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

[Gary Nylund]

I don't forsee this as a long-term option but I'm hoping to see it work well.

It should at least be entertainment if nothing else. Better than nothing I guess. LOL.

 

[ULF_55]

Who is getting worked up? Just curious, that's all. I can't ask a question?

Everyone has to be outraged ...

On the blue line, Berube is keeping Philippe Myers in the lineup and scratching Simon Benoit. Myers will play with Morgan Rielly.

2nd. pairing?

 

[OVO16]

Myers has been the best fit with Reilly. Sad that Tanev and Rielly hasnt worked out n

But if I'm Myers, i take full advantage of this and really solidify the chemistry with Reilly down

 

[Smif]

I prefer OEL - Timmins over Rielly - Myers as the 2nd pair tbh.

 

[Fogelhund]

""

Who is getting worked up? Just curious, that's all. I can't ask a question?

Probably the people posting "WTF are these lines"

 

[HockeyVirus]

Dewar and Holmberg tied the game for us vs Jersey in the 3rd last week. What has Reaves done to stay in the lineup?

I don't think it is more than Berube seeing himself in Reaves and wanting to give him games because he values the role having done it himself for so long.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Dewar shouldn’t be out of the lineup for Reaves.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I think we undervalue what a world class line can do. I like Knies and Pacioretty but they are not world class players. Nylander has played a lot of LW for Team Sweden and always does well, a lot of his goals have been from the LW position (one timer, driving the net, etc).

We can point to the lackluster PP with these players together so I get the criticism in some way. But maybe more 5 on 5 playing time can open them up to be less complacent? Who knows.

I don't forsee this as a long-term option but I'm hoping to see it work well.

I don’t know if the PP is that relevant here, you’re not getting odd man rushes on most PPs. Maybe Berube is looking at that line as 3 guys that can force turnovers and run breakouts in their sleep and all of them are dangerous on the breakaway. We don’t really have a heavy counterpunch threat line in the normal set up, they’re all built to play territorial set up games in the o zone. Nothing more south-north than a breakaway.

 

[Nineteen67]

Not good enough. They need to fly into goalies with reckless abandon. Only then will Berube be satisfied.


Berube is already as bored with the regular season as the rest of us.

Berube said he wants them going hard to the net. I suppose he wants them to experience how he expects them to play in the playoffs.

 

[leafsfan5]

I'm excited to see the top line against a good opponent. Now is the time to experiment and see if we have something here

Only issue is with this setup the top line HAS to score. They can't just outplay the opponent, they will need to produce 1-2 goals a night. The rest of our team does not have the talent to produce that much

 

[SprDaVE]

Dewar shouldn’t be out of the lineup for Reaves.

Showing a lack of RH shots in the forward group. Definitely should be part of the priority if the Leafs go for a forward upgrade at some point.

 

[ULF_55]

Berube said he wants them going hard to the net. I suppose he wants them to experience how he expects them to play in the playoffs.

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

 

[Nineteen67]

I'm excited to see the top line against a good opponent. Now is the time to experiment and see if we have something here

Only issue is with this setup the top line HAS to score. They can't just outplay the opponent, they will need to produce 1-2 goals a night. The rest of our team does not have the talent to produce that much

So why do we keep hearing pundits, fans, media, etc. constantly use the phrase - “with all that talent”?

 

[Evilhomer]

Berube said he wants them going hard to the net. I suppose he wants them to experience how he expects them to play in the playoffs.

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.

 

[Nineteen67]

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.

Maybe Berube only wants the other two going hard to the net.

 

[leafsfan5]

So why do we keep hearing pundits, fans, media, etc. constantly use the phrase - “with all that talent”?

Because the core is insanely talented yet we don't produce offence at the same level as other teams with similar high end talent (TB, EDM, COL etc.)

 

[MSZ]

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.

Perhaps he should try go to the net more like what Hyman and Reinhart did in recent years? He won't get any time and space to do his usual stuff comes playoff time.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

I don’t hate the configuration of the lines. Top line is in theory a super line. If it works out it could be unstoppable. The second line has a lot of good size and skill, will be a nightmare down low, no real puck distributor though among them, they’ll have to forecheck like mad to get possession. Third line we saw what they could do on a good day, but that was against the 24-25 Sabres, against a deep Dallas team let’s see what they do (though Nick often steps up his game against his brother). Fourth line is two-thirds of the way there, would rather Dewar than Reaves but whatever.

 

[SprDaVE]

 

[Jmo89]

I don't mind them experimenting with the top line. Both Boston and Tampa did it.

My bigger concern is that the 3rd line gets and keeps going (last game was good), and the 4th line resembles something that can score a goal once every few games. At the very least Reaves should be cycled in and out.

 

[kevsh]

Robertson playing over Holmberg and Dewar? Hmm, maybe Berube is taking a liking to the kid or is it just the angle that he's in because he'll be playing against his brother?

Otherwise against a physical, heavy team like Dallas I'd think Nick would be the first guy you'd sit.

Otherwise, outside of Stolarz it's good to see we have a nearly healthy roster so let's see what the Leafs can do on the road against a good team that plays tough hockey.

 

[SprDaVE]

Robertson playing over Holmberg and Dewar? Hmm, maybe Berube is taking a liking to the kid or is it just the angle that he's in because he'll be playing against his brother?

Otherwise against a physical, heavy team like Dallas I'd think Nick would be the first guy you'd sit.

Otherwise, outside of Stolarz it's good to see we have a nearly healthy roster so let's see what the Leafs can do on the road against a good team that plays tough hockey.

Dallas is 31st in the league in hits and bottom 5 or so in penalty minutes. Not sure they are that physical or heavy. They are in fact the best defensive team in the league though with one of the best goaltenders.

Robertson looked great last game, so I think he's earned a longer look. We need more offense. Holmberg or Dewar should play over Reaves for sure though.

 

[Doublerum1975]

Robertson playing over Holmberg and Dewar? Hmm, maybe Berube is taking a liking to the kid or is it just the angle that he's in because he'll be playing against his brother?

Otherwise against a physical, heavy team like Dallas I'd think Nick would be the first guy you'd sit.

Otherwise, outside of Stolarz it's good to see we have a nearly healthy roster so let's see what the Leafs can do on the road against a good team that plays tough hockey.

You didn’t watch the last game?

 

[ACC1224]

Robertson playing over Holmberg and Dewar? Hmm, maybe Berube is taking a liking to the kid or is it just the angle that he's in because he'll be playing against his brother?

Otherwise against a physical, heavy team like Dallas I'd think Nick would be the first guy you'd sit.

Otherwise, outside of Stolarz it's good to see we have a nearly healthy roster so let's see what the Leafs can do on the road against a good team that plays tough hockey.

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.

 

[robertmac43]

This first line is going to be a lot of fun if nothing else.