Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 5-2

[slozo]

Was at the game, with my son, this was an awesome birthday present for me. Great energy in the building, Mrázek played really well, and on the second night of a back to back after a game that was very forgettable this was a game that I felt was a statement game by the leafa.

And was amazing as usual to see that once again, wherever Marner goes, the goals will follow… Great to see your captain and get a couple

 

[Machinae]

Holl was physical tonight too, I don't get the hard on for hating him when he's back to being the player that was protected in the Seattle draft.

Liljegren is playing great, Boosh and Holl have been good, everyone's been physical. Its a good problem and coaching staff has a lot of work to do when they get Muzzin and Sandin back. Is Muzzin even good enough to break up this 6?

 

[Tak7]

Think the Leafs should simply treat every team like they are a good team.

 

[Teeder Keon]

4th line is toast.

Bunting - Matthews- Marner
Knies - Tavares - Nylander
Mik - Kampf - Engvall
Blackwell - Kerfoot - Abruzzese

Bunting - Matthews- Marner
Knies - Tavares - Nylander
Mik - Kampf - Engvall
Blackwell - Kerfoot - Abruzzese/Kase

 

[Frostitute]

With you on that one brother!

And it's not even close! Always felt this way and it has always worked for me as most of my wing men preferred the blonde. We never competed and the $hit just worked

 

[Divine]

If we can get Mikheyev cheap (and he wants to stay), we should try to re-sign him.

He's finally using his speed on breakaways.

 

[RealisticLeaf55]

This is the kind of effort that has to happen in the post season.

Marner has been an absolute machine and Matthews with the ultimate troll goal.

Great game all around.

 

[LastOne2100]

Great win. Glad I was wrong and they put up a good show for us fans.

Mrazek was solid, not exceptional, but solid, which is really all we need from him. Really good that he wasn't called upon too much.

But really, that game was the Mitch Marner show. New look lines didn't really do much. PP and PK are still top notch.

Nylander with a rough game. Fourth line is a disaster.

 

[Ciao]

people would have penciled them in regardless just like they do when after every draft

nothing wrong with giving them a couple of games but it's not easy to just jump in from college to the NHL

If Kase is not available and Spezza and Simmonds need to sit, then I would think of Joey Anderson and/or Brett Seney as the next players up for the fourth line.

It would be nice to give Abruzzese and Knies -- if he signs -- a quick look-see but more than that is probably too much too fast. There's no need to screw around with young careers by rushing them into the big show.

 

[LeafsFan89]

With the emergence of Lilly and the Boosh and Gio acquisitions, our defense is finally shaping up. We are way more physical and harder to play against. I am glad we kept Holl because if a key guy gets injured before or during the playoffs, he can slot in on the third pairing.

Boosh reminds me of Yushkevich.

 

[wingman75]

Almost the perfect game. Untidy in a couple spots, but worked hard to make up for it as the game wore on. Brodie still struggling to make plays in the defensive zone.

Fourth line got caught in some unfavourable matchups; that needs to be managed better - but the players themselves have to make better decisions too, especially in the defensive zone when we have the puck.

Mrazek giving the team exactly what they need, average goaltending at a minimum (but to be fair he was better than that). Liljegren looking great paired with 55! Holl was excellent in this game too.

I'd like to watch about 17 more games played like that to wrap up the season.

Side note: If we played like that vs MTL, I am not sure they would get 20 shots against us, let alone beat us.

 

[hotpaws]

If Kase is not available and Spezza and Simmonds need to sit, then I would think of Joey Anderson and/or Brett Seney as the next players up for the fourth line.

It would be nice to give Abruzzese and Knies -- if he signs -- a quick look-see but more than that is probably too much too fast. There's no need to screw around with young careers by rushing them into the big show.

i agree and it shouldn't be to difficult to piece together a 4th line that can play with some speed and energy for 8-10 mins a night

 

[Amadeus]

Giordano has looked really solid. Nothing outstanding but he's keeping things really simple and we needed that type of player. Best thing is that if Jake Muzzin comes back healthy, that'll feel like acquiring another top 4 D-man.

 

[Scion]

Holl is so press box bound when Muzz gets back. Doubly so if Sandin is ready come PO time as well. I mean who else is gonna sit? Bush? Lil? Gio? You'd have 2 b insane to consider anyone else.

Look at the ice time distribution. It's obviously going to be Liljigren who sits as it should be.

 

[Stigma]

Canada wins, Leafs beat Florida, Will Smith punches Chris Rock on live tv … What an evening!

 

[BertCorbeau]

If we can get Mikheyev cheap (and he wants to stay), we should try to re-sign him.

He's finally using his speed on breakaways.

I think he was always good to get a breakaway a game .. he has finally found some finish on them

 

[RealisticLeaf55]

Not to pump up the excitement too hard but, if Campbell can refind his confidence and Muzzin gets healthy? We have ourselves a hard hitting defense and a chance to keep games close in the post season.

 

[Petrus]

Stats weren't updated.

Correct stats:

Mraz: .930sv%
Fred: .886sv%

If Mrazek brings a hot streak into the playoffs, the Leafs can beat any of the top teams.

 

[Holls Blackmail]

Gio might be my most favourite deadline acquisition in a long time. Exactly what was needed. Creates a steady pair with Lily (awesome mentorship for him too). Has some grittiness, battles in front, and can move the puck.

Really hope they can bring him back next year.

Agreed. He’s slower than I remembered but he has absolutely helped Lily shine. Has a smart offensive part to his game, too. Decent shot from the point (anyone remember what that is?)

 

[Maplebeasts]

Look at the ice time distribution. It's obviously going to be Liljigren who sits as it should be.

No it really shouldn't be and if he does it's for no reason more than Keefe being an idiot.

 

[steam whistle]

I can't wait to watch Tuesday game vs B's

 

[Ciao]

Look at the ice time distribution. It's obviously going to be Liljigren who sits as it should be.

I think we're seeing Liljegren pass Holl on the depth chart now, before our eyes.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Hope all the Debbie downers from yesterday watched this win.

No this win doesn’t prove that the Leafs will win in the playoffs.

All it proves is that the Leafs are a good team and you shouldn’t judge them after every single damn game. Relax and watch.

Actually this game doesn't prove a damn thing. Yes they shouldn't be judged after every single damn game but the same applies to this one. We knew they were a good team before tonight and they'll finish 6th overall, give or take just like they've been doing for years now. What happens in the playoffs though is anyone's guess and that's what really counts, at least for some of us.

Two points are always good but these days I am just as much interested in how they play since the playoffs aren't that far away any more. Most notable in that regard tonight was Mrazek. Our goaltending at the moment is by far the biggest question mark, pinning our hopes on Kallgren would be desperation cubed so other than the injured Campbell, Mrazek is all we got. You always want to win the cup of course but if we don't do that, at this point in time even winning one series would be a pretty big deal for us, Mrazek is more than capable of helping us do at least do that and seeing him have a second solid game tonight was wonderful. He was more than solid tonight, he was very good!

Nice game Petr, hopefully a sign of things to come.

 

[Ciao]

If we can get Mikheyev cheap (and he wants to stay), we should try to re-sign him.

He's finally using his speed on breakaways.

Don't count on getting Mikheyev cheap. He's a bit older. Careers are short enough already, and he doesn't have time to screw around with his prime income-earning years.

Wish him well, because he'll be going where he gets the best deal, and he's earned that.

 

[Divine]

Don't count on getting Mikheyev cheap. He's a bit older. Careers are short enough already, and he doesn't have time to screw around with his prime income-earning years.

Wish him well, because he'll be going where he gets the best deal, and he's earned that.

I mean we got Bunting for 2 years 750K when he put up similar numbers to Mikheyev.

Galchenyuk put up similar numbers as Mikheyev, and ended up in Arizona for league min.

Not like he has the career to demand 4M+, he's still near a league min guy.

Teams usually don't want to sign a career high 23 point guy for a ton instead of playing their prospects. I don't think teams will be lining up to sign him... but who knows.