Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 4-2!

[ChurchOfMatthews]

The New Jersey Divers.


What a f***ing bullshit team.

They might end up getting to the playoffs this season, but will get bounced due to their passion for ballet.

Sneakily dirty as well. The refs let them get away with a lot... as usual.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

The Leafs played a great game, the way they have to play to be successful. Tanev, OEL and Lorentz bring the team elements they were missing in the playoffs. Not to mention Stolarz. Great job by Treliving finding these guys.

However, Matthews Marner and particularly Nylander have to understand they’re expected to play a more responsible brand of hockey. Rielly looks slow. No wonder our PP sucks. These 4 guys are on it.

 

[Razz]

I couldn't be happier with this game. The bottom 6 is so good compared to any group in recent memory. When was the last time our bottom 6 carried the team like that?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Just wanted to come in and say seeing Hildeby live as an opposing fan, the guy looks like Markstrom 2.0. Really impressed with him tonight.

 

[robertmac43]

For the most part the new guys are looking really good.

Also, dare i say we have really solid goalie depth?

Rielly looks slow. No wonder our PP sucks. These 4 guys are on it.

I think we will soon see OEL on the first PP unit.

He has a harder shot and proved he could QB a unit last playoffs. Really just mix it up in some kind of way....please.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The New Jersey Divers.


What a f***ing bullshit team.

They might end up getting to the playoffs this season, but will get bounced due to their passion for ballet.

I think some of this had to do with the refs somewhat holding their whistles in their pocket for the first half of the game and then a penalty palooza after midway through. Nylander could've gotten called for almost attempted murder with slapshotting the puck down the ice with 2 players (A Devil/Leaf) in his vicinity lol

 

[conFABulator]

I couldn't be happier with this game. The bottom 6 is so good compared to any group in recent memory. When was the last time our bottom 6 carried the team like that?

I fully agree. I was very much in the camp of spreading the core four across the three lines and a fourth line that didn't get much ice time.

That really should not be the plan if we can have a fourth line like this most nights. Maybe we still spread out the big three and trim a bit top nine time? Maybe lean on whichever two are going on a given night? Competition is a good thing and it might be the best way to use our depth as an advantage, and we do have depth.

What do we do when Dewar and Jarnkrok are back? I think we might see a lot confusing transactions to continue the cap gymnastics and they try to run four of five million "over the cap all year"? It's a good way to not spend assets of depth rentals.

I do think we could move some or all of Kampf, Jarnkrok and Liljegren and not miss too much depth as long as we stay reasonably healthy.

It's a good team.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

It's a weird thing, but it looks like all the players have no issues playing a different style of game than our previous iterations, with the exception of the big 4.

It's like they've never learnt or been part of a team that plays north/south hockey. They all look pretty lost.

The other 14 skaters are like, yeah fair enough we'll do it. But the big 4 are like pardon? What do you want me to do?

It's only been 2 games, give it time they will get it going, they showed flashes of it with the Tavares goal tonight

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

OEL reminds me of Jake Gardiner but just better.

 

[Donnie740]

I couldn't be happier with this game. The bottom 6 is so good compared to any group in recent memory. When was the last time our bottom 6 carried the team like that?

The bottom six never had an opportunity before this year because Bozo the Keefe let Matthews and Marner take 3 minute shifts and play 28 minutes every game.

 

[htpwn]

Really happy with how this team is shaping up in general. We'll see how it holds up as the season goes on, but the depth just seems so much better than in past years, including in goal where of course Hildeby looks like he'll be a legit option to fill-in this year when needed.

Obviously some things are still a work in progress. Too many stupid penalties these last two games (although the Devils were flopping tonight). The PP is garbage but that will sort itself out in time. I also like how animated the coaching staff is on the bench. Takes me back to the old Pat Quinn days.

 

[Razz]

The bottom six never had an opportunity before this year because Bozo the Keefe let Matthews and Marner take 3 minute shifts and play 28 minutes every game.

Coach, personnel, whatever the case may be we finally have depth scoring. I like that everyone on the team has a role. One thing that I've noticed early on is that the team is involved even if we have a string of penalties.

So often you would hear Keefe complain that the team couldn't get into a rhythm due to too many penalties or whatever, the sure enough we cough up a goal right after scoring one or something.

Keefe always ran a short bench, I agree with you.

 

[Skullz]

4th line was unreal. I absolutely love Lorenz, OEL, and Tanev. Our defence is so much better than last year.

PP an absolute joke again. Would like to see OEL on it for Rielly, maybe consider another change.

Time to switch top two lines.

 

[ClarkSittler]

There isn't much science to this. The Leafs will be a really good regular season team. Potentially the best in the league. The question will be how they translate that to the playoffs. I feel far more comfortably with this defense/goaltending and coaching combination than in any prior iteration of this generation of the Leafs. I could care less what Matthews, Marner and Nylander do this season. They can each get 50 points for all I care. Despite what many want to believe, it isn't about them.

You also predicted we'd win the Division and finish 2nd or 3rd overall last year. We all know how that turned out.

 

[Schennanigans]

Good solid w. The bottom 6 was great. I think this team may have a new identity this year, small sample but I think it’ll be more a team game from top to bottom now. I won’t be surprised if the big 3’s numbers take a big hit this year. Might be a more defensive team, I’m hoping anyway. But that’s the feeling I’m getting early on.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Oh wow, the 4th line can actually be competent with the correct personnel. Reaves shouldn't see another game this month.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Guys you got to relax on the core 4 a bit It's been 2 games, the team as a new coaching staff and with a new coaching staff comes a new system they will break through.

Personally I'm glad the depth carried the load last night because they didn't at all last year.

If this team is going to go anywhere Bobby McMann is going to have to score some goals, Pacioretty too, you might need a couple from Lorentz, Robertson is going to have to score some goals.

The depth NEEDS to produce it can't be ALL on Matthews, Marner, Nylander Tavares and Rielly.

I know what they make, doesn't change the fact others need to step up too.

 

[13pacheco31]

Good to get the first win of the season, and the win for Hildeby.

Refs have been garbage tonight, but that one was obvious. Spun him around right in front of the ref to gain possession. And then the slapper after the call. Not good.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Solid win, the offseason additions have been great value so far and Hildeby looks like an NHLer.

Keep em coming

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I think the Leafs pk is gonna be exposed this year if they don't tighten up.

Looks to me like the players are too far apart. They also have a tendency to chase the puck carrier. I'm not sure if that's coaches orders or just loosey goosey penalty killing.

Hildeby looked good.

Goaltending is the biggest question mark. It has been for years. So seeing a young HEALTHY goalie come in and not look out of place his first game was nice.

Point shots and a trap in the third when holding a multi-goal lead.

That's the changes under Berube in a nutshell. We still see defensemen pinching regularly and the breakouts are still focused on short outlet passes. I'm not sure what the whole North-South thing means other than skating up and down the rink as fast as possible.

The special teams need to be more aggressive.

 

[Strangle]

1. You can start to the see the jist of how Berube wants them to play. Limit the cute fancy and holding onto the puck for too long, and get the puck in the zone quicker and get to work.

2. Bottom 6 looks pretty good so far. Feels like it's easier to play in Berube system and look good then playing in Keefes.

3. Really like the 5 dman so far, not sold on the 6th spot.

4. PK has allowed 2 goals in 2 games, but team is taking far to many pens in two games (9 or 10?)

5. PP needs some work, 1st unit looks like ass, doesn't know what it wants to do with the puck. Don't understand if Toronto is going to run 2 units a min each, why load up the first unit, they should just spread out the talent on both units.

The system is starting to come together, and the depth showed up.

I’m trying not to get too excited, but I like this lineup, I like the coaching staff and I am okay if the scoring is more balanced and the goals against drops heavily

 

[WillyC]

Literally a must win game… imagine this place losing to Keefe and being 0-2 right now?

Hildabeast is a Maple Leaf

 

[Da Mash]

I liked the 4th line last night especially the speed they had. Reaves shouldnt see the ice again IMHO. More hockey IQ on that line too.

The 3rd line surprised me. Wasnt a big fan of Patch here but he is winning me over in just two games.

We just have to take Domi off the second line. He just doesnt work with Willy and T. Shoot the damn puch when your are 5 feet away from the net instead of trying to feather a pass for a deflection.

Either put Domi with Mathews or move him down the lineup. There really is no other choice.

I liked the way Holgrem played.

I hate watching those dickheads talk between periods. Complained about Holmberg clearing because he didnt do a half slap. Maybe he was worried to get stick checked? But the next period there is Tanev giving a perfect pass to the opponent while on the PK and the mediots were crickets.......

Shit happens in stressful times on the PK. But that is the media agenda....pick on certain players.
Odog of whatever he calls himself is a idiot. No wonder I never watch that crap. Why I did last night I dont know.

I think NJ has a good team. Happy for Keefer.

We have goalies.....if Woll can ever get over his lower back or hamstring injuries....we have alot of depth in that area.

Im a old man and dont remember being this excited with the depth we have at goalie...

 

[weems]

Early days and preseason should be taken with the ultimate level of context but outside of our first game against OTT where we got lit up, these are our goals against...

2 vs OTT
1 vs MON
1 vs MON
0 vs DET
2 vs DET
1 vs MON
2 vs NJ

With a new coach and a few new players on defence, hopefully we become a very stingy team defensively.

 

[GoonieFace]

Good start to the season. But let’s pump the brakes on the likes of Lorentz and Patches etc. It's been 2 games and nobody is up to speed yet. Game 20 is the benchmark to see where this team is at.