Post-Game Talk: Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers - December 23

[aufheben]

My concern isn't whether not a less aggressive d-zone system would improve the defense. I'm wondering what would happen to the offense. There's no reason playing less aggressive defense would not help the Rangers' slot coverage. Overloading the strong side leaves only 2 players left to defend the slot. If there is any sort of miscue by either of those players, then the remaining player now has to defend against 1-3 Leafs with a large amount of open ice.

The first thing here is neither of those 2 Rangers in the slot are defensemen. McDonagh and Holden each have a man in the corner trying to win a puck battle, Vesey's position blocks a pass back to Gardiner's point, Hayes has the passing lane to Matthews mostly blocked, and Grabner is in the slot near Matthews, but he has to also account for the Leaf's RD out of the frame. Still, the coverage doesn't look too bad.

All it takes is Hayes to skate few strides away from Matthews to support McDonagh and Holden, now all of the sudden Matthews is completely unimpeded, and the Leafs RD is starting to pinch into all the open space. Regardless of what Hayes did or didn't do wrong, only having 2 players defending the most dangerous part of the ice allows for almost no error.

 

[Ori]

Leafs was a better team last night, and we lack high talent and that is obvious with this current Rangers team. And a good draft year to miss playoffs with the amount of road games we have after christmas.

 

[Chimpradamus]

I'm surprised too. Several of our fans have shown they can read AV's mind from a 2 second camera pan on TV, which many of them stream on 5 inch phones.

Someone pls send the message.

 

[Ori]

This loss is 100% on AV. And it happened before the puck even dropped. Blowing up the lines just because you lose a third line wing is absurd. One of your best players you move him to 4th line wing? Great decision.

Then he gets a 5 on 3 first group buzzing pulls them off after a minute. They aren’t tired. Let them finish it. Instead puts 5 lefties on the ice not one shooter.

Team is in total disarray all night because the lines are in a blender. They looked lost because their coach was in disarray.

Michael Grabner your top goal scorer. 8 mins total going into the third period. Brilliant.

And then the cherry on top. Mika Zibanejad your best forward all year stapled to the bench the entire third period when trying to tie the game?

This coach should come out and say guys I blew the game it’s on me because that’s what happened. Total idiot. And I got the sense Lundqvist was thinking the same thing. He was livid.

Fine you have a good point - AV maybe overreacted because they lost in OT vs Devils. But maybe A. Matthews is better to recover from a concussion - he had 1 goal + 1 assist last night? I`ll move Zib for Matthews all the time if the deal was on the table.

Anyway if we don`t reach playoffs - AV is certainly gone with a new defensive system next season that can't be as abysmal at the current system, and that is on Ruff too who are suppose to coach our defense. I wish in 2018 draft that we get that high talented sniper prospect, or blow this current core and tank for next Crosby.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

You shut your mouth.

It's just a watered down version of cricket

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

 

[chosen]

Fine you have a good point - AV maybe overreacted because they lost in OT vs Devils. But maybe A. Matthews is better to recover from a concussion - he had 1 goal + 1 assist last night? I`ll move Zib for Matthews all the time if the deal was on the table.

I'd trade the entire 1st line for Matthews. but Toronto would laugh at the offer.

 

[Larrybiv]

BTW, all of the people complaining about the call. Complain about Hayes. If the call was made correctly right away we'd have no goal either way and he would have negated a goal anyway. How does a professional NHL player go offside there?

It really does happen sometimes. Clearly he "spaced out" and was thinking about what's under his tree. Stuff happens, it just stinks that it cost us big time. Honestly we stunk in general and deserved to lose. Despite some wins......we really have gone into a deadly tailspin. Not trending up.......that's for sure. Holiday came at a good time.
If we don't get it together quickly, Buffalo is awaiting their first outdoor game (I think)

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

AV needing to be fired is the least shocking news of all time

He’s run his course here, we all know what he can do.

Fire him at the end of the season and bring in someone new

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

AVs player usage and match game has been abused ever since he got here.. every playoff series he gets owned by the opposing coach no matter if the game is home or away.

Benching zibby is without a doubt the stupidest thing ever when you need goals.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Joe: "Sam, Hayes was offside there"
Sam: "Yeah Joe. Very unfortunate."

These morons will never be objective when a player makes a mistake. It's always "unlucky"

 

[LORDE]

Was at the game... great seats and I shouldn’t be surprised but again the team no showed.

Hank was a amazing.

Why a team like the NYR REFUSES to shoot time and time again I’ll never know. They finally get to the slot and pass. It was so frustrating.

What happened to Zbad? Didn’t see him in the 3rd.

 

[LORDE]

Also leaving Austin Matthews alone in front... I mean seriously if all the players U DONT DO THAT WITH...

I started screaming “someone pick up...”

Too late

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

Joe: "Sam, Hayes was offside there"
Sam: "Yeah Joe. Very unfortunate."

These morons will never be objective when a player makes a mistake. It's always "unlucky"

They should get rid of their high paying cushy “jobs”, and join the board, so they can keep it real gurl…

 

[Vitto79]

When there lose it’s by a goal . I feel like they can win vs anyone so that’s good

Boomer is a dummy btw . Like they are going to trade players w hank around . Anyone who says they will is not watching the last 5 years

 

[NickyFotiu]

Anyone have a video of our goal that was waived off because of the offsides?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

They should get rid of their high paying cushy “jobs”, and join the board, so they can keep it real gurl…

We are not a bad hockey team. We are just unlucky

 

[Irishguy42]

Anyone have a video of our goal that was waived off because of the offsides?

Don't need a video. Hayes was clearly offside.

 

[Gordon Bombay]

Another 37 shots against last night. Blame Hayes or any other player but the reality is this system is just bleeding opposing offense. We simply don't have the puck enough. AV can change the lines all he wants but until we start playing real defense and learn how to forecheck and cycle it's gonna be this nightmare.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Don't need a video. Hayes was clearly offside.

I hadn't saw the goal. I had to turn away for other stuff. That was a really nice play outside of Hayes offside.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

We are not a bad hockey team. We are just unlucky

Well we aren’t a bad team.

 

[Tawnos]

Joe: "Sam, Hayes was offside there"
Sam: "Yeah Joe. Very unfortunate."

These morons will never be objective when a player makes a mistake. It's always "unlucky"

Unfortunate and unlucky don’t mean the same thing.

Also, they aren’t journalists. It’s not their job to be unbiased.

 

[NickyFotiu]

We are not a bad hockey team. We are just unlucky

We are a talented team who play a tricky system and sometimes has effort issues. Other teams are also having some success playing physical with us lately.

 

[kovazub94]

And the results are worse. What does that tell you the common denominator is?

McDonagh? I kid...

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

McDonagh? I kid...

AV doesn't use McD's bum shoulder properly.