I don't like the line changes by Keefe. Marner/JT have been playing lights out since he put them back together. They've carried most of our games, why change it up now ? The Buffalo game was ugly, but the previous 10 or so games were all pretty good.
Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Predators
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Racer88
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- Sep 29, 2020
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That first line has already shown this year that is simply isn’t working.
The resurgence of the team started when Keefe split up Marner and Matthews. What a stupid move to revert to that, makes you wonder who is running the team
Marner has been playing great since getting away from Matthews.
The resurgence of the team started when Keefe split up Marner and Matthews. What a stupid move to revert to that, makes you wonder who is running the team
Marner has been playing great since getting away from Matthews.
Racer88
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Hmmmmm if I’m reading that correct for this year it looks like Marner is the drag on Tavares and Matthews.
Just think if expected goals was actually real…….like real goals.
Aus34Matt
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- Dec 10, 2017
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Coach f-bomb got the mixer out again hoping to find that chemistry by game 60.Keefe experimenting
I would be all over Keefe calling him out on this but quite frankly this is the time to experiment. We have the points on the board so why not.
Not liking Lily out though. Dermott/Holl give me chest pains
The team is winning, we've peeled off about 8 wins in the last 9 games and the coach decides now's the time we need a massive top 6 line shakeup
I can understand wanting to get a look at different line combinations but to do that now?
This doesn't make a ton of sense to me right now, why not wait until the team needs a spark later on in the season instead?
Bit of a strange one imo
I can understand wanting to get a look at different line combinations but to do that now?
This doesn't make a ton of sense to me right now, why not wait until the team needs a spark later on in the season instead?
Bit of a strange one imo
I can only think it was always supposed to be a temporary change.
The Matthews/Marner combo has literally been one of the top line pairings in hockey the last 3 years........pretty much on par with Boston's perfection line and Drai/McDavid on the Oilers.
Seeing as Toronto was a bit dysfunctional when it comes to finishing the first 6 games (despite mostly good play), Keefe shook things up despite Matthews only 3 games back into the lineup and it really woke the team up in certain ways and the boys now know the lines arnt set in stone and they can get shifted around no matter how much you want to play with certain players.
I still think Bunting should be on the top line but they are going to give Ritchie a second chance now that Matthews is getting more in game shape so lets see what we have there I guess.
Those combinations weren't working the same this season (over a small sample)
We moved to those different combinations and it did, JT looked like a new man and Marner started dominating games again
I don't mind going back to things that have worked in the past but I'd have thought you would do that when the team isn't rolling and you're looking for a bit of a boost
I guess I'm an if ain't broke don't fix it kind of guy and Ritchie should buy a lottery ticket because he's just been given a gift he certainly didn't deserve
RunItBackAgain
“We were right there”
- Oct 14, 2021
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RunItBackAgain
“We were right there”
- Oct 14, 2021
- 4,488
- 6,043
Sorry Willy has been our best player. The myth he got benched was debunked. This is a stupid play by Keefe and honestly hope he gets fired sooner than later. He gives me zero confidence he can lead this team to a peewee cup title.
I agree on the Ritchie front as he was killing all the top line plays earlier in the season but having Marner and Matthews only play 3 games together makes me think it wasnt that that Keefe wanted to fix up, it was trying to get Tavares going which seems to have worked and it's not just a product of Marner. Tavares himself looks rejuvenated and back to his play not unlike right before he went down last playoffs. The lines also dont have to do with special teams rocketing up to near the best in the league and goaltending getting back to last years form either.
I just cant imagine breaking up one of the greatest Leafs linemates ever after 3 games. I just hope Ritchie doesnt kill the plays like last time.
Don't get the hate on putting Matthews and Marner together. If they get going at the same time they give us the best chance to win. Willy can carry a line by himself no matter who he is with. Matthews and Marner when they are gelling are impossible to stop.
Matthews/Marner has been solidly better than Matthews/Nylander over the past 5 years.
I don't have a lot of faith in Ritchie, I just hope Keefe gets the hook out quickly if it's not working with him up there
Tavares and Marner do compliment each other just like Matthews and Marner so I'm not particularly concerned about who plays with who,I'd just ride the hot hand at the time
Last year 5v5:
Matthews/Marner:
xGF%: 59.55
GF%: 61.88
Tavares/Nylander:
xGF%: 58.65
GF%: 62.28
The best top 4 in hockey?
Matthews/Marner:
xGF%: 59.55
GF%: 61.88
Tavares/Nylander:
xGF%: 58.65
GF%: 62.28
The best top 4 in hockey?
RunItBackAgain
“We were right there”
- Oct 14, 2021
- 4,488
- 6,043
RunItBackAgain
“We were right there”
- Oct 14, 2021
- 4,488
- 6,043
All those playoff wins. Hard to keep track of the stats.. oh wait
Marner compliments pretty much anyone and I think Bunting would complement the top line the most. "Hymen light" at 1/5 the price of Hymen is working out pretty good so far.
Tavares/Nylander second line would be fine with Kerfoot.
Kampf line is set
Ritchie/Spezza/Simmonds were playing really well I thought.
Wheres Mikheyev slot in? Probably with the top 6 or so the story went right?
The team actually feels pretty deep right now, especially if Ritchie can get going.
With these line changes, expect Matthews’ numbers to go up and Tavares’ to go down.
Wild card is Nylander . If he continues to play as he has, he can drive the Tavares line.
Otherwise we could be back to a one line team like last year.
Wild card is Nylander . If he continues to play as he has, he can drive the Tavares line.
Otherwise we could be back to a one line team like last year.
Has everyone in this thread just blocked out the last two seasons?
RunItBackAgain
“We were right there”
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Last season was a write off before it even started. We played Canadian teams and lost in round 1. It was a disgusting failure of a season what else you wanna say? 16-34 were good? Not good enough
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
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I believe last year 2 leafs finished top5 in scoring in a season for the first since 1930 or so.
Forget which 2 tho.
RunItBackAgain
“We were right there”
- Oct 14, 2021
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6 Canadian teams. Couldn’t exit first round. But we got an individual trophy right? Ya I feel the progress building
Has nothing to do with the playoffs really....outside of one of the top 4 suffering a devastating injury 3 minutes into the series which certainly affected the outcome.
I just laid down how great the top 2 lines were last year.....which they were.....as I showed you. If you want to comment on that fine, I'm just not sure how stats on line effectiveness had to do with playoff games considering one of the guys was knocked out.
Sorry if I had to spell this out to you but you seemed like you needed it.
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
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Canadian teams seem to be doing just fine this year. And they did just fine the year prior, too.
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