Post-Game Talk: The Devil's In the Details, Leafs Win 5-2

[Rare Jewel]

View attachment 849087

Goat facial expression. Now post lockout record holder. Papi is a bad man

It's like that Gardiner one, in the bump line.

 

[LastOne2100]

I know they won, but man Keefe is still a bad coach.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Let's goooooo

 

[thewave]

I know they won, but man Keefe is still a bad coach.

Just imagine this team with a good coach. We're probably right up there with Boston easily.

 

[sxvnert]

He just wanted to hate everything Tre did. Made an ass of himself.

Hes still pushing that angle. "YOU HAVE TO GO ALL IN!"

 

[Darcy Tucker]

I know they won, but man Keefe is still a bad coach.

Lets give him a chance to win another playoff series then we can rake him over the coals. It's one of the tougher coaching positions in sports. You can't blame him for being a bit thick in the waist I'd be stress eating too coaching in this city. Can't even imagine.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Domi turning into prime Nicklas Backstrom out there with Matthews.

That line is fire.

 

[Stephen]

So does Matthews finish with 67 goals, 69 goals or 70 goals?

 

[sxvnert]

Well played. Keefe continues to galaxy brain. This team has potential though.

Look at what a difference a bit of toughness higher in the lineup makes

 

[BertCorbeau]

Another strong third period.. like it

 

[DarkKnight]

Hes still pushing that angle. "YOU HAVE TO GO ALL IN!"

I stopped listening to their podcast early this year.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

So does Matthews finish with 67 goals, 69 goals or 70 goals?

Honestly I'm already so satisfied he eclipsed Ovi's record while Ovi is going to eclipse Gretzky.

 

[NastyKnies]

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Just imagine this team with a good coach. We're probably right up there with Boston easily.

I actually can’t

 

[Gabriel426]

a really really good solid win.
There were a bit jumpy but settled down and just played their game esp when the Devils were up 2-1.

Domi is MM lite and he is doing wonders with AM and Bert on that line.

Willie was good and had some great moments like the lead up to Robbie's goal.

The D was pretty solid and all 4 lines played their role.

Knies was just dominated. In this game, he looks like he can drive a line.

 

[Jojalu]

Leafs control their fate now.

Win out and they get home ice.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Bert is starting to come on right on time for the playoffs and they finally have balance in the lines and some heavier players.

Maybe they will shock the world. I've probably said it before though...

 

[thusk]

finally the 1st half nylander come to this game

matthewz/marner/ nylander had been great

2 game in a row where leafs was looking much better in 3rd to protect their lead ( even if they allowed a lucky goal to pittsburgh)

 

[93gilmour93]

 

[Rare Jewel]

So does Matthews finish with 67 goals, 69 goals or 70 goals?

71.

 

[sxvnert]

 

[LaPlante94]

I know we won and we should be happy which I am, but idk why you don't put Matthews out there with the empty net, especially on the PK. They talk like Matthews is a Selke candidate and they don't trust him in that situation when he's chasing down 70 goals.

 

[sxvnert]

So does Matthews finish with 67 goals, 69 goals or 70 goals?

Definitely 67.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Matthews scored again so nobody is going to mention it, but penality aside I thought Knies had a VERY strong game.

 

[ponder]

Also some thoughts on lines:
- Bert/Matthews/Domi continues to dominate, this line is a keeper
- McMann/JT/Marner were dominating possession and chances, even if they didn't score. We also saw a bit of Nylander/JT/Marner, and that was very good too
- Knies/Kampf/Gregor was pretty good, considering it's a 4th line
- Robertson/Holmberg/Willy DID score, but otherwise were pretty quiet. I'm not sold on this line as a good use of Willy's skill, seems a bit of a waste of such a talented player

Overall we're 3-0 since Marner returned, with the lines always being variants of:

Bert - Matthews - Domi
xxx - JT - Marner
xxx - Holmberg - Willy
xxx - Kampf - xxx

Albeit against below average competition (Habs, Pens and Devils), but still, can't complain much about 3-0. I do think we're on the right track spreading out the offence like this, just need to get a bit more out of that 3rd line.

If Jarnkrok is back and up to speed for the playoffs (ideally gets in a regular season game or two), I'd love to give this a shot:

Bert - Matthews - Domi
McMann - JT - Marner
Jarnkrok - Holmberg - Willy
Knies - Kampf - TBD

Where TBD is one of Reaves, Gregor, Dewar or Robertson, really not sure!

Alternately, could bust out the blender even more, and try this:

Bert - Matthews - Domi
McMann - JT - Willy
Jarnkrok - Holmberg - Marner
Knies - Kampf - TBD

As McMann/JT/Willy has actually been a very strong line in the minutes they've seen together, and maybe Marner can find better chemistry with Holmberg than Willy has found so far.