Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 5-3

[zeke]

Caps couldn't intimidate us, couldn't best us, and are flirting with punching themselves right out of a playoffs spot.

And Leafs fans want us to be more like them.

So funny.

 

[Lightsol]

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

That's what I saw last year. The issue with that line, which I think management realized, was that with Marner always looking to pass and Hyman being useless for scoring, the best way to shut the line down was to stop Matthews from getting good looks. So he had a lot of shots, but I don't think many were dangerous. And it's clear that around Game 4, Marner and Matthews both tried to adjust; Marner by trying to find Hyman more, rather than just Matthews, and Matthews by trying to force it a bit more. But Hyman was even more snakebit than the others, missing more empty nets in that series than most players ever see in a 7 game series, and Matthews pushing on offense led to him having some of the worst defensive performances I've ever seen from him...

They adjusted by replacing Hyman with Bunting, who is actually a scoring threat, and having Mitch shoot more when he gets good opportunities. This, in turn, has allowed Matthews to start using HIS setup ability as well.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Caps couldn't intimidate us, couldn't best us, and are flirting with punching themselves right out of a playoffs spot.

And Leafs fans want us to be more like them.

So funny.

So over your head. Not surprising

 

[LaPlante94]

Caps couldn't intimidate us, couldn't best us, and are flirting with punching themselves right out of a playoffs spot.

And Leafs fans want us to be more like them.

So funny.

Leafs fans want a cup? I'm kinda shocked they would want that tbh.

 

[Tarmore]

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

To what end?

Would you be intimidated by Willy Ny if he did that to you? Knowing his nature.

 

[Tarmore]

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!

I get what you are trying to say here but on a team people have roles..... that's not his.

 

[ACC1224]

To what end?

Would you be intimidated by Willy Ny if he did that to you? Knowing his nature.

It’s not for intimidation just to show that they’ll stand together. Doesn’t really need to do anything but grab a shirt and chirp a bit.
For the most part the other players do this.

 

[Nylanderthal]

So over your head. Not surprising

The game is played from puck drop to whistle, any of that garbage and nonsense that goes on afterwards only serves to play into the instigators hands. Id argue there’s almost a psychological effect on the bully’s side by the other side simply ignoring it and skating away.
(Not to be confused with not being hard on pucks and aggressive during play.)

 

[Tarmore]

It’s not for intimidation just to show that they’ll stand together. Doesn’t really need to do anything but grab a shirt and chirp a bit.
For the most part the other players do this.

And it's pointless when the play is well over when they do it as well.

I would like Willy to show more grit or toughness, and has in his career by now going to the tough areas. I fear expecting him to do what you want above is asking too much of him right now. We all know this.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I get what you are trying to say here but on a team people have roles..... that's not his.

It's Spezza's? He's one of the only ones who won't shrug it off and skate away. He stands up for his teammates which should be everyone's role.
Shanny wants it, Dubas has tried to bring it in externally...... I don't like my teams pushed around with no response. Others perhaps don't care. Clearly

 

[ACC1224]

And it's pointless when the play is well over when they do it as well.

I would like Willy to show more grit or toughness, and has in his career by now going to the tough areas. I fear expecting him to do what you want above is asking too much of him right now. We all know this.

It doesn’t mean you’re gritty or tough, just a good teammate.

 

[Zybalto]

That's what I saw last year. The issue with that line, which I think management realized, was that with Marner always looking to pass and Hyman being useless for scoring, the best way to shut the line down was to stop Matthews from getting good looks. So he had a lot of shots, but I don't think many were dangerous. And it's clear that around Game 4, Marner and Matthews both tried to adjust; Marner by trying to find Hyman more, rather than just Matthews, and Matthews by trying to force it a bit more. But Hyman was even more snakebit than the others, missing more empty nets in that series than most players ever see in a 7 game series, and Matthews pushing on offense led to him having some of the worst defensive performances I've ever seen from him...

They adjusted by replacing Hyman with Bunting, who is actually a scoring threat, and having Mitch shoot more when he gets good opportunities. This, in turn, has allowed Matthews to start using HIS setup ability as well.

The only problem with your analysis of Hyman is that he had 36 goals in 94 games the previous 2 regular seasons and just straight up blew his chances everywhere from open nets to breakaways. Even the lone point he got was a goal that should have been credited to Marner. Price played a huge part in this of course.

As far as Matthews defensively goes, I'm a little mystified as he wrecked whoever was in front of him the entire series.

Looking at all forwards (102 forwards) to play 100+ 5v5 minutes last playoffs, here are the top 5 rankings for:

Fewest Expected goals against/60:
1. Carrier
2. Marner
3. Draisaitl
4. Krejci
5. Matthews

Fewest Goals Against/60:
1. Matthews
2. Marner
3. Hymen
4. Foegele
5. Goodrow

Despite those insane Defensive stats, all 3 linemates were also in the top 12 for Expected goals for/60 but something stopped them. Price and themselves.

 

[zeke]

Leafs fans want a cup? I'm kinda shocked they would want that tbh.

Caps won a cup 5 years ago when they actually had speed and prime skill.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Caps won a cup 5 years ago when they actually had speed and prime skill.

I'm sure they'd much rather be like the Leafs. - easy to play against, ousted in the first round in embarrassing fashion 5 years in a row, fragile, no killer instinct, no standing up for each other
Your idol is wasting this team away

 

[LaPlante94]

Caps won a cup 5 years ago when they actually had speed and prime skill.

Weren't people saying they were a bad analytics team though

 

[The Podium]

I'm sure they'd much rather be like the Leafs. - easy to play against, ousted in the first round in embarrassing fashion 5 years in a row, fragile, no killer instinct, no standing up for each other
Your idol is wasting this team away

If you are going to troll, troll well.

They lost embarrassingly 5 years in a row? The Washington series and the two Boston series were embarrassing? 2 years…ok I’ll give you, but even the Columbus series is a stretch considering there is nothing embarrassing about losing to a team with the exact same record as you in a full distance series that you never led…

 

[Buzzman17]

Id like Kyle to go for a home run and get Patrick Kane at double retention. Habs can use cap for draft picks. Not a rental and we have two runs with a Kane as a second line winger.

 

[ShaneFalco]

If you are going to troll, troll well.

They lost embarrassingly 5 years in a row? The Washington series and the two Boston series were embarrassing? 2 years…ok I’ll give you, but even the Columbus series is a stretch considering there is nothing embarrassing about losing to a team with the exact same record as you in a full distance series that you never led…

Yes my mistake it's only been embarrassing 3 years on a row
I guess it's trolling now if you point out things that are yet again red flags heading into the playoffs.

 

[The Podium]

Yes my mistake it's only been embarrassing 3 years on a row
I guess it's trolling now if you point out things that are yet again red flags heading into the playoffs.

What was year 3? Losing to a higher seed Boston in 7?

You can point out red flags, but outright exaggerating to criticize can be considered trolling yes

 

[Mr_Fun]

I don't put much stock in blowing that lead last night. It was a pretty good bet that Washington would score three goals at home. I'm just happy we could keep pace and limit them to only three goals.

 

[zeke]

I'm sure they'd much rather be like the Leafs. - easy to play against, ousted in the first round in embarrassing fashion 5 years in a row, fragile, no killer instinct, no standing up for each other
Your idol is wasting this team away

Washington has lost many more times in much more embarrassing fashion.

 

[Havoc]

Caps couldn't intimidate us, couldn't best us, and are flirting with punching themselves right out of a playoffs spot.

And Leafs fans want us to be more like them.

So funny.

Why is this a bad thing?

Boston is 2nd in 5v5 xGF% and 3rd in hits per game. Florida is 3rd/9th. Tampa is 7th/7th.

Leafs are 4th in 5v5 xGF but 30th in hits per game. Being "more like them" doesn't have to mean "less like us". We need to preserve what makes us elite while addressing our grit issue. I don't get paid the big bucks so sit here and write out a plan so hopefully management can figure it out.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Leafs are 4th in 5v5 xGF but 30th in hits per game. Being "more like them" doesn't have to mean "less like us". We need to preserve what makes us elite while addressing our grit issue.

We don't have a grit issue, and there's no reason we have to chase after other team's identities. Many teams have won without being big hitting teams.

 

[zeke]

Why is this a bad thing?

Boston is 2nd in 5v5 xGF% and 3rd in hits per game. Florida is 3rd/9th. Tampa is 7th/7th.

Leafs are 4th in 5v5 xGF but 30th in hits per game. Being "more like them" doesn't have to mean "less like us". We need to preserve what makes us elite while addressing our grit issue. I don't get paid the big bucks so sit here and write out a plan so hopefully management can figure it out.

Interesting thing there about those stats is that TB and FLA are 17th and 18th in road hits per game, and #2 and #4 at home.

So you can put as much faith in those as numbers as you feel you should.

 

[Martin Skoula]

What's wrong with adding better hitters if they can play? It helps with playoff attrition and at the end of the day we pay to be entertained.