zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
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Pre-Game Talk: Time to talk Playoffs
- Thread starter zeke
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Hockey Crazy
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- Dec 30, 2008
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Why? Galchenyuk has been fine but nothing special.
Zach Hyman–Auston Matthews–Mitch Marner
Probably the best top line that we've put out this year.
Nick Foligno–John Tavares–William Nylander
We haven't seen Foligno with Tavares yet, but it feels like it would be a great match. This line could produce and also be responsible defensively.
Ilya Mikheyev–Alexander Kerfoot–Wayne Simmonds
Energy line. They might chip in the odd goal.
Joe Thornton–Riley Nash–Jason Spezza
Great vet line that you can trust against any other bottom six.
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
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No doubt those top 2 lines there would likely be our best possible top 2 lines.
But those bottom 2 lines are a mess, imo. Two lines that you can't trust offensively or defensively.
This is pretty good but I think the bottom 6 balance becomes way better IF Thornton manages to play well with M&M.
Thornton-Matty-Marner
Hyman-Tavares-Nylander
Foligno-Nash-Simmonds - this would be a sick shut down line that can score
Mikey-Kerfoot-Spezza - Again a defensively responsible line that can score
Splitting the old guys might spread out the ‘slowness’ as well, although Spezza ain’t really slow
Suntouchable13
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Nah, I don’t think you can count on Thornton to play well for potentially 4 rounds. I don’t see it.
Stonehands1990
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- Apr 2, 2021
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I’ve seen enough of the Leafs looking short handed with Thornton with M&M. He can’t keep up with other team’s top units, has found his niche as a physical 4th line contributor
crump
~ ~ (ړײ) ~ ~
If Galchenyuk has earned his spot, and I think the last few games he’s been better, I can’t speak to underlying numbers in the last 4 games but I would say his work on that line at least gets him into game 1.
So the question remains, if you go with Kerfoot as the third line centre you need to pick 4 of the following players for the last 4 spots
Mikheyev, Spezza, Simmonds, Nash, Thornton, Brooks, Engvall, Robertson
That’s a damn good problem to have.
So the question remains, if you go with Kerfoot as the third line centre you need to pick 4 of the following players for the last 4 spots
Mikheyev, Spezza, Simmonds, Nash, Thornton, Brooks, Engvall, Robertson
That’s a damn good problem to have.
Gally has looked very good for a skilled grinder
willmma
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- Jan 5, 2017
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Le Cobra
Rent A Goalie
In retrospect, IF we need to play MTL, it would be better for us to face them in the first round. Because, if we allow Price to gain confidence and momentum, he has a higher chance of being a wall and outright stealing the series. Preferably we do not face MTL in the 2nd round or at all.
WPG and then EDM is the best case scenario.
Otherwise, facing MTL then EDM would be the next best case.
Worst case is WPG and then MTL.
But...
Best scenario to make us a more resilient club is probably MTL then EDM.
Whoever comes out of the other conferences, most likely CAR, VGK, TBL, PIT, WAS will be our toughest challenge.
WPG and then EDM is the best case scenario.
Otherwise, facing MTL then EDM would be the next best case.
Worst case is WPG and then MTL.
But...
Best scenario to make us a more resilient club is probably MTL then EDM.
Whoever comes out of the other conferences, most likely CAR, VGK, TBL, PIT, WAS will be our toughest challenge.
Foligno - Matthews - Marner
Hyman - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - Nash - Mikheyev
Thornton - Spezza - Simmonds
Galchenyuk
Hyman - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - Nash - Mikheyev
Thornton - Spezza - Simmonds
Galchenyuk
I think who we are playing should obviously have a large impact on what the lines are.
Against the Oilers I definitely want Hyman with Matthews and Marner to match up with McDavid and Drai when they are on the same line. When those two are split up I might consider dropping Hyman to the second line to beef up the defensive responsibility of the second line. Galchenyuk and Brooks as the odd men out.
Against the Jets I would want to spread the defensive players through the lineup because of their depth. Nash at 3c. Brooks at 4c. I would also be looking to keep some size or guys that play big in that series.
Kerfoot and Gally would probably be the odd men out for me.
Against the Habs I probably try to overwhelm them with our superior scoring. Hyman on the first line. Galchenyuk on the 2nd. Foligno on the 3rd. Brooks and one of Simmonds, Thornton or Mikheyev as the odd men out.
Against the Oilers I definitely want Hyman with Matthews and Marner to match up with McDavid and Drai when they are on the same line. When those two are split up I might consider dropping Hyman to the second line to beef up the defensive responsibility of the second line. Galchenyuk and Brooks as the odd men out.
Against the Jets I would want to spread the defensive players through the lineup because of their depth. Nash at 3c. Brooks at 4c. I would also be looking to keep some size or guys that play big in that series.
Kerfoot and Gally would probably be the odd men out for me.
Against the Habs I probably try to overwhelm them with our superior scoring. Hyman on the first line. Galchenyuk on the 2nd. Foligno on the 3rd. Brooks and one of Simmonds, Thornton or Mikheyev as the odd men out.
Folignos Helmet
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- Sep 4, 2020
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Keefe has intentionally built in the ability to mix it up through the year.
I could see stretches of:
Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Gally-JT-Willie
Hyman-Foligno-Mik
Spezza-Kerfoot-Simmonds
gives a great third line to match up against teams with depth.
in close games or if we are chasing can flip out joe and Gally for Hyman and foligno to create a strong top 6 to carry heavy minutes. When you play teams like the oilers with little depth.
I could see stretches of:
Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Gally-JT-Willie
Hyman-Foligno-Mik
Spezza-Kerfoot-Simmonds
gives a great third line to match up against teams with depth.
in close games or if we are chasing can flip out joe and Gally for Hyman and foligno to create a strong top 6 to carry heavy minutes. When you play teams like the oilers with little depth.
conFABulator
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- Apr 11, 2021
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If we assume we are playing Montreal (I realize we might still get Winnipeg, but let's assume the Habs for now).
Foligno • Matthews • Marner
Galchenyuk • Tavares • Nylander
Hyman • Kerfoot • Mikheyev
Thornton • Brooks • Spezza
Simmonds, Nash, Engvall and Robertson as depth
Rielly • Brodie
Muzzin • Holl
Sandin • Dermott
Bogosian, Hutton, Liljegren as depth
Campbell • Andersen
Rittich and Hutcheson as depth
I am not saying this is our optimal lineup for all four rounds, but I like it to start with against Montreal.
This allows us to get Nash and Bogosian very healthy...we will need both of them for a long run.
It allows us to play our best 4th line right now.
It allows our third line to actual be a checking line (that can score).
It allows Galchenyuk to play against his former team and have extra spark in a role that is working this far.
It gives us lots of options...
Take out AG and move Kerfoot up to second line and bring Nash in.
Take Brooks out and drop Kerfoot to fourth line centre and put Nash or Engvall on third line.
Need some muscle or energy? Slide Spezza over, take Brooks out and insert Simmonds on the fourth line.
Foligno • Matthews • Marner
Galchenyuk • Tavares • Nylander
Hyman • Kerfoot • Mikheyev
Thornton • Brooks • Spezza
Simmonds, Nash, Engvall and Robertson as depth
Rielly • Brodie
Muzzin • Holl
Sandin • Dermott
Bogosian, Hutton, Liljegren as depth
Campbell • Andersen
Rittich and Hutcheson as depth
I am not saying this is our optimal lineup for all four rounds, but I like it to start with against Montreal.
This allows us to get Nash and Bogosian very healthy...we will need both of them for a long run.
It allows us to play our best 4th line right now.
It allows our third line to actual be a checking line (that can score).
It allows Galchenyuk to play against his former team and have extra spark in a role that is working this far.
It gives us lots of options...
Take out AG and move Kerfoot up to second line and bring Nash in.
Take Brooks out and drop Kerfoot to fourth line centre and put Nash or Engvall on third line.
Need some muscle or energy? Slide Spezza over, take Brooks out and insert Simmonds on the fourth line.
You guys are likely correct, it’s more so a hope or maybe someone other than both Hyman and Foligno on the top 6 that I think would significantly strengthen the bottom 6
Vaive50
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- Dec 24, 2015
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I'm pretty excited about this series also, however what worries me about this Leafs team is not the one-game chokes (losing to the Sens after leading 5-1, losing twice to the Nucks after their Covid) or even how they have a hard time handling Ottawa, but how in the world do they lose 4 straight games to Vancouver (outscored 16-8) after whipping them in the first 3. This is the scary part, I just feel that they take their foot off the gas pedal when they shouldn't, just like when they were up 3-2 in games over the Bruins 2 years ago.
Sure, they beat Vancouver the last 2 games but they still lost 4 straight to that basement dwelling team. I don't mean to sound so pessimistic but this Leafs team does have the ability to lose 4 straight games to the same crappy team. There's a lot to be optimistic about also but after 4 straight 1st round losses and how the Habs booted the Pens out last play-ins, it's hard to be over confident.
socko
Registered User
We're going to face a weaker team than the Bruins with much more solid goaltending. I think we win a series or two at minimum.
ViewsFromThe6ix
Zachary on the Attackary
Nash hasn’t played in a month and a half and has never shown to be more than a 4C. I think people here are going to be disappointed with him
Mess
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zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
I'd lean towards keeping galy on the Tavares line tbh.
That line has had great underlying numbers together, Tavares and willybare both over a ppg since galy joined them, and galy's own production has finally started to take off over the last week or so to match the excellent underlying numbers.
That line has had great underlying numbers together, Tavares and willybare both over a ppg since galy joined them, and galy's own production has finally started to take off over the last week or so to match the excellent underlying numbers.
ViewsFromThe6ix
Zachary on the Attackary
4C by what? He's a terrific shutdown center. Exactly the type of player we need in the bottom 6.
ViewsFromThe6ix
Zachary on the Attackary
I love your optimism but here’s a cautionary note from a 65 year old die hard:
Assuming it’s Montreal in round 1:
*Jake Allen has looked unbeatable against us-he may already be inside our heads! That alone accounts for more than anything else in the playoffs. Look at what Korpisalo did to us (we won our last game because mainly of terrible goaltending by the Habs)
*Montreal will hit us at every turn (last game we were pummelled with the hits like 37-14 for the Habs). And without Weber to boot. How will we stand up to this in already tight playoff quarters?
*Montreal is no slouch, add Caufield to the improvements of Anderson and Toffoli
lots here for trouble
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