Post-Game Talk: No Matthews, No Problem. Leafs beat Oilers 4-2

[Warden of the North]

I'm happy with how we contained McD these past two games.

Even though he scored, I thought he was largely unnoticeable these past two games

 

[shaner8989]

I’m really surprised how bad Edmonton is. They are just putrid.

 

[Nineteen67]

With the best player in the game on their team for 5 yrs you’d think Edmonton would be better. Further proof you have to build a team and not a just collect players.

 

[Notsince67]

With the best player in the game on their team for 5 yrs you’d think Edmonton would be better. Further proof you have to build a team and not a just collect players.

Mcd is a handful. Drai is no slouch either. Biggest problem is that their second best player cant play defense and their best player wont play d because they need him to be a constant offensive threat.

 

[Critical13]

I’m really surprised how bad Edmonton is. They are just putrid.

Imagine if Drai didn’t develop into an elite player but instead was closer to an average 4th overall?

 

[ottomaddox]

With the best player in the game on their team for 5 yrs you’d think Edmonton would be better. Further proof you have to build a team and not a just collect players.

I'm not sure what you mean. There are many players on EDM that were drafted by EDM: McDavid, Driasaitl, RNH, Nurse, Jones, Bear, Yamamoto, Puljujarvi, etc. Since RNH was drafted I think EDM have gone through 3 general managers. It's pretty hard to put their current state on one GM. It seems like there's something else going on.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Good win last night. That’s a couple solid showings in a row now by Andersen. Keep it going.

 

[weems]

Mcd is a handful. Drai is no slouch either. Biggest problem is that their second best player cant play defense and their best player wont play d because they need him to be a constant offensive threat.

Their secondary offense is extremely underwhelming also.

I mean we took Matthews out of our lineup last night and it still looked decent on paper (You still have Marner, Tavares and Nylander).

You take either one of McDavid or Drai out of that lineup and it gets pretty ugly.

 

[Critical13]

Mitch is all of us

 

[Leafs1991]

What are you smoking? Are you watching the same game that I watch?

Every time McDavid steps on the ice, no matter who he's up against, the ice is tilted in Edmonton's favour.

100%. McDavid is always creating a chance when he is on the ice and it's usually a very high danger one. You can't say the same about any other player in the league.

 

[Leafs1991]

Thanks, I figured that he'd be a dynamic skater and he has been anything but.

I think that is cause with the new skating generation we are getting that some of these older guys don't seem as good as they used to be. Heck, I don't seem very impressed with Reilly anymore.

 

[Nineteen67]

I'm not sure what you mean. There are many players on EDM that were drafted by EDM: McDavid, Driasaitl, RNH, Nurse, Jones, Bear, Yamamoto, Puljujarvi, etc. Since RNH was drafted I think EDM have gone through 3 general managers. It's pretty hard to put their current state on one GM. It seems like there's something else going on.

I’m not blaming anyone in particular just pointing out they haven’t built a a very solid team.

 

[Brobust]

Mitch is all of us

That was an Edmonton penalty. I wonder what exactly he was rolling his eyes at.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Can someone please tell me why Lehtonen is rarely playing? If we’re going to see what kind of player he is, he needs to be playing more often than not, not just getting in once in a while.
Also, I know it’s only one game, but if Engvall can consistently play like he did last night, shouldn’t he be a regular?

 

[ottomaddox]

Can someone please tell me why Lehtonen is rarely playing? If we’re going to see what kind of player he is, he needs to be playing more often than not, not just getting in once in a while.
Also, I know it’s only one game, but if Engvall can consistently play like he did last night, shouldn’t he be a regular?

Perhaps Dubas overdid it with defensive depth. Who knows? I only think that Rielly (surprisingly) is the only D who's struggling on the blueline right now. Surely injuries will come and Lehtonen will get his shot.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Can someone please tell me why Lehtonen is rarely playing? If we’re going to see what kind of player he is, he needs to be playing more often than not, not just getting in once in a while.
Also, I know it’s only one game, but if Engvall can consistently play like he did last night, shouldn’t he be a regular?

Depth, and the depth pieces have done well so far. That and he's probably still getting adjusted to the smaller ice surface. A short camp and no exhibition games gave him a shortened timeframe to adjust so they're probably working him in through practice.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Perhaps Dubas overdid it with defensive depth. Who knows? I only think that Rielly (surprisingly) is the only D who's struggling on the blueline right now. Surely injuries will come and Lehtonen will get his shot.

I just hope Lehtonen doesn’t get a sour taste in his mouth if he’s not given a decent chance to show if he’s capable of playing.

 

[AvroArrow]

If Freddy doesn't stand on his head in the first period (especially first 2 mins) we get blown out. Draisaitl blowing past Nylander and then the save on Yamamoto, plus the save on McDavid. He kept us alive.

 

[Auston Marlander]

Mcd is a handful. Drai is no slouch either. Biggest problem is that their second best player cant play defense and their best player wont play d because they need him to be a constant offensive threat.

Watching him slide past Marner on the GWG was a treat.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Depth, and the depth pieces have done well so far. That and he's probably still getting adjusted to the smaller ice surface. A short camp and no exhibition games gave him a shortened timeframe to adjust so they're probably working him in through practice.

That makes sense. I just hope that’s okay with Lehtonen. I would hate for him to become disgruntled without being given a fair chance to show if he’s capable of playing over here.

 

[The Iceman]

Engvall should be a fixture in the bottom 6 if he keeps playing like that.

I also think Mikheyev is ready for an extended look in the top 6.

Engvall if he gets in to the lineup should 100% get PK minutes. He didn't get any last night. On a couple of occasions PE was on with McDavid and I thought skated and stayed with him very well.

I vote PE and Soup for PK2 forwards.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Can someone please tell me why Lehtonen is rarely playing? If we’re going to see what kind of player he is, he needs to be playing more often than not, not just getting in once in a while.
Also, I know it’s only one game, but if Engvall can consistently play like he did last night, shouldn’t he be a regular?

He hasn't necessarily been given the best chance to prove himself with the 7D situation, but he's looked pretty bad in the limited minutes he's gotten. Not surprised they're not taking risks in a shortened season.
And yes, Engvall should stay in the line-up... His speed will really help our bottom 6.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Much better effort from our Leafs ... it helps when Hyman plays up in lineup - man of da match for sure ... Freddy 2 thumbs up ... Kerfoot best game of year too ... lots to like about that game ... would have been better if Willy decided to help out on defense - don't like da stick check blow byes and then no effort to hustle back - if you miss on your stick check get ur *ss back and help out - very entitled player some times who relied on Freddy to bail him out ... i know he made some nice skilled offensive plays but i want Willy to step up and me man of match every game and i can't endorse that with a lack of team defense focus on his part

 

[Captain Crunch]

He hasn't necessarily been given the best chance to prove himself with the 7D situation, but he's looked pretty bad in the limited minutes he's gotten. Not surprised they're not taking risks in a shortened season.
And yes, Engvall should stay in the line-up... His speed will really help our bottom 6.

A shortened season does indeed make it difficult, but Dubas knew that going in. And it would be very difficult for Lehtonen to show what he’s capable of without getting some consistent minutes/games. And unless Lehtonen is onboard with how this is being done, I can’t imagine he’s very pleased.
And I hope Engvall can consistently play with speed and some toughness. I think he got the message.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

A shortened season does indeed make it difficult, but Dubas knew that going in. And it would be very difficult for Lehtonen to show what he’s capable of without getting some consistent minutes/games. And unless Lehtonen is onboard with how this is being done, I can’t imagine he’s very pleased.
And I hope Engvall can consistently play with speed and some toughness. I think he got the message.

Again though, Lehtonen has looked bad in the limited time he's gotten, so I don't really care if he's pleased or not, he needs to grab the bull by the horns if he wants to play more, simple as that. He was played with Bogosian all training camp, so it's not like he wasn't given the chance to take that spot. Keefe noticed exactly what I've noticed, he's good with the puck on his stick but otherwise he looks overwhelmed and confused on where to position himself.