Pre-Game Talk: Toronto @ Dallas - Wednesday 7:30 - SN

[ULF_55]

Why would anyone want the 70 goal scorer "going hard to the net"? If Matthews scores a bunch of goals in the playoffs, it won't be because he is standing in front of the net banging away at rebounds.

If you look at shot maps, both Nylander and Matthews go to the net.

Maybe adding Nylander makes the entries less predictable?

Nylander attacks from both wings and at speed.

A team can't focus on marner alone with Nylander on the ice.

...

Really, comes down to whether the new third line is competitive against a NHL team. They haven't shown us that yet. If they can hold their own when playing against a NHL team great.

 

[ULF_55]

It's probably more that Robertson and Domi may have played their best game of the season last time out and he wants to see if they can continue it.

Yep.

Can they do it against a NHL team?

 

[wingman75]

It's probably more that Robertson and Domi may have played their best game of the season last time out and he wants to see if they can continue it.

Exactly. Aberration or sustainable?

 

[Martin Skoula]

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Average Shot Distance: 29.4 feet
Average Shot Distance: 32.4 feet
Average Shot Distance: 26.8 feet

After almost a decade of watching them jam at pucks in the goalies pads to no avail while the clock ticks down to 0 you’d think the going to the net meme would die but no. You’d think after winning our only series by repeatedly abusing Vasi from distance the meme would die a second time but no.

 

[ACC1224]

Stars' DeBoer: Toronto Maple Leafs playing 'totally different' in first season under Craig Berube | TSN

With Toronto visiting Dallas for a matchup with the Stars on Wednesday night, Pete DeBoer has taken note of the success Berube’s new-look Leafs have had to this point in the season.

www.tsn.ca

“Totally different,” said DeBoer on the Leafs under Berube. “We were diving into some of the analytics today at the rink, and it’s amazing how they’ve transformed from, what I would have called a rush team over the last few years that thrived on turnovers, to a team that is really solid in the offensive zone, and a forecheck team.

“A much more direct game, a lot more of a slot presence in the offensive zone, scoring goals that way.”

Exactly. Aberration or sustainable?

IMO, aberration. Not a fan of either player, obviously hope I'm wrong.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

I actually like this first line being what it is. It’s akin to the perfection lines in some ways

Marchand/Marner - the two way play driver, the straw that stirs the drink and gets everything going

Pastrnak/Nylander - the goalscoring winger, who will drive the net, create from instincts and creativity, but leave some desire in the dzone

Bergeron/Matthews - the 200ft two way center with a knack for scoring goals and always open for a setup by the other two

If we swapped Matthews and nylanders goal scoring skills I think we could replicate it pretty well (apart from the Bergeron level defence I guess).

But like someone said, we would live and die by that line, if they don’t score we won’t win. We need them to score and score often.

I don’t mind this because we always try them when we are down, might as well see what they can do normally and if it’s viable to go with it for a playoff series from the start. Also lets us evaluate how much knies and Tavares are difference makers on their own.

 

[NinjaKick]

gonna be a tough one, deboer has the stars playing solid hockey, we got this

 

[Fogelhund]

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