Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 3-0 with a huge effort

[weems]

This team does look different.

That's because they are playing differently.
Now people can argue which way is better and just because we've played well through 20 games doesn't mean it will continue or lead to more playoff success but the main point is systematically we are not the same.

Here are some main points from Bournes recent article

Maple Leafs have succeeded at playing low-event hockey, but should that be their goal?

The Maple Leafs are playing the type of game their coach and GM want them to play. But, given the results, is it the right style for this roster? Justin Bourne weighs in.

www.sportsnet.ca

- We are dumping the puck in at a 58.8% clip (which ranks 4th and Florida is one of the teams ahead of us) vs last season where we dumped it in 52% of the time
- The Leafs are currently 29th in the league in rush chances for which last season we ranked 7th in
- We rank 4th in rush chances against

"So, if they’re 29th in rush chances for, and fourth in rush chances against, that means there’s next to no rushing hockey in their games, which you may have noticed can be slightly less scintillating."

 

[TheBeastCoast]

That's because they are playing differently.
Now people can argue which way is better and just because we've played well through 20 games doesn't mean it will continue or lead to more playoff success but the main point is systematically we are not the same.

Here are some main points from Bournes recent article

Maple Leafs have succeeded at playing low-event hockey, but should that be their goal?

The Maple Leafs are playing the type of game their coach and GM want them to play. But, given the results, is it the right style for this roster? Justin Bourne weighs in.

www.sportsnet.ca

- We are dumping the puck in at a 58.8% clip (which ranks 4th and Florida is one of the teams ahead of us) vs last season where we dumped it in 52% of the time
- The Leafs are currently 29th in the league in rush chances for which last season we ranked 7th in
- We rank 4th in rush chances against

"So, if they’re 29th in rush chances for, and fourth in rush chances against, that means there’s next to no rushing hockey in their games, which you may have noticed can be slightly less scintillating."

Basically comes down to them playing playoff type hockey all season. I think it has been one of our problems in years past. We were a rush heavy offense team and then all of a sudden we would get into the playoffs and teams get tighter defensively and the refs let more go...and we didn't have an effective plan B. So spend the regular season playing the way you know you will have to play come playoff time. Get comfortable in that game and generating offense within it.

 

[Evilhomer]

Sorry I wasn't homing in on you with that comment. There are other folks on this board heavily invested in winning this unwinnable argument. Re: Keefe its a tough call on when. Hindsight says after Montreal altho thats only 2 years in. Next year they play .700 hockey and lose in 7 to the Cup finalist. Then in 22-23 they finally win a series so there is this mirage of getting closer each year. Then they keep him after Kyle is gone and make no significant changes, as tho it would somehow yield a different result because..... Matthews loves him and they want to be assured of a re-sign? I would not have hired him in the first place. Maybe Kyle made him a Willie promise too?

I don't think he should have been hired in the first place either, but I can understand promoting the AHL coach mid-season after the NHL coach is fired. It's pretty commonplace.

Basically comes down to them playing playoff type hockey all season. I think it has been one of our problems in years past. We were a rush heavy offense team and then all of a sudden we would get into the playoffs and teams get tighter defensively and the refs let more go...and we didn't have an effective plan B. So spend the regular season playing the way you know you will have to play come playoff time. Get comfortable in that game and generating offense within it.

And the reality is that the offense will be the easier part, even if it seems like in the past that wasn't the case.