Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 5-3 against the Stars

[BertCorbeau]

Matthews' has done everything in the regular season to give me good reason to only care if he can step up in the playoffs. If he needs to cruise to get there and be 100% to step it up, I'm fine with that, as long as the team can play well around him.

His big season last year (and his MVP season) helped covered up other issues

 

[DitchMarner]

Glad to see the third line is finally producing. TOR needs to start better and look stronger against good teams. Goaltending and depth scoring were the differences in this one.

 

[Stephen]

The Nylander/Matthews/Marner line was horrible defensively

Matthews was struggling defensively for sure. Right there for the 1st and 3rd goal. Blanking on the second one right now.

 

[Mr_Fun]

Awww Woll sounds like a very down to earth guy. He really held up the fort.

He doesn't seem to get too high or too low. He's got a good demeanor for his position.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Leafs got the better Robertson

 

[BertCorbeau]

Matthews was struggling defensively for sure. Right there for the 1st and 3rd goal. Blanking on the second one right now.

It's like the 'C' stands for "Cursed" or "Choke"

 

[Cleetus]

another great game by McMann, I am impressed with him for sure !

 

[Divine]

Matthews was struggling defensively for sure. Right there for the 1st and 3rd goal. Blanking on the second one right now.

Beginning of the period, Woll was beat clean.

Wasn't just the goals. They got tons of chances when that line was out. Including a few breakaways and odd man rushes.

 

[Puckstuff]

Glad we got the win but my gosh we gotta end that first line fast.

Third line was fantastic.

 

[Divine]

It's like the 'C' stands for "Cursed" or "Choke"

Give it to Reaves and watch us lift the Cup

 

[therealkoho]

The Big Three

Joe Woll a great performance responsible for the deuce, just like a true NHL starter is supposed to from time to time. A true NHL starter kinda has a nice ring to it.

Nicky Bobby he played a complete game, got dirty and kicked sand in the opponents faces, fore checked, back checked lit the lamp led his line.

JT hard work all night and then more hard work and then added the cherry to top it all off!

 

[Nineteen67]

Exactly how I feel. Matthews is bringing down his linemates right now. He's a shell of his normal self. I believe he will bring down anyone he plays with until he figures something out. I do think it's something physically wrong though and out of his control.

If there’s a physical problem he shouldn’t be playing.

 

[Bluenotes27]

Honestly I feel like we should have gotten way more penalties than we did

 

[BertCorbeau]

Honestly I feel like we should have gotten way more penalties than we did

Missed high stick on Knies

Then Benoit gets a penalty where Blackwell subtly pinned Benoit's arm when it was around him to draw the holding call.

I think the refs let them play more after that

 

[Stephen]

Matthews' has done everything in the regular season to give me good reason to only care if he can step up in the playoffs. If he needs to cruise to get there and be 100% to step it up, I'm fine with that, as long as the team can play well around him.

His big season last year (and his MVP season) helped covered up other issues

I hate the way this is going for Matthews.

He should be right there with Mackinnon and Draisaitl vying for second best center in the game, but we’re in the weeds speculating on health and other factors as to why he’s struggling, writing the hall pass for why he’s on cruise control and please show up later when it counts.

I just don’t see how hobbling injuries and or disinterest/cruise control can be a spring board to have more success when it really matters. If this is the state of things moving forward I think we have to put our trust into the team concept overall and not this franchise player leading the way.

 

[Stephen]

It's like the 'C' stands for "Cursed" or "Choke"

Probably just the letter grade! Check Tavares lately with the A.

 

[Zybalto]

We don't give up rebound opportunities, it saves us.

That and our great goaltending this season. Picking up a guy like Tanev really filled a hole in the lineup we've had since Muzzin went down too.

Its why we have these kind of rankings this year:

Fewest Shots Against: 20th in the league
Fewest High Danger Chances Against: Tied for 6th fewest in the league.

Overall D structure has been pretty abysmal but injuries and guys just getting back have contributed to that.

3rd best save% in the league and 2 number 1 keepers has been awesome to have in our pocket. I just hope Woll doesnt break.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

If we are in the experiment phase, try:
Knies - Matthews- Nylander
Patches - Tavares - Marner

 

[weems]

Woll, Stolarz, McCabe and Tanev are a true a playoff brigade.

McCabe has been awesome this season and our best defencemen.

 

[therealkoho]

another great game by McMann, I am impressed with him for sure !

Such great wheels and maybe a better shot

 

[REALTALK81]

Goaltending has stole them a couple of games this season.

 

[kobe12]

I thought Matthews played well

 

[Roo]

Oettinger had an off night and we won a game we would generally lose 9 times out of 10. At least that’s what it felt like. I’ll take it.

 

[ClarkSittler]

Maybe our 3rd line should be our first.

 

[Smif]

I thought Matthews played well

For real?