Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Habs- game 2

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

Massive hole? Then that’s a problem with the cap, salaries and GM.

Seriously we lose JT and still have Matthews, Marner, Nylander and people are complaining about depth? Thornton or Simmonds?
Montreal doesn’t even have a Nylander to lose let alone the other 3 guys.

What's up with the core? Surely they can take over the series.

Then why are they playing scared?

 

[keonsbitterness]

Then why are they playing scared?

How about we see how they respond in game 2? If it's not good, then we can fire and trade everyone.

 

[Trapper]

Then why are they playing scared?

That’s on them.
But people need to quit blaming everything else from bottom 6 to goalies to coaches.

You want to see the Leafs win the Cup?
Ultimately it will need to be the core that carries you. That win it.
Conn Smyth unlikely to be Hyman, Kerfoot or Foligno.
Like every championship team.
Depth supports the core but here people think the opposite.

Its not always going to be perfect. Players get hurt, adversity happens, the high paid leaders gotta lead.

 

[Leafsfan74]

For the second time in my life I tuned out a Leafs playoff game.

I tuned out heading into the third as I found the hockey just too boring on top of the Tavares injury which made the game seem insignificant.

In this battle of styles, Leafs have to prevail over "play not to lose" mediocrity snoozefest that the Habs bring.

Fight hard for net and rid the NHL fans of the scourge that is the current brand of Habs Hockey.

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

How about we see how they respond in game 2? If it's not good, then we can fire and trade everyone.

Agreed, just so frustrating to not see a decent response and it feels like we are getting pushed around. Blatting watching JT get carted off really set me off....

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

That’s on them.
But people need to quit blaming everything else from bottom 6 to goalies to coaches.

You want to see the Leafs win the Cup?
Ultimately it will need to be the core that carries you. That win it.
Conn Smyth unlikely to be Hyman, Kerfoot or Foligno.
Like every championship team.
Depth supports the core but here people think the opposite.

Its not always going to be perfect. Players get hurt, adversity happens, the high paid leaders gotta lead.

Problem is when they don't. I have no problem with Matthews and Nylander was great. Horrific injury with JT but not seeing Marner making an impact, again.

 

[Stonehands1990]

How about we see how they respond in game 2? If it's not good, then we can fire and trade everyone.

OR hear me out, we evaluate the entire playoffs when concluded

 

[horner]

Anyways as I said elsewhere, get Nash the hell out of the lineup. Literally one of the worst offensive players in the league, we don't need a shutdown guy against a team of 3rd liners

Also I love Dubas but not getting Hall looked stupid before and worse now that we've lost an offensive star

Could say the same thing about Bennett and Jeff carter

 

[keonsbitterness]

OR hear me out, we evaluate the entire playoffs when concluded

That's crazy talk!

 

[Maple Leaf]

Imagine if we lose

 

[leafsfan5]

Imagine if we lose

If you think this was place was toxic after game 1, a game 2 loss will reach epic levels

 

[Le Cobra]

Game 1 was a write off. I expect a more normal Leafs team for Game 2. They need to be relaxed. Confident. They can win this. Campbell will hold the fort. But they need to give him run support. 3 goals or more should seal it

 

[MSZ]

The Bruins PPs are so good, two PP goals tonight. Imagine if the Leafs have 80% of Boston's efficiency.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Stonehands1990]

The Bruins PPs are so good, two PP goals tonight. Imagine if the Leafs have 80% of Boston's efficiency.

And it’s literally just quick puck movement, puck retrieval and guys not afraid to take shots

 

[francis246]

Why!?!?!?

rest probably

 

[Boxscore]

How about we see how they respond in game 2? If it's not good, then we can fire and trade everyone.

This is exactly why Dubas added Thornton, Brodie, Simmonds and Foligno--for situations like this. They will keep the room together for sure but one of the kids like Matthews or Marner need to lead the offensive charge and pull a "MacKinnon."

 

[CertifiedGoat]

It's about time Foligno actually help score some goals.

 

[Boxscore]

It's about time Foligno actually help score some goals.

Yes, he needs to chip in some timely goals for sure.

 

[123offtheglass]

When's the last time Foligno played center?

I just read online that he played occasionally at centre in Columbus, and was initially drafted as a centre with Ottawa. Hopefully, it will work out.

He's played a decent amount of centre in Columbus, he for sure did last season for stretches.

Kristen Shilton: Injured John Tavares encourages teammates to bounce back in Game 2 - TSN.ca
By the sounds of it he's confident about playing that position.

 

[Stephen]

And it’s literally just quick puck movement, puck retrieval and guys not afraid to take shots

Leafs run their powerplay like they get awarded style points for extra passes.

 

[Stonehands1990]

He's played a decent amount of centre in Columbus, he for sure did last season for stretches.

Kristen Shilton: Injured John Tavares encourages teammates to bounce back in Game 2 - TSN.ca
By the sounds of it he's confident about playing that position.

IMO he plays like the C regardless of where he lines up for the draw. High in the O zone, likes board battles in the D zone. Usually the first forward back

 

[Dave92]

Marner held out for Matthews money and he's been awful in 6 playoff games since.

If his comparables are Kane, Panarin, Rantanen ect I'd take any of them over him in a heartbeat for the rest of this series.

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

Marner held out for Matthews money and he's been awful in 6 playoff games since.

If his comparables are Kane, Panarin, Rantanen ect I'd take any of them over him in a heartbeat for the rest of this series.

All day long. He is scared.

 

[123offtheglass]

It’s one damn ugly stat

holy crap... that is more awful than I realized.

idk what it's gonna take to get them going before it's too late, maybe a few back-to-back lucky bounces? This is a crazy psychological funk they're in; don't think the answer is so much Malhotra's strategy or the players but much more so sports psychologists/psychology.