GDT: Leafs vs Flames

[Apex Predator]

Leafs WC spot this season.

A decade ago we played Washington and defied expectations.

How poetic if its this arc that rallies the Team

1 Bolts
2 Cats
3 Sens
WC Leafs

Leafs would have to drop to WC2 to play the caps. Currently caps are 11 points up with a game in hand on the panthers.

 

[Evilhomer]

Thinking they right the ship tonight with a fairly easy win.

For all of the moaning around here, the Leafs will probably be first, or tied for first, in the Atlantic after Thursday night. It may even be a three-way tie for first at that point.

 

[kevsh]

My glass half full attitude right now is that (hopefully) they’re getting these hiccups out of their system now and not in April.

History has shown that teams that go into the playoffs playing well tend to do a lot better.

So if this is just a hiccup and they (very quickly) turn things around, then they head into the post-season with some momentum.

But all of us worried that they're looking this bad this late in the season have a right to be concerned - I think we can all agree it's pretty alarming that over 60 games into the season (and less than 20 to go) that the coach is talking about how tired they are and it's clear watching them that they're not playing with anything close to a playoff-style mindset (losing puck battles, blowing leads, just to name two).

 

[Evilhomer]

History has shown that teams that go into the playoffs playing well tend to do a lot better.

So if this is just a hiccup and they (very quickly) turn things around, then they head into the post-season with some momentum.

But all of us worried that they're looking this bad this late in the season have a right to be concerned - I think we can all agree it's pretty alarming that over 60 games into the season (and less than 20 to go) that the coach is talking about how tired they are and it's clear watching them that they're not playing with anything close to a playoff-style mindset (losing puck battles, blowing leads, just to name two).

Take a look at Florida's record in March of last year.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

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.

 

[BallardEra]

For all of the moaning around here, the Leafs will probably be first, or tied for first, in the Atlantic after Thursday night. It may even be a three-way tie for first at that point.

That's not saying much though. This division has looked pretty lackluster as have the Leafs.

At this point it really doesn't matter who they play in the first round.

 

[ACC1224]

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.

Lines looked terrible Saturday, but I agree if you want to test out different combinations you have to give it a run.

Is it just me that can't see your attachment? Asking because I'm seeing(or not seeing) the same thing in another thread.

 

[AllHeartNoSkill]

So 2-0 Calgary, then..?? Wouldn't be the least expected outcome.

Depends. Is there anybody on Calgary mired in a bad slump? If so, 3-0

 

[Suntouchable13]

For all of the moaning around here, the Leafs will probably be first, or tied for first, in the Atlantic after Thursday night. It may even be a three-way tie for first at that point.

What gives you such confidence? They have not looked good whatsoever, and look like they are running out of gas with 16 games left before playoffs even start. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start the playoffs on the road as one of the wildcard seeds.

 

[Evilhomer]

That's not saying much though. This division has looked pretty lackluster as have the Leafs.

At this point it really doesn't matter who they play in the first round.

I think it matters a lot. I would much rather play Ottawa or Columbus in the first round, and then have home ice in the second round.

 

[mclaren55]

Looks like we traded Grebenkin and a 1st for a 4th line centre, good stuff management, keep it up. I didn't want us to move any more of our prospects for bandaids, and it looks like we did just that. They aren't even the flex fabric bandaids, they are the shitty ones that fall off right after washing your hands, those crappy clear ones with terrible adhesive. You all know the ones I'm talking about.

 

[Evilhomer]

What gives you such confidence? They have not looked good whatsoever, and look like they are running out of gas with 16 games left before playoffs even start. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start the playoffs on the road as one of the wildcard seeds.

Losing a few games is hardly a reason for people to be jumping out windows like they are. Where was all this sad sack talk when the team won 5 in a row after the break? Florida and Tampa have each lost 3 of their last 4 games. If the Leafs are running out of gas, then what does it say about those teams? Ballard above is right, and it's what I've been saying all season - it's a mediocre division, and it's why I still think the Leafs will win it. They should have a relatively easy game tonight against a bad team, and then we'll see how they handle Colorado and NYR. After that, it's some gimmes against Nashville, Philly and San Jose.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Losing a few games is hardly a reason for people to be jumping out windows like they are. Where was all this sad sack talk when the team won 5 in a row after the break? Florida and Tampa have each lost 3 of their last 4 games. If the Leafs are running out of gas, then what does it say about those teams? Ballard above is right, and it's what I've been saying all season - it's a mediocre division, and it's why I still think the Leafs will win it. They should have a relatively easy game tonight against a bad team, and then we'll see how they handle Colorado and NYR. After that, it's some gimmes against Nashville, Philly and San Jose.

Yea, but you're saying this is going to be an easy game. How so? This team is battling tooth and nail to get in the playoffs. I mean, you should know this won't be easy if you have been watching the LEafs for any length of time at all.

 

[Tie Domi Esquire]

I think it matters a lot. I would much rather play Ottawa or Columbus in the first round, and then have home ice in the second round.

Ottawa and Columbus would beat the Leafs in a series.

 

[Evilhomer]

Yea, but you're saying this is going to be an easy game. How so? This team is battling tooth and nail to get in the playoffs. I mean, you should know this won't be easy if you have been watching the LEafs for any length of time at all.

Calgary is 5-10 in their last 15 games. The clock struck midnight on them a while ago.

 

[Commander Clueless]

Must lose game for the tank.


....too soon?


I kid, I kid. Go Leafs Go! Let's get hot!

 

[BallardEra]

I think it matters a lot. I would much rather play Ottawa or Columbus in the first round, and then have home ice in the second round.

I would prefer Tampa over Sens.

Jackets are out of gas and won't make it.

 

[Blanka]

Looking forward to some hockey tonight after this last stretch.

 

[Evilhomer]

I would prefer Tampa over Sens.

Jackets are out of gas and won't make it.

I expect it will be Leafs/Sens in the first round.

I tend to agree on Columbus. Very similar to Calgary in the West. It's hard for those teams to sustain it over a full season. Barring a collapse, I expect the wild card teams will be Ottawa and one of NYR/NJD.

 

[Blanka]

For all of the moaning around here, the Leafs will probably be first, or tied for first, in the Atlantic after Thursday night. It may even be a three-way tie for first at that point.

I'm not sure I agree. If this team doesn't get .960 SV% performances from its goaltending tandem, I could easily see this hot mess contending for a WC spot.

 

[OVO16]

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

When is Pacioretty getting back?

 

[Hellcat]

Flames play a heavy game ... we dont.... sooo ...

 

[Evilhomer]

I'm not sure I agree. If this team doesn't get .960 SV% performances from its goaltending tandem, I could easily see this hot mess contending for a WC spot.

I expect the offense will win the game for them tonight. I don't see this one being a defensive battle.

 

[wingman75]

Need a win. But I believe more importantly this team needs to play a good game... outwork the opponent for 60 minutes. Make clean decisions. Make the opponent work for whatever they get.

I'm tired of watching this group as always being second best in almost all areas.

 

[ACC1224]

Need a win. But I believe more importantly this team needs to play a good game... outwork the opponent for 60 minutes. Make clean decisions. Make the opponent work for whatever they get.

I'm tired of watching this group as always being second best in almost all areas.

They haven't been the same since the west coast trip, just look gassed.