Post-Game Talk: Oilers 4 Leafs 3

[striker3]

Tavares and Nylander are as good as any other pair in the league. This is what happens when you have 2 deadly duos on the team. Also, Matthews was literally just on the ice before that OT started so he went with the fresher duo and they almost won the game if Nylander scored on that mini breakaway 5 seconds before Edmonton scored. It's how 3v3 OT works and what makes it exciting, unfortunately it sucks when you watch your team lose but it's fun to watch the constant back and forth action. We got a point and got 7/8 during this west trip so we did what we needed to do which makes the loss easier to deal with.

Ya don’t get me wrong, i said in an earlier post I understand the decision. Put nylander and Tavares out there and hope to either score or tire out mcdavid and draisaitl and then get a good matchup after, it’s not like you’re putting out 3rd liners in that position. And I also said it’s just nice to get a point out of that game. I still stand by playing your best guys against each other in OT if possible. I’m not a fan of the argument of matthews and marner were out at the end though so he went with the fresher pairing though, mcdavid was out there the same amount of time before OT and drai went off with roughly 30ish seconds left. If their top guys can go out there right away I’m sure ours can too.

 

[Petrus]

Honestly, not gonna complain. I’ll take a 7-2-1 start to the season ANY DAY. Keefer please put Mitchy and Auston out to start OT next time. Can’t complain about this start to the season boys.

This is shortened season. We need to take advantage of every opportunity. There is not much margin for error.

 

[Clark4Ever]

I hope Keefe learned his lesson in OT and doesn't try that again.

We were a bit lucky to get a point tonight, but we've played a ton of hockey and looked fatigued which is totally understandable.

Much needed break in the schedule coming up for the boys to recharge.

 

[Brobust]

Not every game, but 5 on 5 is definitely a concern.

7 out of 10, they got outplayed. Also, 90% of the game is 5v5.

The wins are masking some real eyesore hockey.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Vesey is good for scoring garbage goals around the net but not much else. I'm not sure it makes sense to put him in a bottom 6 role.

He can finish grade A chances too, something Mikheyev has failed at all season. So far his two goals were from nice set-ups from Willy. Vesey needs to add either Hyman’s fight or Mikheyev’s speed to be an optimal option in the top six. I doubt he can improve the latter at this stage of his career, so he needs to start grit-grinding more. Hopefully Simmonds rubs off on him.

 

[cupcrazyman]

Why was this game on Sportnet & not CBC in Ontario ?

No lets show 2 out of market teams instead, which was also on City TV as well.

 

[ryno23]

I cannot imagine they are anymore tired that McDavid and Draistl.

We need to match up our best against their best. There should be no excuse. Rielly, Matthews, Marner can all skate and are capable of breakuping the oiler rush because of their collective speed.

I think that is tactical error from the coach even though it is an improvement from Babs when Babs use to line-up Komarov agains the top line in OT.

At least with this coach he will learn from this mistake. Babs is stubborn and wouldn't change no matter how bad it gets. Just work harder he would say.

 

[cookie]

It's so weird seeing the right side defense continually play better than the left side.

Rielly's been rolling out the red carpet into the Leafs' zone,
Muzzin is being outshone by Holl and is actually reading plays quite poorly
Dermott barely plays but has trouble moving the puck up, instead sprinting to the red line and then dumping it in lol

 

[therealkoho]

Do you people have short memory? Tavares has been money 3v3.

LeaFland lives solely in the moment there is no past and the only future is upcoming UFA's on other teams

 

[striker3]

Didn't deserve a point tonight, but we are leaving Alberta with 5 of 6 points. Boys played well overall during the trip. Hope to see them continue to get better

I’ll 1 up you we’re leaving with 7/8

 

[Brobust]

My theory is that Keefe is being soft with the team.

They're constantly losing possession on some dumb no look backhand pass. That doesn't happen if the coach is on their ass about idiotic looking turnovers.

Either Keefe doesn't have the voice to reign them in or there's voice up high dictating things.

 

[moon111]

same number of games and both teams have not had a two-day break in between games since the season began.... you make a good point

Yes but before this, the Oilers hadn't shown up to all their games either.

 

[Rude Dog]

Fun game. Sucks being on the wrong end of it, but you have to appreciate greatness when you see it. Especially from a hometown kid. Rielly and Muzzin should start a support group

 

[Future]

He's only playing because Keefe has to give him a chance. Dermott is well ahead right now and Lethonen is running out of time.

No offense, but who the hell in the media is asking post-game questions about Travis Dermott?

 

[MattySnipes]

Definitely refutes the point that he’s not the fastest guy out there.

It's not all about speed.

That's why many people don't consider McDavid the best all around player. It's not hate but just preference on how some people like their hockey players.

Tavares is a machine and battles all the time. Sure his legs have slowed down but we were all singing his praises early in season screaming how fast he looks.

So he'll figure it out. Let's not act like the other ppl on his line have been amazing.

Majority of fanbase isn't happy with teams 5v5 play. You hear it from 34 too tonight. Haven't scratched surface.

The great players still battle and try not to be a huge liability when they dont have their best going. JT is that to a tee. I don't get the JT hate from fans.

 

[Petrus]

At least with this coach he will learn from this mistake. Babs is stubborn and wouldn't change no matter how bad it gets. Just work harder he would say.

Progress has been made. I still remember when Matthews needed a spark and Babs proceeds to insert Brown and Hyman with Matthews. And this Hyman before he is actually become a good player.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Also just saw Barrie had two assists against us lol. Combine that with the couple of nice defensive plays (that stick play against Marner most of all) and this was probably his best game of the year. Figures.

 

[DitchMarner]

On the plus side, the Habs finally suffered their first regulation defeat of the season.

 

[MapleLeafs77]

Matthews and the team hasnt scratched the surface yet imo. When we are dominating and matthews is going at what he can do....I honestly think he is the best player in the world with mcdavid and mackinnon.

We have seen flashes of it throughout a long season. He literally dominates and as does the team 5 on 5. He has played well but he and the team have so much more to offer.

I think there will be a day where he actually challenges mcdavid for best player in the league.

 

[Kiwi]

Meh

We didn't deserve to win that game so getting a point out of it was a bonus, you could see the boys were struggling from the get go and could see that 4 day break looming on the horizon

All in all its been a good productive first 10 games to start the season and it's a good time for us to get a break and recharge the batteries

 

[Leafsfan74]

From what I have seen so far, Boyd has been the better performer of the Taxi Squad, in quite a small sample. I look forward to the movement in and out of the lineup.

Competition and fresh, healthy players will be rewarded in the standings (hopefully) later in the year.

Robertson once healthy has high expectations. Thornton is still healing up. They simply need to maintain high intensity, bank wins, finalize their team going forward with some depth.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Didn't deserve a point tonight, but we are leaving Alberta with 7 of 8 points. Boys played well overall during the trip. Hope to see them continue to get better

Yeah and 7 of 8 too

 

[Madap]

Matthews and the team hasnt scratched the surface yet imo. When we are dominating and matthews is going at what he can do....I honestly think he is the best player in the world with mcdavid and mackinnon.

We have seen flashes of it throughout a long season. He literally dominates and as does the team 5 on 5. He has played well but he and the team have so much more to offer.

I think there will be a day where he actually challenges mcdavid for best player in the league.

I don’t think he’ll ever challenge McDavid but I’d love to be proven wrong. I do think he has a chance to go down as the best Leaf ever though, if he ends his career here. Which is really quite crazy to say.

That’s why I think that there’s no way he’s leaving us when his contract is up like some people say. Any competitive hockey player would love the chance to go down as the greatest Leaf ever.

 

[Crazy Monkey]

Yeah and 7 of 8 too

I did a ninja edit

 

[MapleLeafs77]

I don’t think he’ll ever challenge McDavid but I’d love to be proven wrong. I do think he has a chance to go down as the best Leaf ever though, if he ends his career here. Which is really quite crazy to say.

That’s why I think that there’s no way he’s leaving us when his contract is up like some people say. Any competitive hockey player would love the chance to go down as the greatest Leaf ever.

A dominating center who is selke level and scores 50-60 goals a year and over a 100 points is definitely competing with mcdavid for best player in the league. We have seen him when he is chugging 100%. He literally is unstoppable and dominates shift after shift.