Post-Game Talk: Leafs snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, 2-1 OT win

[WTFMAN99]

Need to augment the bottom 6, a 3rd line centre is a must but just someone else to chip in a couple goals would be nice too.

Our team speed is lacking.

We're definitely missing McCabe right now

Reaves shouldn't be playing.

 

[Evilhomer]

Yes, people really do need to better distinguish between perimeter and high quality shots. If they were able to do that, they would know that we just got hit with a ton of in-close, high quality shots, not perimeter.

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They would also know that "perimeter shots" is not why the Leafs have been "goalied" in the past.

Dots on a board are great. From what I saw, most of those "in close" shots were pretty garden variety. I don't think the Leafs played a great game (from the parts I watched before my power went out), but I think people tend to exaggerate. No big deal in any event, as ultimately the league only counts the number of points each team gets, not how they looked getting those points.

 

[DarkKnight]

Well at least some things don’t change, Sheldon Keefe praising the opposition goaltending in the post game after a loss.

 

[GoonieFace]

Dots on a board are great. From what I saw, most of those "in close" shots were pretty garden variety. I don't think the Leafs played a great game (from the parts I watched before my power went out), but I think people tend to exaggerate. No big deal in any event, as ultimately the league only counts the number of points each team gets, not how they looked getting those points.

I guess you were watching a different game, they were dominated. They didn’t have the speed to match New Jersey. Stolarz was out of his mind

 

[Torontonian]

Fugly game to watch.

Stolarz is incredible, and with all due retro Will, but Stolarz is the goalie we have to run going into the playoffs as our starting goalie. He’s just is.

Our roster plays better when Marner and Matthews are separated. They just do, and the last 3 games just confirms this. For the betterment of the entire roster, they need to be separated.

Congratulations to Keefe for being the 2nd best coach in that game. Again. As always. I salute his consistency, and keep on Keefe’ing.

I still can’t get over Patches physicality. Love it!

We were lucky to win, but will take it and run.

Agreed on the lineup choices, Toronto should be splitting them up and trying to spread the depth around. Reaves also isn’t an everyday NHL player, and the team has played worse with him in the lineup.

I would personally like to see Domi With Matthews and Knies. Patches with Tavares and Marner, McMann with Minten and Nylander and a Holmberg, Kampf, Dewar 4th line.

 

[MCR74]

The hit by Knies wasn't a good one. But watching that gutless puke Kovacevic peeking out to see if the refs called it really burns my ass. If you're not hurt get up and if the ref calls it he calls it.

In that case, he deserves to get hit again, and harder.

 

[notbias]

Our roster plays better when Marner and Matthews are separated. They just do, and the last 3 games just confirms this. For the betterment of the entire roster, they need to be separated.

Can you point to anything that backs this up besides feelings?

I thought this was potentially the case until I looked into it.

I'd rather roll three lines for an extended period of time to try it out: Matthews/Domi, Tavares/Marner, and Minten/Nylander.

I think Nylander can feast on weaker competition in this scenario, but I'm just curious if you have anything that backs up the claim.

 

[Evilhomer]

I guess you were watching a different game, they were dominated. They didn’t have the speed to match New Jersey. Stolarz was out of his mind

I agree that the Leafs' team speed continues to be an issue. I don't think that will be fixed any time soon. The question is whether it will matter much in the playoffs considering the teams they will likely be playing. New Jersey may be a faster team, but they are going to get bounced pretty easily in the first round because they are still soft as butter.

 

[ACC1224]

Well at least some things don’t change, Sheldon Keefe praising the opposition goaltending in the post game after a loss.

Great to be on the other side of that.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Lots of bad in terms of breaking out and moving the puck.

But watching the extended replay, a lot of the devils chances were one and done, outside shots.

In cases where they got it around the net the Leafs did a good job battling, and not giving Jersey clean chances at the puck. Stolie just remained so steady and solid.

Basically despite some horrible aspects to the game, they still didn’t make it easy for Jersey around the net. That in turn can frustrate teams when they can’t get those looks, so when they do they don’t capitalize.

 

[ACC1224]

Need to augment the bottom 6, a 3rd line centre is a must but just someone else to chip in a couple goals would be nice too.

Our team speed is lacking.

We're definitely missing McCabe right now

Reaves shouldn't be playing.

He shouldn't but on a night as dismal as that was he was one of the better players.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Dots on a board are great. From what I saw, most of those "in close" shots were pretty garden variety.

They're not dots on a board. They're the shots that New Jersey took. Notably not from the perimeter, and not "garden variety". Shots that generated 4.77 expected goals. Shots that looked dangerous all night, as we got visibly dominated. I'm not sure why you're trying to pretend otherwise.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Berube seems to be biting his tongue a bit, but each interview seems to be having similar frustrations with this team as Keefe. After the Washington game Berube indicated players were going backwards with the puck too much and have been getting into old habits for a few games, instead of playing North. When a reporter asked if he liked the way Marner scored vs Pitts (the rebound goal while screening the goalie), Berube smiled and said "I like greasy goals". He continurd by saying the coaches have been telling the 2 in front of the net at all times. He also said they've been preaching to the players that fancy goals dont happen in playoffs and that they need to be able to score greasy goals.

Even Tanev seems to not be pleased with the efforts of the forwards, both Berube and Tanev talked about the lack of forechecking and taking the body after todays game. Tanev, whose obviously to the point in his interviews, has indicated in past postgame interviews that the team wasnt playing the coaches way (hard forechecking, north hockey etc).

This is obviously all primarily directed to Matthews, Nylander, Marner and Tavares. I dont think Tavares is the problem, hes always in front of the net and I believe led the leage in slot shots last year.

Yes we are winning, but its interesting to see that Berube seems to be having a bit of a challenge getting the "core" to buy into a playoff style, much the same as Keefe did.

Great post! Our goaltending seems to be a strength for a change and the D looks pretty good but in the end, these 4 guys taking up half the cap need to earn their pay in the playoffs. To this point, they have not done that, and IMHO that is the main reason that we've played sub .500 hockey in the playoffs for 8 years running. If they don't buy in, we have no shot, simple as that.

Stolly 1st 2nd and 3rd star baby .. he pulled a Mitchy from last week .. but downside folks which I have told you guys for years which was very evident last night .. we don't do well against super fast teams .. tending won last night .. missing McCabe on D in a huge way as we don't have a shutdown pair right now to stabilize games .. McCabe and Tanev will decide our fate in playoffs mark my words here (along with a tender)

Not a chance. McCabe and Tanev make less than 7 million combined and I think we can count on them to more than earn their pay in the playoffs, same goes for the goaltenders. The core 4 however, Nylander's the only one we can count on to show up in the playoffs but we need all those guys playing well or our fate will be the usual early start to the golf season.

 

[Evilhomer]

Lots of bad in terms of breaking out and moving the puck.

But watching the extended replay, a lot of the devils chances were one and done, outside shots.

In cases where they got it around the net the Leafs did a good job battling, and not giving Jersey clean chances at the puck. Stolie just remained so steady and solid.

Basically despite some horrible aspects to the game, they still didn’t make it easy for Jersey around the net. That in turn can frustrate teams when they can’t get those looks, so when they do they don’t capitalize.

No no no. Don't you know that jersey had 4.77 expected goals?

 

[Tarmore]

I personally lost my respect for Spezza, and anything he did for our Leafs, when he hitched his ass to Dubas and fled our Leafs for Pittsburgh.

I couldn't disagree more.

What he did as a player for the Leafs was great and a huge help salary wise. His actions post playing don't change that.

Also we don't know if the front office told Spezza he was on his way out or not. Regardless Spezza was learning a new job, one very unlike his last and probably thought he had a good teacher and followed him. He showed loyalty to the guy who gave him a chance in the front office as soon as his playing days were over. I for one have more respect for him as a result.

 

[notbias]

I agree that the Leafs' team speed continues to be an issue. I don't think that will be fixed any time soon. The question is whether it will matter much in the playoffs considering the teams they will likely be playing. New Jersey may be a faster team, but they are going to get bounced pretty easily in the first round because they are still soft as butter.

New Jersey hits more than us, fights more than us, and their blocked shots are 2 less per game (they likely have the puck a lot more than we do)

If they are soft, what are we?

No no no. Don't you know that jersey had 4.77 expected goals?

You should tell everyone to stop praising Stolarz, that is all that number means, Stolarz played great and the Leafs didn't, which is what everyone is saying except you.

Lots of bad in terms of breaking out and moving the puck.

But watching the extended replay, a lot of the devils chances were one and done, outside shots.

In cases where they got it around the net the Leafs did a good job battling, and not giving Jersey clean chances at the puck. Stolie just remained so steady and solid.

Basically despite some horrible aspects to the game, they still didn’t make it easy for Jersey around the net. That in turn can frustrate teams when they can’t get those looks, so when they do they don’t capitalize.

It was very easy around the net for NJ... Stolarz was the difference.

The win feels nice, but the way they won is terrible, NJ got to the front of the net way too easily.

 

[Nineteen67]

Well at least some things don’t change, Sheldon Keefe praising the opposition goaltending in the post game after a loss.

With his goalie letting in a stinker

 

[ToneDog]

And now for something completely different.

I'm not sure what I just watched. But it was definitely different. So hard to believe the Leafs only had a single lonely shot after the first period.

Only fourteen total the entire game.

The hit by Knies wasn't a good one. But watching that gutless puke Kovacevic peeking out to see if the refs called it really burns my ass. If you're not hurt get up and if the ref calls it he calls it.

Playing peek-a-boo while laying on the ice is disgusting yellow-bellied behaviour no NHL player should be lowering themselves to commit.

It was a weird game that my favourite team somehow won. It wasn't pretty but neither am I. The difference is that an ugly win is still a win while an ugly me is just plain ugly.

Two points is two points even if they won the game in the most screwed up way possible.

Stolarz stole this game. If he gives up a second goal and Markstrom does not play the Holmberg shot like a pee-wee goalie, NJ easily wins this game. Keefe has the Devils where he had the Leafs. Suspect goaltending and D and softer than a stick of melted butter.

 

[danny90]

Honestly, good.

It still sucks you lost, but you win that game 9/10 times.

However the Leafs feel about that, I'd feel the opposite.

The only thing they should feel is shame to stealorz, they owe him like 7 by now

 

[Nineteen67]

I agree that the Leafs' team speed continues to be an issue. I don't think that will be fixed any time soon. The question is whether it will matter much in the playoffs considering the teams they will likely be playing. New Jersey may be a faster team, but they are going to get bounced pretty easily in the first round because they are still soft as butter.

Their response to their best player getting his head knocked off was pretty weak. If tgey don’t change their attitude it’ll be even more difficult to win. On the other hand they’ll likely play the Canes so won’t matter.

 

[ToneDog]

Their response to their best player getting his head knocked off was pretty weak. If tgey don’t change their attitude it’ll be even more difficult to win. On the other hand they’ll likely play the Canes so won’t matter.

They will probably get the winner of the Panthers and Leafs series and they will be toast in round #3. Too many of the same type of players. Where have we heard that before?

 

[notbias]

They will probably get the winner of the Panthers and Leafs series and they will be toast in round #3. Too many of the same type of players. Where have we heard that before?

Pittsburgh during their cup wins?

 

[Nineteen67]

They will probably get the winner of the Panthers and Leafs series and they will be toast in round #3. Too many of the same type of players. Where have we heard that before?

Round 3 is pretty good. Anyone getting to the semi final has to consider it good season, but I never want to see those types teams get there.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

In that case, he deserves to get hit again, and harder.

That acting was so bad I wouldn't be surprised if he's nominated for a Razzie.

Stolarz stole this game. If he gives up a second goal and Markstrom does not play the Holmberg shot like a pee-wee goalie, NJ easily wins this game. Keefe has the Devils where he had the Leafs. Suspect goaltending and D and softer than a stick of melted butter.

I got thinking after maybe I was wrong about it being a bad game for the Leafs.

We all saw something we weren't used to is all. Berube was proving low event hockey wins over high flying Keefe pond hockey. Goaltending and defense wins cups.

We're just so not used to it we all thought it was a bad game when really it was the best game of the year.

 

[ToneDog]

Round 3 is pretty good. Anyone getting to the semi final has to consider it good season, but I never want to see those types teams get there.

Odds are one of the Canes or Devils gets there from the Metro.