Pre-Game Talk: Monday gezame: Toronto Maple Leafs vs New Jersey Devils

[SeaOfBlue]

By no means am I am fan of Clifford, but if as a team you are keeping him around to play in case of injury the only way for him to get better (or at least not get worse) is to play games.

Ritchie Engval Spezza
Ritchie Engval Simmonds

Whatever it takes to get guys playing games.

Clifford is not a guy who should have a leash. He has played enough already and has not looked great at all, in any capacity.

Ritchie should be getting any opportunity that doesn't involve needing a center. And if by some chance you need more guys, then the next opportunities should go to Anderson, Steeves, Robertson, and Seney. Clifford refused to even bring a physical element in the games he played, and that is literally the only thing he brings to the table at this point. I am questioning the value he would even have on the Marlies right now, considering they already have Clune who is at least willing to be physical.

 

[Confucius]

Well, you would think that Keefe must have believed the new combos were a good idea if he implemented them, but he only stuck with them for 40 mins (approx)

If Keefe actually believed in the new combos, it seems odd to me that he would expect them to not need some time to develop.

So I wonder if he actually thought up the new lines by himself or was it someone else's idea that he just went along with?
If it was his idea, why did he just give up on them because it didn't work right away, or was he somehow influenced by others to revert back to the familiar lines?

Before a game starts its a good idea to experiment afterall its regular season, playoffs are all that matter. Once the game starts though, you want to win and to heck with the experimenting.

 

[zeke]

 

[Confucius]

Wonder how many Leaf fans have ever seen this goalie play an NHL game?

4 games 4.99 GAA & .824 sv% Yikes !!!

This looks like a good game to bet on the over of # of Matthews goals in this one. I'm going to say 3 and they might even come in the same period.

If I was a gambler I would make 2 bets, Leafs win and the over in total goals.

 

[Confucius]

We allowed 500 fans tonight?

Makes no sense, did you see the soccer game yesterday, sure there supposedly was only 12,000 (50%) but that supporters section a couple of thousand anyway, were shoulder to shoulder.

 

[ACC1224]

Makes no sense, did you see the soccer game yesterday, sure there supposedly was only 12,000 (50%) but that supporters section a couple of thousand anyway, were shoulder to shoulder.

There was more than 12k, easily.

 

[PromisedLand]

watch out for classless subban's slewfoots

 

[PROUD PAPA]

I worry about facing these unknown goalies. There's always a little bit of shame if they shut you down, like Vejmelka did.

 

[Ciao]

Been a while since we've had a Monday game.

I haven't looked at how Ontario's reopening plan impacts sporting events but I imagine attendance is at 50% capacity?

Here are the rules as of today, January 31, 2022:

January 31, 2022
Effective January 31, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. Ontario will begin the process of gradually easing restrictions, while maintaining protective measures, including but not limited to:

• Increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
• Increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to:

• Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;
• Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)
• Shopping malls;
• Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;
• Cinemas;
• Meeting and event spaces;
• Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks;
• Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions; and
• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
• Religious services, rites, or ceremonies.

• Allowing spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues and theatres to operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.

Enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.

Ontario Outlines Steps to Cautiously and Gradually Ease Public Health Measures | Ontario Newsroom

In another three weeks -- on February 21 -- that will rise to 50% of capacity.

Three weeks after that -- on March 14 -- all indoor capacity limits will be lifted.

That's something to look forward to.

 

[egd27]

Before a game starts its a good idea to experiment afterall its regular season, playoffs are all that matter. Once the game starts though, you want to win and to heck with the experimenting.

I suppose......but if you continue to revert back it does send a message that you don't have to take the "experiment" seriously if you don't like it.

 

[Apex Predator]

How many goals is Andreas Johnson scoring today?

 

[Jojalu]

Makes no sense, did you see the soccer game yesterday, sure there supposedly was only 12,000 (50%) but that supporters section a couple of thousand anyway, were shoulder to shoulder.

It was odd that they limited fans and then crammed them all together. What was the point of limiting fans?

Let fans come to the already. Waiting 3 weeks will make a marginal difference. In fact, according to new reports the booster wears off signifigantly in a month. From 75% protection down to 40-35%.

 

[Fogelhund]

It was odd that they limited fans and then crammed them all together. What was the point of limiting fans?

Let fans come to the already. Waiting 3 weeks will make a marginal difference. In fact, according to new reports the booster wears off signifigantly in a month. From 75% protection down to 40-35%.

What you've heard about boosters is partially correct.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/96412

It found that for those with a Pfizer primary series and booster, efficacy against symptomatic disease was 70% immediately after the third dose but fell to 45% at 10 weeks or longer.
Those who had a Pfizer primary series but a Moderna booster saw protection against symptomatic disease hover around 70% to 75% for up to 9 weeks post-boost.

Let's get back to tonight's game talk though.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

Before a game starts its a good idea to experiment afterall its regular season, playoffs are all that matter. Once the game starts though, you want to win and to heck with the experimenting.

And you might have to go back to the experimental line combos a few times before chemistry can be established. Sure once in awhile things click instantly but generally there is an adjustment period. I don't mind trying them or some other combination again. I didn't love the timing anyway with questions about staying focused and holding leads circling the dressing room but at the same time i give Keefe credit for mixing things up at a time that may not have been optimal.

 

[leafsfan5]

So far during our relatively easy 9 game stretch we're 3-0-0. Extending it to 5-0-0 would be great

Time for Matty to get back on the board, feels like forever since he's scored

 

[ACC1224]

So far during our relatively easy 9 game stretch we're 3-0-0. Extending it to 5-0-0 would be great

Time for Matty to get back on the board, feels like forever since he's scored

He’s going to go off on one tonight.
Marner going to continue his heater as well.

 

[Mess]

If I was a gambler I would make 2 bets, Leafs win and the over in total goals.

The Devils are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, giving up an average of 3.4 goals per game. Injuries have taken their toll and New Jersey will be without several key players, including star defenseman Dougie Hamilton and netminders Mackenzie Blackwood and Jonathan Bernier.

Without Blackwood or Bernier, the Devils have allowed over 5 total goals in his past starts but the Leafs are tied for fourth in the NHL in goals scored per game.

New Jersey is 5-13-2 on the road, an indication of how the Devils vs Leafs prediction is expected to turn out. The visitors have lost their last five on the road and would likely struggle in Toronto even with a healthy lineup. A home-and-away series with the Devils on back-to-back nights provides a solid opportunity for the Leafs to add four points to their tally.

Opening Devils vs Maple Leafs Odds: Maple Leafs -300 | O/U 6.5 goals

 

[mapleleafs34]

Auston is due. LFG

 

[HockeyVirus]

Leafs have blown these guys out the last few seasons. They are soft, can't defend, and their goalies suck. All things the Leafs loe to feast on with our offensive weapons.

This should be a blow out win unless their ECHL goalie decides to contend for the Vezina.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Ready to be hurt by another goalie with rough NHL numbers so far.

Schmid is at least a decent prospect though.

 

[al secord]

Is it gezame day or pre gezame day?

 

[Stonehands 1]

GO LEAFS Go, just win!

 

[NylanderBros]

Makes no sense, did you see the soccer game yesterday, sure there supposedly was only 12,000 (50%) but that supporters section a couple of thousand anyway, were shoulder to shoulder.

Nothing makes sense anymore man, nice they are finally being called out

 

[Confucius]

its on....

 

[djdev]

lol, this team has been sloppy for the whole month regardless of their record. annoying to watch lol