Post-Game Talk: This is not a recording: Leafs smoke the Oilers 6-1 | Sweep series 13-1

[Dekes For Days]

do you remember how long it took the Capitals to finally get over the hump? A balls to the wall offensive team for years that couldn't get to the final until they learned that taking care of their own end was just as important as burying their chances.

That's the media narrative that may have formed, but it wasn't accurate. They were an above average team defensively in 7 out of the 10 years prior to their cup win. In fact, the year they won the cup, was their worst year defensively. They were 29th in the league. They would not have won without great offensive performances by their stars in the playoffs.

All offense is certainly entertaining and it can win you lots of games, but without defense you go nowhere, the previous 4 years is proof of that

Nobody said all that's necessary is "all offense", but no, the past 4 years did not prove that. It usually takes being very good to elite in at least 2 of offense, defense, and goaltending. The whole "defense is more important" narrative is baseless, and everything actually suggests it is the least important of the three. Our defense is improved, and that's a great thing, and will help us compete, but our situation does not support the narrative that was originally being claimed by the individual I replied to.

 

[mix1home]

the leafs cycle plenty

And with adds on backend we can actually stop cycle too quite effectively.

 

[therealkoho]

That's the media narrative that may have formed, but it wasn't accurate. They were an above average team defensively in 7 out of the 10 years prior to their cup win. In fact, the year they won the cup, was their worst year defensively. They were 29th in the league. They would not have won without great offensive performances by their stars in the playoffs.

Nobody said all that's necessary is "all offense", but no, the past 4 years did not prove that. It usually takes being very good to elite in at least 2 of offense, defense, and goaltending. The whole "defense is more important" narrative is baseless, and everything actually suggests it is the least important of the three. Our defense is improved, and that's a great thing, and will help us compete, but our situation does not support the narrative that was originally being claimed by the individual I replied to.

like a dog on a bone

they were not 29th they were 16th in GA and very well balanced for a change in their GF/GA ratio as was their opponent the Golden Knights and sure they finished 1,2,3 in playoff scoring albeit with more games played then any other team so they should've

 

[CanadasTeam]

Leafs have always been fast, this year we've had the same kind of speed and legs.

Honest Oilers fans can agree Soup's a pain in the ass, nimble fast-moving winger.

 

[Faltorvo]

I agree that the Leafs cannot be compared against teams you mentioned but with that said you cannot say anything wrong of them on how they are playing. I guess we will find out more as the season goes on.

One thing is for certain, if they can continue to gel like they have been. Find line combinations that can work well together, come playoff time that will only bode well for them. The 3rd line of Hyman-Engvall-Micheyev look like the real deal. Once Simmonds comes back that adds another dimension that we havent had in past playoffs. Imagine him on the 4th line with Boyd-Spezza and how they have been playing?

We may have 2 lines that are capable of playing the cycle game very well with our 3rd and 4th lines. Not to mention the size and speed they bring.

So we may not be that far off from contending with the teams you mentioned. On top of that I dont think other then maybe Boston and Tampa Bay, no one can ice 4 players in their top 6 like Matthews, Marner, Tavares, and Nylander. If the Leafs can continue to build their momentum, I dont know if there is any team that can stop them once playoff time comes.

Winnipeg has 5 in their top 6

 

[Faltorvo]

One thing that's impressed me alot is the sheer talent most of these guys have. We have lamented "toughness" while Dubas and Company have been going for higher talent, higher ceiling, even if they are smaller. This shows especially on D... if they get swarmed, they can literally make 3 passes in the space of a phone booth to get out of trouble. I almost cringe sometimes when they have us outnumbered somewhere 2 to 1, and the outlet pass is to a guy 2 feet away. But they pull it off and 2-3 quick passes within 3-4 feet and they're out. High talent and some confidence and composure go a long way. Other teams always managed to do this against us in the O-zone and it was so frustrating. Very refreshing to see!

oh make no mistake

this team is bigger and tougher then last year

but i saw some things in the EDM series that concerned me

 

[Dekes For Days]

they were not 29th they were 16th in GA

Goals against is a combination of defense and goaltending (two different positions). They placed 16th because of goaltending, not defense. They were 29th in xGA/60 in the year they won, which was the worst they ever placed while competitive. They were 27th in scoring chances against, and 30th in high danger chances against.

Even by goals against, they had multiple better seasons in previous seasons than the year they won. In fact, through the 3 seasons prior to the season they won, they were #1 in the league in goals against.

The whole "they finally figured out how to defense and then won" thing is a false, media-driven narrative.

 

[keonsbitterness]

Also emphasizes how "strong defense" wins games and not offensive stars as the #1 belief often is.

We did pretty much everything well against the Oilers. These were not 2-1 games.

In the playoffs, you need goals at key times of games. Offensive stars gives you the best chance of getting them.

 

[Faltorvo]

It’s refreshing that they’ve purged the team of a lot of those high skill but skittish defensemen like Barrie and Gardiner. Guys like Holl, Bogosian and especially Brodie can handle the uncomfortable moments in a game with a lot more composure. Also having a beefier D core of Muzzin, Holl and Bogosian really helps with the heavier traffic teams direct towards the Leaf net.

something else i wanted to point out about the "size" thing

look at JTs goal last night,,Jumbo had Nurse leaning on him hard but the play got made

if that is one of our litlins,,they don't make that play ,they would be too occupied getting back up

 

[JT AM da real deal]

We have a complete team for 1st time since 1993 ... and we do have da Peg to get us ready for next level hockey ... but I would like 1 more power forward/3rd line centre to help us against Vegas/Tampa/Boston and 1 more depth vet defender for injuries ... but we are really very close now ... I would definitely go for it with every 2021 pick we have available and total Robidas use of LTIR (Mitch/JT can sit on LTIR for a month or so to end season so we are compliant) ... we have to go for it this year ... go big orr go home

 

[MattySnipes]

 

[Peiskos]

I don't even know what to say at this point, I knew they would be good and would probably win the division, I did not know they would be THIS

Never mind division, looking like Leafs are going to take their first ever Presidents Trophy.

 

[danron1376]

As was Montreal last week and Edmonton this week.

and now after more games we are more clearly able to see who the better teams are. but yeah, we have been passing our tests with flying colors

 

[keonsbitterness]

Never mind division, looking like Leafs are going to take their first ever Presidents Trophy.

Prime Ministers' Trophy.

 

[weems]

We have a complete team for 1st time since 1993 ... and we do have da Peg to get us ready for next level hockey ... but I would like 1 more power forward/3rd line centre to help us against Vegas/Tampa/Boston and 1 more depth vet defender for injuries ... but we are really very close now ... I would definitely go for it with every 2021 pick we have available and total Robidas use of LTIR (Mitch/JT can sit on LTIR for a month or so to end season so we are compliant) ... we have to go for it this year ... go big orr go home

This will be by far our easiest route to a SC finals.

We should be looking to make a impact addition imo.

 

[Peiskos]

Prime Ministers' Trophy.

True.

 

[Peiskos]

We have a complete team for 1st time since 1993 ... and we do have da Peg to get us ready for next level hockey ... but I would like 1 more power forward/3rd line centre to help us against Vegas/Tampa/Boston and 1 more depth vet defender for injuries ... but we are really very close now ... I would definitely go for it with every 2021 pick we have available and total Robidas use of LTIR (Mitch/JT can sit on LTIR for a month or so to end season so we are compliant) ... we have to go for it this year ... go big orr go home

Absolutely, the time to go all in is now. Leafs might never have an opportunity this good again in a long time. Adding another forward and defender is what I expect before the playoffs.

 

[ACC1224]

Never mind division, looking like Leafs are going to take their first ever Presidents Trophy.

That will have a huge asterisk beside it. Deservedly so.

 

[Auston 316]

Leafs have always been fast, this year we've had the same kind of speed and legs.

Honest Oilers fans can agree Soup's a pain in the ass, nimble fast-moving winger.

Nice hold by McDbag there as well. Having watched him play a lot this year now, he certainly isn’t as clean of a player as I once thought he was.

 

[Notsince67]

With the past performance, Leafs have now climbed to the top on moneypuck's power ranking.
Not that I put a lot of stake in such things but it is statistically weighted and I'm always looking to confirm my own biases.
NHL Power Rankings -MoneyPuck NHL Power Rankings

 

[Notsince67]

That will have a huge asterisk beside it. Deservedly so.

Not if they won the cup.

 

[Teeder Keon]

Absolutely, the time to go all in is now. Leafs might never have an opportunity this good again in a long time. Adding another forward and defender is what I expect before the playoffs.

I’m looking forward ( Pardon the Pun) to it , one or even two ...
Let’s go for it

 

[ACC1224]

Not if they won the cup.

True enough.

 

[Teeder Keon]

Prime Ministers' Trophy.

Tooooo funny

 

[Faltorvo]

We have a complete team for 1st time since 1993 ... and we do have da Peg to get us ready for next level hockey ... but I would like 1 more power forward/3rd line centre to help us against Vegas/Tampa/Boston and 1 more depth vet defender for injuries ... but we are really very close now ... I would definitely go for it with every 2021 pick we have available and total Robidas use of LTIR (Mitch/JT can sit on LTIR for a month or so to end season so we are compliant) ... we have to go for it this year ... go big orr go home

i have a 2 in 1 for ya,,,ya get both wants covered in Eric Staal