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

[supermann_98]

Why try hard all game when you only gotta try hard for 10 minutes? That's this cores motto for the last 8 years

 

[CabanaBoy5]

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.

Agree on all your points. I don't think Reaves played in the last 10 minutes. Played only 6:37 in the game. If you can't trust your 4th liner in a tie game, why is he on your roster.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Although at the end of his career, Eddie was pretty solid too. But agreed, it's been since forever! Feels good to have finally.

Eddie was good his first two years here, steady but not spectacular. Cujo had the better ability to steal you games.

 

[ULF_55]

On the goal against ... this happens with an inexperience defenseman, puck watching and ignoring the dangerous player.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Wow, I honestly think that was the worst I have seen Toronto play in the past 10 years lol. From start to finish and every player except our goaltending was BRUTAL. I think the only positive you can take out of that game was the PK.

And still somehow come out with a 2-1 W. It really was a classic Keefe loss for the Devils.

PK and the amazing Anthony Stolarz. .974 save percentage in the game. So big and steady on those close in opportunities. His GA is 2.13 and SV% .928 on the season. His GA is 3rd in the league and his SV% is 1st. Remarkable goaltending. It's a pleasure watching him and Tanev on this team.

 

[ULF_55]

Did Stolarz make one 10-bell save? I don't remember one. Probably but few.

It was a solid effort on the road sure, but I also think the Leafs hunkered in and played well enough around him limiting rebound goals.

No holes.

Quite a few in close scrambles but no leakage.

 

[leafs in five]

at even strength it was only super ugly in the 1st period, we were terrible on the PP though and maybe even got outchanced there? Matthews with some totally mystifying decisions on every man advantage.

I thought Minten was good, Timmins too. glad to see Domi trying to let it rip on the PP.

Rielly looks bad, that play off the 2-on-2 rush when he just whacked the puck back into his own slot, he is barely treading water out there a lot of the time

 

[Zybalto]

Stolarz past stats are interesting.

He was stuck as a backup on a bad Anaheim team the previous 4 years before joining Florida putting up a .913 while Gibson was barely above .900 (and dominating the AHL with a .920+ in his time there).

Then he put up a .925 to Bobs .915 last season.

...and he currently leads the league for save% for the Leafs.

Looks like a great goalie stuck behind other great goalies with management not really giving him a shot.

I sure hope we have a Hasek-like story on our hands, heh.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

at even strength it was only super ugly in the 1st period, we were terrible on the PP though and maybe even got outchanced there? Matthews with some totally mystifying decisions on every man advantage.

I thought Minten was good, Timmins too. glad to see Domi trying to let it rip on the PP.

Rielly looks bad, that play off the 2-on-2 rush when he just whacked the puck back into his own slot, he is barely treading water out there a lot of the time

The Leafs are ranked 19th in the league in power play percentage. How, with the skill we have in 4 or 5 players we trot out there? I think Matthews has been a big problem in more ways than one. They pass the puck around with the intention of finding Matthews, who doesn't look to be in position to take a great shot usually. When Matthews was injured, the PP looked better because I believe they were shooting more, looking for the greasy goal. Hell, we were outshot on 2 of our 3 power plays last night. Add in Matthews' mystifying decisions and maybe he would be more suited to the second PP unit.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Agree on all your points. I don't think Reaves played in the last 10 minutes. Played only 6:37 in the game. If you can't trust your 4th liner in a tie game, why is he on your roster.

We looked better without him for sure.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Stolarz past stats are interesting. He was stuck as a backup on a bad Anaheim team the previous 4 years before joining Florida putting up a .913 while Gibson was barely above .900 (and dominating the AHL with a .920+ in his time there). Then he put up a .925 to Bobs .915 last season. ...and he currently leads the league for save% for the Leafs. Looks like a great goalie stuck behind other great goalies with management not really giving him a shot. I sure hope we have a Hasek-like story on our hands, heh.

He's only really been great since last year. He was a career -6.7 GSAx before that. It's been a pretty small sample, and we've all seen how goaltending can flip in an instant. That said, he was spectacular last night, single-handedly winning us a game we were dominated in, and he has been a big boost to us this season so far. Hopefully he can keep it up and do it in the playoffs.

 

[Matthews4Calder]

Oh I see. Perfectionism = quiet genius. Goalie steals a game against a good team = only morons are cool with this.

They haven't been playing well is what I was insinuating, Not just last night. Struggling to generate much offence, being outplayed not just a one off. I'll see when they get a full lineup back but personally I think Tre needs to shake things up and Berube needs to wake up. I know some guys are struggling but when we can't score why are we playing Reaves ahead of others?

 

[Confucius]

Keefe not getting any love in the Devils gdt, lol! What was he thinking playing the players he did in OT. Ahh memories.

Outshot 16-1 after the 1st, it ain’t over until it’s over.

 

[Leafsfan74]

People calling out Reaves, just consider that the Devils may be the most extreme example of a team he shouldn't dress for because they are a young, soft, very quick team. This probably won't be the type of team the Leafs meet in the playoffs in the first round.

I can't think that based on the danger area shot differences and other statistics in the game that the Leafs had more than a 12-15% chance of winning. It's some real fortune that they did. NJ played a dominant game.

 

[barilko05]

The PP without Matthews had to think on it's feet...quickly. WIth him (and not his fault) they hold the puck way too long, looking only for him. Watch successful powerplays. Count off how quickly they get rid of the puck...It's 1...2...pass or shoot. Keep the other team off balance. Then watch how we do it. 1...2...wait, wait...damn. Matty's not open yet. Here, other guy...YOU try it now. And then there's Rielly: Hmmm...Well, since apparently I grew up watching Tomas Kaberle, I can't ever direct the puck toward the net. Here, other guy...YOU try something.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Have to love the little fist bump Matthews gave some young kid in the Leafs jersey through the glass after he scored . He enjoys interacting with the Leaf fans on the road.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

WOW! That takes me back about 60 years.

Father Charles Goes Down ... is the order of sharps in music, while the reverse is the order of flats.

Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (or Fun as I learned, or Favour as in the Moody Blues album) is the order of lines in the treble clef (bottom to top).

Makes sense 'cause I was a band nerd (in addition to a Tolkien nerd - unrelated recent posts). I've laid it all out there now for this forum. I'm a giant nerd. I make no apologies.

 

[LeafSteel]

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.

I am an eye test fella, not a number crunching fella.

I’m basing it on the past 8 playoffs where they were shut down because they could be keyed on, and no other lines being nearly as dangerous or a threat.

It just makes sense to spread the depth, and how this team played with Matthews off showed it.

With the exception of 1 period, other than M&M, the rest of the roster hasn’t looked nearly as dangerous as they did previously.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Have they looked good in any game since Matthews returned?

 

[notbias]

I am an eye test fella, not a number crunching fella.

I’m basing it on the past 8 playoffs where they were shut down because they could be keyed on, and no other lines being nearly as dangerous or a threat.

It just makes sense to spread the depth, and how this team played with Matthews off showed it.

With the exception of 1 period, other than M&M, the rest of the roster hasn’t looked nearly as dangerous as they did previously.

They played together 50% of the time, the only time they got out of the 1st was together, they have a great goal differential together, and their points go up when together.

I think it makes sense to try spreading the talent since we have some depth now and Domi had success with Matthews, but we've had more success with them together than apart, which is why I don't trust the eye test all the time, people's memories and how they interpret the game is not good.

 

[fahad203]

People calling out Reaves, just consider that the Devils may be the most extreme example of a team he shouldn't dress for because they are a young, soft, very quick team. This probably won't be the type of team the Leafs meet in the playoffs in the first round.

I can't think that based on the danger area shot differences and other statistics in the game that the Leafs had more than a 12-15% chance of winning. It's some real fortune that they did. NJ played a dominant game.

That 4th line was decent last night. Generated some good chances and zone time

He still needs to be sat though. It's an opportunity cost for another young player like Grebs/Steeves

 

[ULF_55]

I am an eye test fella, not a number crunching fella.

I’m basing it on the past 8 playoffs where they were shut down because they could be keyed on, and no other lines being nearly as dangerous or a threat.

It just makes sense to spread the depth, and how this team played with Matthews off showed it.

With the exception of 1 period, other than M&M, the rest of the roster hasn’t looked nearly as dangerous as they did previously.

Quite often a feel of the game is a better indicator than expected results.

Leafs didn't win last night due to anything except their goalie.
You don't need to look at any stats to know that.
It was easy to see right from the beginning.
That game and all stats should be ignored.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

They haven't been playing well is what I was insinuating, Not just last night. Struggling to generate much offence, being outplayed not just a one off. I'll see when they get a full lineup back but personally I think Tre needs to shake things up and Berube needs to wake up. I know some guys are struggling but when we can't score why are we playing Reaves ahead of others?

Because of his contract.

 

[notbias]

Quite often a feel of the game is a better indicator than expected results.

Leafs didn't win last night due to anything except their goalie.
You don't need to look at any stats to know that.
It was easy to see right from the beginning.
That game and all stats should be ignored.

No expected results, all real results show Marner with Matthews give us the best results.

Feelings are just expected results, funny you say to ignore stats and results but trust your feelings.

 

[Stolie the Goalie]

Hopefully we can get the same Stolarz in April.