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

[The Podium]

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?

The tone around here isn’t overly positive considering the Leafs won against an undefeated team. Yes there are people recognize Robertson, Samsonov and Nylander, but the negativity is still overwhelmingly loud.

 

[notbias]

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

It was fairly even.

Also, consider who gets more ice time at 5v5 when there are a lot of powerplays.

 

[43Kadri43]

I’m a moron because I said Robertson shoulda made the team over Malgin ?

You’re a moron because you think the only reason Malgin made the team was to satiate Dubas’ ego.

 

[Stephen]

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

We definitely need more visual cues for what constitutes domination. A pure shot clock disparity in one aspect but how well are they pulling open seams, caving in a defensive box out, making the opposition D run around like chickens with their heads cut off. How easy it is to gain the opposition blueline. Generally it was a tightly contested, solid game by both teams so I don’t want to say we dominated either.

Other than getting beat up a little physically I think last nights effort is one you love to win but don’t mind too much if you lose in OT or regulation.

 

[All Mod Cons]

The tone around here isn’t overly positive considering the Leafs won against an undefeated team. Yes there are people recognize Robertson, Samsonov and Nylander, but the negativity is still overwhelmingly loud.

It's probably an amalgamation of the previous half a decade, or even longer.

I can't imagine having all the fans forget everything that happens every year just for beating Dallas.

 

[dubplatepressure]

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.

Based on what? From where I’m sitting, we dropped 2 games to teams we had no business losing to, and the one good team we played we needed 8 power plays to ride a tie game into overtime, and even then the attempted shot totals were even. The coach has already put his foot in his mouth 5 games into the season and seems to have either lost portions of the room or is walking on egg shells for reasons unknown.

Now I get that our offensive guns havent started the season yet, but there’s definitely cause for whatever you want to call it - worry / criticism / etc despite only being 5 games in. They look like they are going to get absolutely tuned by any decent team.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I would get Simmonds in Saturday night. He can still be an effective player in his role when he has his legs. We have the opportunity now to use him sparingly so hopefully he keeps his legs stays hungry and healthy. He does still bring something the rest of the forward group lacks and would be nice to keep around.

 

[TMLAM34]

I would get Simmonds in Saturday night. He can still be an effective player in his role when he has his legs. We have the opportunity now to use him sparingly so hopefully he keeps his legs stays hungry and healthy. He does still bring something the rest of the forward group lacks and would be nice to keep around.

Especially since we’re playing Winnipeg who are big and dirty. I’d probably sit NAK.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

It's hard to understand this obsession on Malgin and cutting him as soon as possible. Would people be this trigger happy if Robertson started instead of him and was only "meh" in first few games. It seemed number wise, that he was ok complimentary piece with Tavares and Nylander. Shuffle the deck a bit Malgin included and give the team that 16 more games. Then kick Malgin or whomever out, but it isn't like were firing with 12 cylinder and Malgin is only piece that isn't working.

Our whole offense seems to be bit enigmatic. It isn't just Malgin. Would think that people would be more cautious, after we saw how it went with Barabanov.

Robertson will have bad games and I hope we don't judge him after one or two of those.

More like putting him on waivers as soon as possible.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Welcome to da Leafs Mr. Robertson .. what an announcement .. wow watching him on
tv past 2 years very very misleading although he does look stronger on his skates .. last night live at scotia wow I had no idear he was that fast .. amazing stride length and speed .. I knew he could shoot cause nobody gets 50+ in O if they can't shoot .. I had no idear he was that fast .. he kinda makes up for speed loss of Mik .. Kerfoot and Willy can only do so much themselves on speed dial to create open ice .. different dimension was added to this team .. great game rook

 

[LeafsandSharksfan]

It's probably an amalgamation of the previous half a decade, or even longer.

I can't imagine having all the fans forget everything that happens every year just for beating Dallas.

Well those questions aren't gonna be answered either way for awhile. I think the fans are mainly looking at the process and whether the team is building strong habits. Dallas was a step in the right direction but there's still clearly work to be done.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

You’re a moron because you think the only reason Malgin made the team was to satiate Dubas’ ego.

That's not moronic. "Satiate Dubas' ego" is an understatement.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Well those questions aren't gonna be answered either way for awhile. I think the fans are mainly looking at the process and whether the team is building strong habits. Dallas was a step in the right direction but there's still clearly work to be done.

It's definitely a step in the right direction. I'd prefer us not to need 8 PPs to win in OT, but I do think the team is fragile and so any W will help them grow.

 

[Zybalto]

So far this season, Malgin has these numbers in 4 games in his NHL return:

1 goal, 1 point
5v5 xGF%: 58.96
5v5 GF%: 100.00

People are talking like he's been awful or something when he's been solid. If anything, it's awesome to have him in the fold and he hopefully fits in perfectly somewhere in the lineup.

Of all the moronic early-season takes there have been, the Dubas/Malgin/Robertson stuff is just golden.

 

[ACC1224]

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.

He can? When will he start?

 

[The Podium]

It's probably an amalgamation of the previous half a decade, or even longer.

I can't imagine having all the fans forget everything that happens every year just for beating Dallas.

Just seems like a weird game to be vocally critical against. It was a good win against a very physical, strong defensive team which is normally the epitome of kryptonite for this team.

If anything the habits displayed last night are the antithesis of what plagued the Leafs in the years prior.

I get the frustrations regarding the Arizona/Montreal losses, but this is a win the team should build on.

 

[therealkoho]

Clearly more than most on this board do.

You are using circumstantial evidence... He scored one in OT and the other at the end of a PP.

The 2nd line was by far our best today... With Tavares on it. Has been the case for most of this year, with or without Robertson on the line.

If you thought the 2nd line was brutal, you didn't watch the game or have a very odd definition of what "brutal" means. The 4th line was brutal. The top line was brutal. The 3rd line was brutal at times. The 2nd line was far from brutal.

Exactly JT has been solid from the get go and Will so far has really impressed me, he's playing physical, back checking has become a strength and he has also become a better passer and playmaker IMHO.

Malgin was a passenger most nights with those two, but they still carried the play in 9 of the 15 periods they've been together so far. Hopefully Robertson becomes the trigger man that opens up a little more ice for the other two and they can continue putting the puck in the net.

Matty needs to get going, Marner has sometimes looked tentative maybe a sore knee or groin. Both guys need to turn it up a notch. Bunting I think had his best game of the season last night, so maybe it's a sign of things to come.

Mo struggled a bit last night as did TJ but handling Seguin and Benn is a big chore. Holl had another solid game, seems to be very comfortable with Sandin. I'd still maybe prefer Holl playing in the third pair along with his duties on the 1st PK, less taxing for him. Sandin still seems a step off but he should be a full speed in a couple of more games.

Mete is OK as a placeholder but I'd much rather see Liljegren in the lineup tbh. Anyone know how much longer he'll be out?

Reilly TJ
Sandin Liljegren
Gio Holl
I'd be comfortable with that lineup tbqh.

 

[Sypher04]

Based on what? From where I’m sitting, we dropped 2 games to teams we had no business losing to, and the one good team we played we needed 8 power plays to ride a tie game into overtime, and even then the attempted shot totals were even. The coach has already put his foot in his mouth 5 games into the season and seems to have either lost portions of the room or is walking on egg shells for reasons unknown.

Now I get that our offensive guns havent started the season yet, but there’s definitely cause for whatever you want to call it - worry / criticism / etc despite only being 5 games in. They look like they are going to get absolutely tuned by any decent team.

Obviously my post was related to record. We started the season 2-4-1 last year and looked lousy. It’s objectively true that we are off to a better start this season. Last year we also lost 2 of our first 5 to teams we had no business losing to. It’s no new phenomenon to see the Leafs play down to their competition.

The Keefe thing is massively overblown

As for your specific points, I don’t entirely disagree. I’m in no way saying there aren’t issues. I’m saying, like last year, they’ll likely figure them out

 

[The Podium]

He can? When will he start?

 

[Gallagbi]

It was fairly even.

Also, consider who gets more ice time at 5v5 when there are a lot of powerplays.

Our ES TOI is still basically reflective of our depth chart with line 1-2-3-4 in order

 

[Nineteen67]

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

If they make the playoffs they‘ll need a better PP than they’ve had in the past three years, if they want to win a round.

Once teams get “in season lazy”, it’ll likely flourish, but when theyre paying attention again in the playoffs…..

 

[Cournoyer12]

I like the Nicky Bobby nickname, hope it sticks very clever!

 

[egd27]

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

Don't have any first overall or top 10 picks to deploy on those lines so it's very challenging for them.

 

[thinkblue]

That's not moronic. "Satiate Dubas' ego" is an understatement.

It's 100% moronic.

 

[ACC1224]

How is that handling himself?