Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 5-3

[notbias]

Matthews had five hits, no shots on goal and one goal-line save. That works for me. He's a complete player -- a real beast last night.

He's giving the Leafs what they need to win.

Tavares looked pretty good too.

It is funny that people are fine with this now, but when he led the team in hits/takeaways/shots/blocks/etc last playoffs, he played poorly.

 

[Ciao]

It is funny that people are fine with this now, but when he led the team in hits/takeaways/shots/blocks/etc last playoffs, he played poorly.

I've always been fine with this.

Let's look forward, not backward

 

[notbias]

I've always been fine with this.

Let's look forward, not backward

Wasn't referencing you as someone who is not fine with it, just that there was a general consensus that Matthews didn't play well last series because of lack of goals, but he played well last night.

 

[ACC1224]

Wasn't referencing you as someone who is not fine with it, just that there was a general consensus that Matthews didn't play well last series because of lack of goals, but he played well last night.

both are true

 

[Ciao]

Wasn't referencing you as someone who is not fine with it, just that there was a general consensus that Matthews didn't play well last series because of lack of goals, but he played well last night.

Yeah, but that was then and this is now.

Leafs Nation was pretty butt-hurt and miserable then.

The Leafs are now playing well enough to overcome their many flaws and give those of us who want to believe a bit of hope. Let's enjoy the ride!

Bandwagon-riders welcome!

 

[GrizzGreen]

It's a shame that Wilson wouldn't go with Simmonds at the end. Coward gonna be a coward I suppose.

Neither of them were going to fight? What are you talking about?

 

[Morbo]

Please! Show some push-back is all I ask. Someone hacks away at your captain - do you think other teams would just skate away and think "we'll get em on the scoreboard"
Think carefully about your answer

Sure, as soon as you answer my question.

 

[djdev]

Wasn't referencing you as someone who is not fine with it, just that there was a general consensus that Matthews didn't play well last series because of lack of goals, but he played well last night.

lol it was 1v3(forward wise) most of that series, hyman played just as bad as marner imo. he was on an island and often doubled teamed by the best mtl defenders. he got too harshly critized given what was actually going on.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Gutsy win last night. We bent but we didn't break.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

It is funny that people are fine with this now, but when he led the team in hits/takeaways/shots/blocks/etc last playoffs, he played poorly.

Context matters? This game is nothing but a microscopic spec compared to losing a playoff series in which you blew a 3-1 lead. When that happens you will expectedly go through a period of scrutiny. That's just common sense.

 

[therealkoho]

But he should be put in a position to show what he can do. He's not in the NHL to show his 2-way game, he's here to show his offensive ability.

There's a few ways to get to the NHL, if you're McJeebuzz, they'll wait years for a two way game to emerge, if you're not you better show you have one.

 

[Ports]

Not really, the kid is only 20 and played only 38 last 2 season amd its not on a 4th line they will know what his potential is. Keefe /dubas just gave him a candy because of his work ethic in the AHL until he go back in AHL for the rest of remaining season. But his talent still pretty high, toronto just taking time to develop well their player.

We shall see

 

[Zybalto]

lol it was 1v3(forward wise) most of that series, hyman played just as bad as marner imo. he was on an island and often doubled teamed by the best mtl defenders. he got too harshly critized given what was actually going on.

Run of play wise, the Matthews line was one of the best lines in the playoffs absolutely destroying their checkers.

The problem was lack of finish/posts/Price.

Marners analytics are absolutely through the roof as one of the best play drivers in the playoffs over the last two series.

If I were to have seen that lines stats in a vacuum, I would have figured they would have put up the same numbers they put up during the regular season.

I still think goaltending differnce was the problem and it remains the worry. (Although will we really get the goalie performance of the playoffs against us in thr firsr round 4 times in a row?)

 

[thusk]

We shall see

Like i already said somewhere else, at the same age nick was better than his brother jason... so you cant tell the potential is not there. Will he reach is full potential? Thats the real question.

 

[djdev]

Run of play wise, the Matthews line was one of the best lines in the playoffs absolutely destroying their checkers.

The problem was lack of finish/posts/Price.

Marners analytics are absolutely through the roof as one of the best play drivers in the playoffs over the last two series.

If I were to have seen that lines stats in a vacuum, I would have figured they would have put up the same numbers they put up during the regular season.

I still think goaltending differnce was the problem and it remains the worry. (Although will we really get the goalie performance of the playoffs against us in thr firsr round 4 times in a row?)

hmm, analytics aside, we all saw how frustrated and how off their game they were for the last 4 games of that series, marners body language was awful. its like the JT thing, he does lots of stuff right game in and game out, but at the end of the day you need your best players to win u games.

for the record im not here trying to take shots at the players, its in the past for me. im just pointing it out.

 

[ToneDog]

Run of play wise, the Matthews line was one of the best lines in the playoffs absolutely destroying their checkers.

The problem was lack of finish/posts/Price.

Marners analytics are absolutely through the roof as one of the best play drivers in the playoffs over the last two series.

If I were to have seen that lines stats in a vacuum, I would have figured they would have put up the same numbers they put up during the regular season.

I still think goaltending differnce was the problem and it remains the worry. (Although will we really get the goalie performance of the playoffs against us in thr firsr round 4 times in a row?)

Don't care for the numbers but my eyes clearly tell me this Marner is so much better than the Marner that lost to the Habs. As is the case for all of our first line.

If you think goaltending is why we lost, then we are probably done when we meet Vasi. Of course if our guys can solve him and we win, will that mean he was not in God mode ??

 

[Zybalto]

Don't care for the numbers but my eyes clearly tell me this Marner is so much better than the Marner that lost to the Habs. As is the case for all of our first line.

If you think goaltending is why we lost, then we are probably done when we meet Vasi. Of course if our guys can solve him and we win, will that mean he was not in God mode ??

It would probably mean our own goalie didnt throw up a sub .900 more than anything.

Tampas stars production in elimination games have been prettty much the same or worse than our stars the last two seasons.

Depth scoring and goaltending have gotten them through.

 

[Zybalto]

hmm, analytics aside, we all saw how frustrated and how off their game they were for the last 4 games of that series, marners body language was awful. its like the JT thing, he does lots of stuff right game in and game out, but at the end of the day you need your best players to win u games.

for the record im not here trying to take shots at the players, its in the past for me. im just pointing it out.

Price frustrated most of the stars he saw last playoffs for sure. Was crazy to see Stone (11th in the NHL on points) throw up a goose egg in their series and he wasnt the only one.

Its one of the bright spots to me that the Matthews line wrecked the Danault line so badly.

You are right though, gotta score on your chances......

 

[djdev]

Price frustrated most of the stars he saw last playoffs for sure. Was crazy to see Stone (11th in the NHL on points) throw up a goose egg in their series and he wasnt the only one.

Its one of the bright spots to me that the Matthews line wrecked the Danault line so badly.

You are right though, gotta score on your chances......

in reality we have that series imo if galy and dermott dont make HUGE mistakes in back to back games in overtime.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

It would probably mean our own goalie didnt throw up a sub .900 more than anything.

Tampas stars production in elimination games have been prettty much the same or worse than our stars the last two seasons.

Depth scoring and goaltending have gotten them through.

They are also a group of players who have made multiple deep playoff pushes including their cup wins. Develops your ability to do better under pressure and develop that killer instinct. Makes you more relaxed as you have been in this position before. The odds of the leafs running into a insanely hot goalie every playoff series is just too low for me to consider it an option. Lots of posts and bad finishing in general as you mentioned and generally bad decision making at key moments.

 

[Tarmore]

Noone is talking about Nylander fighting.....maybe showing that he gives a f*** about his captain may help though. But with all the success this team has had....

How do you propose he 'showing that he gives a f*** about his captain'? (this should be entertaining)

 

[ACC1224]

How do you propose he 'showing that he gives a f*** about his captain'? (this should be entertaining)

Join the fray and grab someone. He wasn't the only one.

 

[Gabriel426]

Wasn't referencing you as someone who is not fine with it, just that there was a general consensus that Matthews didn't play well last series because of lack of goals, but he played well last night.

One regular season game Vs a playoff series.
Most importantly, Leaf’s won last night.
If Leafs lost the game last night, it won’t be AM sucks but at the very least it will be AM took a night off and he better be ready for next game.

 

[ShaneFalco]

How do you propose he 'showing that he gives a f*** about his captain'? (this should be entertaining)

nahhhh let's just stand around and watch JT, AM, Rielly or anyone else get cross-checked, face washed, tripped, speared, whatever and do nothing. Now that's a team! I'm sure Shanny is proud!

 

[ShaneFalco]

Join the fray and grab someone. He wasn't the only one.

Oh no it's just an example - something we see way too often. Noone responds except 38 year old Spezza. And despite what some posters think here, Shanny has mentioned it:

There’s a killer instinct that is missing that we need to address. Whether that’s externally or just figuring out a way for our guys to get over that hump, that’s something that we have to address certainly as a team. And we have to really be honest with ourselves, and we have to figure out a way that we can support our players, and help them get over that hump.”

Those elements I thought that we addressed over the off-season will continue to be important pillars for our team: Defensive play, sticking up for each other, being able to play physically in games where we’re tested that way. But I think that those pillars are important for them to get over that hump. And then again it’s just a mindset to charge at that door and trying to finally bust it down. It’s something that we have to accomplish.”

Toronto Maple Leafs Muse Aloud About the Need for Killer Instinct