Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Habs- game 2

[Mats13]

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?

I think they want to win. That’s not their issue.

For some reason tho, they just don’t look right in the playoffs. Something about this is always off.

Regardless of the past, I’m willing to forget those if they can go win this series for JT. If they can’t, then we’ve got some serious questions to ask.

Obviously Matthews will be exempt from these questions. But everyone else should be reviewed.

 

[TopChedder]

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

Yep! Mitch is all world talent, but looks intimidated in the playoffs, looks in over his head.

 

[Gallagbi]

*3

Holl's wasn't due to fear

 

[SoftDumpNtheCorner88]

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

I would probably sit Engvall and try Brooks centering Spezza/simmonds and Thornton in the 4th.
Just bump Spezza or Simmonds into the 3rd wing.

But I'm okay with giving this line a look.. we don't have many more opportunities though

 

[TopChedder]

I think they want to win. That’s not their issue.

For some reason tho, they just don’t look right in the playoffs. Something about this is always off.

Regardless of the past, I’m willing to forget those if they can go win this series for JT. If they can’t, then we’ve got some serious questions to ask.

Obviously Matthews will be exempt from these questions. But everyone else should be reviewed.

Agreed. They never look comfortable. Teams know it as well. Gameplan is basically "Leaf player gets puck and we launch our bodies at them" done. Teams just forecheck us and we break.

 

[Gallagbi]

I think they want to win. That’s not their issue.

For some reason tho, they just don’t look right in the playoffs. Something about this is always off.

Regardless of the past, I’m willing to forget those if they can go win this series for JT. If they can’t, then we’ve got some serious questions to ask.

Obviously Matthews will be exempt from these questions. But everyone else should be reviewed.

A lot of last night looked like them trying to be the team they aren't.

Dump and chase, up and down the wings, plain hockey. That's not how they're built or how they'll be successfu

 

[sxvnert]

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

Lets hope dubas can convince nick and his family to move to toronto next season.

 

[Gallagbi]

Agreed. They never look comfortable. Teams know it as well. Gameplan is basically "Leaf player gets puck and we launch our bodies at them" done. Teams just forecheck "us and we break.

Truthfully looks more like an "us" issue than "them".

If it was that easy we wouldn't be as strong in the regular season with a lot of these teams playing the same style

 

[fahad203]

I would probably sit Engvall and try Brooks centering Spezza/simmonds and Thornton in the 4th.
Just bump Spezza or Simmonds into the 3rd wing.

But I'm okay with giving this line a look.. we don't have many more opportunities though

Why not just sit Simmonds ?

 

[JT AM da real deal]

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.

Sandin is a dman. As a former dman you can't get beat twice like that when you have a substantial lead in puck races like he did. What it means is no forward can trust dropping a back pass to him. His defensive partner has to play even farther back to protect his foot speed issue. It changes how everyone around him will play next game. It is nothing to do with him being a rook. It is an issue of straight line foot speed. He and Jumbo are slowest guys on da ice on either team BY FAR. Neither has NHL speed.

 

[TopChedder]

Truthfully looks more like an us issue than "them".

If it was that easy we wouldn't be as strong in the regular season with a lot of these teams playing the same style

Could be. I think for sure it is a bit of both.

The Habs came FLYING out of the gate and immediately started hitting us with purpose, like within seconds. The only time I have ever saw us do that as well was during the Washington series.

In my opinion that was the only series I was proud of the boys.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Someone needs to have words with Chiarot, to put it mildly.

 

[SoftDumpNtheCorner88]

Why not just sit Simmonds ?

You could... But it's looking like Chariot or Edmundson might need to be checked in this series... With him out the line up it might get worse.

But sitting him and keeping Engvall might help with the offense.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Don't like Sandin over Dermott again.

 

[stickty111]

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.

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.

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.

It's just strange the difference the way Nylander and Marner are treated by the fanbase. As far as I know, both have had one good playoff series and thats pretty much it. In fact there is an argument to be made Nylander has been better overall but not by much obviously. Yet some are always after Nylander, and excuses are made for Marner. If this team goes out early again, a conversation should be had if Marner should be the one to go. Is Marner better? Yes. Is he 4 million better? Not a chance.
I think Marner is the most talented from players like Point, Tkachuk, etc.. He doesn't have the fight yet.

 

[napoleon in rags]

Thornton was the worst player on the ice last night. Simmonds close behind. Nash wasn’t good, but not nearly as bad as those two.

I'm not thrilled with the dentures-&-hearing-aids line. Generally, Leafs management and coaching makes me think they're smart, yet they get attached to idiocy like this.

 

[CanadasTeam]

Someone needs to have words with Chiarot, to put it mildly.

Shit-rot is what we've nicknamed him -- at a minimum, we play them at least 4 more times .

 

[TopChedder]

It's just strange the difference the way Nylander and Marner are treated by the fanbase. As far as I know, both have had one good playoff series and thats pretty much it. In fact there is an argument to be made Nylander has been better overall but not by much obviously. Yet some are always after Nylander, and excuses are made for Marner. If this team goes out early again, a conversation should be had if Marner should be the one to go. Is Marner better? Yes. Is he 4 million better? Not a chance.
I think Marner is the most talented from players like Point, Tkachuk, etc.. He doesn't have the fight yet.

Agreed. I think that is prob why it feels worse with Mitch, he is incredibly elite but has almost zero playoff game. If this was year one I would understand, but this is year 5 and he is 24. How long do we say "he doesn't have the fight yet"

 

[TopChedder]

I'm not thrilled with the dentures-&-hearing-aids line. Generally, Leafs management and coaching makes me think they're smart, yet they get attached to idiocy like this.

I cannot wait until guys like Robertson and Amirov are ready! We need to keep putting depth into the lineup to avoid a line like that.

 

[malcb33]

Shit-rot is what we've nicknamed him -- at a minimum, we play them at least 4 more times .

At a minimum it’s 3 more games. But here’s hoping that doesn’t happen

 

[Larcos_Unal]

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.

Jumbo is getting by solely on reputation and it's unacceptable. He is a horrid player right now, kills the PP, kills every line he's put on except the 7 mins he gets with the 4th. It's in Keefe & Dubas' best interest to ice the best possible lineup and to me, that does not include Joe Thornton.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Jumbo is getting by solely on reputation and it's unacceptable. He is a horrid player right now, kills the PP, kills every line he's put on except the 7 mins he gets with the 4th. It's in Keefe & Dubas' best interest to ice the best possible lineup and to me, that does not include Joe Thornton.

It was an idiotic move signing him. I get the idea was to mix in a hungry vet like him with the kids, but he is not a good player.

 

[Farsailor]

I'd prefer not to see Marner 27 minutes and Nylander 16 minutes next game. Since that would limit both players.

 

[stickty111]

It's just strange the difference the way Nylander and Marner are treated by the fanbase. As far as I know, both have had one good playoff series and thats pretty much it. In fact there is an argument to be made Nylander has been better overall but not by much obviously. Yet some are always after Nylander, and excuses are made for Marner. If this team goes out early again, a conversation should be had if Marner should be the one to go. Is Marner better? Yes. Is he 4 million better? Not a chance.
I think Marner is the most talented from players like Point, Tkachuk, etc.. He doesn't have the fight yet.

Agreed. I think that is prob why it feels worse with Mitch, he is incredibly elite but has almost zero playoff game. If this was year one I would understand, but this is year 5 and he is 24. How long do we say "he doesn't have the fight yet"

Going to put this here too.


Marner is goal less in his last 12 playoff games and only 6 assists while being gift wrapped over 20 minutes of ice time in 11 of those games.

Nylander has 3 goals and 4 assists in that same time frame while playing over 20 minutes just once.

Who can't perform in the playoffs again?

 

[lottster14]

I think they want to win. That’s not their issue.

For some reason tho, they just don’t look right in the playoffs. Something about this is always off.

Regardless of the past, I’m willing to forget those if they can go win this series for JT. If they can’t, then we’ve got some serious questions to ask.

Obviously Matthews will be exempt from these questions. But everyone else should be reviewed.

We came out strong and the pace of the game was really good up until the Tavares injury. After we did well considering what happened, but mostly our energy was zapped out