Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Lightning. Game 5

[al secord]

We were never up 2-0?

You just referenced a player that hasn't played since 1983. We're in 2022. He played 25 NHL games and 1 playoff game.

We need a Lonny Bahamas

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

Emphatically disagree. Guys like Tavares and Nylander are supposed to be in a position to succeed every time they’re on the ice. That’s what impact players are supposed to do. Whether they are impact players or not will be settled by how much they impact the rest of this series in whatever situation they are put into.

Are they though? Stamkos > JT, Kucherov >>> Nylander. I think against most teams you'd be right but with Tampa when they get their matchups..... Not so much.

The problem is the fact that Matthews >>>>> Cerelli and Marner >> Point but our big boys are getting outplayed when away from the ACC

 

[DarkKnight]

Game 4 was on Keefe: you don't come out and announce that you came for a split before game 4 is played -- it takes the whole team off the hook for losing. And they did. They were so awful it may have changed the whole series. Keefe is not smart about strategy and the psychological parts of the game.

I wonder how that loss will affect tonight. Confidence, momentum, ... not there....

Exactly that. His pre game presser was self satisfied, said the right things but implied it was all gravy after the split. He was a fan boy after Game 1 with the crowd too. He makes me wonder sometimes.

 

[Maplebeasts]

LOL Petrelli is basically me.

Although I would add that Holl is a 61 xGF% at ES in his 2 games. His Corsi numbers look bad, like most of this team right now, but guys who "struggle" at ES typically do not have that kind of xGF%. Especially with a sub-2 xGA/60. So IDK where these "struggles" are coming from unless people literally only watched the first shift in Game 4 and decided to blame the entire thing on him when our wingers couldn't break out properly 4 times before that.

I especially found it funny that people thought Holl had a bad +/- when it is even but there are crickets about Lyubushkin's -2 playing with Matthews/Marner.

The real problem is Lyubushkin being a staple. He's physical but that's it. He is statistically the worst defenseman on the team.

 

[TorMapleJays]

The game was over after giving up one early goal?

Even in the playoffs, that is far more concerning than giving up the goal in the first place.

1st shot - Goal

Tampa fans went nuts. Toronto never recovered. Even the referees got swept up by the noise. It was a wild game.

Shot 4 - Goal

Shot 6 - Goal

I was in the building. Leafs folded up like a wet napkin.

 

[SprDaVE]

1st shot - Goal

Tampa fans went nuts. Toronto never recovered. Even the referees got swept up by the noise. It was a wild game.

Shot 4 - Goal

Shot 6 - Goal

I was in the building. Leafs folded up like a wet napkin.

And that's on Holl because...?

He was on the ice for 1 goal against.

 

[steam whistle]

Gents,

Mr. Holl will start tonight.

Good luck with leafs fans.

 

[TorMapleJays]

The real problem is Lyubushkin being a staple. He's physical but that's it. He is statistically the worst defenseman on the team.

So you want the team to get even softer?

Brayden Point is punching guys in the face because he lost a race for the puck in a 7-3 hockey game.

That guy has two cups.

Toronto wanted nothing to do with the Lightning.

 

[napoleon in rags]

We need a Lonny Bahamas

Doesn't he make loud Hawaiian shirts?

 

[Rocky Flintstone]

Definitely and always the leafs game. After the game watch Doctor Strange to celebrate the victory.
Go leafs Go

Somewhere in the multiverse, there is a universe where the Leafs don't shit the bed when it matters most.

 

[TorMapleJays]

And that's on Holl because...?

He was on the ice for 1 goal against.

Oh yeah.

Definitely wouldn’t have started our third paring and 3rd line.

Matthews needs to start that game.

 

[DarkKnight]

I love”d” Spezz but I put a body in instead. And Holl it just reeks of eff you to critics. Also Kase can do something soon too.

 

[sxvnert]

The real problem is Lyubushkin being a staple. He's physical but that's it. He is statistically the worst defenseman on the team.

Thats what happens when a GM puts all his eggs into the Holl basket. Holl was always a bottom pairing D and instead of realizing last seasons Muzzin-Holl pairing was an anomoly, he tries to pull blood from a stone yet again.

 

[fahad203]

Great players are defined by great moments

Sure Matthews has 6 points but some with his talent should be a menace

But he has not been. He nèeds to own his game

 

[Maplebeasts]

So you want the team to get even softer?

Brayden Point is punching guys in the face because he lost a race for the puck in a 7-3 hockey game.

That guy has two cups.

Toronto wanted nothing to do with the Lightning.

What do you mean? The blueline still has Muzzin and you can still dress Simmonds/Clifford for grit. I want the team for once in it's existence to ice it's best 12 forwards and best 6 defensemen.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Again as much as I criticize Holl, him playing is fine. Playing Lyb over Lilly is unforgivable

Problem is they want Rielly on the ice with Matthews/Marner, but now that means bringing Lyubushkin along too.

They might need to reunite Rielly/Brodie just to give that line two competent puck movers

 

[fahad203]

Doesn't he make loud Hawaiian shirts?

You mean Tommy Bahamas. Great sandals

 

[Gabriel426]

Really can't believe the AM line is being outplayed that bad the past two games in Tampa.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Must win tonight .. do whatever it takes .. i don't like lineup choices but it is Keefer/Dubie whose jobs are on da line .. my only hope is Soup stands on his head .. although based on what I saw in his game 7 performance last playoffs against Habs last year I would not put any $$$ on it .. GLG

 

[Stephen]

Are they though? Stamkos > JT, Kucherov >>> Nylander. I think against most teams you'd be right but with Tampa when they get their matchups..... Not so much.

The problem is the fact that Matthews >>>>> Cerelli and Marner >> Point but our big boys are getting outplayed when away from the ACC

I think it’s all of the above. The Big 4 need to come out and dominate in 2 of the 3 for us to have a chance.

 

[AvroArrow]

Gents,

Mr. Holl will start tonight.

Good luck with leafs fans.

I'm trying to be positive here, we are 1-1 with Holl in the lineup on the road. At home ice we should have a bigger advantage, especially with mat ch ups. We can avoid putting him out vs Kucherovs line. I think he will have a fine game, considering we dictate match ups. We just need to stay out of the box.

 

[TorMapleJays]

What do you mean? The blueline still has Muzzin and you can still dress Simmonds/Clifford for grit. I want the team for once in it's existence to ice it's best 12 forwards and best 6 defensemen.

I agree to a point. Say what you want about stupid penalties. Toronto took 10 minors in that game and then got punched in the mouth multiple times.

Tavares got mugged and was looking for a call. The score was 5-0 and Tavares is looking for a call? Punch the guy in the face! Soft. Soft. Soft.

They need to get into the hard areas of the rink. They need to pay the price to win in the playoffs.

 

[howlman]

One shift doesn't make a game... Or does it for you?

You can't start a game like that with such a brutal turn over, on the road, against a team like Tampa. Down 1-0 at that point, this series every team that has scored first has gone on to win

 

[A1LeafNation]

I agree to a point. Say what you want about stupid penalties. Toronto took 10 minors in that game and then got punched in the mouth multiple times.

Tavares got mugged and was looking for a call. The score was 5-0 and Tavares is looking for a call? Punch the guy in the face! Soft. Soft. Soft.

They need to get into the hard areas of the rink. They need to pay the price to win in the playoffs.

I agree. All I think about Tavares is getting punched in the head or not scoring as a Leaf in the playoffs. Not captain material, not even a leader.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Really can't believe the AM line is being outplayed that bad the past two games in Tampa.

They won a few shifts here and there across both games 3 and 4 .. what you should really watch is JT getting caved virtually every shift he is on da ice in all 4 games so far .. line 3 has been good across every game and is da reason team is competing .. Mitch was great in games 1-3 but got boxed out of game 4 .. line 4 really should not even play much at all