.

The 1st goal against we had multiple times where we could have cleared the zone but failed to do so. We then followed that by having 4 out of our 5 skaters on the ice above the circle while the puck was fed down low for what only could be described as a 2 on 1 from an extended offensive zone shift. I am genuinely not sure how that is even possible, but leave that to the Leafs to figure out. feast your eyes

View attachment 1001093

The second goal against was a pathetic back check from Matthews. Didn't even come close to disrupting Graf. He had the entire sheet of ice to make things even remotely difficult for Graf and failed to do anything

3rd goal Benoit over skates the puck in the O-zone leading to a 2 on 1. Sure Woll might be able to make that save, but thats a great shot and great deception by Wenberg

4th goal is all Joe Woll

5th Goal was Robertson taking the most Nick Robertson penalty of all time. Not moving his feet, out of position, lazy stick. 5-10 seconds later its in the back of the cage.

Plain and simple this was a team loss. Not just Joe. In fact, IMO I would say Joe was hardly even a factor. Matthews was horrendous all night. Domi took a f***ing needless 10 minute misconduct that had him shelfed the entire 3rd period. Benoit was out to lunch all game. Rielly couldn't handle the puck all night. We played like shit start to finish and we are lucky to have even gotten a point.

We scored 1 goal at 5v5 against the worst team in the NHL over 6+ periods this season. It's beyond unacceptable.

Entertaining game no less, but we deserved every bit of that outcome. Only bright spot might have been Scott Laughton. He looked alot more comfortable and involved

Right? People are trying to turn this into a Woll vs Stolarz thing but Stolarz has sucked ass lately too. Sub .900 sv% bad.

So why are both our goalies who were the best in the NHL playing terrible all of a sudden in the last 3 weeks? Hmm maybe because the team has completely lost any structure or compete defensively?

 

[Torontonian]

Sloppy game start to finish. A lot of blame is going to be directed to Woll, but in reality he was no where near the biggest problem for us last night. He definitely wants the 4th goal back, that just cannot happen at this level, but other then that I am not exactly sure what we want him to do on the others.

The 1st goal against we had multiple times where we could have cleared the zone but failed to do so. We then followed that by having 4 out of our 5 skaters on the ice above the circle while the puck was fed down low for what only could be described as a 2 on 1 from an extended offensive zone shift. I am genuinely not sure how that is even possible, but leave that to the Leafs to figure out. feast your eyes

View attachment 1001093

The second goal against was a pathetic back check from Matthews. Didn't even come close to disrupting Graf. He had the entire sheet of ice to make things even remotely difficult for Graf and failed to do anything

3rd goal Benoit over skates the puck in the O-zone leading to a 2 on 1. Sure Woll might be able to make that save, but thats a great shot and great deception by Wenberg

4th goal is all Joe Woll

5th Goal was Robertson taking the most Nick Robertson penalty of all time. Not moving his feet, out of position, lazy stick. 5-10 seconds later its in the back of the cage.

Plain and simple this was a team loss. Not just Joe. In fact, IMO I would say Joe was hardly even a factor. Matthews was horrendous all night. Domi took a f***ing needless 10 minute misconduct that had him shelfed the entire 3rd period. Benoit was out to lunch all game. Rielly couldn't handle the puck all night. We played like shit start to finish and we are lucky to have even gotten a point.

We scored 1 goal at 5v5 against the worst team in the NHL over 6+ periods this season. It's beyond unacceptable.

Entertaining game no less, but we deserved every bit of that outcome. Only bright spot might have been Scott Laughton. He looked alot more comfortable and involved

Good breakdown, I suspect Beniot is going to be out next game against the Kings. I believe the team has tried to play him as much as he can in hopes in improves for the playoffs, but he's had a brutal stretch of games.

I think the problem people are having with Woll is, there was flash backs of Samsmov in his game last night.. Team didn't play good enough to win, but in saying that every time Toronto crawled back into the game, they would come back and score. Come playoff time, you'll need your goalie to save you.

Team just looked disinterested in playing hard last night. Wanted a track meet instead a grinding hard game.

 

[Nineteen67]

Right? People are trying to turn this into a Woll vs Stolarz thing but Stolarz has sucked ass lately too. Sub .900 sv% bad.

So why are both our goalies who were the best in the NHL playing terrible all of a sudden in the last 3 weeks? Hmm maybe because the team has completely lost any structure or compete defensively?

And maybe their bodies haven’t accustomed to playing as much as they have? Before the season that was one of things we were watching out for.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Right? People are trying to turn this into a Woll vs Stolarz thing but Stolarz has sucked ass lately too. Sub .900 sv% bad.

So why are both our goalies who were the best in the NHL playing terrible all of a sudden in the last 3 weeks? Hmm maybe because the team has completely lost any structure or compete defensively?

Bingo.

This isn't on them. They've stole us points all year. We had an opportunity to repay Joe last night and bail him out for his gaff on the 4th goal and we time and time again failed to dictate play. We entered the 3rd period down a goal with a clear objective to tighten shit up, and it took all but 10 seconds for the Leafs to give up a grade-A chance against.

The focus is not there at the moment. We are clearly fatigued and/or lacking motivation. To some degree I get it. It is a very long season, especially with the 4 nations "break". Lots of 3 in 4's and B2B's. Guys aren't going to be motivated every night.

I don't want to lose sight of the fact that we are still atop the division in spite of all of that. That said, we have not looked good for the entire month of March. At all.

We need to start getting into a playoff mindset. If not immediately, very soon.

The one thing that gives me some hope, is our PP has been red hot, and as eluded to last night, it could be the difference in winning or losing a series. We have spent the last 9 post seasons with an anemic PP. It really has been something that has hurt us. Although opportunities decrease in the playoffs, we need to finally have a playoff where we make our opponents pay. Marner playing the point and going 5 forwards has been an excellent move. I can live with the odd shorty if we are as efficient as we have been. Not to mention, I'd like to think a shorty like the one last night doesn't happen in the playoffs. Matthews attempt to disrupt Graf was absolutely pitiful

 

[HockeyVirus]

And maybe their bodies haven’t accustomed to playing as much as they have? Before the season that was one of things we were watching out for.

Also, not a harder thing in the NHL than being a goalie in Toronto this time of year. Especially after this season. They were both so elite 90% of the year, and now we are all like "well at least our goalies will show up".

It sounds stupid to say, but they have the pressure of being elite and beyond their pay and career ability on their shoulders. Meanwhile the defense can take any night off they want. The offense can struggle to score 2 goals because no one wants to get hit going to the net.

It's the mental side of it all I think is the hardest for them. Woll was thinking all night he wasn't playing

 

[Nineteen67]

You know eho looks tired? OEL, man his game has fallen off of late, he’ll be soap come the playoffs…….

Probably. Tanev has been far better than expected and is going to have to play 25-28 minutes in the playoffs and will be one sore fellow when he gets to the beach in May.

 

[HockeyVirus]

The one thing that gives me some hope, is our PP has been red hot, and as eluded to last night, it could be the difference in winning or losing a series. We have spent the last 9 post seasons with an anemic PP. It really has been something that has hurt us.

Can't help but be negative about this because I've seen this movie before. Last season didn't we also get the PP red hot in March and then it slowly died into April until we had a 4% PP in the playoffs (which was the worst ever IIRC?)

 

[Nineteen67]

Also, not a harder thing in the NHL than being a goalie in Toronto this time of year. Especially after this season. They were both so elite 90% of the year, and now we are all like "well at least our goalies will show up".

It sounds stupid to say, but they have the pressure of being elite and beyond their pay and career ability on their shoulders. Meanwhile the defense can take any night off they want. The offense can struggle to score 2 goals because no one wants to get hit going to the net.

It's the mental side of it all I think is the hardest for them. Woll was thinking all night he wasn't playing

They should find a way to bring in Murray and let them rest a little more.

 

[Atomos2]

Always had the feeling Woll was more proned to a Toskola/Bernier like backbreaking gaffe. Going in with this guy into the playoffs sets up huge potential for humiliation.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Always had the feeling Woll was more proned to a Toskola/Bernier like backbreaking gaffe. Going in with this guy into the playoffs sets up huge potential for humiliation.

Another thing with all of these comments, did any of you even watch last playoff? Woll is the most proven playoff goalie we have had in 15 years

 

[BallardEra]

Will be hard pressed to win in LA. The Kings have been near unbeaten at home, take a look at their home record. This was a must have 2 points. Come on, man.

Leafs find a way to win when we write them off.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

I just watched the post game and heard Berube AGAIN make the excuse of the travel yesterday. Meanwhile in the pre-game he was saying they traveled early so they had time to adjust so they would be ready and no exuse.

Let's hope that if we get deep in the playoffs we don't have to play a city that's too far away, that'd be a real nuisance.

 

[ToneDog]

Will be hard pressed to win in LA. The Kings have been near unbeaten at home, take a look at their home record. This was a must have 2 points. Come on, man.

KIngs lost to the Avs last night and need home ice to have any chance to beat McDavid and Draiaitl in round #1. I expect them to want this game more than the Leafs. Let's see if the core is willing to take it to the Kings.

 

[Evilhomer]

@Evilhomer tell us again about how Leafs will win the division cause their schedule is 'soft'.

You guys make conclusions after each single game. See how it plays out.

 

[Stephen]

Woll followed his .875 against Nashville with a clean .857 (including an own goal) against SJ and miraciously makes it to the shootout where he registered a .000 save percentage

Woll is a tire fire.

 

[rumman]

Probably. Tanev has been far better than expected and is going to have to play 25-28 minutes in the playoffs and will be one sore fellow when he gets to the beach in May.

I think Tanev missing those few games was a good rest period for him, they should give OEL a similar break if they want him to be fresh for the playoffs…….

 

[Evilhomer]

They are going to have to beat Florida and TB in regulation now.

The 4 points pissed away against Nas and SJ have left them no wiggle room

I still don't think that will be the case. We'll see how things play out, but I don't think you are factoring in that both Florida and Tampa are going to lose games down the stretch, as well.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

I thankfully didn't stay up for the game but predictably a Woll cry fest in here. Highlights Woll was not good esp that own goal wtf was that but... uh... the defense? Several goals Woll had to choose between a short side shot or a guy left along in the slot and both were goals.

Not to mention how many shots they gave up to the Sharks. Trying to blame it all on Woll is laughable

I think you had to watch to fully understand how shit Woll was. He looked uncomfortable the entire game. Of course he made some saves because the defence was that bad, but it's the ones he didn't save that were telling. The first goal he was off balance didn't use his stick, the shorthanded goal should have been saved, the third one, even though 2 on 1 went through him, the fourth one you have to see to believe (just sheer stupidity), a post where he didn't flinch, cross crease passes where he wasn't reacting, etc. I'm not saying that 1 or 2 weren't understandable, but a goalie has to make a save on a defensive breakdown as well.

This is who Woll is, expecting him to magically become a great goalie who doesn't allow crap goals in the playoffs is foolish. Sure he's had great playoffs, but it's only been 7 games. The larger sample size of this season doesn't inspire confidence for the upcoming playoffs.

 

[ToneDog]

You guys make conclusions after each single game. See how it plays out.

Of course you have to let it play out but you are the only one who is guaranteeing anything. They could find themselves in 3rd place by the end of Sunday if they lose to the Kings with 9 games remaining and 3 head to head vs Flo and Tampa. BTW, Marchand is expected to make his Panthers debut tonight against Utah coming of a loss last night to Tampa. Can't leave easy points on the table. If only points were dollars.

 

[Skullz]

Time to break up the first line.

 

[DarkKnight]

Interesting post game Berube “we all have to be better, including the goalie”. Rare Woll call-out.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Matthews: I didn’t love our game tonight. We just seemed slow. We didn’t seem to take care of the puck much. We were just kind of messing around with it too much. They are a young, skilled, hungry team despite where they are at in the standings. They are playing hard every night.

The question put to our captain is why aren't YOU playing hard every night? You're the captain, why is the team slow, why didn't they take care of the puck, why were they just messing around, why isn't your team hungry? Wtf, you're the captain, address this with your team and make sure it doesn't happen against shit teams.

 

[Smif]

Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, and Knies all had 2 points or more.

Tell me again how the top 6 doesn't work.

I believe the points all came on the man advantage. Against SJ we should've owned them 5v5 but yet again we were being outshot for the majority of the game, with 10mins left the shots were 35-23 SJ. Obviously we had a great last few mins and poured it on but 5v5 our top 6 needs to be much better.