Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 3-0.

[JT AM da real deal]

I've watched all of the teams you listed and they don't do anything fundamentally differently than we do.
We are an elite team that 100% belongs in that group you listed.
Hell, I'll go as far as to say we're outright better than a couple of them

We will see in semi finals where things truly stand ... I hope you are right but we have not played a game yet where we have been truly and completely trapped and had to rely on defense/tending to decide a 0-0 game ... outside of da Peg no one else can even get close to playing us like that in a playoff game ... da more I see we will get a decent test against da Peg in north final which should help us ramp up to da next level ... i would like to see one more vet depth defender for injuries and 1 more strong bruising hard to play playoff winger who can skate

 

[mix1home]

I KNOW!!!! I KNOW!!! This is masked player show!
Now, I'm calling to the stage player with #11 on jersey.
Aston, we recognized you! You can take your mask off!!!!

 

[MapleLeafs77]

McDavid was shut out for 2 games without adequate line mates.

I dont think hyman and nylander are bad players by any stretch. People are overreacting to 2 games. McDavid destroys the league regularly.

He has had two off games. We played well defensively. That is it.

My point is Matthews can score 50 goals on a line with nylander and hyman. He could score 60 goals with marner. I think 50 goals is good enough to get a competent 2nd line with JT and mitch destroying 2nd lines and 2nd pairs. We need JT to produce if he is getting paid 11 mill.

 

[Notsince67]

Exactly. Some elite players can elevate lesser players like a Crosby, etc. I see lots of Oilers fans blame McDavid for being a hard player to play with, but maybe it has more to do with not having right players to play with him? Or do you think he should make some changes to his game?

I can't remember if Crosby ever had an elite linemate.
guys like Crosby and McDavid would most certainly benefit with elite players.
Who wouldn't? Some people think Matthews would be unaffected by losing a linemate like Marner and that is absurd.

McDavid might very well change his focus if he had elite help. He outruns his opponents because he doesn't get a lot of help. Perhaps he develops his phone booth game. All players do as they must stylistically to maximize the outcome.

In any event, I truly believe the combined skill of Marner+Tavares+Thornton is greater than Matthews+ Nylander+Hyman. The optics wouldnt be that Marner and Thornton are moving down to the second line. It would be that Matthews is being moved down to the second line. It's probably ok in the short term but I can't see Matthews loving it on a permanent basis.

 

[Jojalu]

Looked to me like Vesey was ready to go.

Agreed. The Oiler wanted no part of Vesey

 

[mix1home]

We will see in semi finals where things truly stand ... I hope you are right but we have not played a game yet where we have been truly and completely trapped and had to rely on defense/tending to decide a 0-0 game ... outside of da Peg no one else can even get close to playing us like that in a playoff game ... da more I see we will get a decent test against da Peg in north final which should help us ramp up to da next level ... i would like to see one more vet depth defender for injuries and 1 more strong bruising hard to play playoff winger who can skate

I thought about that too. Then I watched Van-Peg game just before Leafs game and Peg was atrocious. Even their top 6 cannot generate much and their defense is so weak in front of the net. Leafs somehow were viewed as week team in Atlantic even though we played a lot of in season games against powerhouses in Tampa and Boston. We were not bad of a team. Our defense was a bit of mediocre. Now we added in that area and somehow even added to forward group as well with Simmond and Thornton. We added depth on defense and capable backup goalie that looks like starter to me.
We are truly there in top 4 teams this year. Ppl better take notice.

 

[mix1home]

Can we play these guys every night?

I pulled some strings and arranged for one more meeting tomorrow. No need to thank.

 

[Notsince67]

I dont think hyman and nylander are bad players by any stretch. People are overreacting to 2 games. McDavid destroys the league regularly.

He has had two off games. We played well defensively. That is it.

My point is Matthews can score 50 goals on a line with nylander and hyman. He could score 60 goals with marner. I think 50 goals is good enough to get a competent 2nd line with JT and mitch destroying 2nd lines and 2nd pairs. We need JT to produce if he is getting paid 11 mill.

I never said they were bad players. They are quite good. What I'm saying is that all the talk about hart trophies et al might make it appear to Matthews that he is being asked to sacrifice these awards merely to prop up the stats of players at his expense and to no gain to the team. The team is in first place in the league and a sell job would be difficult. His line has already carried the team and now he is being asked to carry individuals who should be producing sufficiently on the second and third lines.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I dont think hyman and nylander are bad players by any stretch. People are overreacting to 2 games. McDavid destroys the league regularly.

He has had two off games. We played well defensively. That is it.

My point is Matthews can score 50 goals on a line with nylander and hyman. He could score 60 goals with marner. I think 50 goals is good enough to get a competent 2nd line with JT and mitch destroying 2nd lines and 2nd pairs. We need JT to produce if he is getting paid 11 mill.

JT is going to get the same money regardless of what he does, we need lines 1 and 2 producing the most amount of goals regardless if it's a 50/50 split or a 70/30 split. If there's a specific playoff match-up giving Matthews trouble, load up the Tavares line or even drop Marner/Nylander down to the 3rd a la Kessel.

 

[Notsince67]

JT is going to get the same money regardless of what he does, we need lines 1 and 2 producing the most amount of goals regardless if it's a 50/50 split or a 70/30 split. If there's a specific playoff match-up giving Matthews trouble, load up the Tavares line or even drop Marner/Nylander down to the 3rd a la Kessel.

This year, it sure doesn't look like the matthews line has any trouble.

 

[MattySnipes]

I never said they were bad players. They are quite good. What I'm saying is that all the talk about hart trophies et al might make it appear to Matthews that he is being asked to sacrifice these awards merely to prop up the stats of players at his expense and to no gain to the team. The team is in first place in the league and a sell job would be difficult. His line has already carried the team and now he is being asked to carry individuals who should be producing sufficiently on the second and third lines.

Tbh, I don't mind Hyman and Nylander at all with Matthews. The problem now is, M&M are rolling, HEM line is rolling, now why do we split them up just to get JT going?

It doesnt make sense to hurt 2 lines in favour to wake up JT, even though they looked good.

I think, we should rest Matthews tmrw again. Let Marner and JT play again and hopefully he breaks out and that gives him some confidence going forward.

Regardless, doesnt hurt to have many options which the Leafs have. We'll see what Keefe decides.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

This is what the pathetic Oiler fans are saying on their board. I mean...if we’re not legit, what does that say for them after being shutout in two straight with a 2nd and 3rd string goalie and without 34 in the lineup!
I so wish I could respond to their bad takes...

“The flip side of this is that the Leafs aren't a legit contender. They're the best of a mediocre division”

I have been on here for years and I've learned one thing.

Opposing Canadian fans hate the Leafs more than they love their own teams. Whenever they win a game, just pay attention to their PGTs. They could care less that their team won and it's more about the Leafs losing.

Our city and media really get under their skin.

Hell, I'm certain they would sacrifice their own team for a Leafs loss if it were possible.

 

[mix1home]

Hey. Why are those guys so mad at us? Tkachuk meltdown, Rittich next game, Drai in previous game, Smith and Archibald last night. We are playing nicely with anyone. What is wrong with them?
PS. I'm loving it.

 

[mix1home]

5. mikheyev

6. Barabanov
7. Spezza

 

[Leafs87]

I want this so bad but I’m afraid it’s never gonna happen

Same.

Sabourin isn’t the greatest fighter, but at least it’s some presence.

 

[leafsfan5]

The back pressure our forwards apply on McDavid has been very noticeable these past couple games. There's been multiple times where McDavid is going up against a defender and someone like Hyman comes up from behind and stick checks him. The commitment to team defense has allowed us to shut down two of the best offensive players in the game

 

[mix1home]

WOW. I actually thought Hyman clipped him, but he didn't. Smith was just looking for an excuse to go off there.

Smith even pushes him away with blocker hand. There was like half a meter separating them. What a clown!!!

 

[Teeder Keon]

How can we obtain Josh Archibald ?

 

[saltming]

We got Biebs.

This guy?


Hard pass from me hahahaha

 

[ACC1224]

2 years is a long time. JT is not the same player at all. Matthews has become one of the best players in the league with mcdavid and mackinnon

.... and Marner

 

[mix1home]

Drai went Dry

Draisaitl went Dry and Side(ways).

 

[mix1home]

Him and Spezza. I couldn’t ask for more from either. They are everything Marleau wasn’t.

Still, they might have never came if not for that FA signing and good open publicity.

 

[mix1home]

You may very well see that, Vesey sucks...... but he does have a good D game, but that is about it...

With some coaching from Keefe, who knows? Maybe even he will discover his offensive game. Fact is, he was never developed properly.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I don't see it as a bad take ... it is being honest about it ... Leafs are best of north ... watch Vegas, Tampa, Boston, Carolina even Florida play ... they are faster and stronger on puck ... we would likely be in 3rd place in Atlantic, maybe 4th ... but Atlantic was/is best division in hockey bar none ... and don't forget we lost to 4th place team in Metro in play in round ... I hope league figures out how to better deal with Atlantic next year ... like lets go with top 8 teams in Atlantic and Metro make playoffs and seed by point totals ... then watch Metro go out in 1st round across da board

This is a bad take because you are opinioning like you are right. I’d argue you have zero proof. I won’t care either if we get the home ice edge through the entire playoffs. I want to be best in the League. I think we will. Boston sucks. 13 goals against the Rangers in 2 games and looked horrible.The rest are not faster. I can’t even believe you think that. I watch and don’t see this big difference. I just don’t . Leafs are best ranked team by everyonebthat ranks teams. I wonder why? Do you not wonder why they completely disagree with your take .

 

[Mitchy]