Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Flames

So glad Kampf is getting scratched at least. Dude is so soft and useless.

I wonder if we could've sent back Kampf and a 2nd in the deal for Laughton instead of a 1st to get his cap hit down. Would've much preferred that if Kampf is going to be a scratch and Laughton is at 4C.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: arso40


1. It’s worthless to change the lines for one game only to go back to what wasn’t working before immediately after. Keefe did the same thing. If you’re not going to give new line configurations time to breath then why bother changing them at all?

2. Domi back at centre when Laughton was ostensibly brought in so that wouldn’t happen again is hilarious and makes that trade all the worse.

Really disappointed in this lineup. It seems as though we can't win without Matthews & Marner playing together but we can't win with them together, either.

If Berube is trying to find his playoff lineup can we really do any damage with Holmstrom in the top 6??
 
Domi with matthews looked good yet we deviate from it based of the fact that marner didnt look good like let’s be honest if it was about a 3c jarnkrok could fill it……….NUTS
 
Really disappointed in this lineup. It seems as though we can't win without Matthews & Marner playing together but we can't win with them together, either.

If Berube is trying to find his playoff lineup can we really do any damage with Holmstrom in the top 6??
What are the projected lines? for some reason I don't see the image.
 
Domi with matthews looked good yet we deviate from it based of the fact that marner didnt look good like let’s be honest if it was about a 3c jarnkrok could fill it……….NUTS
I like Domi with Matthews, because it forces Matthews to try to drive play. Not just float around and wait for Mitch to feed him.

I like Marner with JT, because it forces Marner to shoot more and generate offense in different ways.

I like Willy on the 3rd. He’s a game breaker and will thrive on softer matchups.

Tired of the same old same old.
 
Last edited:
  • Love
Reactions: arso40
Wow. Just got a text from a buddy of mine who was always positive:

"THIS TEAM f***ING SUCKS! THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE! THERE'S NO MAGIC COACHING FIX! f***ING FIRE SHANAHAN, TRELIVING, BERUBE, FIRE MARNER INTO THE f***ING SUN, TRADE RIELLY, HELL MOVE ON FROM MATTHEWS TOO FOR AS MANY FIRST ROUND PICKS AS YOU CAN GET! IT'S ALL f***ING OVER FOR THIS CORE!!!"

(⁠╯⁠°⁠□⁠°⁠)⁠╯⁠︵⁠ ⁠┻⁠━⁠┻ "
 
The Matthews-Marner marriage. It’s been beat to death, they have to be separated.

Domi is not a center.
Matthews/Marner have been fine together, Knies/Matthews/Marner has been our most successful line for the most part, going back to last season.

Domi can play C, he's playing C mostly because of how garbage Laughton has been and he's just not reliable as the 3C. We got f***ing fleeced on that trade. If Laughton carried his weight, he probably remains the 3C.
 
  • Like
  • Angry
Reactions: ACC1224 and arso40
I don't understand people complaining about the lineup. What exactly is the issue ?
There is never an issue, it comes down to the players, always. Mixing up the lines is important, it worked for Keefe too. What didn't work, was the ability to inject players with courage and sacrifice when it mattered. Also, just because we have lines numbered 1 through 4 doesn't mean Berube can't and won't reward the 3rd or 4th line with more ice time if they earn it.

In a perfect world developed by A.I and perfect balance, a team would see each line play exactly 15 minutes each (not including any specials teams in the computation). Obviously that's not viable with this team but it is what I would try to pursue as GM. Shoot for the stars and you might land on the moon.

I've referred to Claude Lemieux before as he was a player who notoriously raised his game once playoffs started. He was just a fly by player until playoffs and then he seemed to play 40 pounds heavier and would be a mean SOB (even dirty according to some Red Wings when he hit Draper. Regardless, he refused to back down come playoffs and this is what players need to find if they want to win a Cup. The chances are slim based on history but they have had games where they looked like world beaters and had some real jam.

Playoffs require a deep dig into your DNA, in "fight or flight" you can't have flight in your vocabulary once playoffs begin.

Perhaps wearing the old St Patty jerseys will revive the spirit of these teams. Their goalies played without masks, so they HAD to be tough lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AvroArrow
Matthews/Marner have been fine together, Knies/Matthews/Marner has been our most successful line for the most part, going back to last season.

Domi can play C, he's playing C mostly because of how garbage Laughton has been and he's just not reliable as the 3C. We got f***ing fleeced on that trade. If Laughton carried his weight, he probably remains the 3C.
Laughton fleecing is obvious but if you think marner and matthews are getting paid money to be fine especially when they make 2/3rds of a line that right there is the problem
 
  • Like
Reactions: Confucius
At the very least, they should put Laughton as 2nd line winger & Holmberg on the 4th line. Even if Laughton doesn't fill the hole of the 3C, at the very least he is plugging another hole in the top 6 LW spot.

Also Toronto would get smoked by any WC team, those are the teams that are making the playoffs off of hard work rather then skill. Dating back to 3 or 4 years ago, Toronto biggest matchup problem is any team that out works them and beats them along the boards... That's why Tampa is probably Toronto best matchup in the playoffs, rather then the Panthers / Ottawa etc..
 
I’m actually tired of Berube Hes too political where’s the fire man call the boys out every once in a while they need it
 
Win our couple games in hand and we’re back tied for the Atlantic division lead. Despite all the doomsaying around here, we are well positioned.

Slumps happen.
 

Ad

Ad