Post-Game Talk: Samsonov Is Back! | Leafs Win 1-0!

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When you dominate and lose, it definitely feels worse. But I would be surprised if the Leafs win, they definitely didn't look great tonight.

I think it will be another tight game as these two usually play tight games. Leafs definitely had a very sluggish "effort" tonight. If I had to bet, I'd probably bet on the Jets with them being at home and all. If the Leafs play like they did tonight in Winnipeg, yeah, they'll get killed.
 
Found a way to win, simple as that

Great effort from Samsonov, nice to see him showing some form and that was Robertson's best performance by a country mile
You can see he doesn't want to be scratched anymore
 
Something subtle that they mentioned on the post-game for Sammy.

When the Leafs went on the road trip without him, he spent most of the time with his wife & 10-month old son. And recently his dad came over from Russia to spend time with him. His English isn't great so probably something as simple as another person to talk to in Russian helped him relax.

Reminds me of Fred Van Vleet in the Raptors 2019 playoffs. He was awful in the first 3 rounds. His son was born between game 5 and 6 of the East Finals, then he was amazing in the finals.
Jesus, how many kids is Mrs. Tavares popping out? 2 or 3 a week and occasionally on back to back nights.
 
The Jets absolutely dominated the game, so unless the Leafs play way better and the jets play worse, the jets should win. Of course nobody knows.

But I wouldn't say the Leafs looked good at all.
That's my point. The leafs won despite not being anything special. They will be better next game, and the jets will still be without their best players. It's not a slight against the jets. It's hard to win when your best players are injured.
 
Yes of course but does keefe put him bacc or does he promote bobby
Yeah, I was making a joke about not knowing where to slot Bertuzzi.

Robertson top six and Bertuzzi third line? I'm honestly not too sure.
 
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One of Robertsons shots was clocked at 94.5 mph that’s far and away the hardest shot on the team . He also stung Brossoit with another one of his shots.
 
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I'm not convinced he's back just yet, It's only been 2 games, but Samsonov was certainly good tonight, and was good against Seattle.

Tonight was probably his best game as a Leaf, just based on those 2 on 0short handed saves alone.
 
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Thank god for overtime because that was one of the worst Leaf games I have watched in years. Couldn't complete a pass, no heart, no battle, no skill. Crowd was completely dead outside of a few ovations for Sammy. Thankfully my boy Robertson showed up along with Samsonov. That was 2 points they did not come close to earning. I will blame it on first game back from west coast trip, but yikes.
But 2 points is 2 points
 
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As Sammy said when asked about the 2 on 0 in the first, "this is not typical thing you see in NHL!" Sometimes I think it really is possible that he has a problem speaking English, but then he says something like that and I think, Sammy you sly dog,

The last thing I expected was a 1-0 O/T win. Happy to have it for sure, but that can't happen a whole lot from here on in, unless of course your goaltender is not typical thing you see in NHL.
 
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Just finished watching the game

Firstly, what an excellent performance by Ilya Samsonov. He made multiple 10 bell saves and won this game on his own. I'm really happy for him and hope this is the start of a great run

Outside of that, what a terrible f***ing effort, my God. We got completely destroyed 5v5 against a Winnipeg Jets team missing Schiefele, Villardi and Morrisey. As usual, if you implement a strong defensive system with some physicality the leafs will not be able to fight through it. I expect nothing else come playoff time, if they make it.
 
It was nice to see Matthews score a JT type of goal. Encouraging sign of him going into the dirt for another type of goal to add to his repertoire.

Marner I just don’t want to see anymore. I think he is the best opportunity to change the culture of the the team and use his money for other types of players. But he has the Leafs over a barrel. Time to trade was last offseason. Now if you go to him to waive he will say no and he will also know he is not wanted so he will just play out the last year and then sign somewhere else. Tough situation.
 
When you dominate and lose, it definitely feels worse. But I would be surprised if the Leafs win, they definitely didn't look great tonight.

With the Jets missing 4 of their top 5 players in Scheifele, Vilardi, Morrissey, Hellebuyck and a recently injured Kyle Connor.. you might be on to something…

Imagine playing a healthy Jets team without Matthews, Reilly, Marner and an injured Nylander that just came back after missing 2 months.

I would be pretty happy keeping them to one goal and getting one point in OT.

I dont think the Jets got where they are by going on a win streak.. I think they’re just really injured and missing 4 of their top guys.
 
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I've been saying this for ages. Crazy watching the Avs vs the Caps tonight. Looked like pond hockey with the effort both teams were giving while Mackinnon and co. had free reign to casually walk the puck into high danger ice. We simply don't see that kind of effort from opposing teams (save San Jose), and many opposing players look like they'd rather face a firing squad than let Matthews get a shot off from the slot. I don't doubt over the last few years that exact same roster (less so this year) playing with a different name on the front of the jersey would have contended for a presidents trophy and Matty and Mitch would have broken 100 a few times. Combine that with our relative lack of powerplay time for some mysterious reason and man. People wonder why our second and third liners go on to be far more productive elsewhere. It's a different game.

In any case, the guys need to be cut some slack. It hasn't been our year really but despite how it can look, they are battling every night with the pieces we have. Needing to give 100% every time against any team on any random Monday in January is grueling.

Would it make a difference in the playoffs? Maybe for matchup purposes. I'm not sure this team has ever been a true cup contender because of our style, but it certainly could have netted us a round or 2, and from there you roll the dice.
 
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