Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Tampa game 7

[Superstar]

Nothing ever happens twice or even three times.

Tampa actually had 3 straight games of a 5-on-3 PP per game this series., though not to the length of last night's game.

 

[danron1376]

It being game 7 makes that much of a difference in terms of performance? I never got that
Guy is elite has played ok in 6 games and all of a sudden just because it’s game 7 it’s guaranteed he goes lights out, just turns a switch?
Well you know what it’s game 7…maybe matthews scores 4?

i think it's more a case of some people being able to play under pressure. it's not that they play better, it's that their performance doesn't drop like the average player, who is gripping their stick even more tightly game 7.

All depends on how the play.

Games 7 & 5 against the Habs and CBJ were embarrassing losses due to the piss poor efforts. Come out and go toe to toe with Tampa and let the chips fall where they may. But if they come out flat again, then significant changes have to be made.

my worry is that all the pressure is now on toronto. they were able to play a bit more loose game 6 because it wasn't an elimination game for them. let's see what the boys are made of tomorrow night. i hope things will be different.

 

[NinjaKick]

I'm not ready for my playoffs to be over

 

[Gallagbi]

Tampa actually had 3 straight games of a 5-on-3 PP per game this series., though not to the length of last night's game.

What's that, 4 5on3s in 6 games total? Wonder how many times we were short 2 men all year

 

[PromisedLand]

It's gonna be an easy win here folks.

The only chance TBay has if something crazy like the refs decide to gift them a 2 minute 2 man advantage to tie it up at the end.

But that won't ever happen so no worries.

Dude I'd appreciate it if you can cool with the takes and stop jinxing. Hubris is not something that nature or hockey gods take lightly

 

[Leafsfan74]

Tampa actually had 3 straight games of a 5-on-3 PP per game this series., though not to the length of last night's game.

This is why I called this B.S out early in this series, right after game two (the last game I have watched due to my displeasure with that games officiating).

They took the Leafs forechecking line out of the series. Yes Clifford deserved his punishment (though the 1 game suspension on top of the five and miscinduct was pecu!iar) but the odd penalty call against Simmonds right after the Leafs cut the lead to 1 sealed it for me.

A spineless T.B player drops to the ice and puts his hand in front of his face after a minor scuffle in the Leafs crease and the refs jumped on the oppporunity to put the Leafs down.

In my eyes it was textbook suspicious, especially because the player was clearly acting. "We don't want this game tied or momentum to carry the Leafs to a 2-0 series lead so here is our chance, call this one quick".

A hard forechecking line would wear down T.B It was clear from Keefes standpoint with the decisions, one I agreed with: to start Clifford with Blackwell and Simmomds knowing that it would pay dividends deeper in the series..

All of the 5 on 3s, usually in well timed situations adds to this. Leafs score, time to call the game tight (and quite one sided, no?). T.B has the lead, " hey let them play, it's the playoffs".

Conspiracies are only such when there isn't any supporrting evidence, anedoctal or otherwise. From my perspective.just seeing the boxscores and highlights,, I ask, "how.many coincidences make a fact"?

I hope the Leafs win tomorrow obviously, but even if they receive 8 makeup calls for the B.S in this series, it has left a really bad taste in my mouth.

 

[Morlu]

Bettman probably jumping up and down at the chance of Florida vs Florida. I wouldn’t expect any calls our way tomorrow.

 

[Superstar]

This is why I called this B.S out early in this series, right after game two (the last game I have watched due to my displeasure with that games officiating).

They took the Leafs forechecking line out of the series. Yes Clifford deserved his punishment (though the 1 game suspension on top of the five and miscinduct was pecu!iar) but the odd penalty call against Simmonds right after the Leafs cut the lead to 1 sealed it for me.

A spineless T.B player drops to the ice and puts his hand in front of his face after a minor scuffle in the Leafs crease and the refs jumped on the oppporunity to put the Leafs down.

In my eyes it was textbook suspicious, especially because the player was clearly acting. "We don't want this game tied or momentum to carry the Leafs to a 2-0 series lead so here is our chance, call this one quick".

A hard forechecking line would wear down T.B It was clear from Keefes standpoint with the decisions, one I agreed with: to start Clifford with Blackwell and Simmomds knowing that it would pay dividends deeper in the series..

All of the 5 on 3s, usually in well timed situations adds to this. Leafs score, time to call the game tight (and quite one sided, no?). T.B has the lead, " hey let them play, it's the playoffs".

Conspiracies are only such when there isn't any supporrting evidence, anedoctal or otherwise. From my perspective.just seeing the boxscores and highlights,, I ask, "how.many coincidences make a fact"?

I hope the Leafs win tomorrow obviously, but even if they receive 8 makeup calls for the B.S in this series, it has left a really bad taste in my mouth.

Leafs went from one of the least penalized teams in the regular season to the most penalized team in the playoffs...and Tampa was the 2nd most penalized team in the regular season, but somehow the Leafs have committed a significant amount of more infractions than Tampa these playoffs...can't make this crap up!

 

[Leafsfan74]

Bettman probably jumping up and down at the chance of Florida vs Florida. I wouldn’t expect any calls our way tomorrow.

The league will pay a price if Leafs lose in the first round, more than they imagine. ESPN needs not just big markets, but big names and well follpwed teams. They need flash and.excitement. Matthews and the Leafs are a big draw for multiple reasons. Them vs Panthers would be a dream in terms of high octane hockey and names.

ESPNs deal is only.$400M a year for 7, Sportsnet grossly overpaid for 12 years since 2014 or so and they did so in hopes the Leafs would have some long runs. They paid 5.3B, which was alot then and will be alot now. Maybe they are making up some of this with the new all out push for gsmblung sites, but it won't draw nearly as much if Canadian teams,.especially the Leafs, are.knocked out early again.

Sportsnet and TSN have to calculate their own risks in the future when the current NHL tv deal expires. You can assume sports betting sites will think twice if ratings collapse after the first round.

In turn, Sportsnet (and TSN who will bid too I imagine) will have to think long and hard about the risks when 2025 comes around. If they are wiser.with their bidding, the NHL won't fleece them.as they did in 2014. Much as the Leafs have been fleeced by the reffing...

 

[Mr_Fun]

I think Toronto being in the finals would bring in a lot of revenue for the NHL, too. We probably have the most fans scattered around the continent, as well as a lot of "spite watchers", too.

That said, I don't disagree with the theory going around that Ontario refs are trying not appear biased in favor of Toronto. Be that as it may, Leafs can't be worried about any perceived bias against them; it will only compound things.

 

[leafsfan5]

Well...today is the day. At 10 pm we will either be depressed, elated, or nervous as f***

Let's see which one it is!

 

[hockeyes]

I think Toronto being in the finals would bring in a lot of revenue for the NHL, too. We probably have the most fans scattered around the continent, as well as a lot of "spite watchers", too.

That said, I don't disagree with the theory going around that Ontario refs are trying not appear biased in favor of Toronto. Be that as it may, Leafs can't be worried about any perceived bias against them; it will only compound things.

I think it's more about control, if you consistently screw over 1 franchise and buy yourself support from 5 others, it's a good deal to maintaining your personal gravy train as anointed rulers of the league.

 

[Leafsfan74]

I think Toronto being in the finals would bring in a lot of revenue for the NHL, too. We probably have the most fans scattered around the continent, as well as a lot of "spite watchers", too.

That said, I don't disagree with the theory going around that Ontario refs are trying not appear biased in favor of Toronto. Be that as it may, Leafs can't be worried about any perceived bias against them; it will only compound things.

Toronto has fans around the globe. They are huge in Sweden, Finland and other scandanavian countries. Alot of this is due to history with Salming being the first European captain etc. and the Leafs outreach.

ESPN only cares.about U.S ratings though, that is what drives advertisers. The one fear I had is that ESPN is owned by Disney, and Disneyworld is in Florida. I imagine they woukd love another Florida rematch.

I wouldn't put it past the rat executives to "encourage" this matchup again for this reason. They want the ESPN deal to be great in its first year. The reality is, they are constantly.changing TV provider rights in the U.S because hockey just isn't taking off in the U.S. Better yes, but not close.to Canadian interest.

So, tney want/need L.A, NY Rangers and big markets. This is where conspiracies can grow legs,, especially when one considers the 30 year Canadian Cup drought...

The irony is IMO that the Leafs making a run, lead by Matthews, Campbell and other American born players would be a boon for ESPN. The Leafs are well known even by casual fans, T.B is dull and "the same.old". It woukd be a win/win for ESPN and Sportsnet.

The reffing in the Leafs series though, makes it appear really suspect.

 

[Apotheosis]

My only hope is that this series has a specific pattern. Leafs have either been tied or leading all series (winning the first guy and then going 1-1 every next split) so logically, it should end 4-3 Leafs.

 

[IPS]

It's gonna be an easy win here folks.

The only chance TBay has if something crazy like the refs decide to gift them a 2 minute 2 man advantage to tie it up at the end.

But that won't ever happen so no worries.

k

The one constant of the Leafs in the playoffs is they save their worst game of the series for game 7

Every, Freaking. Time.

 

[Dreakmur]

You don't "have" to call things that don't happen. In fact, you don't call them at all


And if you do f*** up the first, you call the two obvious elbows in OT that snapped heads back or the hold on Matthew.

As a referee, you call what you see. Sometimes the angle you have distorts what you see, but if it looks like a high stick, you should call it.

The absolute worst thing you can ever do is look for make-up calls. Just call what you see. Tim Peele gets absolutely obliterated for saying he is looking to make a call against a team, and you’re advocating for exactly that.

 

[1specter]

My only hope is that this series has a specific pattern. Leafs have either been tied or leading all series (winning the first guy and then going 1-1 every next split) so logically, it should end 4-3 Leafs.

They need to score first. The team that has scored first has won the game 5/6 times. They managed to claw back the last two games but spotting Tampa a lead for the third time in a row and in a closeout game is a recipe for disaster. Get on the board first and you're in their head, especially Vasi who has allowed 3 or more every single game.

 

[SwissLeaf]

I don't see myself watching the game... I woke up at 5am and can't sleep anymore... Tough to be awake until 4am tomorrow. I will definitely need to buy some more coffee!!

I have no idea about the outcome. One moment very optimistic, seconds later I don't see a chance... Oh boy, why is this sports so nerve-wrecking?

GO LEAFS GO!

 

[hfman]

it's the HIFFMAN

no, not hfman, but the

HIFFMAN

 

[cesareborgia]

I can't believe there is still discussion regarding whether or not referees purposely influencing the game is a conspiracy or not. We're talking about a business here, hundreds of millions of dollars.

The goal of the NHL in the last two decades has been to grow the game in the US. They would much rather have American teams and American teams only play in the later stages of the playoffs simply to grow the massive untapped potential of American viewership. This is where the money is, not some popular Canadian team with a saturated fanbase making a run to the finals, where the fans will support the team no matter what.

To draw in American viewers, American teams need to win. Refs are a part of this business model. It's really that simple. The only way around this is to absolutely dominate the scoreline and be outstanding penalty killers.

 

[2 Slick]

I can't believe there is still discussion regarding whether or not referees purposely influencing the game is a conspiracy or not. We're talking about a business here, hundreds of millions of dollars.

The goal of the NHL in the last two decades has been to grow the game in the US. They would much rather have American teams and American teams only play in the later stages of the playoffs simply to grow the massive untapped potential of American viewership. This is where the money is, not some popular Canadian team with a saturated fanbase making a run to the finals, where the fans will support the team no matter what.

To draw in American viewers, American teams need to win. Refs are a part of this business model. It's really that simple. The only way around this is to absolutely dominate the scoreline and be outstanding penalty killers.

The refs didn't stop the Leafs from scoring in OT last night, they had 18 minutes to get it done. They do what they always do every post-season, lose when they have a chance to eliminate their opponent.

Yeah, the officiating was garbage in game 6, but Toronto had EVERY chance to win, that loss is on them and on them alone, not the refs.

Using that or conspiracy bullshit to suit your narrative is hot garbage. I know Bettman wants Florida, Arizona and other markets to continue growing, but he's not stopping Toronto from scoring goals.

If you want to scapegoat someone, why not pin the goat horns on Kerfoot? He's the one that made that brain dead no look back pass to no one that led to the first goal against and gave Tampa Bay all of the momentum. He's the one that instead of letting the puck go around the boards, his over attacking on the PK caused him to take a dumb penalty, the rest is history. Yes, Hedman's stick is what caused Kerfoot's stick to hit him in the chin, Hedman sold the shit out of it, if you aren't cheating, you aren't trying.

That's on Kerfoot, not the refs.

 

[cesareborgia]

The refs didn't stop the Leafs from scoring in OT last night, they had 18 minutes to get it done. They do what they always do every post-season, lose when they have a chance to eliminate their opponent.

Yeah, the officiating was garbage in game 6, but Toronto had EVERY chance to win, that loss is on them and on them alone, not the refs.

The refs can only do so much without being blatant. But tilt the playoff field they do.

 

[ZEBROA]

Last game was do or die for TB now it is do or die for both. Lets se if leafs got a nother gear in this do or die situation.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

I can't believe there is still discussion regarding whether or not referees purposely influencing the game is a conspiracy or not. We're talking about a business here, hundreds of millions of dollars.

The goal of the NHL in the last two decades has been to grow the game in the US. They would much rather have American teams and American teams only play in the later stages of the playoffs simply to grow the massive untapped potential of American viewership. This is where the money is, not some popular Canadian team with a saturated fanbase making a run to the finals, where the fans will support the team no matter what.

To draw in American viewers, American teams need to win. Refs are a part of this business model. It's really that simple. The only way around this is to absolutely dominate the scoreline and be outstanding penalty killers.

Guess the only thing we can do is never spend our money on the NHL again if we can't even be treated equally in the playoffs then whats the point in even watching and helping their ratings? Im almost at my breaking point and I know I don't matter much as a single person but as a diehard leafs fan all my life getting to a point I didnt think I ever would.... I cant be the only one thinking this way..... how many of us can they really afford to push away?

For a league still trying to recover from covid. you think they would want to keep their cash cows happy and thats not to say we deserve special treatment but calling the game equally would be a good start.

 

[Bluelines]

Of course there is doubt.

0-11 over (or is it 0-9?) the last 6 years in games where they could win the series... where is that doubt coming from?

Leafs are betting odds favorites to win tonight, I'm not a better but that seems like a great opportunity to make some cash.