Post-Game Talk: Leafs sleepwalk to 5-4 win against Buffalo | Woll undefeated

[ShaneFalco]

Keefe coaches Nylander down in the A. He knows what he can and can’t handle. Keefe loves the guy and knows what he’s capable of. He calls him out because he knows what kind of response Nylander will give him on the ice….. I really don’t think Matthews and Marner would handle a benching or criticism in a positive way tbh.

Well the coddling approach hasn't worked

 

[GrizzLeaf]

Sloppy game. Both teams were tired and sloppy.

Personally, I liked Woll's game. 2 of the goals were defensive breakdowns and the first was pure, dumb luck.

He played well enough to keep the Leafs in it. Which is all you need from a backup. He was square to the shooters. Didn't over commit on his lateral moves. Stayed calm and shook it off after each goal.

His puck playing was kinda wierd. He looks like he handles the puck fine. The times he looked bad, it seemed like he waited too long to actually decide where to send it.

Looking forward to seeing him play one where the team plays alot better, in front of him.

 

[ULF_55]

What if you like spam?
Asking for a friend

I'd rather be a little hungry.

Now I'd eat it for survival, heck I'd eat cockroaches if I had to.

 

[Leafs1991]

Comments on the game:
- really ugly win but that is how you eventually qualify for the playoffs winning games on off nights
- Woll is not good handling the puck, that's going to be a roadblock to the NHL for Woll, notice how almost no quality NHL goalie in 2021 has chronic puck handling issues
- Ritchie didn't look too bad and should have scored in this game a couple times, there may still be hope
- you hope otherwise but it's pretty clear that Semyonov is replacement level, nothing wrong with his effort and such but he's just getting his promised opportunity

Agreed on Semyonov. His skating doesn't appear to stand out which will hinder his ability to excel in the NHL.

He is nowhere near a top 6 talent and it shows.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Definitely an ugly win but that would have been an uglier loss.

Perfect summary!

Maybe our division isn't as great as everyone predicted. Only Florida and TO are in the top ten and even our spot is inflated because of games played (BTW, it feels like every year we get way out ahead of other teams in games played).

PTS% is the only way it makes sense to look at the standings. Here's a link, scroll down a bit until you see all the teams and click on PTS% to order the standings by PTS%. 2021-22 NHL Summary | Hockey-Reference.com

We've now climbed up to 9th overall, just ahead of TB in 10th and CAR/FLA are 1st and 3rd. Division looks pretty great to me.

Kase is making a case for himself. What a goal!

I don't think there was ever a doubt about Kase being talented. The question mark was durability.
So far so good.

This.

 

[Notsince67]

I thought the benching was merited but would like to see more for brain dead moves. That said, I really didnt like Holl's decisioning and unless he had a green light to aggressively attempt offense, he should be in the press box yet again.

 

[ShaneFalco]

But never Mitch. Just give him more ice time when he sucks for a bunch of games

 

[ULF_55]

I thought the benching was merited but would like to see more for brain dead moves. That said, I really didnt like Holl's decisioning and unless he had a green light to aggressively attempt offense, he should be in the press box yet again.

As fans we'd like to know the thinking but that's between player and coach.

He wasn't having a good game, but he's been pretty on for almost 2 months now.

Going to have off games.

 

[diehardleafsfan9878]

I really don't see what you guys did when it comes to Woll. The first goal came off a bank from the end boards. These happen very regularly like 1 every night in the NHL. You either know that the boards will do that or you don't. And it's safe to say in his first career game, he probably doesn't.

The second goal, he's screened a bit, cheating the 1 side too much. This is a teaching moment, and it's not a goal your teammates look at you and go wtf were you doing. Again these goals go in daily.

Goal 3, Dermott f'ed up. I saw people ripping on Liljegren a bit. Lilly, gave Dermott an out behind the net, Semyonov came down too low and couldn't react quick enough and the other winger or centre needs to be covering the slot guy.

Goal 4 I will concede on being a poor goal, but for me, I'd rather play without a stick than use a player stick. The balance and curve is just awkward you can't get set very comfortably.

Overall I didn't think he was tested very much, but he played fine. I'd be fine seing him in another game.

 

[egd27]

Quite frankly except Nylander and to a certain extent JT the core 4 hasn’t had a goo start.

So am banking on the hope that they will turn it on in the playoffs

In fairness, after 20% of the season, they are all hovering around PPG. While maybe not a great start, I think saying it's not a good start, is a little harsh.

 

[egd27]

Sabres fans using goaltending as an excuse

They can't do that, only we can do that.

 

[Gary Nylund]

In fairness, after 20% of the season, they are all hovering around PPG. While maybe not a great start, I think saying it's not a good start, is a little harsh.

I agree completely.

Also, I was paying close attention last night, was Nylander really benched? If true then that has to be the biggest WTF moment of the season to this point.

 

[ULF_55]

I really don't see what you guys did when it comes to Woll. The first goal came off a bank from the end boards. These happen very regularly like 1 every night in the NHL. You either know that the boards will do that or you don't. And it's safe to say in his first career game, he probably doesn't.

The second goal, he's screened a bit, cheating the 1 side too much. This is a teaching moment, and it's not a goal your teammates look at you and go wtf were you doing. Again these goals go in daily.

Goal 3, Dermott f'ed up. I saw people ripping on Liljegren a bit. Lilly, gave Dermott an out behind the net, Semyonov came down too low and couldn't react quick enough and the other winger or centre needs to be covering the slot guy.

Goal 4 I will concede on being a poor goal, but for me, I'd rather play without a stick than use a player stick. The balance and curve is just awkward you can't get set very comfortably.

Overall I didn't think he was tested very much, but he played fine. I'd be fine seing him in another game.

I watched the Canucks after and Demko wasn't any better.

 

[ULF_55]

I agree completely.

Also, I was paying close attention last night, was Nylander really benched? If true then that has to be the biggest WTF moment of the season to this point.

NHL Stats

Looks like he might have missed last shift?

 

[egd27]

I agree completely.

Also, I was paying close attention last night, was Nylander really benched? If true then that has to be the biggest WTF moment of the season to this point.

Not really sure. He had 16:41 in TOI which was 4th among forwards, but only 30 seconds less than JT and about 90 secs less than MM (2 mins of PK)

So it couldn't have been much of a "benching"

 

[Havoc]

Woll only let in 1 bad goal and for that one he didn't even have his goalie stick. For a 23 year old goalie still developing that's a huge deal. The entire motor skill setup you been practicing is thrown off.

First goal, I've seen even the best of goalies get fooled with bounces like that. How many times did Boston light up Fred with those when he was at his best. Second goal was a sick shot, gotta give credit where it's due. Third goal left out to dry. Maybe only Vasilevskiy stops that. Otherwise I saw a lot of potential here. Sabres doubled our shot attempts at one point. That's pretty wild for your first NHL game. He didn't get to experience Leafs at their best. Leafs at their best makes opponents hide in fear.

 

[Gary Nylund]

NHL Stats

Looks like he might have missed last shift?

Not really sure. He had 16:41 in TOI which was 4th among forwards, but only 30 seconds less than JT and about 90 secs less than MM (2 mins of PK)

So it couldn't have been much of a "benching"

That's a relief, thanks guys!

 

[Gallagbi]

NHL Stats

Looks like he might have missed last shift?

Missed his final two shifts which were Bunting - Matthews - Kase

Final shift I saw was him taking an awkward bump on the boards following immediately by a lazy one handed hook then right off for a change. I figure that hook is what landed him on the bench

 

[Martin Skoula]

Missed his final two shifts which were Bunting - Matthews - Kase

Final shift I saw was him taking an awkward bump on the boards following immediately by a lazy one handed hook then right off for a change. I figure that hook is what landed him on the bench

Honestly it looked more like Matthews was getting double/triple shifted. Shades of Kovalev's "you can sit when you score". I might be misremembering but he was out there with at least two different sets of wingers to close out the game.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Woll only let in 1 bad goal and for that one he didn't even have his goalie stick. For a 23 year old goalie still developing that's a huge deal. The entire motor skill setup you been practicing is thrown off.

First goal, I've seen even the best of goalies get fooled with bounces like that. How many times did Boston light up Fred with those when he was at his best. Second goal was a sick shot, gotta give credit where it's due. Third goal left out to dry. Maybe only Vasilevskiy stops that. Otherwise I saw a lot of potential here. Sabres doubled our shot attempts at one point. That's pretty wild for your first NHL game. He didn't get to experience Leafs at their best. Leafs at their best makes opponents hide in fear.

He bailed us out on numerous occasions too. He made at least 2 or 3 huge saves at 4-4 and early in the game when it was 0-0. That could have easily taken us out of the game.

Still things to work on but he has improved and will continue to improve with more time. Maybe not starter quality, but even getting a solid 1B who is cost controlled for a few years is a solid win for us right now... Especially out of those Hunter drafts which have been a disaster outside of the 1st round for the most part.

 

[Cecithepylon]

I think kerfoot has been quietly playing well

 

[Gallagbi]

Honestly it looked more like Matthews was getting double/triple shifted. Shades of Kovalev's "you can sit when you score". I might be misremembering but he was out there with at least two different sets of wingers to close out the game.

Nah, Bunting took his spot on the line for the last two shifts while Nylander sat in the middle of the bench and didn't play for the final 6 minutes of the game. Matthews had a long shift on the goal, but they were rolling 3 lines which didn't include Spezza, Nylander or Semy

 

[steam whistle]

He is always in the bench during games.

 

[steam whistle]

so I have a theory about Keefe. He seems to have issue with Sweden or Swedes or both

1) Lily hardly got in before
2) Sandin scratched tonight
3) Willy benched
4) Engvall is always in Keefe's doghouse




Lets go HF give me the hot and spicy takes

 

[Gabriel426]

I only watched the 3rd period.

Dermott brutal on the 3rd goal, giving it away.

4th goal, Woll didn't even have a proper goalie stick.

He's definitely not ready for the NHL yet but maybe this helps motivate him with the Marlies.

Woll showed where he is last night. He made stops that he should like a regular NHL goalie, he needs more play time to get used to quicker pace and also his stick handing looks weak or it could just be a confidence thing.
The 3rd goal was not just on Dermott, Lilly and Semoynov were both out of position too.