Our guys seem to hate being in intense games.
Series Talk: North Division Round 1: Leafs (1) vs. Canadiens (4)
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Looking at the season ending standings on tsn leafs are at 5th, I thought Pitt finished ahead of us ?
The Masters
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peconcan
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I don’t think anything will happen either, but if something did there wouldn’t be anything stopping Perry from cheapshotting Matthews or Marner in game 1
Zach Hyman not expecting rust in return to top-line role - TSN.ca
Zach Hyman is expected to play on Thursday when the Leafs open their playoff series against the Canadiens.
"We haven't gotten the final clearance for him medically, but I certainly believe we are trending that way," said coach Sheldon Keefe. "Another great practice for him today."
Hyman skated on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. The gritty winger hasn't suited up in a game since April 18 when a knee-on-knee hit by Canucks defenceman Alex Edler left him with an MCL sprain. Hyman has now taken part in three practices since being cleared for contact and isn't feeling much rust.
"I don't think I've been off too long," Hyman said. "I've been skating and trying to stay in game shape so I'm just excited. The playoffs are a whole new level so just to get back into that game, I'll be into it right from the first shift and ready to get going."
Keefe suggested the injury layoff may actually help.
"You never like to play without Zach Hyman in your lineup, but I did look at it as positive that a guy who gives so much to every shift and every rep he gets — whether it is a practice or a game — [got] time to recover and be fresh for playoffs," the coach said. "I certainly think we are going to see a very prepared Zach Hyman."
Prior to the injury, Hyman was having a career year with 15 goals and 18 assists in 43 games.
Zach Hyman is expected to play on Thursday when the Leafs open their playoff series against the Canadiens.
"We haven't gotten the final clearance for him medically, but I certainly believe we are trending that way," said coach Sheldon Keefe. "Another great practice for him today."
Hyman skated on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. The gritty winger hasn't suited up in a game since April 18 when a knee-on-knee hit by Canucks defenceman Alex Edler left him with an MCL sprain. Hyman has now taken part in three practices since being cleared for contact and isn't feeling much rust.
"I don't think I've been off too long," Hyman said. "I've been skating and trying to stay in game shape so I'm just excited. The playoffs are a whole new level so just to get back into that game, I'll be into it right from the first shift and ready to get going."
Keefe suggested the injury layoff may actually help.
"You never like to play without Zach Hyman in your lineup, but I did look at it as positive that a guy who gives so much to every shift and every rep he gets — whether it is a practice or a game — [got] time to recover and be fresh for playoffs," the coach said. "I certainly think we are going to see a very prepared Zach Hyman."
Prior to the injury, Hyman was having a career year with 15 goals and 18 assists in 43 games.
Now can our top guys PLEASE do what Kucherov and Point did this game? Just like they did what our top guys couldn't do against Columbus?
Take couple penalties that cost them the game?!
Its so sad how the rules change in the playoffs so many uncalled penalties in the tampa Florida game
Stonehands1990
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What an amazing game. Also what a dog fight the Atlantic will be next season
Toronto
Tampa
Boston
Florida
Maybe Ottawa
kevsh
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I hope Malhotra, Keefe and Leafs PP players were watching tonight: TB gave a clinic on how to run the power play. Set up at the point, lightning quick passes (no pun intended): Starts with D-man at the point -> forward off-wing on the side wall (e.g. Kucherov on the east wall) -> High slot for the one-timer.
And all this impeccable timing, positioning and chemistry was possible even with a player who had missed the entire regular season. The Leafs have the talent, no reason they can't do this rather than always waiting for the perfect pass and thereby letting the PK close lanes and/or block Matthews.
Reilly -> Marner on his off-wing one-touch pass to -> Tavares in the slot one-timer. Both passes + the shot should take barely a second.
And all this impeccable timing, positioning and chemistry was possible even with a player who had missed the entire regular season. The Leafs have the talent, no reason they can't do this rather than always waiting for the perfect pass and thereby letting the PK close lanes and/or block Matthews.
Reilly -> Marner on his off-wing one-touch pass to -> Tavares in the slot one-timer. Both passes + the shot should take barely a second.
Caroline Says ll
Mmm
Maybe I have a negative bias towards Canadian sports media but I feel like every series can have close 1 goal games this playoffs(which all have been so far) and that is acceptable - except if the Leafs win Thursdays game by one goal that a narrative will be created about the "series being closer than we thought" and they will spin fake drama on the Leafs.
Crazy low 25% oZone faceoff% may explain that a bit (as well as make his defensive numbers look even better). Less about matchups with him and more about getting him in for those defensive zone draws?
Stonehands1990
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We play better as a team with Hyman on the 3rd line but I give up figuring out lineup decisions
Ya that is extreme defensive usage and im guessing your right. I would also guess he has a pretty short average shift length because he hops off the ice after winning possession in all those defensive draws
Apologies if this is the incorrect thread…
So maybe it’s the anti Canadian Bettman theory in me but how is it right that in the 2020 playoffs Toronto and Edmonton had to cross over and not be present in their hub cities (was this due to having to stay in hotels/same as all non hub teams?) and when 2021 playoffs are occurring it’s ok that American teams play at home ice with fans and whatever Canadian team advances must travel to said fan populated building. Obviously the almighty dollar reigns but was a hub US city ever even mentioned?
So maybe it’s the anti Canadian Bettman theory in me but how is it right that in the 2020 playoffs Toronto and Edmonton had to cross over and not be present in their hub cities (was this due to having to stay in hotels/same as all non hub teams?) and when 2021 playoffs are occurring it’s ok that American teams play at home ice with fans and whatever Canadian team advances must travel to said fan populated building. Obviously the almighty dollar reigns but was a hub US city ever even mentioned?
SeaOfBlue
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The issue has nothing to do with skill or IQ. It has to do with role. Rielly is capable of doing a lot more than passing it to Marner. Watch the last game against Winnipeg when Marner was not on the PP and it is night and day versus a lot of the other games we've had on the PP recently. Or even the fact that our non-Marner units look better than the Marner unit.
When Sandin was on the PP with Marner, he looked the exact same way as Rielly. IDK if it is Malhotra, but they are always thinking pass to Marner first. So much that it is clearly telegraphed. If that does not change, then Sandin is not going to do any better.
Rielly gets the most blame, but he is one of the less important guys on the PP. If he was the main problem on our PP, we'd have a much more effective PP. Our PP issues are much deeper than him. It is the two guys who run our PP: Marner for not being able to do anything productive despite the PP running through him, and Malhotra for failing to make the correct adjustments. He's changed the points. He's stacked the PP. He's balanced the PP. Has not touched Marner at all, and unsurprisingly, changing the rest has not made a difference.
Marner is the guy who was super important when things were going well, and he is also the main reason why the PP has sucked the past two months. Rielly has no issue getting the puck to Marner, and he has no problem holding the line. That is pretty much the entire extent of his role right now.
WSS11
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7even
Offered and lost
It works for Kucherov because he's a legitimate one time threat. Marner can't shoot like him, and Matthews can't pass like him. Marner gets the puck, you don't have to fully respect the shot. Matthews gets the puck, you don't have to fully respect the pass.
I really think they should try giving Nylander more agency. Guy's made for 5v4.
Le Cobra
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Canada has more strict guidelines, America has less strict guidelines (and they are opening up much quicker) - we cant even gather outside at Maple Leaf Square for crying out loud
The Hanging Jowl
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Guided by Veseys
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Not sure why Keefe made the Foligno switch to the second line. The guy was on fire with points in 4 straight with Matthews and Marner before his injury. Plus he is a serious physical deterrent for people taking runs at his linemates, he’s one of the better fighters in the league, take a look at his fights on YouTube, there are plenty and he wins most.
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