Post-Game Talk: Same team, another season. Leafs put in a lacklustre effort lose 4-1

[hullsy47]

IMO we are wasting Knies on that 3rd line. I get it, we paid Domi & Bert but look at what Knies did in the playoffs last year playing with Auston or JT. Plus both those guys don't look like good fits on their current lines.

Knies-Auston-Marner
Bertuzzi-JT-Nylander
Domi-Minten-Jarnkrok

Knies NEEDS TO PLAY UP
BERTUZZI NEEDS TO PLAY WITH TAVARAS

 

[TorMapleJays]

 

[meefer]

Flying back home to Bangkok late this eve. Time to wake up early to watch whatever this team becomes. It’s game three people are worrying about. Game 3! I had the pleasure of watching last nights comedy with friends, and we had some great laughs, a few oohs and aahs, and nobody lost their shit…’cause it was game 3. I’ll lose it come the playoffs, like I always do, but until then it’s a process leading to something we don’t yet know. Come the TDL we’ll have a better understanding of what this team is. Until then, relax and enjoy. Hockey rocks. See you folks here Friday morning my time. Cheers.

 

[Oilers in NS]

I'm actually a blackhawks fan. I like to follow all the teams boards and game threads. I usually don't comment because I don't want to be "that guy" who stirs the pot in other team's board. Like I followed the GDT for both EDM and VAN during those 2 games. I'm eyeing the Oilers right now, because with the hawks in a rebuild and with Bedard, I'm hoping our FO realizes that you have to actually build a team to support your stars and not follow in Chiarelli's footsteps. I'm sure you guys will figure it out, make some good trades this winter, and tear it TF up in the playoffs. I'd love to see McDrai hoist a cup.

Edit: good luck with your hip surgery! Hope it's completely successful and you have a speedy recovery!

I want Hall to score points. I have him in my hockey pool. I got him in the 6th Rd. I cant believe he dropped that low. Oilers will have to trade 1st Rd pick and prospects to get another Dman. For the money Nurse is getting, he should be doing alot more

 

[notdoneyet]

And people defended the Reaves and Kampf contracts lol

Reaves isn’t known for his skill
Kampf is the worst player on our team this year. He is not built for a crash and bang center and not good enough offensively to center a third line expected to give some secondary scoring
He is odd man out in the big picture

 

[GrizzGreen]

This fan base is so embarrassing.

Sometimes you just can't finish. Leafs had plenty of opportunities to do so. The powerplay was abysmal. Looking for the pretty chances early and then scrambling to throw junk on net when you go down is classic Leafs. 100% a winnable game. Onto the next.

 

[notdoneyet]

I can’t believe we can’t go 82-0
What’s up with this team
All the skill we have and still lose games
Trade matthews nylander and marner and
Start over and do it the right way

 

[RunItBackAgain]

This fan base is so embarrassing.

Sometimes you just can't finish. Leafs had plenty of opportunities to do so. The powerplay was abysmal. Looking for the pretty chances early and then scrambling to throw junk on net when you go down is classic Leafs. 100% a winnable game. Onto the next.

It's an issue that has plagued this group since it's inception. They put in the effort they think they need to to win against specific opponents. They played an even game with the worst team in the league until the 48 minute mark and then decided they better turn it on and win the game with a 12 minute effort.

It has happened every year and that kind of mindset doesn't coincide with a winning team. It infects the mind and drags through into the playoffs. Same thing with physical play. You either are or you aren't, you don't flip a switch in the playoffs and expect to be successful playing a different game than you have all season. Glad to see Matthews using his body to start this season.

 

[Leafs87]

Kind of a nothing game, but they need to have consistent effort regardless of who they’re going up against. They looked like they went in expecting an easy W

 

[Niagara Bill]

Yeah, you guys are in a bit of a tough spot on the back end. Klingberg has never been good defensively, Giordano is older than dirt, there's no one in the pipeline ready to be thrown into the deep end of a Cup contending team and you cap situation ain't good.

I know the "word on the street" is Nylander will eventually get traded rather than lose him to UFA after the season - but he was arguably your best player last night so that's not something to hoped for.

For sure on WN, very good player and not replaceable.. he strikes fear in the other team with his skill.
They will have to move Brodie and Robertson to get a dman and clear space.

 

[Hellcat]

Flying back home to Bangkok late this eve. Time to wake up early to watch whatever this team becomes. It’s game three people are worrying about. Game 3! I had the pleasure of watching last nights comedy with friends, and we had some great laughs, a few oohs and aahs, and nobody lost their shit…’cause it was game 3. I’ll lose it come the playoffs, like I always do, but until then it’s a process leading to something we don’t yet know. Come the TDL we’ll have a better understanding of what this team is. Until then, relax and enjoy. Hockey rocks. See you folks here Friday morning my time. Cheers.

If the Leafs follow their recent history, they tend to be Meh! in October, catch fire in November, slide in Dec, suck in Jan/Feb-ish timeframe. With that said they looked like they had better things to do than play a hockey game last night. If we forgive Nylander for his horrid backcheck on the goal, he had a good night, Mo Daddy had a good night, no one else gave an honest effort. So the recipe for us to win is Matty has to score 3 goals every night ...easy cheesy

 

[EbonyRaptor]

For sure on WN, very good player and not replaceable.. he strikes fear in the other team with his skill.
They will have to move Brodie and Robertson to get a dman and clear space.

I haven't watched a ton of his games but he always struck me as a pretty decent defensive d-man. Can't see how trading him is going to improve the back end.

 

[3blizzard4]

I think the Leafs should have played angry hockey last night for the only reason that these Blackhawks allowed/gifted the Florida Panthers into the playoffs last year.

 

[Macman]

Marner looks really bad this season.

He starts every year like this, even in junior. He’ll be flying soon.

 

[Evilhomer]

It's game 3 and the sky is falling for you. Trade everyone right? Leafs played worse in the first game against MTL, but it's all forgotten because they won. Too many results oriented fans on here. I will evaluate this team starting with game 11, as there is nothing to learn watching the first 10 games.

In a lot cases, you can probably toss out the first 40 games of a season. Look at Florida last year. Sometimes it takes a bit of time for things to come together correctly. This Leafs team is only going to get better as the season goes on.

 

[ACC1224]

He starts every year like this, even in junior. He’ll be flying soon.

Yep, could be much worse. Still PPG and a plus player.

 

[Al14]

It's game 3 and the sky is falling for you. Trade everyone right? Leafs played worse in the first game against MTL, but it's all forgotten because they won. Too many results oriented fans on here. I will evaluate this team starting with game 11, as there is nothing to learn watching the first 10 games.

So, you think they'll flick on the competitive switch at game 11? Not likely! For the last few seasons they have repeatedly shown that they take games off regularly throughout the entire season.

Unfortunately, too many opposing players grew up either HATING or LOVING our Leafs. They take great pride to show up to play harder, and above their pay grades against them. Our Leafs have talent, however they have to work harder every game to overcome this phenomena.

I stand by this statement: Hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard. Game 1, or game game 41, our Leafs need to work harder every game from puck drop to the final buzzer.

JMHO.

 

[thusk]

Nonsense !!! This team, with this core 4, has continually lost games to teams they should easily beat on a regular basis THROUGHOUT the entire season for 7 or 8 years.

They lost to the Panthers in the 2nd round of the playoffs last season. Was that because it was too close to being their first 10 games of the playoffs too ??? As well, the Panthers just barely made the playoffs, unlike our Leafs that easily qualified.

The core 4 take games off too much, and it sure doesn't help them go farther in the playoffs either.

Unfortunately, lesser skilled teams come to Toronto and play above their capabilities purely because they are in Toronto to play our Leafs. This means our Leafs, especially the core 4, have to work harder every game at home.

HARD WORK beats skill when skill doesn't WORK HARD !!! IMHO, we need MORE consistent hard work from our core 4.

Game vs chicago
Scoring chance for 42
Scoring chance 29

High danger chance for 23
High danger shot against 9

Expected goal for 4.66
Expected goal against 2,78

Yes they lost, do that mean they was bad? No

The same way when leafs lost in 7 2 year ago vs tampa doesn't mean they was bad as same they beat them last year doesn't mean they was good. They was much better in the series they lost and i will add they was most better vs florida last season than against tampa. Sometime you can be the best team on the ice and still losing.

 

[MarnerElite]

So, you think they'll flick on the competitive switch at game 11? Not likely! For the last few seasons they have repeatedly shown that they take games off regularly throughout the entire season.

Unfortunately, too many opposing players grew up either HATING or LOVING our Leafs. They take great pride to show up to play harder, and above their pay grades against them. Our Leafs have talent, however they have to work harder every game to overcome this phenomena.

I stand by this statement: Hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard. Game 1, or game game 41, our Leafs need to work harder every game from puck drop to the final buzzer.

JMHO.

Yep!

That sounds similar to the statement i heard Craig Button use...What was it...Skill without will equals nill...lol...It's true though.

I do think that Keefe can do better by using his brain a bit(some players just don't gel and you can see that)...Taking Knies off that top line, why did he do it? Deeper lineup? But it creates other problems then.

 

[Al14]

Kind of a nothing game, but they need to have consistent effort regardless of who they’re going up against. They looked like they went in expecting an easy W

Exactly !!! They showed up expecting to be handed 2 points. The work effort was not there IMHO.

 

[Fogelhund]

Game vs chicago
Scoring chance for 42
Scoring chance 29

High danger chance for 23
High danger shot against 9

Expected goal for 4.66
Expected goal against 2,78

Yes they lost, do that mean they was bad? No

The same way when leafs lost in 7 2 year ago vs tampa doesn't mean they was bad as same they beat them last year doesn't mean they was good. They was much better in the series they lost and i will add they was most better vs florida last season than against tampa. Sometime you can be the best team on the ice and still losing.

The thing is... much of the difference in the teams was the last 12 minutes of the game. They were fairly equal until then. We can't wait all game and then hope to turn it on at the end of every game, and steal a victory.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I know it's an excuse but all the fumbles and missed passes made me think the ice must have been horrible. Hopefully they find some money in that renovation budget to fix that.

I thought the same thing. A lot of bad puck management but also the puck seemed to be bouncing all over the place.

Maybe Chicago is just a bit better than we expected. I thought they moved the puck well, I really like Korchinski.

 

[HockeyVirus]

This fan base is so embarrassing.

Sometimes you just can't finish. Leafs had plenty of opportunities to do so. The powerplay was abysmal. Looking for the pretty chances early and then scrambling to throw junk on net when you go down is classic Leafs. 100% a winnable game. Onto the next.

End of the day it is game 3 and folks are pretending the result means anything. Only thing that matters end of the day is 2 points in October not how you get them. And while we failed to do so, we also won't win every game so not sure what people expect.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Yeah, you guys are in a bit of a tough spot on the back end. Klingberg has never been good defensively, Giordano is older than dirt, there's no one in the pipeline ready to be thrown into the deep end of a Cup contending team and you cap situation ain't good.

I know the "word on the street" is Nylander will eventually get traded rather than lose him to UFA after the season - but he was arguably your best player last night so that's not something to hoped for.

People keep harping on Klingberg but to me he's been excellent so far.

Brodie and McCabe have both been much below their standards, imo.

that McCabe Lafferty deal was just horrendous, I didn't like it from the start.

 

[IPS]

That's why u got him for 3 mill.and he's played on like 5 teams

7

The Leafs are the 7th team that Domi has found himself on. It's really no shocker why he couldn't stick on the other 6 teams. This is why I'm not just treating this as some "wait and see approach". The first portion of this season was gonna say everything about what kind of game he would bring here.

People keep harping on Klingberg but to me he's been excellent so far.

Brodie and McCabe have both been much below their standards, imo.

that McCabe Lafferty deal was just horrendous, I didn't like it from the start.

Brodie, McCabe, Gio and even Liljegren have all just been sub-par. Rielly will never be able to carry this crap heap of a D.