Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Golden Knights - Oct 24, 10pm ET TSN

[Nineteen67]

Vegas is playing better than I expected, no Lehner and the Cassidy effect possibly, but the Leafs should still win the game tonight.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Am I the only one kind of wishing the game starts out with the below song and Philthy gets to skate out alone to an ovation as he sets (ties) the all time NHL record? Make it so!

 

[SprDaVE]

Engvall seems like he always seems to bounce back really well after getting a healthy scratch. Last year he was very very good after that happened.

I'd replace Clifford with ZAR in that lineup, but it's whatever.

 

[Fogelhund]

Vegas is playing better than I expected, no Lehner and the Cassidy effect possibly, but the Leafs should still win the game tonight.

I've seen parts of two of their games. They weren't all that impressive in those games.

They've won four games... against LA, in a game that I thought LA looked like the much better team, they've also beaten Seattle, Chicago and Winnipeg. The whole Pacific has been a disaster so far.

Not that we should be taking any team lightly, because we absolutely can't afford that. Our division is killer this year, and we can't afford to lose against any inferior teams...

I don't mind Clifford and Simmonds being in, ZAR and NAK haven't been very good so far, so a message needs to be sent. Perhaps let Malgin get a game in against San Jose. Engvall needs to show more than he has so far this year. He's an ok NHLer, but he's also our sixth highest paid forward... he needs to perform better. Someone needs to grab one of these spots and run or else Steeves and Anderson will deserve some looks.

 

[Dekes For Days]

To the noobs this is called getting player off his game by forcing him to think about opposition player instead of the game

It's actually called taking a bad penalty that accomplishes nothing. Schiefele wasn't even a factor in the game before that anyway.

Simmonds had a decent game otherwise though. Just needs to stop taking bad penalties.

 

[Mickey Marner]

It’s nice to carry more than 20 skaters, gives us different looks to our lineup.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I've seen parts of two of their games. They weren't all that impressive in those games.

They've won four games... against LA, in a game that I thought LA looked like the much better team, they've also beaten Seattle, Chicago and Winnipeg. The whole Pacific has been a disaster so far.

Not that we should be taking any team lightly, because we absolutely can't afford that. Our division is killer this year, and we can't afford to lose against any inferior teams...

I don't mind Clifford and Simmonds being in, ZAR and NAK haven't been very good so far, so a message needs to be sent. Perhaps let Malgin get a game in against San Jose. Engvall needs to show more than he has so far this year. He's an ok NHLer, but he's also our sixth highest paid forward... he needs to perform better. Someone needs to grab one of these spots and run or else Steeves and Anderson will deserve some looks.

Steeves can bring some speed like Robertson .. Anderson I don't think so .. can't take Wayner out after Peg game

 

[Fogelhund]

Steeves can bring some speed like Robertson .. Anderson I don't think so .. can't take Wayner out after Peg game

Depends on our cap situation going forward. If we could afford it on the cap, I could easily see Wayne and one other forward platooning... keep the energy up high, it's a long season, and he looked pretty cooked near the end last year. He's got a lot of miles, and "if" he's going to play in our lineup, I'd rather him be ready to play in the Spring, than get every game in from October to January.

I'd agree with you on Steeves vs. Anderson, but the real question becomes, who really wants a regular spot on the roster? Engvall, Malgin, NAK, ZAR, Steeves, Anderson, Wayne, Cliff? Eight guys, three spots... someone better show that they want it.

 

[Nineteen67]

Will AM take a recruiting tour the VGK practice facilities while he’s in town?

 

[ACC1224]

Samsonov again tonight?

 

[kb]

Will AM take a recruiting tour the VGK practice facilities while he’s in town?

Never miss that opportunity to try to fear monger....

Can we introduce you to a concept called the salary cap?

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Hoping Robertson gets some run w the big boyz . His shot /scoring would be a welcome addition to an already strong top 6 .

 

[Bellefour20]

Samsonov again tonight?

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Will AM take a recruiting tour the VGK practice facilities while he’s in town?

Not likely. He's struggling these days. The key to Las Vegas Nights (and Knights) has been put on pause until he can show "elite" expected goal numbers.

 

[HockeyVirus]

So sadly NAK hasn't looked any more useful than he did in pre-season which was not very and ZAR looks like he did enough to earn a paycheck and that's it.

Both of these players are absolutely useless. Leafs absolutely need players who are willing to forecheck hard and finish hits but these guys give muffin hits and wrack them up so on paper they look good but their physicality has almost no impact on the game. At least Simmonds and Clifford can tumble and when they finish a check you can tell.

Leafs wanted a line like the Islanders 4th line where they were tough as nails and would cycle teams to death and be relied on to swing momentum. Instead they got a 4th line that does nothing while on the ice. It's nice they don't get scored on but we don't want our 4th line playing 6 minutes of shutdown hockey a night we want 6 minutes of aggressive forecheck and for other teams to be aware they are out there.

So far, 2 swings and misses. Happy they are buriable because I think both end up on waivers if we ever get healthy

 

[Shooter2x]

I'm stumped on where Leafs rank Engvall on the PK.

ZAR plays over him on the PK, but also ZAR is scratched for certified bum Clifford which means his PK impact isn't anything worthwhile therefore neither is Engvalls

 

[Fogelhund]

So sadly NAK hasn't looked any more useful than he did in pre-season which was not very and ZAR looks like he did enough to earn a paycheck and that's it.

Both of these players are absolutely useless. Leafs absolutely need players who are willing to forecheck hard and finish hits but these guys give muffin hits and wrack them up so on paper they look good but their physicality has almost no impact on the game. At least Simmonds and Clifford can tumble and when they finish a check you can tell.

Leafs wanted a line like the Islanders 4th line where they were tough as nails and would cycle teams to death and be relied on to swing momentum. Instead they got a 4th line that does nothing while on the ice. It's nice they don't get scored on but we don't want our 4th line playing 6 minutes of shutdown hockey a night we want 6 minutes of aggressive forecheck and for other teams to be aware they are out there.

So far, 2 swings and misses. Happy they are buriable because I think both end up on waivers if we ever get healthy

If they managed to at least shutdown the ice for six minutes a night, that would be nice.. .but ZAR and NAK are -3 and -2... so not accomplishing any of the goals.

I'd suspect that they will get another opportunity, but if they don't up their game, you are likely correct, off to waivers land...

I'm stumped on where Leafs rank Engvall on the PK.

ZAR plays over him on the PK, but also ZAR is scratched for certified bum Clifford which means his PK impact isn't anything worthwhile therefore neither is Engvalls

They rank 5/6 each in PK time per game... so neither are the top choices for now.

 

[Voodoo Child]

When Philly met Eichel. (nsfw language, there’s no eating in the car)

 

[All Mod Cons]

Hopefully Bunting, Jarnkrok and Kerfoot can stop taking moronic penalties starting tonight.

 

[Mess]

I'm confused why we've gone on a road trip with a 15/6/2 roster config though. Usually when you have room you want a spare D there if someone gets hurt in warmups

Waivers ...

With Extras: Malgin, Aston-Reese, Aube-Kubel all in the pressbox & all needing waivers the Leafs can't recall any Dmen extras as they're at the 23 max roster limit.

Simple as that.

 

[1specter]

At this point I'd rather just call up Steeves and let him play on the fourth line over Clifford, NAK or ZAR. I'm okay with Wayne being in the lineup, he's not what he used to be but he has his moments.

 

[horner]

They have been f***ing useless.

I thought these guys were supposed to have some sandpaper in their games?

Not sure if I like playing Clifford again either but I guess you can’t sit him after the game he had. He takes at least one bad penalty every time he gets in the lineup. Simmonds is definitely better.

That was a weak call on him last game.

 

[BTP]

Vegas is a good team, guaranteed win tonight

 

[Knies iT]

At this point I'd rather just call up Steeves and let him play on the fourth line over Clifford, NAK or ZAR. I'm okay with Wayne being in the lineup, he's not what he used to be but he has his moments.

Agreed. I think it's only a matter of time. Steeves is torching the AHL right now and he's one of the select few that can actually bolster a checking line (McMann/Holmberg being the others).

Steeves - Kampf - xxxxx (Simmonds/NAK/etc.)

 

[KingsHockey24]

That was a weak call on him last game.

Yup.

It's always the cry babies that'll whine about everything.