Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 6-5 in OT

[Da Cool Rula]

Looks like I was wrong about Keefe. He’s a great coach. Pulled Sammy exactly at the right time. Can’t argue with results.

 

[tmlfan98]

Once Keefe quickly realizes Domi is actually worse defensively on the wing than at C, Domi will shift to 3C

I posted this back in August. Glad Keefe and HF finally figured it out too. Posters acting surprised that this is the case, I don't blame you. It's definitely weird when someone is worse defensively on the wing than at C, I'm not sure there's any other one-dimensional offensive players in the league that are like this.

 

[Mess]

It's fun to be able to do come backs but it's not sustainable and they need a huge wake up call.

Ditto !!!!

"Play the Kids"

Knies, Woll and Robertson to the rescue to save this one.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

If you like offence then that was ur game folks .. another preseason type game to me .. but all that counts now is da points .. that type of defense and tending will be another 1st round ouster .. Woll was a big improvement but our D is AHL level now except for Rielly .. need to get Lily and McCabe back so we have 3 NHL D

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Looks like I was wrong about Keefe. He’s a great coach. Pulled Sammy exactly at the right time. Can’t argue with results.

The right time was to pull him when the score was 2-1 so you're not wrong about Keefe

 

[The Podium]

I like the lines last night, gave them depth and we saw glimpses of chemistry.

Glad the bottom 6 finally produced.

Samsonov and the D is still a disaster but i’ll reserve judgement until later in the season

 

[MarnerElite]

Just so I'm clear, we're talking about a near-certain Hall of Fame player, right? I think maybe you are being a bit over the top.

You shouldn't be surprised that this team isn't so good then. How many Hall of Fame players does a team like Vegas have or did have and they've been good for so long? Did Phil Kessel, who has multiple Cups even play when they won the last time? You know the answer to that. I care about winning and you only need ENOUGH scoring types to do that(but you need everyone to be able to play well 5 on 5....it's why we look way better without a pylon like Reaves who can't do anything). At least JT can shoot the puck but my issue is more with the amount he gets paid for what he offers.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Nylander is not "stuck playing with Tavares" he is lucky as hell to have someone that good on his line. I get what you are saying but fans shouldn't lose the forest for the trees it's overall a great situation for Nylander

Willy is best with players who can skate with him, not someone who can score if you can dangle long enough for him to get into the slot and put the puck on his stick.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Just so I'm clear, we're talking about a near-certain Hall of Fame player, right? I think maybe you are being a bit over the top.

If he makes it to the HHOF it will be almost purely on the strength of his scoring. I don't think there are many who would dispute that. It's the rest of his game (other than faceoffs) that is not great, and is not particularly compatible with Nylander's style of play.

 

[horner]

Klingberg can be an immensely useful player for this team so long as he is not overused. With the injuries, that is what is happening now. Once the defense is reset with the injured guys back, and they acquire one or two more, Klingberg can slide into the third pairing where his minutes can be sheltered. He will be a net positive in that role.

Once McCabe comes back
11 forwards 7 D
Klingberg 10 min + PP

Once timmines comes back
Mo Brodie
McCabe Timmins
Beniot Klingberg
Lagesson

Rotate
Timmins Klingberg Beniot Lagesson
If timmins is healthy and plays like he did in the preseason
Trade
Klinkberg 2 mil retention
Someone will need a PP specialist for the playoffs
Trade Kampf
Trade Sammy hopefully his game will pick up
Reeves waived Marlie unless he picks up his game

Trade for a defensive tough dman

 

[AcerComputer]

I posted this back in August. Glad Keefe and HF finally figured it out too. Posters acting surprised that this is the case, I don't blame you. It's definitely weird when someone is worse defensively on the wing than at C, I'm not sure there's any other one-dimensional offensive players in the league that are like this.

I swear I saw Domi playing centre in the 3rd period last game, or he was maybe covering for Kampf there.

 

[Evilhomer]

If we give "not much", expect "not much" in return. Not thrilled at the thought of trading away another 1st, we've already traded our 2nd round picks for the next two years as well as one first so trading our one remaining pick in top two rounds for those years leaves the cupboards pretty empty.

I admire your optimism. For the record, I still remember you saying nobody would remember losing to LA after we beat Boston. Guess what, we didn't beat Boston and I still remember losing to LA. I also remember you saying we'd beat Buffalo, now we're in first according to you by January, perhaps you'll understand why I'm not taking your predictions seriously.

We paid a ton of draft capital at the last TDL (including two 1st round picks) and still didn't even come close to the 3rd round. Thinking that one 1st round pick is enough to get what we need to put us over the top is over the top optimistic considering our roster today <<< the roster that disappeared against a huge underdog in round 2. But like I said, I do admire your optimism, I wish I had a bit more of it myself.

Admittedly, I thought that Keefe would come around to the appropriate lineup combinations a bit quicker than this, but it looks like he is finally there (for now). Keep these line combinations in place and I think we will see a very long run by this team.

 

[Jojalu]

Willy is best with players who can skate with him, not someone who can score if you can dangle long enough for him to get into the slot and put the puck on his stick.

As much as Willy scores in the playoffs, that line ends up even or minus all the time which really does nothing to help.

Then the top line has to win their matchup every night or else it most likely results in a loss.

It would be huge for the Leafs if Robertson could stay healthy and contribute this year. If Dpmi is more comfoftable and engaged playing C, and Jarnkrok just keeps doing what he does it would give them a third line and you could really keep the second line away from tougher matchups.

 

[Dough72]

Unless you put JT right in front of the net so he can unleash a rocket top corner(he's great at that) he's so bad at every other part of the game(can't skate, can't make a correct decision with the puck to save his life, works hard and still somehow loses the puck, etc)...Aside from his shot he's shit in every other way(well i guess he can win some faceoffs too?)...But anyways, 11 million for that...Yikes..

no. This is a very high skill player. There is a lot more going on there than just his shot. His stick handling and puck skills are elite even if the style is a bit different than most.

 

[bax]

Positives:
Woll
Knies
Matthews
Laegesson/Benoit
Nylander a streak
Benching of Reaves

Negatives:
Samsonov
Reaves
Tavares
Bertuzzi

You didn't think Marner was a positive last night?

 

[notDatsyuk]

As much as Willy scores in the playoffs, that line ends up even or minus all the time which really does nothing to help.

Then the top line has to win their matchup every night or else it most likely results in a loss.

It would be huge for the Leafs if Robertson could stay healthy and contribute this year. If Dpmi is more comfoftable and engaged playing C, and Jarnkrok just keeps doing what he does it would give them a third line and you could really keep the second line away from tougher matchups.

Which is why you put Willy with players who can skate, and get JT away from the tougher matchups.

 

[Al14]

I'm not sure I would call home games against Ottawa and Calgary "gut check" games. I think they will mostly be easy wins.

And this thinking is exactly why our Leafs tend to lose games like these.

You can't take any NHL teams lightly. It takes hard work and skill during the games and not thinking you'll easily win before even stepping on the ice against them.

Neither Ottawa nor Calgary are going to roll over and concede the loss to our Leafs before even hitting the ice.

We Leaf fans need to stop giving what we consider lesser teams the fodder to come out and beat our Leafs. We as fans, and especially our Leaf players, need to take all NHL teams more seriously before and during the games !!!

JMHO.

 

[A1LeafNation]

First line solved, second line????

Knies Matthews Marner
_______ Tavares Nylander

Jarnkrok Bertuzzi Domi Robertson

Imo rotate all 4 until there is a fit.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Huge comeback and a much needed victory. After last night's performance, 2 things should be obvious to Keefe:

- Woll needs to be given a bit of runway as the starter

- Knies needs to stay on the top line

 

[notDatsyuk]

no. This is a very high skill player. There is a lot more going on there than just his shot. His stick handling and puck skills are elite even if the style is a bit different than most.

His stick handling and puck skills used to be pretty good, but they aren't any more, and his decision making was never great.

 

[Clark4Ever]

First line solved, second line????

Knies Matthews Marner
_______ Tavares Nylander

Jarnkrok Bertuzzi Domi Robertson

Imo rotate all 4 until there is a fit.

Robertson was excellent in all zones last night. The key for him is consistency.

 

[notDatsyuk]

First line solved, second line????

Knies Matthews Marner
_______ Tavares Nylander

Jarnkrok Bertuzzi Domi Robertson

Imo rotate all 4 until there is a fit.

You won't solve the second line until you split JT and Willy.

Jarnkrok, Domi, and Nylander might work well.

 

[Jojalu]

First line solved, second line????

Knies Matthews Marner
_______ Tavares Nylander

Jarnkrok Bertuzzi Domi Robertson

Imo rotate all 4 until there is a fit.

To me it has to be Jarnkrok. He is the only one that can play a 200ft game.

You might sacrifice a bit of scoring but he would still end up with 20 goals and 40ish points.

 

[A1LeafNation]

You won't solve the second line until you split JT and Willy.

Jarnkrok, Domi, and Nylander might work well.

Tavares and Nylander have been doing well, they just need that one piece that brings the two together like Knies did with Matthews and Marner.

To me it has to be Jarnkrok. He is the only one that can play a 200ft game.

You might sacrifice a bit of scoring but he would still end up with 20 goals and 40ish points.

I tend to agree, they've tried shooters, he's the closest playmaker of the 4 of them.

 

[mclaren55]

Why is Klingberg still on PP1 anyways? Guy has zero goals, and only 5 assists. Put Rielly back where he belongs.