Offense VS Defence

[budzz]

Interesting article from Justin Bourne about the Leafs O vs D, and how it fits with this group. This was after they got shut out by the Sens...

Maple Leafs have succeeded at playing low-event hockey, but should that be their goal?

Click to read more...

 

[Evilhomer]

He might as well have titled this article "I miss Sheldon Keefe and want him back". Justin Bourne is a twit.

 

[Tak7]

He might as well have titled this article "I miss Sheldon Keefe and want him back". Justin Bourne is a twit.

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

 

[Evilhomer]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

To be fair, do Sheldon Keefe's results scream "best utilization of this roster"? Everyone loves offense, but the reality is that "low-event" hockey is generally what wins.

 

[budzz]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

Agreed. It is a valid question. While I love the idea of a harder north south game that is proven to be more effective in the playoffs, I wondered how it would play out with this group. I honestly think we're on the right track, including having a pretty competent larger D-Core capable of supporting it (and better goaltending helps alot). I wondered if it would stunt Matty's goal totals, which remains to be seen, although Willy and JT seem to be still getting theirs. I definitely think it affects a guy like Roberston more, who is a bit more free-wheeling and not the typical "dump and go get it" guy (although he has been decent at that).

At the end of the day in a tight low scoring playoff game, you only hope everyone keeps their D tight and we make less mistakes than the other guys, and even if totals are down, top talent gets that one or 2 plays that make a difference.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

It's just taking time getting used to Berube's system. Doesn't help that we've got numerous injuries up front, not least of all to our Captain and the best goal-scorer in the game. Regardless, I'm not too worried. It'll be easier and cheaper to add an impact forward at the TDL than an impact defenseman that we've had to acquire at multiple trade deadlines this era (Muzzin, Giordano, McCabe).

 

[Racer88]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

The fact is that this core never accomplished squat with the previous utilization, coach and GM so I’m all for trying a different method

Agreed. It is a valid question. While I love the idea of a harder north south game that is proven to be more effective in the playoffs, I wondered how it would play out with this group. I honestly think we're on the right track, including having a pretty competent larger D-Core capable of supporting it (and better goaltending helps alot). I wondered if it would stunt Matty's goal totals, which remains to be seen, although Willy and JT seem to be still getting theirs. I definitely think it affects a guy like Roberston more, who is a bit more free-wheeling and not the typical "dump and go get it" guy (although he has been decent at that).

At the end of the day in a tight low scoring playoff game, you only hope everyone keeps their D tight and we make less mistakes than the other guys, and even if totals are down, top talent gets that one or 2 plays that make a difference.

We won’t know how this will affect Matty’s goal totals until he shows up to play

 

[Maple Leaf]

He might as well have titled this article "I miss Sheldon Keefe and want him back". Justin Bourne is a twit.

wow sheldon's new josey devils actually look pretty good

 

[notDatsyuk]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

I don't think it's okay to criticize the current utilization, which is only a couple of months old, by blaming it for 7 years of playoff failure.

Last year the Leafs scored 19% more goals at 5on5 than they allowed. This year it's 22%.