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

[Raging Bull]

Matthews is on another level this year and it's been pretty apparent since camp opened.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Roy and Dryden were backups until real late in the season.

Right, I thought of Dryden too. The exception proves the rule and if you fluke into a backup killing it in the playoffs then nice, you got lucky.

 

[LeafShark]

The advanced stats say to replace Zaitsev with Dermott on the second pairing. They also say Johnson could be promoted to the 3rd line and that Lindholm may not belong in the NHL. They also say that the 3rd line in terms of possession don't look as bad as the eye test says. Still early.

 

[crump]

How many goals were related to the new goalie pad rules?

"It should be about skill and athleticism and all those exciting things that people pay to watch, as long as [the goaltenders] are protected and it's fair from goalie to goalie," he said. "That's the main thing."

NHL, NHLPA add new chest, arm pad rules for goalies

 

[thewave]

The advanced stats say to replace Zaitsev with Dermott on the second pairing. They also say Johnson could be promoted to the 3rd line and that Lindholm may not belong in the NHL. They also say that the 3rd line in terms of possession don't look as bad as the eye test says. Still early.

I would agree with the advanced stats at this point.

 

[diceman934]

Right, I thought of Dryden too. The exception proves the rule and if you fluke into a backup killing it in the playoffs then nice, you got lucky.

Neither were a back up. Dryden got called up late in the season played 6 games and was lights out and the rest is history.

Roy played one period the year before he made the team played in 47 games and finished up winning the cup. Neither were ever back ups.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Neither were a back up. Dryden got called up late in the season played 6 games and was lights out and the rest is history.

Roy played one period the year before he made the team played in 47 games and finished up winning the cup. Neither were ever back ups.

Thanks! The Roy story didn't sound right to me either but I was too lazy to look it up. Technically you could argue about Dryden I suppose - is a guy with 6 games under his belt anything more than a backup? So it's basically Murray and then you have to go back about 45 years to come up with another case (Dryden) that maybe fits the narrative or maybe it doesn't. It doesn't matter anyway, my point was and is that no team goes into the playoffs worrying about how good their backup is or isn't, you ride your starter and if he gets injured, that's just bad luck. Especially in the salary cap era, backup goalie isn't the place to spend your resources on.

 

[therealkoho]

Right, I thought of Dryden too. The exception proves the rule and if you fluke into a backup killing it in the playoffs then nice, you got lucky.

Rogie Vachon as well, still remember Punch saying "Jr B" goalie

 

[Zybalto]

The advanced stats say to replace Zaitsev with Dermott on the second pairing. They also say Johnson could be promoted to the 3rd line and that Lindholm may not belong in the NHL. They also say that the 3rd line in terms of possession don't look as bad as the eye test says. Still early.

Not sure where you are getting your data but Zaitsev advanced stats are pretty good, just as good as Dermotts when you factor in his usage.

Heres one example:

5v5 High Danger chances allowed so far this year:

Zaitsev: (TOI: 54:51) 6
Dermott: (TOI: 45:04) 7
Hainsey: (TOI: 49:28) 9
Gardiner: (TOI: 55:40) 10
Rielly: (TOI: 54:51) 17

Zaitsev has also had the most defensive zone starts and QoC approaching the top pairing level. Dermott has been comparably sheltered. I think Dermott has made great strides in his game is on the cusp of taking a top 4 spot but if anyone gives a lick about defense, Zaitsev stays where he is. Its Gards that should be on the hot seat.....but I'm giving him a pass for a while.

One thing the advanced stats have been saying so far is that Gards/Rielly should NEVER be put together. The numbers are so scary I'm not even gonna put them up.

 

[saltming]

No sure why the guy who just works his ass off every shift has to endure all the vitriol. Ya, ya no hands...all .

Its up there with the mystery of the pyramids Haha

 

[Leafs at Knight]

I asked this yesterday but is there a better dman then Rielly who has a worse defensive partner than Hainsey?

 

[Beleafer4]

Not sure where you are getting your data but Zaitsev advanced stats are pretty good, just as good as Dermotts when you factor in his usage.

Heres one example:

5v5 High Danger chances allowed so far this year:

Zaitsev: (TOI: 54:51) 6
Dermott: (TOI: 45:04) 7
Hainsey: (TOI: 49:28) 9
Gardiner: (TOI: 55:40) 10
Rielly: (TOI: 54:51) 17

Zaitsev has also had the most defensive zone starts and QoC approaching the top pairing level. Dermott has been comparably sheltered. I think Dermott has made great strides in his game is on the cusp of taking a top 4 spot but if anyone gives a lick about defense, Zaitsev stays where he is. Its Gards that should be on the hot seat.....but I'm giving him a pass for a while.

One thing the advanced stats have been saying so far is that Gards/Rielly should NEVER be put together. The numbers are so scary I'm not even gonna put them up.

Meh, we are only three games in. Check their numbers from a larger sample size.

 

[ottomaddox]

Awful game last night. Both teams should be embarrassed.

 

[Puckstuff]

If Kapanen is the real deal...

Matthews-Kapanen
Tavares-Marner
Kadri-Nylander

wow

 

[Zybalto]

Meh, we are only three games in. Check their numbers from a larger sample size.

Completely agree.

Its just that I look at HD scoring chance prevention and differentials and I see that Zaitsev is in the top 10 in the league with names like Vlasic, Chara and Burns floating around him(not saying he's at their level) and thought that post needed a response.

Its like I said about Gards. He looks a little shaky out there but he's had a rough pre-season personally and ended the year a little rattled so lets let him find his legs. Zaitsev has been carrying him pretty well so far and Im confident he'll get better.

 

[diceman934]

Thanks! The Roy story didn't sound right to me either but I was too lazy to look it up. Technically you could argue about Dryden I suppose - is a guy with 6 games under his belt anything more than a backup? So it's basically Murray and then you have to go back about 45 years to come up with another case (Dryden) that maybe fits the narrative or maybe it doesn't. It doesn't matter anyway, my point was and is that no team goes into the playoffs worrying about how good their backup is or isn't, you ride your starter and if he gets injured, that's just bad luck. Especially in the salary cap era, backup goalie isn't the place to spend your resources on.

Dryden was called up and he played only six games but was lights out posting a GGA is the low ones. He simply carried his play into the playoffs and was never challenged. He was not on the team as a back up and they never used him as such. His record at Cornell was nuts. He almost never lost. I also remember him sitting out a year while in a contract dispute.

 

[ULF_55]

I'm looking forward to the Easter bunny and the return of the Aliens

Can't help you with the Easter Bunny, but the Aliens never left.

 

[SoVi3t]

Actually this is one of the things I enjoy most about Hyman. He's always battling for pucks, and willing to take a hit to ensure he can make a good play with his teammates.

Easily one of my favourite Leafs for the past few years.

I wanted to add to my earlier assessment of the game, and bring up the fact I really enjoyed Kapanen playing along with Matthews.

 

[frizzer1]

Why is JT and Marner struggling or something? Johnsson has been horrible thus far with giveaway after give away. Sorry he has not earned a shot at playing in the top 6. Kappy is not playing ahead of Marner why you would even suggest this is odd. Kappy is a right winger as is Marner.

Yes, kapanen is a right winger......so is Hyman.
Yes, Johnsson has been weak thus far, but with all that skill ,the world wouldn't end with him getting a shot on that line....
No, JT and Marner haven't been "struggling"......but what does that mean?
Look all I'm saying is that if they give another winger a shot with KT and Marner we would find out whether they are better off or if Hyman is indeed the right guy to be there.
My problem is that with babcock, we will never find out.
He is wedded to Hyman and nothing will get him off that line.........

 

[57 Years No Cup]

I disagree heavily. Leivo's exceeded my expectations. He could be better but I've liked him more than Brown/Johnsson so far. There's been quite a few plays Leivo's made where Brown hasn't been able to finish. Leivo has good vision, great along the boards, and with takeaways. He reminds me of a worse-version of Mark Stone.

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

Leivo's exceeded your expectations? Either the bar is low.... or it's open.

 

[diceman934]

Yes, kapanen is a right winger......so is Hyman.
Yes, Johnsson has been weak thus far, but with all that skill ,the world wouldn't end with him getting a shot on that line....
No, JT and Marner haven't been "struggling"......but what does that mean?
Look all I'm saying is that if they give another winger a shot with KT and Marner we would find out whether they are better off or if Hyman is indeed the right guy to be there.
My problem is that with babcock, we will never find out.
He is wedded to Hyman and nothing will get him off that line.........

Hyman has been great. Johnsson can not play the role required to play and make the line better. Hyman was banged up and looked a lot better last night and he gave The Hawks top pair D man fits all night long.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Dryden was called up and he played only six games but was lights out posting a GGA is the low ones. He simply carried his play into the playoffs and was never challenged. He was not on the team as a back up and they never used him as such. His record at Cornell was nuts. He almost never lost. I also remember him sitting out a year while in a contract dispute.

Yeah OK, you remember the details better than me. So you're right - he wasn't the backup. The team chose him to start, it wasn't a scenario where the guy they wanted couldn't answer the bell so the backup had to play.

 

[diceman934]

Leivo's exceeded your expectations? Either the bar is low.... or it's open.

The bar must be laying on the floor. All that I have seen is a winger who is two steps to slow and Brown as the up ice pressure steering the play towards Levio who can not get there. When the steer guy is doing his job the other guy needs to be on time for the the effort to work.

Babcock is seeing it as well hence the ice time.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

The advanced stats say to replace Zaitsev with Dermott on the second pairing. They also say Johnson could be promoted to the 3rd line and that Lindholm may not belong in the NHL. They also say that the 3rd line in terms of possession don't look as bad as the eye test says. Still early.

I mean Zaitsev is playing a lot more minutes than dermott while also playing significantly harder QoC and perhaps the most damning stat is the difference in zone starts.

Dermott is getting 60% starts in the offensive zone at ES while Zaitsev gets 36.4% starts in the offensive zone at ES. I would really really hope Dermott is getting a far better shot differential (basically Corsi, Fenwick etc) than Zaitsev.

Give it time, however I do think that Hainsey has been getting run over. I think we will see the following before too long:

Rielly-Z
Gardiner-Dermott
Hainsey-X

 

[BertCorbeau]

Yes, kapanen is a right winger......so is Hyman.
Yes, Johnsson has been weak thus far, but with all that skill ,the world wouldn't end with him getting a shot on that line....
No, JT and Marner haven't been "struggling"......but what does that mean?
Look all I'm saying is that if they give another winger a shot with KT and Marner we would find out whether they are better off or if Hyman is indeed the right guy to be there.
My problem is that with babcock, we will never find out.
He is wedded to Hyman and nothing will get him off that line.........

The same thing about him with Matthews over the last two seasons and look where we are now....