GDT: Second Round of the 2025 Playoffs

[Il Stugotz]

There's always something going on with Matthews, and his wrist injury doesn't excuse how soft he is along the boards. Lots of easy minutes for the guys matched up against him

 

[Paul Allen]

Serious question: How does a professional sports team get their players to elevate their game in the playoffs? Seems like a lack of prep work on their part. Do they need to get the players to play "playoff hockey" all year instead of feasting on high scoring games during the regular season?

If any of us could answer that question we wouldn’t be posting here. To some extent coaching could be the issue. But, I think some players just have it, and others don’t when it comes to the playoffs. Justin Williams was a solid regular season guy, but in the playoffs he was just a beast. Kane thrived in big games. Matthews seems like a guy more concerned with $ and regular season numbers.
Teams should probably invest in better sports psychologists however, ultimately it’s drafting guys that hate losing more than they love winning.

 

[Drumman44]

If any of us could answer that question we wouldn’t be posting here. To some extent coaching could be the issue. But, I think some players just have it, and others don’t when it comes to the playoffs. Justin Williams was a solid regular season guy, but in the playoffs he was just a beast. Kane thrived in big games. Matthews seems like a guy more concerned with $ and regular season numbers.
Teams should probably invest in better sports psychologists however, ultimately it’s drafting guys that hate losing more than they love winning.

Well said. I could see Matthews, Marner, and Tavares all winning a cup but with a MacKinnon or Toews or Crosby who just don't take losing as an option.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Marner had two assists in game 3, Totally a ghost!

If KD values competitiveness care to explain the Bertuzzi contract? Far from guy one would describe for his "Competitiveness" as he vanishes thru half the games of season (If not more) and was dreadful for Leafs in playoffs

I genuinely don't know what sport you're watching sometimes. Bertuzzi would lay down on 294 to win a hockey game. He disappears because he's not very good.

 

[Crow]

Serious question: How does a professional sports team get their players to elevate their game in the playoffs? Seems like a lack of prep work on their part. Do they need to get the players to play "playoff hockey" all year instead of feasting on high scoring games during the regular season?

I thought that’s what they tried this year?

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Bowman 8 wins away from his 4th cup as GM

 

[Drumman44]

Bowman 8 wins away from his 4th cup as GM

Dallas will be a big test for them

 

[Crow]

Dallas will be a big test for them

I doubt Edmonton’s goaltending holds up.

 

[unbridledid]

I doubt Edmonton’s goaltending holds up.

With Heiskanen back...Dallas is looking very strong.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Edmonton is looking great. I think they step right over Dallas as long as Skinner doesn't implode.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

Edmonton is looking great. I think they step right over Dallas as long as Skinner doesn't implode.

He’s the wild card that’s for sure. Even he can even just be slightly below average it’s hard to not see them coming out of the west.

Dallas just seems to be missing something to me. I’m not sold they can shut down McDavid and best Edmonton in a long series.

 

[x Tame Impala]

He’s the wild card that’s for sure. Even he can even just be slightly below average it’s hard to not see them coming out of the west.

Dallas just seems to be missing something to me. I’m not sold they can shut down McDavid and best Edmonton in a long series.

Edmonton may be getting Ekholm back too which will be huge. It's going to be tough to shut down Rantanen with the way he's been playing.

 

[BobbyJet]

If any of us could answer that question we wouldn’t be posting here. To some extent coaching could be the issue. But, I think some players just have it, and others don’t when it comes to the playoffs. Justin Williams was a solid regular season guy, but in the playoffs he was just a beast. Kane thrived in big games. Matthews seems like a guy more concerned with $ and regular season numbers.
Teams should probably invest in better sports psychologists however, ultimately it’s drafting guys that hate losing more than they love winning.

It seems almost every year we see a player overachieve in the post season, sometimes out of nowhere. In Rantanen's case, he's obviously a top performer but he looked out of sorts after he was traded from Avs and now he is leading the playoffs in scoring.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Overturning goals like that for a few millimeters offsides hurts more than helps. Tough break for WSH

 

[x Tame Impala]

Rough goal against for WSH. Carolina is getting spanked by Florida next round. Panthers in 5

 

[Hattrick Kane]

@Kevin Musto Sorry buddy, your boy Strome was the worst player in the series.

He’s a loser and nothing will ever change that.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

I’ll root for Carolina.

 

[CallMeShaft]

I picked Canes to win the cup in my bracket. Feel okay about that choice so far.

 

[Kevin Musto]

@Kevin Musto Sorry buddy, your boy Strome was the worst player in the series.

He’s a loser and nothing will ever change that.

team let him down

 

[BobbyJet]

I picked Canes to win the cup in my bracket. Feel okay about that choice so far.

Yeah, I have Canes right up there as well but .....YAWN.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

team let him down
View attachment 1036887

Hey guys, I found the stat watcher!

9 of those points he put up against a garbage Habs team.

He’s a loser.

 

[JaegerDice]

Count me on team ‘Sign Marner’.

You get a chance to sign a 100pt player thats also great defensively, you do it.

Figure out the playoff demons when you cross that bridge.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Count me on team ‘Sign Marner’.

You get a chance to sign a 100pt player thats also great defensively, you do it.

Figure out the playoff demons when you cross that bridge.

Hard to figure it out when you've got a $14M thorn in your side

 

[Pez68]

First round of playoffs: Two series went 7 games. Three series went 6. Three series went 5.

If Dallas finishes the deal tonight, you'll have three out of four series done in five games.

This playoff format absolutely sucks. The WCF should be Dallas vs. Colorado.

 

[Wally1112pac]

Count me on team ‘Sign Marner’.

You get a chance to sign a 100pt player thats also great defensively, you do it.

Figure out the playoff demons when you cross that bridge.

He's had 9 playoffs to show the world what he can and can't do.

Let some other sucker sign him.

No one remembers who won their conference or the President's trophy...