Post-Game Talk: Shameful Leafs lose 3-2

[Bomber0104]

Is there no counter coaching philosophy for a heavy forecheck that we can do? Seriously....nothing? This guy is like Babcock coaching team Canada and getting credit for opening the door to the bench like he did. There is no System to rely on when things are not going well. No muscle memory type plays that we can do automatically. It seems that the players are coaching themselves except for who plays on what lines.

Yeah there is, everyone needs to be prepared to receive a hit to make at least a 50/50 play, counter with a breakout, and forecheck/cycle them in their end.

 

[Rob Brown]

Win 4 out of the next 5 again.

 

[BallardEra]

That was also 5 games in 9 nights for the Panthers last night with some OT sprinkled in there as well.

They were ripe for the picking.

 

[leafs in five]

I often feel like I watched an entirely different game than the one the doomers try to describe on here. the idea that Florida was in control keeping things neat and tidy and mostly outside high danger areas

 

[Gallagbi]

Is there no counter coaching philosophy for a heavy forecheck that we can do? Seriously....nothing? This guy is like Babcock coaching team Canada and getting credit for opening the door to the bench like he did. There is no System to rely on when things are not going well. No muscle memory type plays that we can do automatically. It seems that the players are coaching themselves except for who plays on what lines.

1 of the 3 goals came off a heavy forecheck, which also occured because of an unforced slip. Outside of period 1, game 1, its beem countered well by the Leafs.

 

[egd27]

Unbelievable limp wristed puck handling by Matthews, Nylander, Brodie and McCabe to start the 2nd.

You missed Marner.

But to me it's not unbelievable, it's been going on for ages without correction. By game 90 the players should know what is expected of them with regard to those types of turnovers and general Dzone safety. A really good coach corrects these things throughout the season, by either teaching or disciplining.

A stupid change in Game 5 led to losing the CBJ series
Dermott's ridiculous Dzone play led to losing Game 6 (and the series) against MTL
Kerfoot's awful drop pass led to a loss in Game 6 (and the series) against TBL
Last night Nylander, Marner and Matthews each cough up the puck at the blueline costing us the game


And it happens all the time. It would have been the reason we lost to TBL last series if not for some good fortune.

Why does it continue? Because it is not properly corrected all season long.

 

[Gallagbi]

I often feel like I watched an entirely different game than the one the doomers try to describe on here. the idea that Florida was in control keeping things neat and tidy and mostly outside high danger areas

Its sad. Were not doing enough to win, but theres a crazy amount of forced narratives and agenda pushing on the why

 

[Cor]

I often feel like I watched an entirely different game than the one the doomers try to describe on here. the idea that Florida was in control keeping things neat and tidy and mostly outside high danger areas

Leafs have outplayed them for 4 of 6 periods. The second period has cost us both games.

Ultimately, that means nothing though. Bobrovsky been hot to start the series. We'll see if that continues.

 

[IPS]

I often feel like I watched an entirely different game than the one the doomers try to describe on here. the idea that Florida was in control keeping things neat and tidy and mostly outside high danger areas

Same. What I saw is the Leafs handily outplay the Panthers in the 1st, have a weak 2nd, and utterly decimate the Panthers in the 3rd with one of the most dominant periods any team has played these playoffs.

This shit is far from over .

 

[Suntouchable13]

Some previous SC champs have had to come back from 0-2 down at some point. Carolina, 2006. Washington, 2018. Just 2 out of the top of my head. Plus, our own Toronto Raptors had to come back from 0-2 down in the conference final and go on to win a ring. We will see what this team is made off shortly.

 

[Gallagbi]

Some previous SC champs have had to come back from 0-2 down at some point. Carolina, 2006. Washington, 2018. Just 2 out of the top of my head. Plus, our own Toronto Raptors had to come back from 0-2 down in the conference final and go on to win a ring. We will see what this team is made off shortly.

For this team to break through theyll need to overcome some adversity, all cup winners do

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Here's my birds eye take for row 1 blues .. Leafs came out harder/faster to start game and unfortunately could not maintain either da pace and/or physical side .. Cats can maintain speed and toughness and they did for 2 periods until they went into trap mode in 3rd period .. JT and Kampf continue to get badly tilted when they are on da ice .. Matty and ROR played even steven .. Bobbo played his best game which did not help our cause .. but that was not why we lost da game

Defensively 3 huge defensive turnovers which were all self inflicted were da cause for da L .. Lily trained in Sweden/Leafs development clearly does not know how to eat a puck, then JT could not support his error due to footspeed and mobility issues and Gio assumed Lily was gonna move puck up boards (lack of communication very evident there) .. overall Cats speed on forecheck reduces time and space and caused da breakdown .. this is a theme now for past 2 games

Goal 2 against was a ghastly error by both Willy and then Sammy .. 1st no excuses Willy is fastest guy on ice and this was a straightforward easy exit which Willy played at regular season pace (give him credit he picked up his pace after that goal against but..) .. he fumbled puck to Cats and then after his fumble he did not attack Barkov to make his shot attempt harder and Barkov used his quick release and screen to beat Sammy in a goal which could have been saved but it was nowhere near as bad as Freddy's or Soup's f*ck ups .. but it was a save that $$$ tenders need to make

Goal 3 was all on Mitch and Matty as they both decided to play shinny hockey in a playoff game .. goes to both of their characters and bottom line neither are leaders of men and both are still boys .. given both of their self entitled hockey lives I don't see either being a guy you can trust in playoffs .. da truth hurts fans but it must be stated

All that said offensively both ROR and Kerfoot found ways to beat bobbo with their 2 only chances at net .. Matty had 2 glorious chances, JT had 2 even better chances and Willy had 3 which were super good too .. our core 4 had 7 i said 7 let me repeat 7 chances to score .. 7 legit kill zone chances to score .. i think you need to hear that again folks da core 4 had 7 legit chances to score .. BUT ZERO NOTHING NOTTA 1 goal .. what does that tell you??????? .. think long and hard about that one .. of course there will be folks on here which say Bobbo stole it .. my reply yes he did play extremely well .. but this is a recurring playoff theme for 6 years now .. legit top end scorers don't miss 7 times like that .. those boys are not clutch at all .. and they never will be .. great regular season scorers yes but when pace picks up in playoffs and time and space is reduced on puck none of them excel .. facts are facts .. you can't have 4 guys ALL FORWARDS who don't score when required on your team .. too much tied up in them

All that said I don't see Leafs winning this series but Bobbo will not play at this level 4 straight .. Keefer can make some more changes to lineup and team can play better .. but character of core 4 is reason we won't win this series .. blaming Sammy is flat out wrong .. he flat out beat Vasi in round 1 and that tells me he is fine ..

Bold and italics quoted is bang on.

 

[definedMF]

My two cents:

Those who can admit our goalie is playing well but INFERIOR to the other goalie this series, can also see that we HAVE had chances to bury but haven't. Why you ask?

I genuinely see the Leafs trying to revert back to their old ways of attacking the goalie, and not what was working to surpass Vasievlevskiy SHOTS from the point WITH traffic looking for tips and second chances.

First goal was a success why? Schenn sent the puck on net with traffic, Kampf is playing hard in the crease, and it pops out to Kerfoot for the opener. THIS is how you will consistently beat most goalies, especially ones who have your number in slot chances.

SURE we got posts, and got unlucky on our top guns not capitalizing, but remembering to play this way is what will help us ensure we can progress against ANY team.

BIGGEST error for us is all self inflicted wounds, and it starts with Mitch Marner and then Auston Matthews on the 3-2 goal. Abhorent play by them and THEY should be ashamed + Keefe benching the rest of the bottom six.

 

[Blanche Blanche]

You missed Marner.

But to me it's not unbelievable, it's been going on for ages without correction. By game 90 the players should know what is expected of them with regard to those types of turnovers and general Dzone safety. A really good coach corrects these things throughout the season, by either teaching or disciplining.

A stupid change in Game 5 led to losing the CBJ series
Dermott's ridiculous Dzone play led to losing Game 6 (and the series) against MTL
Kerfoot's awful drop pass led to a loss in Game 6 (and the series) against TBL
Last night Nylander, Marner and Matthews each cough up the puck at the blueline costing us the game


And it happens all the time. It would have been the reason we lost to TBL last series if not for some good fortune.

Why does it continue? Because it is not properly corrected all season long.

Général flaw if shanny and Dubas is kissing the stars arses.

Real hockey people knew this was a mistake from day 1.

We had soft leadership, and all the tough guys were shipped out b shanny and Dubas to try soft euro possession hockey instead of the classic.

I’m glad he has turned a full 180 and now we actually have a decent team. A few bounces and we are ahead or tied.

But it’s true. The coaching staff dare not yell or discipline the core 4.

They deserve to be humiliated through the season for Mickey Mouse plays by marner.
Nylanders ducking of physical play.
Matthews ghost appearances.

JT is getting old… can’t yell at him for that, but he does need to be told hey, you can be on the third line if you are lagging.

Endrant

 

[Blanche Blanche]

Yesterdays game confirmed for me Keefe is the main problem with this team.

He constantly creates chaos at home with the way he starts games and periods. I don’t know how many times as a coach you have to get burned & caught chasing a matchup before you realize that matching up is stupid if you have superior players. Just start the top line.

Rookie moves.

Dubas thought he could win the NHL with 5’9 possession players

Keefe still thinks everyone deserves house league time and line matching works the same in AHL.

 

[egd27]

Is there no counter coaching philosophy for a heavy forecheck that we can do? Seriously....nothing? This guy is like Babcock coaching team Canada and getting credit for opening the door to the bench like he did. There is no System to rely on when things are not going well. No muscle memory type plays that we can do automatically. It seems that the players are coaching themselves except for who plays on what lines.

Sure there is, the key to countering a forechecking team is to have a well-coordinated strategy that includes quick breakouts, effective use of the neutral zone, and skillful passing and communication.

But is takes structure and incredible discipline.

IMO Keefe is not the guy that can implement these things because our top players rely too much on being "creative" and Keefe doesn't have the knowledge, will, or the respect of our stars to instill that level of discipline.

 

[showtime8]

Général flaw if shanny and Dubas is kissing the stars arses.

Real hockey people knew this was a mistake from day 1.

We had soft leadership, and all the tough guys were shipped out b shanny and Dubas to try soft euro possession hockey instead of the classic.

I’m glad he has turned a full 180 and now we actually have a decent team. A few bounces and we are ahead or tied.

But it’s true. The coaching staff dare not yell or discipline the core 4.

They deserve to be humiliated through the season for Mickey Mouse plays by marner.
Nylanders ducking of physical play.
Matthews ghost appearances.

JT is getting old… can’t yell at him for that, but he does need to be told hey, you can be on the third line if you are lagging.

Endrant

This isn't the time to be disciplining the core 4. How happy would people be if Kampf/Lafferty/Kerfoot got the majority of minutes in the 3rd period when they needed a goal.

For me, if they play a full 60 minutes of hockey, then they will win. And it doesn't even have to be flawless hockey. Just attention to detail because there's going to be points that they get hemmed in their own end for stretches of a time. I think a majority of the time, they will be able to win those battles, regardless of the goaltending at the time.

I also think they have to get away from the constant possession game. It's okay to get it off the glass and out sometimes. That's killed them in the past in other series where a forward or defense tries to make one extra pass or go d to d, when all you could have done is get the puck out and live to see another day.

I believe they'll win game 3.

 

[1specter]

The team has gone away from playing the style that made them successful during the season. Going rope-a-dope with Florida and shooter vs goalie 1v1 against Bob every single time isn't the way. Go back to cycling on their weak defense and creating traffic in front of the net.

 

[AllHeartNoSkill]

Some previous SC champs have had to come back from 0-2 down at some point. Carolina, 2006. Washington, 2018. Just 2 out of the top of my head. Plus, our own Toronto Raptors had to come back from 0-2 down in the conference final and go on to win a ring. We will see what this team is made off shortly.

Didn’t Boston do it twice in ‘11? Once against MTL and again vs VAN?

 

[Suntouchable13]

Didn’t Boston do it twice in ‘11? Once against MTL and again vs VAN?

Ah yes, I forgot about them. I just remembered 2 teams, there are probably a few more.

 

[TorMapleJays]

Actually really frustrating that we weren't able to score in the third. We were throwing everything at them for a few minutes - a bit of luck and we're tied 3-3 and who knows after that. Those posts were killer last night.

Need that desperation for a full 60. The give a sh-$ metre didn’t even move until it was late in the game.

Bi Polar

 

[The Management]

The team has gone away from playing the style that made them successful during the season. Going rope-a-dope with Florida and shooter vs goalie 1v1 against Bob every single time isn't the way. Go back to cycling on their weak defense and creating traffic in front of the net.

That's what I'm seeing as well. Toronto should be better defensively, but stretching out the D and trading chances with Florida is forfeiting that advantage.

 

[Stephen]

Were they though? They had an actual strategy, played them tight and limited mistakes while getting to the inside to make theirs count. So far vs Florida, Leafs have gifted over 50% of their goals with unforced errors while repeatedly trying to snipe a hot goalie instead of making his life difficult. The urgency and focus is completely different in this series.

Also, why did we abandon point shots with deflections and tip ins and rebounds as a viable scoring strategy? That was bread and butter in mixing up the attack vs Tampa. But why go back to something that works?

 

[Stephen]

Need that desperation for a full 60. The give a sh-$ metre didn’t even move until it was late in the game.

Bi Polar

It’s crazy to me that Toronto has that “comeback gear” but never feel like they should start every period with that kind of early push. Just leave it till it’s almost too late and then get on the gallop.

 

[seventieslord]

Dude have you seen what Paul Maurice has done historically? Dude is an absolute trainwreck! Most losses of all time!

... And still most folks wouldn't say we have the better coach