GDT: Leafs vs Ducks

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I actually like this idea because we're do through a stretch of 8 games in about 16 days. When that time comes, I'd much rather be able to role 3 lines for about 16-17 minutes per night, and not burn anyone out. I'd like to go 5-3, or better, in that stretch of games and I think you have to have 3 scoring lines to do that, without your guys losing their legs.

The next 8 games are the Ducks, Wings, NJ,NJ, Carolina, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle.

Carolina aside that's not exactly murder's row.

I don't know that I agree that you need to put Nylander on the 3rd line to get 10 of next 16 points

 

[Jojalu]

Time for someone to put in the effort of Josh Allen or Mahomes.

Both those two are perfect examples of doing whatever it takes to win. Especially Allen.

How could you ever take a play off watching him lower his shoulder into a 250 linebacker.

I don't care if rhe Leafs ever fight, get pissed that someone hit someone, or peceivably ran the goalie. I just want to see the intensity every shift. Play like their is 17 seconds left all the time. Play desperate and with fire in your belly.

 

[pucksakes666]

Marner is going whine now that he doesn’t have matthews on his mibb no w

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Time for someone to put in the effort of Josh Allen or Mahomes.

Both those two are perfect examples of doing whatever it takes to win. Especially Allen.

How could you ever take a play off watching him lower his shoulder into a 250 linebacker.

I don't care if rhe Leafs ever fight, get pissed that someone hit someone, or peceivably ran the goalie. I just want to see the intensity every shift. Play like their is 17 seconds left all the time. Play desperate and with fire in your belly.

Watch them come out and play like the Bills' defense with 13 seconds left.

 

[aingefan]

Wondered why the PGT got to 7 pages.
Line experiments….that makes sense.
I like the look.
That Kampf line could be the matchup line. Strong in all zones, defensively.

 

[Mess]

The next 8 games are the Ducks, Wings, NJ,NJ, Carolina, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle.

Carolina aside that's not exactly murder's row.

I don't know that I agree that you need to put Nylander on the 3rd line to get 10 of next 16 points

Against weaker opponents is when you would likely experiment more than when playing top competition. IMO

The problem with the Leafs 3rd line is that the C of the trio is essentially a 4th liner and solid checker and PKer .. Kampf is our version of a Phillip Danault, solid in the dot and defensively that would make an excellent shutdown line which could be your 4th line then and try and build 3 offensive lines.

Willy would be better in the middle giving him more opportunity to carry his own line with added defensive responsibility at C. Behind AM and JT as Leafs 3rd line C that would match strength down the middle that no team could match and it would be a nightmare for opposing teams to match-up against.

The problem isn't really Willy on the 3rd line its his linemates that are not as well suited for the role that new line line is suppose to become. IMO

 

[Ciao]

If the Leafs have the depth, then I like the idea of having a few different lineups they can use to change things up from game-to-game or to make an in-game adjustment.

If they're using the kind of 6+6 we've seen and the top two lines are getting shut down effectively, then maybe they go into a 9+3 alignment to give the other side something new to deal with that maybe hadn't been in their game plan.

If they're playing three scoring lines and are up by two after two, then perhaps they come out with 6+6 for the third and give the bulk of the D-zone face-off to a Kampf-Kase-checker line and try to grind it out.

Nick Nurse experimented with different looks on a deep Raptors team that turned out to be a pretty good tactical advantage in the playoffs. Maybe the Leafs are deep enough that Sheldon Keefe can do the same.

They can't do this if they're scrounging for marginally capable players at key positions. They need to have enough options to try different things, and it looks like they do.

It would be refreshing to see a Leafs coach do something tactical to throw the other team off balance. Keefe does load the lines at certain points -- which is tactical -- but it it would sure be nice to see a larger range of weapons!

 

[crump]

Still another day before the game...Covid can happen etc. but

Bunting-Matthews-Kase
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Kerfoot-Kämpf-Nylander
Engvall-Spezza-Simmonds

“It’s about having [Auston] Matthews, [Mitch] Marner and [William] Nylander on three separate lines,” Keefe explained.
“How does the opposition contend with that?”

and before anyone gets worried about a perceived slight to Nylander...

“It’s a good way to spread out the guys on the team,” said Nylander, who has no intention of altering his approach alongside shutdown centre David Kämpf. “[Keefe] just said he wanted to see us get a new look, and it's his job to keep the minutes the same.”

I think now you have 3 good lines instead of 2 elite lines where 2/3 of each of the 2 lines are potentially considered elite players. Is this a bad thing?

You dismantle the shutdown line? Kampf/Mikheyev were great with either Kase or Engvall

So now the ice time gets spread around, maybe the elite players feel the need to drive their lines now, keeps them getting pushed? That can be a positive.

We will see how it works. It's a good time to try it because you are healthy for once, a condensed schedule is on the way and it might benefit having the TOI spread around a bit more.

If it doesn't work then you can adjust petty quickly.

 

[ShaneFalco]

If they lose, there will be a stat that says they should have won

 

[Mess]

Line 1A) Bunting-Matthews-Kase
Line 1B) Simmonds-Nylander-Marner
Line 1C) Mikheyev-Tavares-Kerfoot
Line 4th Engvall-Kämpf-Spezza

You could role the first 3 lines fairly equally in TOI/g at approx 17-18 minutes + specialty time, and in any given game reward the unit that is being most productive or hot that game.

Split the 3 X $11 mil players each on their own line and not the 3 Amigo's.

 

[thusk]

I really like the idea and its whats keefe was affraid to try against montreal serie.

Try it right now its a really good idea and can give more weapon when playoff time will come.

I hope ducks will be out of playoff picture at trade deadline and toronto trade for both of rakell and manson.

1st pick, dermott and a prospect like abramov or abruzzese could be enought this season with all player available and already 3 serilus buyer out of 1st pick (CAR, FLA LAV, COL)

And get a line up line

Bunting-matthews- Kase
Mikheyev-tavares-marner
Rakell-kerfoot-nylander
Spezza-kampf-simmonds

Rielly-manson
Muzzin-brodie
Sandin-holl

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Good to see going back to what he told everyone he was gonna do in summer .. somehow one way or another things got changed up very quickly at camp .. was it Mitch complaining? I doubt it .. was it Dubie? who knows .. was it Shanny? again I doubt it .. more likely Matty .. but shift to a shutdown line happened week 2 of camp .. I hope Keefer lets this concept role for a month and see what transpires .. i think it gives team more versatility come playoff time .. and we all saw Willy and Kerfoot had no problems carrying da offense in playoffs .. you know teams are gonna play Matty hard and tight with their best player .. and we all know Mitch does not have foot speed or power to make things happen in playoffs .. JT has also not done well historically in playoffs either due to foot speed .. so this gives Mitch more ice against other teams 2nd and 3rd best lines which will help him too .. i like da concept and hope it works out

 

[Gary Nylund]

The next 8 games are the Ducks, Wings, NJ,NJ, Carolina, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle.

Carolina aside that's not exactly murder's row.

I don't know that I agree that you need to put Nylander on the 3rd line to get 10 of next 16 points

I think his point was rolling 3 lines would help avoid burnout. I would expect more than 10 points no matter what the line combos are.

If they lose, there will be a stat that says they should have won

Indeed, I believe the stat is "expected wins". I've read so many posts here about how awesome we've been in the playoffs that we have 3+ expected playoff series wins in the last 4 years. That sounds so impressive, I wonder why I feel so unsatisfied?

 

[ShaneFalco]

I think his point was rolling 3 lines would help avoid burnout. I would expect more than 10 points no matter what the line combos are.



Indeed, I believe the stat is "expected wins". I've read so many posts here about how awesome we've been in the playoffs that we have 3+ expected playoff series wins in the last 4 years. That sounds so impressive, I wonder why I feel so unsatisfied?

Who needs an actual win or an actual goal when you have expected wins and goals.

 

[glue]

Annoying that still no game until tomorrow but I think they have another practice today, so let’s see how that goes

 

[AvroArrow]

I like Mikheyev as our 2nd line LW, but not so sure about moving Kase up to the top line and Nylander to 3rd. Yeah we'll have a more spread out offence but I'm not sure Willy will be able to be as productive playing with Kampf/Kerfoot.

 

[Apex Predator]

Time for someone to put in the effort of Josh Allen or Mahomes.

Both those two are perfect examples of doing whatever it takes to win. Especially Allen.

How could you ever take a play off watching him lower his shoulder into a 250 linebacker.

I don't care if rhe Leafs ever fight, get pissed that someone hit someone, or peceivably ran the goalie. I just want to see the intensity every shift. Play like their is 17 seconds left all the time. Play desperate and with fire in your belly.

that kind of drive/passion those two showed is not in every player. It’s either you have it or don’t. Jury still out on our core if they have it.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Nylander with Kampf doesn't make much sense to me. Kampf basically kills all offense for either team when he is on the ice. Definitely better suited to the 4th line if they are going to run 3 'equal' lines

 

[ToneDog]

I like Mikheyev as our 2nd line LW, but not so sure about moving Kase up to the top line and Nylander to 3rd. Yeah we'll have a more spread out offence but I'm not sure Willy will be able to be as productive playing with Kampf/Kerfoot.

Willie was productive in the playoffs with Kerfoot. What is the difference other than he will have to go up against even weaker competition?

 

[Ciao]

Kampf is very muscular, a strong skater and digs the puck out well. He doesn't seem to have good hands, but he could get the puck to Nylander and Kerfoot, and knock in the odd rebound or tip-in himself.

He might do for Nylander what Tyler Bozak did for Phil Kessel.

 

[ACC1224]

Still another day before the game...Covid can happen etc. but

Bunting-Matthews-Kase
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Kerfoot-Kämpf-Nylander
Engvall-Spezza-Simmonds

“It’s about having [Auston] Matthews, [Mitch] Marner and [William] Nylander on three separate lines,” Keefe explained.
“How does the opposition contend with that?”

and before anyone gets worried about a perceived slight to Nylander...

“It’s a good way to spread out the guys on the team,” said Nylander, who has no intention of altering his approach alongside shutdown centre David Kämpf. “[Keefe] just said he wanted to see us get a new look, and it's his job to keep the minutes the same.”

I think now you have 3 good lines instead of 2 elite lines where 2/3 of each of the 2 lines are potentially considered elite players. Is this a bad thing?

You dismantle the shutdown line? Kampf/Mikheyev were great with either Kase or Engvall

So now the ice time gets spread around, maybe the elite players feel the need to drive their lines now, keeps them getting pushed? That can be a positive.

We will see how it works. It's a good time to try it because you are healthy for once, a condensed schedule is on the way and it might benefit having the TOI spread around a bit more.

If it doesn't work then you can adjust petty quickly.

Did Keefe explain how he came to this sudden realization?

 

[kb]

Good to see going back to what he told everyone he was gonna do in summer .. somehow one way or another things got changed up very quickly at camp .. was it Mitch complaining? I doubt it .. was it Dubie? who knows .. was it Shanny? again I doubt it .. more likely Matty .. but shift to a shutdown line happened week 2 of camp .. I hope Keefer lets this concept role for a month and see what transpires .. i think it gives team more versatility come playoff time .. and we all saw Willy and Kerfoot had no problems carrying da offense in playoffs .. you know teams are gonna play Matty hard and tight with their best player .. and we all know Mitch does not have foot speed or power to make things happen in playoffs .. JT has also not done well historically in playoffs either due to foot speed .. so this gives Mitch more ice against other teams 2nd and 3rd best lines which will help him too .. i like da concept and hope it works out

I think this is overthinking. Matthews was on the sideline until Game 4, so how is he going to be the one to complain when he wasn't playing?

The Leafs haven't had a full, healthy forward complement all season - which means it wasn't time for experiments.

Now they are all healthy for the first time since game 1.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I think this is overthinking. Matthews was on the sideline until Game 4, so how is he going to be the one to complain when he wasn't playing?

The Leafs haven't had a full, healthy forward complement all season - which means it wasn't time for experiments.

Now they are all healthy for the first time since game 1.[/QUOTE
Yes you are right I forgot Matty was out to start year which probably explains why Keefer did not do what he wanted to start year .. and then all da COVID and injuries .. now everyone back and he has 2 days to practice his new set up .. makes more sense .. I can see Willy put up 15 points in next 8 games .. he is gonna go to town on these weaker teams

 

[egd27]

Leafs playing once every ten days is taking a mental toll on me.

They just played 3 days ago, and 3 days before that.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

It's not a demotion. If it doesn't work, it won't last long. We obsess too much over minutia.

I never obsessed over minutes and I said 3 times I don't see it lasting long. I said it's purposeless because it's obvious it won't work out. They're wasting time doing randomness. The team is out of sync due to covid and they're being thrown more out of sync with Keefe being random.

But since I'm here, spreading offence /= generating offence. You're slashing Nylanders 80 point pace by like anywhere between 15-30 points pushing him to the third line with 2 guys who won't even combine for 15-20 goals. That's my initial prediction glancing at those lines. It doesn't mean I'm against trying it for a game or 2 to see what actually happens.