Offense VS Defence
- Thread starter budzz
- Start date
Evilhomer
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2019
- 5,070
- 4,972
He might as well have titled this article "I miss Sheldon Keefe and want him back". Justin Bourne is a twit.
Tak7
Registered User
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
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2019
- 5,070
- 4,972
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
History is just that.
- Jan 26, 2015
- 1,023
- 1,347
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
They Fired Sheldon!
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
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2020
- 12,110
- 12,112
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
We won’t know how this will affect Matty’s goal totals until he shows up to play
Maple Leaf
VIP
- Sep 18, 2009
- 9,781
- 5,016
notDatsyuk
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2018
- 11,506
- 9,521
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%.
That drop in offensive possession and rush chances is concerning...
People love spouting this, but there's no actual evidence of it.
Dreakmur
Registered User
Just because you can pick a few outliers doesn’t mean the vast majority of winning teams are good defensively.
Evilhomer
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2019
- 5,070
- 4,972
Does scoring historically go up or down in the playoffs relative to the regular season? I've not looked at the numbers, but that would be a factor to consider in the analysis.
notDatsyuk
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2018
- 11,506
- 9,521
Over the last 5 seasons we outscored our opponents by 19% at 5on5.
So far this season we have outscored our opponents by 22%.
So far this season we have outscored our opponents by 22%.
- Dec 12, 2017
- 25,062
- 11,725
They said there was change coming and this is the change. I don’t think they’ll go very far in the playoffs but at least you can watch the games this year and be somewhat entertained.
BTP
Registered User
- Apr 28, 2013
- 4,489
- 5,888
