Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Lightning. Game 5

[keonsbitterness]

Good News guys Pierre McGuire is available, he can replace Keefe and Dubas

So we're trading for Luke Schenn. Monster!!!

 

[Rob Brown]

So we're trading for Luke Schenn. Monster!!!

He actually had a decent year in Van

 

[KingsHockey24]

Okay so hear me out..

Clifford - Tavares - Simmonds

 

[saffronleaf]

what a terrible game last night. they've prepared the whole season for that game and blew it. have zero hope or faith after that.

 

[IPS]

Okay so hear me out..

Clifford - Tavares - Simmonds

I've suggested this a few times. Tavares can win faceoffs to keep them out of trouble defensively and they can dump and chase with them on the ice to let the goons throw some big hits and actually put some emotion into the game.

 

[Raging Bull]

If Dubas is canned at this point (and likely Shanahan with him), guarantee you the Leafs board pulls a very familiar go-to and asks Cliff Fletcher (who, BTW, is STILL senior advisor) to take over as GM for a while. And we have first-hand experience with what that means...

Cliff Fletcher will be 87 by the time the next season starts. It's not happening.

 

[fahad203]

Series is tied. No need to panic here.

We have to come out strong

 

[egd27]

After Game 4 debacle, and the no show in a big momentum game, sadly the question of, is this the same team as previous years has started to creep back up and rightfully so.

Game 5 will be the most important game to this date for this core IMO, do they show up play well and win, or do they crumble under the pressure and give Tampa all the momentum.

If Tampa wins in game 5, I don’t see the series coming back to Toronto for game 7. Roster changes should be coming for Game 5, probably by swapping Holl out for Lilly and being able to match him as they want, can also see Spezza out for Simmonds/Clifford to try to get the building rocking with hits.

I most definitely do.

I see the Leafs losing #5 in OT. When all appears hopeless, winning #6 in Tampa, and getting hopes sky high. Then taking a 1 goal lead into the 3rd period of Game 7.

Then we'll see if it's really different or not

 

[Gary Nylund]

what a terrible game last night. they've prepared the whole season for that game and blew it. have zero hope or faith after that.

It's hard, isn't it? I guess I can find hope in how TB played in game 1 and tell myself that if they could do it, then it could happen to anyone. Not sure how much I really believe it but, maybe it's something anyway.

I still remember how we basically outplayed TB during that 5 minute PK early on and then dominated them the rest of the way. How it's even possible for that same team to show up for the most important game of the year and play the way they did last night I have no idea whatsoever.

 

[KingsHockey24]

I've suggested this a few times. Tavares can win faceoffs to keep them out of trouble defensively and they can dump and chase with them on the ice to let the goons throw some big hits and actually put some emotion into the game.

Or if you wanna really spice things up put myself between Cliffy and Simmonds.

Being 5'7" I could definitely get down low to win some draws. I'm convinced I'd make more of an impact than JT at this point.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I most definitely do.

I see the Leafs losing #5 in OT. When all appears hopeless, winning #6 in Tampa, and getting hopes sky high. Then taking a 1 goal lead into the 3rd period of Game 7.

Then we'll see if it's really different or not

This is by far the most stressful way to do this lol. Why can't they just win the next 2 games and wrap it up? Make it easy on the fans, for once.

 

[Mr_Fun]

Cliff Fletcher will be 87 by the time the next season starts. It's not happening.

Might as well try and get Scotty Bowman. lol

 

[deprw]

Might as well try and get Scotty Bowman. lol

We could sign both and neither would remember it next day or if lucky one would appear to the office.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I've suggested this a few times. Tavares can win faceoffs to keep them out of trouble defensively and they can dump and chase with them on the ice to let the goons throw some big hits and actually put some emotion into the game.

Would be a good move if Keefe wants to get fired and Leafs fans want to lose.

Otherwise it is a very stupid suggestion.

 

[francis246]

Or if you wanna really spice things up put myself between Cliffy and Simmonds.

Being 5'7" I could definitely get down low to win some draws. I'm convinced I'd make more of an impact than JT at this point.

Just an outrageous take lol. Have to love the confidence, but you probably wouldn’t even have a fraction of the impact hahaha

 

[ToneDog]

Or if you wanna really spice things up put myself between Cliffy and Simmonds.

Being 5'7" I could definitely get down low to win some draws. I'm convinced I'd make more of an impact than JT at this point.

Surprised Dubas did not draft you.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Surprised Dubas did not draft you.

Definitely sexist.

 

[notbias]

Let’s get Barry Trotz and I am sure, he wins us a couple of series. That’s all we could hope for. Stop this “cup is ours” nonsense, win us a series at least. Leaf fans are the most numerous in NHL and at the same time most suffering fans. We deserve a win ffs.

Trotz can't even get his team to the playoffs anymore...

 

[ToneDog]

Trotz can't even get his team to the playoffs anymore...

If he can make a dinosaur look like a genius, imagine what he can do for a genius.

 

[Gallagbi]

Taking my eldest who just reminded me that the Leafs have lost the last 8 games that she has watched.
Game 2 and 4 and the other 6 regular season.
Sorry.

They're due, that's all it means. May as well break all the streaks at once

 

[ACC1224]

They're due, that's all it means. May as well break all the streaks at once

Would you bet on it happening?

Trotz can't even get his team to the playoffs anymore...

 

[Gallagbi]

Would you bet on it happening?

I'm not betting on a game 7 happening personally, I'm pretty rattled by our effort last night and even question where we go from here this offseason.

But hoping I'm just being overly dramatic

 

[keonsbitterness]

I'm not betting on a game 7 happening personally, I'm pretty rattled by our effort last night and even question where we go from here this offseason.

But hoping I'm just being overly dramatic

Every playoff team coming off a bad game played much better next game. I'm going with that.

 

[ACC1224]

I'm not betting on a game 7 happening personally, I'm pretty rattled by our effort last night and even question where we go from here this offseason.

But hoping I'm just being overly dramatic

Have some new folks moved into our neighbourhood and watched the game with them Friday. They said one thing they noticed since moving to the GTA is Leaf fans never expect success. I hadn't really thought about it before but we are conditioned to expect a loss.

I thought Tampa in 6 to start and been on a roller coaster ever since.

 

[Racer88]

It's two fold, players have to bring the effort and close it out. That much is true. Keefe cannot make the players perform. But Keefe also has to do his job as a coach and motivate these guys two wins in the next three. Hopefully he can get them to win the next two. I actually believe whole heartedly they are going to get it done. They've shown moments of it this series.

When they have been good in this series they have been very good but when they have been bad they have been very bad. I want them to win with all my being but I just can’t muster the faith that you have in them right now. However if they do get by Tampa I think it will change them, they will be much better for it.
all we can do I wait and see