Post-Game Talk: No Cup for Winnipeg this Year | 4-1 Leafs Win

[notbias]

Dallas Stars abused Matthews the game prior and Auston was still holding his hip in this game after some shots feeling the effects of the abuse he took unanswered.

Had Jamie Benn done that with Simmonds and Clifford in the line-up he might be missing a few teeth today, and most certainly would have been challenged to a fight.

Its great that Auston has added "hits and physical play" to his game to try and get his teammates more engaged physically, but he knows he has added help driving up the teams intensity level when Simmonds and Clifford are also sitting on the Leafs bench willing to do their parts as well.

I personally enjoyed this game the most of the Leafs 6 games this season, because I got to watch high impact real Hockey and not low contact figure skating.

Marner got driven head first into the boards and Simmonds and Clifford did nothing... people are making this way bigger than it is.

Clifford is not good. Simmonds can still play and was good, let him have some more games.

 

[Pebble live]

Fun fact: I was the physical scrub, I have a ton of self awareness.

You guys are willing to settle for mediocrity, that’s the difference. Gary Roberts, Wendel Clark, Cam Neely, or more recently Matthew/Brady Tkachuk, Tom Wilson, those are the types of players that can protect their teammates in todays game. Those are the players who physical presence is felt and will convince other teams to shy away from contact.

Source: Trust me bro.

 

[therealkoho]

You're projecting your own personal feelings, fears, and needs in beer league hockey onto professional hockey players. That's not how this works. The players can handle themselves, and they showed that yet again. They don't and didn't need Simmonds and Clifford.

Luckily, Simmonds had good energy and made a nice assist, so he ended up bringing some actual value, instead of just imaginary value - even if he did also take a bad penalty.
Clifford didn't bring a whole lot of anything.

 

[The Podium]

Source: Trust me bro.

Simmonds played 111 games in a Maple Leafs sweater. 1 game of a physical response and people act like the only thing this team needed to play big was to have Simmonds protection. How come they were still soft the other 110? Why did game 111 in Simmonds tenure here ignite a physical response? Maybe it’s coincidence and not causation?

That’s literally the only thing I’m trying to say here.

 

[therealkoho]

Lol this sub.

Even winning gets everyone arguing about who's right or wrong for fox lakes.

Go leafs go.

Fox Lakes, is that in the Kawarthas?

 

[therealkoho]

Simmonds had a great game and definitely earned another start. Without question he was a bigger contributor in last nights game than NAK has been all season.

Clifford was invisible, that is who I was referring to.



Of course he is a liar, has a player ever, in the history of the game, publicly called out a teammate? Especially in this market! Come on man…

It's the coaches job, he alone can choose the wrong words!

 

[Dekes For Days]

Source: Trust me bro.

The funny thing is, the opposite argument is entirely built on "trust me bro" with zero evidence. There's absolutely nothing to suggest that the players who actually fought and played physical did so because Simmonds and Clifford were sitting on the bench.

Unfortunately, because some posters were scared in their own beer league games decades ago unless they had a face-puncher on the team, they think they can project and apply that to professional hockey players who have time and time again shown that they can handle their battles all on their own, just like they did in this game.

 

[Metroid]

Fox Lakes, is that in the Kawarthas?

Google maped it and nope. There's one in Huntsville tho apparently

 

[leafsfan5]

Wasn't able to watch the game but caught the highlights. Another solid start from Samsonov, he's proving me wrong and doing really well so far. Hopefully he keeps it up!

Love Rielly stepping up for Robertson as well, he has his faults defensively but he's a great leader on this club

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Monday night against Kessel and Eichel should be a doozy. Wonder how the injuries shake down.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Simmonds and Clifford have already caught up to Malgin's point total for the year and I don't believe they spent much time with Nylander and Tavares.

 

[therealkoho]

The funny thing is, the opposite argument is entirely built on "trust me bro" with zero evidence. There's absolutely nothing to suggest that the players who actually fought and played physical did so because Simmonds and Clifford were sitting on the bench.

Unfortunately, because some posters were scared in their own beer league games decades ago unless they had a face-puncher on the team, they think they can project and apply that to professional hockey players who have time and time again shown that they can handle their battles all on their own, just like they did in this game.

Did you notice how the Leafs responded to Jamie Benn after he intentionally hurt Matthews with not one, not two, but three flagrant cross-checks, you know that foul that the league swore on their mothers graves they were going to put a stop to, by calling, even the shadow of one.

The Stars skated around after that incident like it was practice with nary a care nor bother in the world.

Not so with the Jets, they got roughed up.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

So if Samsonov has a big year, they won’t be able to afford him and Murray will be the starter next year, with another bargain basement guy as backup.
Good times!

All of Kerfoot, Engvall, Kampf, Simmonds, Clifford, Bunting, ZAR, NAK, Benn and Holl are UFA after this season. The only ones I possibly see coming back are Bunting and Kampf. That's something like 12M coming off the books. We could possibly see Muzzin moved saving another 5.6M.

Plus the cap is projecting to go up 4M next season.

We are going to have a number of prospects looking to replace those UFAs next year in Robertson, Knies, Hirvonen, Holmberg, Steeves, Abruzzese, Douglas and Kral on cheap contracts. I dont see the Leafs having to worry about money next season.

We could see something like:

Bunting Matthews Marner
Robertson Tavares Nylander
Knies Holmberg Steeves
UFA Kampf UFA

Rielly Liljegren
Sandin Brodie
Giordano UFA

Samsonov
Murray

 

[ACC1224]

I don’t know how you could have watched last nights game and think that was the same team we’ve seen all year. Must have been a coincidence

Wonder what some of the impressions were when Dubas re-signed both of these players?
Seems to be a bit of a mixed message being offered.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Simmonds played 111 games in a Maple Leafs sweater. 1 game of a physical response and people act like the only thing this team needed to play big was to have Simmonds protection. How come they were still soft the other 110? Why did game 111 in Simmonds tenure here ignite a physical response? Maybe it’s coincidence and not causation?

That’s literally the only thing I’m trying to say here.

The Leafs have been leaned on until last night and emotion has not been there. I for one was extremely pissed off at the MTL game and the way the lifeless Leafs showed up. How the **** can you be a fan of a team that shows nothing against a long time rival like MTL. Yeah there was a lot more life injected into the team last night. Perhaps Robertson's OT winner helped the emotion too.

 

[Gary Nylund]

The Leafs have been leaned on until last night and emotion has not been there. I for one was extremely pissed off at the MTL game and the way the lifeless Leafs showed up. How the **** can you be a fan of a team that shows nothing against a long time rival like MTL. Yeah there was a lot more life injected into the team last night. Perhaps Robertson's OT winner helped the emotion too.

I came here to say that 12 pages of posts after a win isn't bad, an improvement over the last time for sure so maybe fans are starting to get back to normal but then, I see this post at the end, sigh.

Cheer up buddy. If you can't understand how people can be fans of this team, then what the hell are you still doing here? If this place brings you down, then go away FFS. Get a life, be happy.

Anyhow, I enjoyed the game last night. That's two entertaining, solid wins in a row, looking forward to the next one. GLG!!

 

[Mess]

Leafs player hits last game ..

Matthews 2 hits & Leafs 4th line Simmonds (3) -- Kampf (2) -- Clifford (2) = 9 hits ..

Rest of Leafs 8 forwards 4 = hits total.

4th line combines for the GWG.

 

[LeafChief]

I'd come back with Simmonds tomorrow but not Clifford. Simmonds worked. Clifford was more or less invisible.

I like the idea and I wouldn't shy away from both in the lineup again in the future depending on the opponent. I like the idea of a healthy rotation amongst the 4th line until someone takes a hold of a spot.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Did you notice how the Leafs responded to Jamie Benn after he intentionally hurt Matthews with not one, not two, but three flagrant cross-checks, you know that foul that the league swore on their mothers graves they were going to put a stop to, by calling, even the shadow of one.

The Stars skated around after that incident like it was practice with nary a care nor bother in the world.

Not so with the Jets, they got roughed up.

Yes, just like for all teams, not every play is going to trigger a response. Even in this game, Marner had a way more egregious play against him. I doubt anybody even knew what happened to Matthews until they got back to the bench. And yes, the league consistently fails to protect its players, especially star players, and as a result, Benn is going to do garbage like that no matter what response he gets from the opposition.

There was a lot more bad blood against Winnipeg. They are a dirty team. They were dirty in our previous game last year, and injured Sandin. They were dirty in this game, and tried to injure our players. There's absolutely nothing to indicate that the difference between the response in this game and the last game was because of Simmonds and Clifford behind the bench doing nothing, instead of all of the other way more meaningful differences.

We're not a team that goes out looking to cause injuries and mayhem, and some people are stuck 40 years ago and equate that to being soft, but this team has shown time and time again that we can handle our business when we need to, Simmonds/Cliffords or not.

It's unfortunate, because Simmonds actually had a decent game and probably earned another, but instead of talking about that, we have to talk about fantasies of Simmonds/Clifford's mere existence magically causing everything that happens.

 

[LeafChief]

A healthy/rested Simmonds is still an effective player. He can't last playing 70-80 games but getting him into 30-40 may be a very good idea.

 

[notbias]

I don’t know how you could have watched last nights game and think that was the same team we’ve seen all year. Must have been a coincidence

Wonder what some of the impressions were when Dubas re-signed both of these players?
Seems to be a bit of a mixed message being offered.

It could have been a coincidence, maybe they were called out last game, not saying it is though.

I just think most people have an issue with BOTH players being regulars, not one. I think most people thought Simmonds looked good and are fine with an extended look, but we have energy players who are better than Clifford, he is a liability.

 

[Stephen]

Yes, just like for all teams, not every play is going to trigger a response. Even in this game, Marner had a way more egregious play against him. I doubt anybody even knew what happened to Matthews until they got back to the bench. And yes, the league consistently fails to protect its players, especially star players, and as a result, Benn is going to do garbage like that no matter what response he gets from the opposition.

There was a lot more bad blood against Winnipeg. They are a dirty team. They were dirty in our previous game last year, and injured Sandin. They were dirty in this game, and tried to injure our players. There's absolutely nothing to indicate that the difference between the response in this game and the last game was because of Simmonds and Clifford behind the bench doing nothing, instead of all of the other way more meaningful differences.

Goons on your team make everyone feel safer and more confident to in a hostile physical environment. Even the Leafs recognize this, even as they try to move away from this dynamic time after time.

 

[saltming]

Ok I somewhat agree, but in no way were Clifford/Simmons "invisible".

A primary assist (for instance) is not a play an invisible player does. You have to be active in the offensive zone (in most occasions) to get a primary assist.

It seems to me that you're worried that 2 fighters are now stealing 4th line jobs. I don't think they are. Not yet. I don't think ZAR and NAK are though. They might have better defensive track records, but it doesn't show. At least not yet.

The 4th line for Dubas/Keefe is a work in progress.

Simmons was a skilled bruiser in his prime and I think that's what @The Podium is getting at.
Clifford was pretty invisible, which isn't necessarily a bad thing

 

[AvroArrow]

A healthy/rested Simmonds is still an effective player. He can't last playing 70-80 games but getting him into 30-40 may be a very good idea.

I thought he had a good game last night as well, I know he has extra motivation as well. He knows he has to show his worth with every opportunity that he gets.

 

[egd27]

What is he supposed to say? "They are tough but not good hockey players?"

Clifford is not good, he just takes too many dumb penalties, but I wouldn't mind seeing Simmonds in the lineup longer.

I could see a high-energy guy like NAK who throws around his weight do well with Simmonds.

Where did Matthews say they were good hockey players? He said they have their backs and bring energy and intensity.