Same result though. If the Habs didn't get an empty net goal in game 7 last year, it would've been a game 7 loss by one goal. Where is all this amazing $40 Million fire power? Where are the insane dangles or head-fakes to get open and get the goal or the assist? You know, the stuff that brings in $10-$11 million annually for some big dawgs.
We're bringing parlor tricks to a knife fight. It all looks nice and sparkley until everyone else brings their blades out and it gets real.
We're playing schoolyard rules and everyone else is back-alley rules.
Are we waiting for these 25-31 year old men to get tougher so they can break through, or are we waiting for the style of play to change in the playoffs?
When a battalion goes into a fight they don't all just grab the same machine guns and run into the fight. They have different people doing different things with differing artilery, it allows the Command different methods of attack and defense. Some might refer to this as "having a plan".
The Maple Leafs shoot bullets real well, a bunch of very skilled marksmen. But in the Playoffs other teams are bringing RPGs, tanks, air-strike, shotguns, etc. and it seems like we are refusing to utilize these options.
They keep accepting failure so it will keep happening. As a fan you might think "well this was the 2 time defending champs, super experienced, tough team - we took them the distance and we'll be better next year" and that's fine. The problem is the players, team, management and ownership has adopted this same attitude too. I can't believe the post-game and season ending pressers. No one seems pissed, no one saying 'we can't accept this result anymore'. The attitude coming across is more along the lines of "what did you expect us to do? They gave us all we can handle. We can't handle anymore".
The problem with this group is there is NO ONE affiliated with the team that refuses to lose. There has been no progress made here. Have they not been to the first round before? Have they not had a series lead before? Have they not felt the pressure of an elimination game? Have they not been to a game 7? WHAT IS the progress then? Could you chart it out?
Have they won a game 7? Or any game that actually matters? It's not that this team shrinks from adversity, but when another team wants it more, or has something more to play for, this group hasn't shown the ability to match or exceed that level. They can't dictate pace in a game like that.
There used to be a coach here with a plan and an attitude towards real championship asperations but this group got him fired because he's a meanie. Truth is they didn't like whay he had to say and tuned them out. All he was trying to tell them was what time it is in the league. What was the big deal with him & Marner, something about team or teammate work ethic? Sounds like something they SHOULD be talking about but don't want to hurt anyones feelings so there's no ackwardness in training camp next year.
All the things said about Mike Babcock personally, whatever. Even Franzen said he's a fantastic coach, one of the most prepared guys ever, after saying he's one of the worst as a person. Well, I don't care about him as a person. These guys aren't here to foster friendships are they? I don't go to work looking to make new best friends. People were mortified that Babcock was a hard ass so they brought in one of Heaven's most precious angels in Saint Sheldon Keefe.
Well, everyone seems like good friends in the locker room still, so there's that! They all really believe in each other in there, the belief is as strong as ever and with that kind of power the *sky is the limit.
*=Round 1 GM 7 loss
