Post-Game Talk: NICKY BOBBY FOR THE WIN! | 3-2 Leafs in OT

[Twine Tickler]

Poetic justice for Nicky Bobby. He should have made the team out of camp, looked great last night. This kid works his absolute bag off and this type of night has been in his sites for years now. You can tell how much he wants to be an impactful NHL'er. Remember him forgoing the world junior hockey championship in the shortened COVID season of 2021 at the off chance he would make our team?? This kid has been hyper focused on this goal for a very long time, and has never lost motivation despite having obstacle after obstacle fall in his lap. This is a kid who's had 2 serious leg injuries, and a camp in which he performed more than well enough to make the roster but was snipped due to circumstances out of his control.

Very happy for him to have his hard work manifest in the way it did last night. His energy was contagious. The shift after he scored his first he was an absolute buzz saw. It got the crowd and the team fully engaged into the game at 5v5. If not for a ridiculously stupid penalty by Kerf, his first woulda been the GWG. But no worries, Robby shows up in OT to cap off a great season debut. Hopefully that performance gives him a bit more of a runway in the top 6, and if he can play confident like that going forward the league is going to have to watch the f*** out.

Shout out to Sammy kicking it and holding the fort. He's looked really solid thus far. Also shout out to AM34 on the back check + dish back to Robby in OT. I think Sheldon alluded to that play in his post game presser, not an easy move for Auston to pass up an open look right down Broadway when he's struggled to hit the back of the net, but the right play was to feed it back to Robby. It completely froze Wedgewood, and Robby made no mistake. Even when AM34 is struggling to produce he continues to find ways to help the team. It's what the greats do!

keep this ball rolling fellas!

 

[Rude Dog]

That it was. Only time it got loud was during those "make noise" encouraged moments.

It felt like the crowd was more ready to jump all over them ... than to support them. Kinda like some of the posters on this board.

 

[The Podium]

The Leafs better get the PP fixed. That probably means a permanent ban of Keefe in PP room. 8 or 9 PPs, one gift in the final minutes, and can’t put the game away.

It’s been 5 games, they were the #1 PP unit last season. Let’s relax a bit.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Robertson now has more goals than Matthews in 5 less games.

Robertson has more goals than anyone other than Nylander, in four fewer games.

 

[Sypher04]

It’s one game and I’m not going to overreact, but if Robertson can play the way he did last night all season (obviously he won’t score 2 goals every game but consistent efforts and chances) and IF we are able to add Knies later this season, and he can find a groove quickly, we could be looking at a team that is dramatically more difficult to defend against.

 

[The Podium]

Even when they win against a good team this fan base is relentlessly critical

Pre-game:
“The Leafs don’t stand a chance against Dallas’ physicality and forecheck”

*The Leafs win and while it was a tight game, the generally controlled the game*

Post-game:
“They won but Auston Matthews got bullied”

Everyone talks about toughness at the bottom of the lineup, that isn’t effective toughness. Guys like Benn aren’t going to engage with a guy like Simmonds or Clifford. Toughness comes from the top of the lineup, and Auston Matthews is one of the biggest, toughest star players in the league. He can handle himself.

 

[notDatsyuk]

This is absurd.

Tavares has been our best forward so far

With the possible exception of Robertson last night, Nylander has been our best player every game, despite having to play with Tavares. He's made JT look decent.

 

[Gallagbi]

People are still complaining about a solid effort... figures.

People are worried about execution, not effort. We look timid and confused for long stretches, which isnt a good look

 

[All Mod Cons]

Even when they win against a good team this fan base is relentlessly critical

Pre-game:
“The Leafs don’t stand a chance against Dallas’ physicality and forecheck”

*The Leafs win and while it was a tight game, the generally controlled the game*

Post-game:
“They won but Auston Matthews got bullied”

Everyone talks about toughness at the bottom of the lineup, that isn’t effective toughness. Guys like Benn aren’t going to engage with a guy like Simmonds or Clifford. Toughness comes from the top of the lineup, and Auston Matthews is one of the biggest, toughest star players in the league. He can handle himself.

You seem to have skipped over dozens and dozens of other comments. Not even a mention of the hundred or so comments praising Robertson? Why?

 

[Dreakmur]

I understand the point youre trying to make, i think the trouble is that it doesnt align with the on ice explanation.

The explanation was that Marner made the contact that prevented Samsonov from making the save, and that was before Seguin pushed him.

The referee on the ice didn’t see that the puck had already been knocked loose before Seguin extended his arms, and he assumed that contact caused it. Upon review, the puck was already loose by that point, so him extending his arms want relevant to the goal.

 

[Sypher04]

I know we get a lot of reviews go against us but, unpopular opinion, I didn’t think there was enough contact between Seguin and Marner to justify calling that goal off. Regardless of timing on the contact. Putting myself on the other side, I’d have been pretty pissed if the roles were reversed and that goal didn’t stand. I think the right call was made.

 

[Mess]

I think little Nic drew great inspiration from big brother Jason playing in the same game, and with Momma Robertson in the crowd cheering on her boys,

He certainly was the inspiration behind the Leafs win and why "play the kids" is not just a catchy phrase but a good game plan as well.

 

[therealkoho]

Isn't the new guy Cadberry running the PP now?

It's the belief that's important, not who's really behind the bench. As you know the Malhotra PP was awful, ergo he would still need to be fired if he is still there. What is believed always trumps what's really happening especially if you're not really watching the team.

You know I would bet that there are posters here who actually think that JT is washed up only because they've read it over and over again. People who dont actually watch because they're too busy or whatever, and this anecdotal evidence written here then becomes their reality.

 

[TMLAM34]

I think little Nic drew great inspiration from big brother Jason playing in the same game, and with Momma Robertson in the crowd cheering on her boys,

He certainly was the inspiration behind the Leafs win and why "play the kids" is not just a catchy phrase but a good game plan as well.

Lots of talk about putting Malgin back into the lineup and even though I’m not completely against it I’d much rather see Steeves called up and given a look.

These kids can play. They bring energy and enthusiasm into the lineup which we desperately lack.

Not to mention Steeves played good in pre-season and is off to another strong start for the Marlies.

 

[kb]

How soft is this team that it trained us to think that was a hard push. It was a goal 100% zero controversy around it.

Explain this then.

 

[Gallagbi]

The explanation was that Marner made the contact that prevented Samsonov from making the save, and that was before Seguin pushed him.

The referee on the ice didn’t see that the puck had already been knocked loose before Seguin extended his arms, and he assumed that contact caused it. Upon review, the puck was already loose by that point, so him extending his arms want relevant to the goal.

Last sentence is what i would have went with for the point youre making. Seguin also rides Marner in, so the actual on ice explanation doesnt refute the incidental contact.

 

[Zybalto]

Robertson as the 2nd line LW is exactly how most people wanted things to end up. Once the stars finish shaking off the rust on their finishing, this team is going to be rolling.

I'm wondering if Malgin gets back in on the 4th line to get some offensive drive for that line? Maybe Simmonds too to shake things up?

 

[notbias]

People are worried about execution, not effort. We look timid and confused for long stretches, which isnt a good look

We looked dominant against a team that was undefeated.

It is progress, the season is long, enjoy the win and the good effort.

Do people expect 60 mins of dominant hockey? Must be their first season if they do.

 

[Sypher04]

Robertson as the 2nd line LW is exactly how most people wanted things to end up. Once the stars finish shaking off the rust on their finishing, this team is going to be rolling.

I'm wondering if Malgin gets back in on the 4th line to get some offensive drive for that line? Maybe Simmonds too to shake things up?

It definitely shouldn’t be lost on people that we are actually off to a better start that last year. Now that doesn’t mean we’re gonna set franchise mark for point again (though we could), just the sky is far from falling.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Got to split up that 4th line because its genuinely getting crushed out there. Kampf and Engvall have always worked well together - I'd move Engvall down to the 4th line and scratch one of ZAR/NAK. Play Malgin (or Steeves) with Kerfoot and Jarnkrok.

Robertson won't play another game in the AHL (unless it's a conditioning stint or something alike).

Yeah I'm up for your suggestion. Engvall is not too great on the 3rd line and the 4th line has struggled.

 

[ULF_55]

Robertson doubled his career NHL points last night.

4 point in 17 regular season games.

1 goal in post season crapshoot.

 

[Gallagbi]

We looked dominant against a team that was undefeated.

It is progress, the season is long, enjoy the win and the good effort.

Do people expect 60 mins of dominant hockey? Must be their first season if they do.

Dallas outplayed us 5on5. The "domination" was largely a result of some PPs that had really questionable execution and were riddled with poor decisions

 

[Gary Nylund]

Robertson as the 2nd line LW is exactly how most people wanted things to end up. Once the stars finish shaking off the rust on their finishing, this team is going to be rolling.

I'm wondering if Malgin gets back in on the 4th line to get some offensive drive for that line? Maybe Simmonds too to shake things up?

That's the way I feel as well. Seems like many people gave up on this season before it even started, and their ranks swelled after the first 4 games but not me. This team is so good and despite past failures, I can see them going a long way in the playoffs. There's just way too much talent to stay down forever.

GLG!!

 

[Stephen]

Dubas/Keefe have never been able to figure out the 3rd and 4th lines

They figured out a line with Kampf last year with some combination of Engvall and Mikheyev but I think they struggle with a pure 4th line since they’re allergic to actually having a caveman shift out there. All you need is high energy, responsible hitting to rev up the energy level and cripple the other team for 30-40 seconds while the Big Line gets supercharged.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I hope the people trying to twist this to blast the Robertson/Malgin decision realize how wrong this actually makes them. Robertson wasn't destroyed by being sent down, like so many suggested. He's just fine, and if anything, had more fire. We also did right by Malgin, gave him the chance he earned, and still have him as a depth option instead of losing him for nothing. It took all of 3 games to have the space for both.

Also pretty sad to see people desperately defend the other team interfering with our goalie to score.