Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 3-2 against Utah

Leafsfan74

Registered User
Jul 2, 2018
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The leafs have already played two games against those heavy teams: Vegas and Boston. And the Leafs shut both of them out convincingly, with tough, physical play and tight, defensive hockey.
Yes, they have done better. Only Benoit went after a guy who threw a dirty hit, bordeline at best especially at full speed, and no punches were thrown.

More importantly, it comes down to "when the games matter". If it were the last few games of the season and teams were playing for position or playoff spots, the games change. Ditto for the actual playoffs.

I will believe it when I see it is an apt comment.
 
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CabanaBoy5

Registered User
Feb 17, 2013
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Woodbridge
We’re all impressed with the team doing so well without our best player and six other regulars out but a few things remain unchanged…the defence and goaltending. They have been outstanding. Tanev and McCabe best defensive pair 5on 5 in the league. The team has allowed 8 goals in 8 games 5 on 5 since Matthews’ injury. That’s on the defence and goaltending.

But let’s not take anything away from Marner and Tavares, they have been spectacular and should remain together when Matthews comes back.

We have wasted so many years with Dubas trying to reinvent the game with puck possession east-west hockey with smallish players, especially on defence. This team will still live and die with our players but there’s a structure that wasn’t there with Dubas. Excited to see where we go in the playoffs.
 
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weems

Registered User
Jul 3, 2008
18,635
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McCabe has been excellent this season.
If you filter the stats for defencemen who've played at least 250 minutes 5v5, he ranks #1 in High danger chances for % and high danger goals for %.

Screenshot (1613).png


Screenshot (1614).png
 

nsleaf

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Oct 21, 2009
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Fogelhund

Registered User
Sep 15, 2007
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How long has Toronto had traffic issues? Decades? How long has the NHL been in Toronto.... longer.. ya? How many other teams have had to do this before? Zero....

So, a new team in Utah, get's their logistics wrong, and it's Toronto's fault? Maybe have better planning, every other team gets it right.
 

conFABulator

Registered User
Apr 11, 2021
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That would be it….

lol. Can’t let it go.

I don’t know what’s more delicious: that all the GM’s conspired to collectively punk Dubas at every turn, giving him the GM Brotherhood thumbs down.

…… or that Treliving has given us league leading goaltending and a pipeline in 1 season that Dubas could barely comprehend and had resorted to pitiful bush league bottom of the barrel scraping like he had to resort to.

Imagine fancying yourself as a Stanley Cup contender and being reduced to trying to hang on to a guy like Sateri because your goaltending is so pitiful you need him….
Is this pipeline you refer to a pipeline of goalie prospects?

Dubas drafted Hildeby and Akhtyamov, he signed Woll to the extension, he even traded for Murray.

I am not sure what your comment refers to.
 
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Nineteen67

HFBoards Sponsor
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Dec 12, 2017
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League bias. They know Toronto goes on a roll in November so didn't give them as many games. :sarcasm:
Whoever submits the scheduling request for the Leafs needs to fired for the Saturday schedule alone.

"Good teams are built from the Goalie out, through strong defense,...." & "Defense wins Championships" ..

You don't need
a bunch of expensive forwards to win, when you can win with strong goaltending and defensive core & system, even while icing looks like an AHL roster upfront.

Leafs are currently 7-1 in the last 8 games without their top player making $13.25 mil.
AAV doesn’t matter if the players that take up the most ice time continue to get pushed out of the playoffs.
 

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