Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 7-6 in OT

[The Kessel Run]

So Andersen goes down in game 3 of the conference finals and we are left with an NHL rookie goalie in Sparks..it’ll have no effect on our ability to win the cup? Okay then.

Backup goaltending has EVERYTHING to do with a teams ability to win in the playoffs.

A bit thick with the hyperbole, perhaps? I know Malcolm Subban carried the Knights to the Cup finals only to be ousted by Phillip Grubauer's Capitals, but let's not extrapolate that over every season, please.

 

[Menzinger]

So Andersen goes down in game 3 of the conference finals and we are left with an NHL rookie goalie in Sparks..it’ll have no effect on our ability to win the cup? Okay then.

Backup goaltending has EVERYTHING to do with a teams ability to win in the playoffs.

And we’re three games into the regular season. If a goalie change needs to happen it can be dealt with.

It’s not as if Pickard or McBackup have proven playoff performances at the NHL level.

 

[SI90]

No you're not.



No you're not.

Except I am. Go way back and search when he first signed with you guys. I congratulated you and broke down the player he was. My dislike of him now has nothing to do his ability to play hockey. I’ve never said he sucks or won’t produce.

 

[socko]

For that poster that left the game in the 3rd period to watch the Walking Dead.

Bad call.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Rielly. Dermott
Gardimer. Zaitsev
Borgman. Marincin

Next game?

Shuffling deck chairs on the titanic. Need a RHD real bad.

 

[LeafChief]

Anyone think Borgman should get a shot over Marincin/Ozhiganov?

 

[mcleex]

If Andersen were to get injured this year we are legitimately screwed

 

[Jot]

This is the most entertainment i have EVER received from a Hockey game, without WATCHING the game.

Only possible from Leafs board. Thanks everyone.

Im in India right now, so i couldnt watch. I started reading from 4-4 tie. Just pure gold, i read every post from there out.

Cant wait for the condensed highlights!

 

[Kurtz]

So Andersen goes down in game 3 of the conference finals and we are left with an NHL rookie goalie in Sparks..it’ll have no effect on our ability to win the cup? Okay then.

Backup goaltending has EVERYTHING to do with a teams ability to win in the playoffs.

If Sparks plays poorly this season, we'll acquire a different backup on waivers or for a late pick, like we've done before. No reason to panic about our backup goalie situation 3 games into the season.

 

[Boutette]

We don't expect a vezina performance but maybe a save % better than 0.806 isnt a terrible ask

True, but its not like Holtby and Murray didn't get together on a 7-6 game a couple of nights ago.

 

[Antropovsky]

Anyone think Borgman should get a shot over Marincin/Ozhiganov?

I thought Marincin looked pretty good...

 

[Kazparov]

Dermott had a bad giveaway behind our net which cost a goal.

Marincon actually looked good out there. Better than Ozdogiganov.

PK again was great.

Leaf forwards are still blowing the Dzone early when we get the puck back.

Kap showed he deserved that spot on Matthews line right away. So long Ennis.

Matthews had some amazing battles with Toews in the Dzone. They we going back and forth at each other all night.

4 points but it looks like he is just stratching the surface of what he can do.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Oddly enough, Marincin did not **** up tonight.

A couple of borderline poor pinches when we had the lead in the 3rd, but otherwise was solid, especially with this stick in the lane.

 

[Ratboy]

Anyone think Borgman should get a shot over Marincin/Ozhiganov?

Yup

 

[wingman75]

Sparks looked just like he did in pre-season.

Excited for when the team tightens up the defensive play, but are still able to generate a lot of offence... that is still the plan right?

Also, props to Kappanen on taking advantage of his chance on the Matthews line. That was a no-brainer move.

I hate to say it but Marincin was better than Oz92. Dermott looking shakey to start they season. No doubt he will come around.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

John Tavares hat trick goal called by Joe Bowen

Nice away game hat trick hat.

Hawks fans are loving these Leafs fans

 

[LeafsNation75]

 

[kk87]

Shades of last year in this one... overcome an early 2-0 deficit agains Chicago in the third game of the year, rebound to win in OT

Matthews, Marner and Tavares are ****ing out of this world. Kapanen looked fantastic on the top line too. The bottom six needs a big-time shakeup - our offensive depth should be helping us, not hindering us.

Sparks... no words.

 

[Rob Brown]

This game showed that the Leafs are in major trouble.

Lol go away.

 

[Jmo89]

Honestly Babs played Kap with Auston and Marleau, that's more than I can ask of him, if he brings up Johnsson with Naz and demotes one of Leivo or Brown, he's doing very well in my books.

Brown had about 3 minutes where he looked like a good player, so wouldn't mind him getting bumped. Leivo has looked far far better than AJ though.

Tbh though, AJ has probably looked the worst, so I doubt he will be getting any promotions.

 

[Guided by Veseys]

Just want to point out that getting upset over one game performances where we won, in one of the more exciting games i can remember, is kind of sad.

 

[KyleSeaBass]

Nope. Give him his 20 or so games. He deserves a fair shot to prove himself after last season and I don't care how bad it gets give him his 20 maybe he'll find his groove.

(Unless you can grab Pickard back and waive Sparks)

You don't care how bad it gets?

Um, this is the big leagues and our goal is to win as many games as possible. Sparks will not be given free reign to stink it up and continue playing.

He's gotta pick it up over his next few starts or he's as good as gone.

 

[Antropovsky]

Kaps texing Nylander:

" Willy... don't come back till you get the 8 mill, you deserve nothing less... play hard ball, even if it means sitting out unit December".

 

[Dayjobdave]

I thought the Leafs were a lot harder on the puck tonight. Leave Kappy with Auston, that worked great. Tavares is going to score a ton.

While I get the criticism of the D, we had more high percentage chances than Chicago did, so they can’t be that happy with their D either.

Heck of a fun game for the second night of a back-to-back!

 

[pucky]

Are people really making excuses for Sparks?

Guy has never proven he can be an NHL calibre goalie and let in 6 goals tonight. We let the best backup in the league over the past two seasons walk for him.

It is inexcusable to let in half a dozen goals on 31 shots.

I like Dubas, but he a made a mistake, competent GMs can make mistakes as well. Time for people to just admit it.

But, there was no reason for that mistake. Sparks had a crappy camp. There was no reason to think he'd suddenly be capable giving him the backup job. At least, Pickard had some NHL experience and McBackup was okay last year. I think, based on their camp play and the intangibles (Pickard's NHL experience, he's younger than McBackup and arguably, his style of play is better/more reliable), you choose Pickard as the backup.

If Andersen went down, who would you want to put in net out of those three, I think Pickard is the easy answer.

Well, it's obvious Dubas will be looking for a real backup soon.