Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Lightning

[TheDoldrums]

That third line is really a fourth line: 3 goals in 10 games with a combined shooting pct. of ~6% ... and I still think they're over-achieving.

Kase has the skill to put up points, but Kampf is an abysmal playmaker. He never finds him. I think Kampf is fine as a shutdown centre who kills offense on both ends, but I'd like to see Kase get a chance with a centre who can pass at some point.

Top 6 is playing well right now and I'd be hesitant to alter stuff but I'd at least like to see Kase get some shifts with Spezza at times.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Rielly-Liljegren is interesting if Dermott is out. Sandin stuck with Holl

I realize it's a 4th line but that 4th line needs to contribute more offensively.

Nick Ritchie scored 15 goals last year, and 14 goals 16-17 1 assist in 10 games isn't enough especially at 2.5 million when you got Jason Spezza at 750K with 5 points and Wayne Simmonds at 900k with 3 points and even Simmonds should probably have another point or 2 but he's at 900k so it's more acceptable.

But Ritchie is at 2.5 million he has 1 assist that's not good enough even in a 4th line role.

 

[The Podium]

That third line is really a fourth line: 3 goals in 10 games with a combined shooting pct. of ~6% ... and I still think they're over-achieving.

They also have nearly 85% D zone starts and good defensive and possession stats.

They are quite clearly a pure shutdown line that is doing quite well at it.

So while they arent producing offensively, they are taking the brunt of the defensive matchups that have previously gone to Tavares and Matthews, giving the top 6 more offensive freedom.

 

[tmlfan98]

Leafs are gonna get slapped around if Dermott is out tomorrow.

 

[zeke]

 

[The Podium]

Leafs are gonna get slapped around if Dermott is out tomorrow.

Really? This team is fully dependent on Travis Dermott

 

[tmlfan98]

Really? This team is fully dependent on Travis Dermott

Rielly-Liljegren seeing heavy minutes against Tampa is a recipe for many goals against.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

I smell bulldermute

 

[Maplebeasts]

Rielly-Liljegren seeing heavy minutes against Tampa is a recipe for many goals against.

If the Liljegren we get is the one from the last two games they are going to be fine.

 

[zeke]

Rielly-Liljegren seeing heavy minutes against Tampa is a recipe for many goals against.

But both are very good dmen.

 

[Kiwi]

You have to assume it's just a placeholder for Dermott.

Dermott spent a lot of time out of the last game, I'd imagine something is going on with him

 

[Notsince67]

I like the outlook of this game. The only danger is they get goalied. They match up well to this style of team

 

[HogTown06]

Keep it rolling. Beat these taxless LTIR cheaters.

 

[HogTown06]

If the Liljegren we get is the one from the last two games they are going to be fine.

I was also positively impressed by Liljegren's last game.

Hopefully the good momentum carries on to tomorrow's game.

Let's go Bran...

I mean... Go, Leafs, Go!!!

 

[ACC1224]

Dermott spent a lot of time out of the last game, I'd imagine something is going on with him

Yeah he took a shot off the foot at the beginning of the 2nd.

 

[hockeynorth]

Kase has the skill to put up points, but Kampf is an abysmal playmaker. He never finds him. I think Kampf is fine as a shutdown centre who kills offense on both ends, but I'd like to see Kase get a chance with a centre who can pass at some point.

Top 6 is playing well right now and I'd be hesitant to alter stuff but I'd at least like to see Kase get some shifts with Spezza at times.

Yeah, when healthy I think

Mikheyev-Kampf-Kase

will be a pretty good L3, and you can always flip Kerfoot for Mikheyev to get it going if that doesn’t work. I think L3 is doing exactly what they need to so far

 

[ACC1224]

Rielly-Liljegren seeing heavy minutes against Tampa is a recipe for many goals against.

Anything is better than Holl at this point

 

[justashadowof]

That's going to be quite the test for Liljegren.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Leafs are gonna get slapped around if Dermott is out tomorrow.

They might get slapped tomorrow it won't be because Travis Dermott doesn't play, that's ridiculous Travis Dermott is not a difference maker

 

[wingman75]

We don't dive enough.

We don't dive or drive enough. Taking pucks to the net draws a lot of penalties.

Ha, this was going to be my response. Add an 'R' and you have your answer. We rarely drive the net... it is 50/50 between the stop and curl at the hash or take it behind the net. That's just who our guys are... it sucks, but really do we want more PP time right now... lol

 

[LeafChief]

I agree with some of the posters above. I love what Kampf has been doing from a defensive standpoint but I think Kase has more offense to give and won't be able to give it beside Kampf.

Maybe swap Kase and Ritchie?

Bunting - Matthews - Nylander
Kerfoot - Tavares - Marner
Ritchie - Kampf - Engvall
Kase - Spezza - Simmonds

 

[Kiwi]

Yeah he took a shot off the foot at the beginning of the 2nd.

If he's struggling and Holl has turned into a pumpkin? Liljegren is probably the next best option

He certainly suits Rielly better than Sandin

 

[stickty111]

Rielly-Liljegren seeing heavy minutes against Tampa is a recipe for many goals against.

We still have Muzzin-Brodie which is our main matchup pair.

 

[MR4]

Rielly-Liljegren is interesting if Dermott is out. Sandin stuck with Holl

This says a hell of a lot for how Keefe feels about Holl.

Figured he would’ve went to Rielly-Brodie / Muzzin-Holl but happy that Keefe can see Holl is garbage

 

[Twine Tickler]

Kase has the skill to put up points, but Kampf is an abysmal playmaker. He never finds him. I think Kampf is fine as a shutdown centre who kills offense on both ends, but I'd like to see Kase get a chance with a centre who can pass at some point.

Top 6 is playing well right now and I'd be hesitant to alter stuff but I'd at least like to see Kase get some shifts with Spezza at times.

Honestly I wouldn't change a thing about our lineup right now. This is the first time in god knows how long that all 4 lines are humming and all 3 pairings are buzzing.

I recognize Kase has more skill and would have the ability to produce with a more traditional playmaking centre or even just a more 2-way centre. Realistically that 3rd line was never supposed to be a highly productive line. We live and die by the top 2 lines scoring. Early on, they were not converting, hence why we lost. There is a lot to like with what that 3rd line has done thus far. They have effectively neutered the opposing lines when on the ice. Whats even more impressive is that they've done this all while predominantly starting in the defensive zone.

Here is their Chances for % at 5v5 so far this year:

and then here is the breakdown of their zone starts and shooting percentages:

on faceoffs, they start in their own end 10x more than the opposition end. It is truly remarkable that they've been able to command the lion share of CF% knowing that they are given a defensive role.

Also, This line will not shoot at 2.5% all year long. Yes in an ideal world I'd love for Kampf to have a bit more offensive instincts. But that line is dynamic defensively. They routinely command the ice and make it almost impossible for the opposition to generate against their line. They all played around 15 minutes last night, which is ideal IMO. 15 minutes of neutral game script is ideal, especially when a decent portion of that 15 minutes comes with the oppositions best players on the ice.

It's not all Kampf that is making this happen. Kase is sneaky sneaky hard on the puck. Something we were told to expect, but something I didn't realize just how good he is at it. He never gives up on a puck. Love his game. I can see why he was so effective in years past. And Engvall, aside from his usual 1 to 2 stupid plays a game has been very good.

That line will start to produce if they continue to play this way. But even if they don't they are extremely effective as is.