Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Habs- game 2

[Gallagbi]

Also Sticky I think you can change the topic to pregame thread from thread tools but I’m not 100% sure.

Id be interested to see Engvall and Spezza flipped, but I don't expect that 4th line to play much

 

[TopChedder]

JT aside, I do wonder about this team. Every single year teams pick up the pace, or find players who will run through the boards to win, but this team refuses to do the same. Or we run into a goalie who steals games, or we run into a team that absolutely hammers us physically. What the heck do we have to do to realize the magnitude of moment, the importance of the playoffs.

You see a team like Montreal and outside of Anderson they don't move fast or have a player that would be in the top 6 on most playoff teams, but they all play one game and hit hit hit hit and win.

I am really starting to wonder if high end talent is truly needed for playoffs, or is the absolute need an elite guy with high end grit.

But it does seem like our guys don't take things serious enough. Marner literally gets nullified because of physical play.

 

[Mats13]

JT aside, I do wonder about this team. Every single year teams pick up the pace, or find players who will run through the boards to win, but this team refuses to do the same. Or we run into a goalie who steals games, or we run into a team that absolutely hammers us physically. What the heck do we have to do to realize the magnitude of moment, the importance of the playoffs.

You see a team like Montreal and outside of Anderson they don't move fast or have a player that would be in the top 6 on most playoff teams, but they all play one game and hit hit hit hit and win.

I am really starting to wonder if high end talent is truly needed for playoffs, or is the absolute need an elite guy with high end grit.

But it does seem like our guys don't take things serious enough. Marner literally gets nullified because of physical play.

It’s not shocking considering how both players are treated, but I don’t think anyone has mentioned how good Nylander was yesterday and how bad Marner was.

It’s shocking how Marner can’t elevate his game for the playoffs. I get he’s a player who likes space, but he always elevated his game in the OHL playoffs. In the NHL, I can’t think of one game from him that I actually liked.

 

[BTP]

Has there been any news about Campbell...

Why is no one talking about that?

 

[TopChedder]

It’s not shocking considering how both players are treated, but I don’t think anyone has mentioned how good Nylander was yesterday and how bad Marner was.

It’s shocking how Marner can’t elevate his game for the playoffs. I get he’s a player who likes space, but he always elevated his game in the OHL playoffs. In the NHL, I can’t think of one game from him that I actually liked.

Marner is not an NHL playoff performer. This is not year one for him anymore, this is every single year. I know he still manages points, but his mark on the game is minimal.

I have never been on the "move Marner" train, but if he cannot do it in the playoffs I would rather use his cap for players who can get it done (even if we sacrificed some talent) I just want cups period.

 

[lottster14]

Campbell with a maintenance day today. What are we all thinking here? Fred plays 1 game of the back to back Monday-Tuesday?

 

[Gallagbi]

As I mentioned in the other thread, I thought Campbell looked off/kinda favoured his left leg (same leg he injured) at some point during the 3rd.

Could just be maintenance, who knows.. hope he is good to go tomorrow.

Noticed the same thing, thanks for linking the clip

 

[Mats13]

Marner is not an NHL playoff performer. This is not year one for him anymore, this is every single year. I know he still manages points, but his mark on the game is minimal.

I have never been on the "move Marner" train, but if he cannot do it in the playoffs I would rather use his cap for players who can get it done (even if we sacrificed some talent) I just want cups period.

I just don’t get it. Kane elevates his game in the playoffs and he’s not a big physical player. Why can’t Marner figure it out?

If he can’t get it going this year, how many more chances before someone asks him why he can’t perform when it matters?

Really hoping from a statement game from him and Matthews tomorrow. It’ll show if they’ve got what it takes to carry a team or not.

 

[Mats13]

Campbell with a maintenance day today. What are we all thinking here? Fred plays 1 game of the back to back Monday-Tuesday?

Campbell every game.

Not okay with throwing a game away with Andersen letting in everything again.

 

[Torontonian]

I still think Spezza should be shifted to the wing and put Nash in the middle of the 4th line and make one of Jumbo or Simmonds a healthy scratch. This is the playoffs, enough with playing them because of their legacy. We are here to win.

 

[Menzinger]

Campbell with a maintenance day today. What are we all thinking here? Fred plays 1 game of the back to back Monday-Tuesday?

It likely come s down to how Campbell feels.

Coaches would likely prefer to just roll with him but I won't be surprised if a backup starts the second of the back to backs

 

[m1ker]

I would rather scratch Thornton game 2 and see what we look like as opposed to doing it game 3 or 4.

 

[TopChedder]

I just don’t get it. Kane elevates his game in the playoffs and he’s not a big physical player. Why can’t Marner figure it out?

If he can’t get it going this year, how many more chances before someone asks him why he can’t perform when it matters?

Really hoping from a statement game from him and Matthews tomorrow. It’ll show if they’ve got what it takes to carry a team or not.

Agreed. I don't pretend to know Mitch or what he feels, but it seems like he is scared of injury or physical play period.

Regardless he needs to be better, like one of the top paid players in the game better, one who unquestionably makes a difference at all times.

 

[Mats13]

Agreed. I don't pretend to know Mitch or what he feels, but it seems like he is scared of injury or physical play period.

Regardless he needs to be better, like one of the top paid players in the game better, one who unquestionably makes a difference at all times.

He was so eager to be paid like Auston Matthews, he should be held to the same standard as Matthews too.

It’s fun making Matthews money, but not as fun making Matthews impact. He’s gotta show it this playoffs or the fans base will begin turning on him.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I just don’t get it. Kane elevates his game in the playoffs and he’s not a big physical player. Why can’t Marner figure it out?

If he can’t get it going this year, how many more chances before someone asks him why he can’t perform when it matters?

Really hoping from a statement game from him and Matthews tomorrow. It’ll show if they’ve got what it takes to carry a team or not.

Kane is a threat to score, Marner isn't. I don't think Marner just gives up when the playoffs come around, but I don't believe he has the skillset to be an elite playoff performer yet

 

[TopChedder]

He was so eager to be paid like Auston Matthews, he should be held to the same standard as Matthews too.

It’s fun making Matthews money, but not as fun making Matthews impact. He’s gotta show it this playoffs or the fans base will begin turning on him.

They all just need to want to win.

Every year on every team a "Josh Anderson" or "Wilson" or "Debrusk" or "Jenner" plays against us and DESTROYS us. We never have answers to these guys, ever.

We need players like those to win or we never will, period.

Speaking of small players look at Point in Tampa, little guy that wants to win at all costs. Do any of our players want to win at any cost?

 

[IPS]

Agreed. I don't pretend to know Mitch or what he feels, but it seems like he is scared of injury or physical play period.

Regardless he needs to be better, like one of the top paid players in the game better, one who unquestionably makes a difference at all times.

Brayden Point has 55 points in 47 playoff games. He plays at a similar size disadvantage to Marner. Point is never afraid to go out there to take a beating and do what it takes for his team to win. There's never a game where Point is a non-factor. Yet the usual suspects still love to belittle what these players accomplish in the playoffs because of how threatened they feel of how bad they make our stars look.

 

[crump]

Wasn’t too upset with Sandin last night. He got put in some bad spots last night.

Mikheyev had a good first shift and that’s it.

Thornton was horrible and created two goals for the Habs. Why he continues to get into the lineup, I’ll never understand.

It's bizarre, the one weakness I noticed with Sandin (straight ahead speed races) in the few games he played this year was exposed in that race for the puck. It not fair I guess, he's excellent 95% of the time, but the one time in the game it showed up, it cost a goal. I know Thornton put him in that situation, Byron's fast etc...but he was still part of that play.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

You actually think they're getting swept? Or you just looking for attention?

What happened in yesterday's game that makes you confident they're not?

 

[TopChedder]

Brayden Point has 55 points in 47 playoff games. He plays at a similar size disadvantage to Marner. Point is never afraid to go out there to take a beating and do what it takes for his team to win. There's never a game where Point is a non-factor. Yet the usual suspects still love to belittle what these players accomplish in the playoffs because of how threatened they feel of how bad they make our stars look.

Point is a warrior! I just posted below about him, we have ZERO players that want to win that badly. Or even like a Kane, they want to win cups, period.

I would kill to draft a player like Point.

Hell the Bruins outside of the top line could draft a guy in the 7th round and he would die for the team during the playoffs.

 

[Nylander88]

Good news in my view

Absolute leader this guy is. It's really not hard to see why he was a captain in Columbus. Willing to do whatever he has to for his team. Could be an interesting line. Galchenyuk and Nylander (his wingers) also have played C in this league before. Maybe they'll find a way to get it done by committee

 

[IrishInOntario]

4-5 goals, or bust next time out. If this team is not scoring goals, it's completely broken.

 

[IPS]

What happened in yesterday's game that makes you confident they're not?

The team still refuses to pay the price to win playoff games.

We had 2 delay of game penalties with the puck over the glass because our guys didn't want to get hit. Legitimately one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen from this core.

 

[MapleLeafs77]

Mitch made me shut up this season with his play. But he needs to figure out the playoffs. Literally looks like last playoffs. Once the games get intense and physical.....only matty steps up.

Will is hot or cold. Mitch is scared. Need our big boys to play when the going gets tough

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

The team still refuses to pay the price to win playoff games.

We had 2 delay of game penalties with the puck over the glass because our guys didn't want to get hit. Legitimately one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen from this core.

*3