Pre-Game Talk: Leafs visit the Bruins

[saltming]

The Bruins have been home for a week and last played Saturday afternoon.

As someone noted, this is the Leafs 3rd game in 4 nights...and they're on the road.

Obviously, this is set up from a rest standpoint to heavily favor Boston.

Saw the Bruins Tampa game and Boston dominated that one. If not for Vasilevskiy it would've been a blowout. And, 88 gave up a cheapie amidst his great play.

In Bruins last two games they outshot Tampa 39-24 and NYI 44-27. That's a huge disparity. Mrazek will have his work cut out for him. It will really be a challenge for our newly revamped D corps. The Isles and Bolts are ranked 6th and 7th, respectively, in GA per game. Toronto is 17th. Boston is 5th.

The Bruins are hot right now, winners of 14 of last 17. The Leafs are not, just 6-6 in March mostly against lower tier opponents. I think that is the biggest factor of them all. Plus, Pasta, our main nemesis, is en fuego with 4 goals in his last two games.

I expect the Leafs to be good for a stretch in the beginning but fade as the game gets later.

This one has the feel of one that could easily get out of hand but I expect the Leafs to keep it relatively close but come up short. A win by the Leafs would really be quite the statement.

 

[Fogelhund]

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[Fogelhund]

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[Burnie97]

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Too bad but I guess against Boston Clifford is alright to have in. He has looked better the last couple games he's been in.

Still it'll be nice to see some of the kids get a shot. Hopefully next game for Abruzzese.

 

[saltming]

People often confuse being physical with being good defensively. Their underlying numbers were even worse (much worse) than their goals against numbers, too.

Yet they won a cup.

 

[stickty111]

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Better to get at least a practice in before playing. Don't mind it.

 

[TheDoldrums]

The only justification for playing Clifford is they're fine with him taking bad penalties because the refs will even it up and we have better special teams.

Otherwise I don't get why this guy keeps getting games.

 

[stickty111]

Yet they won a cup.

A goalie playing incredible will do that.
Thomas was on another level in those playoffs.

 

[1specter]

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Disappointing, it's a tough first game sure but I think he would've been jacked up about playing against Boston for his first game considering he went to Harvard for school. Seemed like a cool way to start your career

 

[Dion TheFluff]

Big game tonight! Will have a heavy influence on how where we stand come playoff time.

 

[saltming]

A goalie playing incredible will do thar

Yup. So many factors come into play and should not be over looked as was my point.
Just because a player has undesirable metrics doesn't mean they are not good or valuable

 

[Burnie97]

Good to hear. Maybe he gets the Saturday game against Philly.

 

[1specter]

Good to hear. Maybe he gets the Saturday game against Philly.

Keep him out of the Jets game. Don't need those losers taking runs at Jack in what will be their version of a Stanley Cup game 7 this season.

 

[stickty111]

 

[ToneDog]

Disappointing, it's a tough first game sure but I think he would've been jacked up about playing against Boston for his first game considering he went to Harvard for school. Seemed like a cool way to start your career

Probably good for the kid but not sure if it would not be wiser to dress Cliffy since Simmonds is sitting out. Let's see what type of game the Bruins come at us with tonight.

 

[zeke]

Cool. Hasn't played much C in the NHL but he was a natural C before then. Would be nice if he could fill the 4C spot.

 

[ACC1224]

Probably good for the kid but not sure if it would not be wiser to dress Cliffy since Simmonds is sitting out. Let's see what type of game the Bruins come at us with tonight.

Agreed. Bruins are a tough team, need a little pushback in the lineup.

 

[riffle]

Doubt the kid plays. Tough spot for your first NHL game.

You nailed it. I thought for sure they would debut him at home like they've done so many times for other guys.

Keefe confirms he's out. Oops. @stickty111 had this from Masters a few minutes before.

 

[crump]

No sense in rushing him in there. Give him a couple of practices. Sounds like a smart kid, but anyone coming from that level to the NHL should have a few practices to at east get used to the speed etc. Regardless of what a quick study he is, you need something to study.

 

[crump]

Cool. Hasn't played much C in the NHL but he was a natural C before then. Would be nice if he could fill the 4C spot.

He sort of reminds be of a Kerfoot that hits (or effectively hits). He back-checked well in the games since he was traded, so he has that ability as a centre. Maybe Spezza takes the draws?

 

[GoodNewfieBoy]

Why wouldn’t Keefe try Blackwell second line RW and put Kerfoot as fourth line centre. Why insist on Kerfoot Tavares when they have no chemistry

 

[Chief Leaf]

Bruins out on the ice practicing new moves and trying to get ready for the game against the Leafs. Obviously someone let the cat out of the bag and the Bruins are going to have their heads spinning so fast that they may have to shove it up their own aszes just to stop the dizziness from setting in.

 

[ACC1224]

You nailed it. I thought for sure they would debut him at home like they've done so many times for other guys.

Keefe confirms he's out. Oops. @stickty111 had this from Masters a few minutes before.

I hear that a lot.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I hear that a lot.

Good job on being right about something that was already announced?

 

[Isaac Nootin]

No problem with not rushing Abruzzese into the lineup. He's not a 4th line type player anyway. Work him into the 2nd/3rd line wing spot with easy matchups when he does play. Same for Knies.