Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 4-1

[Evilhomer]

The Atlantic division is going to be boring this season. Two good teams and six mediocre to terrible teams.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

That’s part of the problem, the deadline decisions seldom helped. Just go with the guys that brought ya.


It’s going to be very interesting, either we are going on an extended roll, or a split will be coming.

You can't just go with the guys that brought you.

They need a real 3rd line center what they have at 3C right not won't cut it.

I'd argue they should also be looking for a top 4 D., I've said it from opening night, if not before, if you can get somebody in here that can bump OEL to the 3rd pair the defense would be set.

Every cup winner has 1 of 2 things and usually both.

#1 a guy on the 3rd line that's good enough to be in the top 6.

OR a d man on the 3rd pair good enough to be in the top.

OEL is a top 4 D but if you can get somebody in here that can bump OEL to the 3rd pair the defense would be set.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Was funny listening to the Habs in the offseason talking like they were turning the corner with a awesome young core. They are complete trash in every area. If Montembeault didn't have the literally game of his life opening night we would have crushed them there as well. The cutest part is some Habs fans actually think Laine was going to be a 40+ goal difference maker to this lineup.

Also honest question, why did people ever think Josh Anderson was something good? Guy has 1 year over 20 goals and 40 pts and has been a complete plug the rest of his career but for years people talked like he would be 25g every year. Thankfully now it's only Habs fans that delusional.

With Anderson I think mostly because he only ever decided to show up to work when he was playing us. Seems he is just entirely washed now and can't even do that.

 

[CapspaceKiller]

Good win that they should have won.

Montreal is truly an awful team in all areas of the game and last night I can't think of a single thing they did well.

The Leafs just played this calm, defensive first style waiting for Montreal to make mistakes, which they did.

The Leafs won with their special teams and goaltending, which is fine and usually the way you win playoff games.

5 on 5, its very clear they are struggling to generate scoring chances without Auston, but lucking into playing a few mediocre to awful teams while he's out is a bonus.

I think the division has finally fallen off a bit after being the most difficult one to play in for a few years.

Onto Ottawa, another mediocre team.

 

[DarkKnight]

Chew on this one..

"Marner has 18 goals, 54 assists, 72 points(109 point pace) and a plus-minus of +17 in 58 games without Matthews in his career"

 

[crump]

There's no question to me this is the best D we've had in years. Also, this system we're playing more resembles a sustainable model, less chaotic, maybe not as entertaining but more predictable.

I like this team. Treliving made some shrewd pickups and we're developing a nice identity under Berube.

Maybe going out on limb, but reminding me of the Burns era D. Some hard nosed sob’s sprinkled with skill. Since then there was always a weak link be it on the 3rd pair like Berg or Lumme, Cross, Polak or star players not playing up to their level. (Phaneuf or McCabe come to mind. This what we thought Beauchemin/Komarsarek were going to bring.)

Things seem to be firing right now 5/5 and PK has come around. Tanev and OEL have been really really solid. Now add Timmins to the mix of playing a solid game. Rielly looks to be rounding into his best self again.

 

[darrylsittler27]

I'm sure they will make deadline additions, they always do.

Many teams have a top 3 with a 4th Cheater (adequate) dman. Few have 4 very good dmen. They will go after another C to try and have 3 lines that can score. If Hakanpaa works out I doubt they will go after another good dman since no one gifts them. In other words the cost of a good top 4 D is higher than a 3C. We really need to stop dumping first rounders for rentals.

 

[TheShape]

The big 3 need to all be on separate lines driving their own. I'm shocked this hasn't been a thing yet.

 

[Nineteen67]

Timmins is really growing on me like Benoit did last year. Together they made some nice safe plays last night to get the puck out trouble.

 

[thewave]

The big 3 need to all be on separate lines driving their own. I'm shocked this hasn't been a thing yet.

And on the same page mentally regarding team success vs personal accolades

 

[The Iceman]

leafs on a nice little roll but warning signs everywhere that there is danger ahead.

I hope Berube tries to play with the roster.
Not getting anything at all from the fourth line but Berube rolls them out after every goal. In theory I like an energy line after a goal but Reeves is close to a corpse out there I am afraid.
Why play him in back to backs? Dewar is a NHL player in the press box.
I also think it’s ok to occasionally sit Steve Lorentz. Keep him hungry.

I love Benoit and what he brings but let’s rotate him. Give Benning a sniff to see what he has or Hakanpaa Tuesday.

Holmberg has been outright bad, and Domi meh.

Lots of guys not producing and we are winning despite of some guys, not because of IMO.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Good win. Hopefully we can keep this going.

Got a pretty easy schedule coming up, which is the teams kryptonite

Hopefully that will change under Berube. He won't let them get away with any half assed efforts.

 

[Clark4Ever]

The Atlantic division is going to be boring this season. Two good teams and six mediocre to terrible teams.

It's still early, but if it stays that way, it will benefit us.

The big 3 need to all be on separate lines driving their own. I'm shocked this hasn't been a thing yet.

At the very least, Matthews and Marner. They're far more impactful when they're separated. It's been proven time and time again.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Ryan Reeves is outproducing Nick Robertson

 

[budzz]

leafs on a nice little roll but warning signs everywhere that there is danger ahead.

I hope Berube tries to play with the roster.
Not getting anything at all from the fourth line but Berube rolls them out after every goal. In theory I like an energy line after a goal but Reeves is close to a corpse out there I am afraid.
Why play him in back to backs? Dewar is a NHL player in the press box.
I also think it’s ok to occasionally sit Steve Lorentz. Keep him hungry.

I love Benoit and what he brings but let’s rotate him. Give Benning a sniff to see what he has or Hakanpaa Tuesday.

Holmberg has been outright bad, and Domi meh.

Lots of guys not producing and we are winning despite of some guys, not because of IMO.

This. They are looking alot more structured under Berube and everyone said give it 20 games to learn the system and see where we are. So far looking decent, and great goaltending helps alot. Our PP waking up has saved us the last few games but we need 5 on 5 offense. Now that third line... generating alot of chances and overall look good, but you can't sustain wins when you are getting zero production from your third line. Hopefully it clicks for them, but eventually things dry out up top and you need balanced scoring. 3C is a glaring need. Domi proved last year he can play with Matthews and produce with Marner like numbers. Put Marner on his own line with a decent 3C and it changes everything....

Knies Matty Domi
Patches Tavares Willy
McMann 3C Marner
Lorentz Holmberg Robertson

Lines 2 and 3 can be called 2 or 3 any given game.

Not crazy about Robertson on the 4th line as he has the skill to be higher but as a RW he is 4th best in this mix.

Not sure where Jarncrok fits here, honestly forgot his game he's been out so much. Rotate in somewhere. Rotate in Dewar for Lorentz for some O as well.

 

[rumman]

View attachment 928625

Austin who?

 

[Mess]

The big 3 need to all be on separate lines driving their own. I'm shocked this hasn't been a thing yet.

I've been saying that for years that Leafs need to build a strong top 9 and divide the core 4 players accordingly, which makes the team harder to check and shutdown.

 

[Gallagbi]

Montreal is weaker than they've been in a while. They're really bad. Very uninspired hockey.

They've been pretty terrible since that miracle playoff run

 

[LeafParade]

Chew on this one..

"Marner has 18 goals, 54 assists, 72 points(109 point pace) and a plus-minus of +17 in 58 games without Matthews in his career"

I have always wanted to split them. Marner becomes too predictable playing with Matthews. Plus, since we know Domi can play with Matthews, it is also unnecessary.

 

[ACC1224]

Chew on this one..

"Marner has 18 goals, 54 assists, 72 points(109 point pace) and a plus-minus of +17 in 58 games without Matthews in his career"

I wonder if there is anyone left who doesn’t think he’s being re-signed ?
Berube has gotten his game to another level this season.

 

[CincoHolio]

I didn't even notice Slafkovsky was playing until Knies put him through the ice.

It warms my heart to think Knies quite possibly could be better than any Habs player under the age of 25.

 

[Confucius]

They've been pretty terrible since that miracle playoff run

Oh they were terrible before it as well. The reason why coach and GM were both fired right after the season.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Goaltending helps a lot here. Not that the goaltending is the only reason because overall the Leafs deserve credit, but they haven't been a big reason we lost since the Hildeby game awhile ago.

Stolarz has been on fire and amazing, and Woll has been just as good after a tough first couple games. They are making saves and not letting in crappy goals.

Goaltending has been elite but Leafs have also been really good at locking things down.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1855612398842880469

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1855646606730707346

 

[weems]

Goaltending has been elite but Leafs have also been really good at locking things down.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1855612398842880469

I would like to know what our odd man rushes against stats are.

That is one benefit of dumping puck ins versus controlled zone entries, in that you don't turn the puck over nearly as much around the blueline, leading to outnumbered attacks the other way.