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

[Al14]

Someone get on the phone with Glenn Healy's agent.

We really need a 'Dislike' or 'Hate' button!

 

[Eternal Leaf]

The real highlight from this game was Gardiner's tape-to-tape blind pass.

 

[thewave]

You mean the 15m like McDavid got after he scored 108 points? You do remember he starts hot every year, like when he started his career with 4 goals in his first game and didn't manage 70pts.

He is much better this year and playing this way with that PP... 108 MAY BE THE LOW ESTIMATE. If the team plays this style it's going to be big numbers.

 

[ULF_55]

Sparks needed to do better, but some of those goals against were good shots.

Additionally, he didn't have much help and he was following up Andersen's debacle last night. Bar wasn't set very high.

Leafs depth players haven't really contributed much so far.

 

[ninetyone]

Early NHL is messy but fun. I will miss this.

The scary party is the Leafs offense isn't even close to clicking yet. They only had 1 pp goal tonight on 2 chances, Mitch hit a post, no Willy, they still look sloppy, Naz and Brown have shown little and Auston is just getting cranked up.

When (not if) the Leafs learn some puck management, and they play in those closer games, these offensive weapons will make a difference

 

[Liminality]

Sparks needed to do better, but some of those goals against were good shots.

Additionally, he didn't have much help and he was following up Andersen's debacle last night. Bar wasn't set very high.

Leafs depth players haven't really contributed much so far.

Definitely, the bottom 6 is what's the most concerning atm imo.

 

[Mitch nylander]

Missed this one. Can people inform me on how the game went. Who performed well and who didn't?

Also did the lines change to

Marleau - Matthews - Kapanen
Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Leivo - Kadri - Brown
Johnsson - Lindholm - Ennis ?????
Gauthier

 

[garce]

Also Jim Ralph and some other guy were going on about how Ennis isn't a 4th liner and should at least be on the 3rd line.. Brutal.

Ennis had his chance to seize the moment as a vet,Minny bought him out for a reason. He’s not a 4th liner for sure and should be waived Marlies or Europe or home his choice. Matthews should be surrounded with genuine talent not hopeful shots in the dark and grinders.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

The last goal was going wide and deflected in Hainsey's stick.

Sparks let in 1 bad goal - people are overstating things here.

Not every shot that gets tipped makes it an automatic hard save. That shot was savable, and the shot from the blue line straight in was pretty bad also. Yea he was screened a bit but he has to fight for the sight.

 

[Pookie]

That line is rough right now that's for sure. Not exactly sure what you do with it at the moment to fix it.

Not to start another Nylander thread but when he comes back, Kapaenen slides down. That should help.

It’s a different use for them, Kadri in particular. He was in a shut down role.

Doesn’t appear to be anymore.

Babcock is giving 18-20mins to his big 2 lines. Kadri got 15:33 and 13:43 in the last two games.

Line needs a role and identity. If it’s tertiary scoring, he needs a winger. If it’s energy... they could bring that but look timid.

Nylander coming back should help.

 

[Boutette]

Line the lines, I doubt it lasts. Kadri is playing with 2 new players he has no chemistry with. Leivo hardly even played the last two years and Brown hasn't been all there either. Give them a few more games and see if they work through this. If not, hopefully Babcock finds someone for Kadri to play with because that's 30 goals we're giving away if not.

The team is on a 270 goal pace without Kadri. Chances are opposition coaches will actually try to cool down Matthews and Tavares and stop paying so much effort to shut down the other lines.

 

[ninetyone]

Sparks needed to do better, but some of those goals against were good shots.

Additionally, he didn't have much help and he was following up Andersen's debacle last night. Bar wasn't set very high.

Leafs depth players haven't really contributed much so far.

I think Sparks is very erratic in goal, with poor positioning and huge rebounds. He's young, did well in the AHL, but I'm hoping another veteran becomes available at some point.

Dubas seems like a guy who will give Sparks an extended look though

 

[mallory67]

Art Ross for Matthews? Not so fast ...

In the modern era, only two players with more goals than assists have won an Art Ross?
Any guesses? No cheating ...

 

[Schooner]

You mean hot-takers can't so easily justify going flipping nuts. I get it.

I will happily eat my words if Sparks turns into an excellent backup, I just didnt see it before we waived Pickard and Mac, and still dont see it

 

[TheRexman]

John Tavares hat trick goal called by Joe Bowen

Every Leafs game should be called by Joe. I just love the man and his enthusiasm.

 

[OVO16]

Definitely, the bottom 6 is what's the most concerning atm imo.

Leivo really hasnt been that bad. Even though he's not stuffing up the stat sheet, he's been winning a lot of buck/board battles, making plays and good defensively as well. He also makes crisp passes.

Johnsson and Brown, on the other hand, are terrible. Tyler Ennis too

 

[Leafs at Knight]

Lots of wacky scores early in the season

Defensively and goaltending they need work, but they’re getting better offensively and geling more.

I hope to hell Kap stays in Matthews line, he was the game changer

Marleau looked good too.

I think Ennis was basically stapled to the bench after the first

Marleau looked good? Not sure what game you were watching, no offence.

 

[Boutette]

Not every shot that gets tipped makes it an automatic hard save. That shot was savable, and the shot from the blue line straight in was pretty bad also. Yea he was screened a bit but he has to fight for the sight.

True. But Ward was worse (after 2 solid games) and Anderson wasn't any better against Ottawa. Its not the goaltending that is the problem, at least for the leafs.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Brown and Leivo have been a hot mess. They’re just not skating. It’s not all Kadri.

Actually Brown did well today but Leivo seems to be squeezing his stick a bit too hard. The line had chances but instead of shooting they tried to be pretty with passes. I noticed it a number of time.

They gotta shoot, grind, shoot, shoot.

 

[Drew311]

A lot of those goals weren’t Sparks’ fault, lots of defensive breakdowns and traffic/tips. Although Sparks doesn’t look super comfortable in net; he’s very unorthodox and commits early.

If the defense settles down he’ll benefit big time and be a decent backup. He just can’t handle having to make the big save on a consistent basis. He’s just not good enough to be successful this way.

 

[Mikeyg]

Sparks needed to do better, but some of those goals against were good shots.

Additionally, he didn't have much help and he was following up Andersen's debacle last night. Bar wasn't set very high.

Leafs depth players haven't really contributed much so far.

What the hell ulf? Guy was beyond brutal there is no sugar coating this.

 

[93gilmour93]

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.

I remember you from all the Tavares threads in the summer and you were always fair in your posts.

 

[biotk]

Please everyone stop claiming Dubas to be some amazing GM, he made a terrible decision to get rid of McElhinney.

Don Cherry said it last night, we are going to regret it, who knew it was going to be this early.

Doesn’t even feel like we won when you surrender 6 goals.

Remember when the Leafs allowed 6 goals in 3 of their first 10 games last season?

 

[TheRexman]

Who is ? Auston and the crowd,or are you saying it was directed towards the Hawk bench? Either way Patty threw it back in his face,so ,he should learn that's why you don't do that! The jinx is real!

Oh get over it and yourself.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Every Leafs game should be called by Joe. I just love the man and his enthusiasm.

Agreed 100% because Joe Bowen's calls are the best.

 

[Drew311]

Actually Brown did well today but Leivo seems to be squeezing his stick a bit too hard. The line had chances but instead of shooting they tried to be pretty with passes. I noticed it a number of time.

They gotta shoot, grind, shoot, shoot.

I think Leivo has been fine and Brown has struggled. It seems like Leivo is looking to pass too much when he should be the shooter on the line. Plays just seem to be dying on Brown’s stick so far.