Pre-Game Talk: Toronto @ New Jersey

[TheGroceryStick]

Liljgren should not be sitting.
I get trying to mix in the new guys though

 

[TMLAM34]

Rielly - Liljegren
McCabe - Brodie
Giordano - Holl

Not sure what the confusion or rush was to get the new guys (Schenn and Gustafsson) into the lineup as this should be our regular defensive group.

 

[Notsince67]

I noticed this. It wouldn't surprise me if Dubas has a ML guy running topic modeling on these forums.

No wonder the organization seems dumb

 

[dubplatepressure]

Rielly - Liljegren
McCabe - Brodie
Giordano - Holl

Not sure what the confusion or rush was to get the new guys (Schenn and Gustafsson) into the lineup as this should be our regular defensive group.

Yeah it's really not hard. You swap out Holl with Schenn if Holl starts regressing or there's a particularly physical matchup, otherwise that's the lineup. You could have even kept Sandin if you moved McCabe or Giordano over to the right side.

 

[Zybalto]

Yeah it's really not hard. You swap out Holl with Schenn if Holl starts regressing or there's a particularly physical matchup, otherwise that's the lineup. You could have even kept Sandin if you moved McCabe or Giordano over to the right side.

Yea, those pairings seem the most effective.

I think the problem came with Sandin, negotiation issues aside, came not with his offensive/transition production but with his vulnerability to the forecheck in even sheltered minutes (He had the highest Dzone giveaway rate of any dman on the Leafs this year in mostly third pairing minutes).

I think we'll continue to see Keefe mix things up everywhere on the team (which is the least surprising thing in the world after the roster turnover but so many are acting like it is)

 

[Tarmore]

The fact Liljegren is with Rielly since Schenn is away indicates Liljegren was actually just scratched for 2 games.
Liljegren isn't starting in the playoffs. Lets be honest now.

Now lets be realistic.

Liljegren's play this season has been more than good enough to earn him starting in the play-offs. Just not on the first pairing.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Bunting's season this year has been interesting to say the least, and not so much in a good way. Not really a fan of this answer by him, and it seems like things have gone off the rails for him with his feud against the officials. Personally I think it's a bit unfair that he has to drastically change his game and be less effective just because the officials are so sensitive, but it's also on him to focus on playing hockey and not sulk over it

He has to learn to play within the rules as interpreted by the refs.

He'll probably want more than we can/will pay him, another team will sign him, and a good coach will turn him into Hyman 2.0.

 

[notDatsyuk]

This is absolutely disgraceful. House on NJ. Free money

If I did that, Willy would set up Lafferty for three and Mitch would set up Kerfoot for three more.

 

[sxvnert]

If we actually scratch him again I'm done


f***ing boneheaded decision

Keefe is a coward. Whenever the core plays like shit he takes it out on a few noncore players. First it was Engvall & Sandin. Now its Lily & Bunting.

 

[GojuLeaf]

I don't think it matters much if they lose tonight but they have to score some goals. 5 goals in 3 games for a team which is supposed to at least be somewhat offensive is quite pathetic.

 

[Clark4Ever]

This is one of those games where it wouldn't surprise me if we get blown out or if we have one of our best efforts of the season.

 

[Captain Crunch]

If Lily started last playoffs, we would have advanced. Liljegren absolutely needs to play

Rielly - Schenn
McCabe - Brodie
Gio - Lily

Holl #7

Would be my ideal starters. But Keefe likes Holls PK ability more than Lilys passing/breakout/skating/playmaking so he'll probably play Holl over him again. I think we may see Lily playing at home, Holl on the road. Controlling matchups will make a big difference.

Liljegren should not be sitting out any playoff games unless he’s injured. Sit Gio out if anyone, simply because of his age. However, if he’s fine, I would keep Holl out.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Man, f*** this

 

[TMLAM34]

Liljegren better be in the lineup come opening night of the playoffs is all I’m going to say…

Rielly has only looked okay playing alongside either Brodie or Liljegren this year. When paired with anyone else, he’s looked completely terrible.

 

[ACC1224]

Liljegren better be in the lineup come opening night of the playoffs is all I’m going to say…

Rielly has only looked okay playing alongside either Brodie or Liljegren this year. When paired with anyone else, he’s looked completely terrible.

I'd agree but there is obviously something in his game that they don't like and haven't seen him improve on.

 

[Stephen]

He has to learn to play within the rules as interpreted by the refs.

He'll probably want more than we can/will pay him, another team will sign him, and a good coach will turn him into Hyman 2.0.

I don’t think he’s Hyman 2.0. Seems more like the agitator version of a Clarke MacArthur type player. If we can make it work great but I wouldn’t invest too heavily.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Liljegren better be in the lineup come opening night of the playoffs is all I’m going to say…

Rielly has only looked okay playing alongside either Brodie or Liljegren this year. When paired with anyone else, he’s looked completely terrible.

Don't hold your breath. With Keefe at the helm, it's a foregone conclusion that Liljegren will be the odd man out if our blueline is healthy going into the playoffs. He always defers to veterans over young players despite their performance.

 

[Stephen]

If the Leafs are in west coast mode they are going to get wrecked by NJ’s speed and offense. Not expecting a lot tonight, just don’t be embarrassing with injuries mounting and terrible Western Canadian swing. Really need that meaningful regroup once back in Toronto.

 

[ACC1224]

Any update on tonights lineup? Samsonov starting?

 

[Metroid]

Don't hold your breath. With Keefe at the helm, it's a foregone conclusion that Liljegren will be the odd man out if our blueline is healthy going into the playoffs. He always defers to veterans over young players despite their performance.

I'm trying to figure out how that makes sense.
If both the vet and rookie making the same mistakes, isn't it worse for the vet to be doing it and have him sit?

I duno. Is there anything out there that supports Holl being better than liljgren? Not asking to be an ass or whatever, but genuinely curious.

 

[Nhlpowerweek]

Wonder if simmy is soon also in the bridge of getting into our lineup again since we have so many injuries and even more are coming

 

[weems]

Yea, those pairings seem the most effective.

I think the problem came with Sandin, negotiation issues aside, came not with his offensive/transition production but with his vulnerability to the forecheck in even sheltered minutes (He had the highest Dzone giveaway rate of any dman on the Leafs this year in mostly third pairing minutes).

I think we'll continue to see Keefe mix things up everywhere on the team (which is the least surprising thing in the world after the roster turnover but so many are acting like it is)

That is an interesting stat for sure especially when you look at it for comparing Sandin vs Holl.

Holl has played 1068 minutes 5v5 with his Dzone shift start % being 10%
Sandin has played 848 minutes 5v5 with his Dzone shift start % being 7.4%

Holl's % of shift starts on the fly 67.8%
Sandin's % of shift starts on the fly 71.2% (#1 in entire league for D that have played 845 mins)

Holl has 29 defensive zone giveaways
Sandin has 26 defensive zone giveaways

So Holl is playing way more, more often starting in the dzone and more often against the other teams best players but turns the puck over less in his own end.

 

[rocketman588]

Sheldon Keefe

Verified moron

It's not even Holl-keep him in the lineup sure

But what have Schenn,Gus and McCabe shown that tells you they're more deserving

 

[Nhlpowerweek]

Any update on tonights lineup? Samsonov starting?

Yes sire, Sammy has been confirmed.

 

[dubplatepressure]

Man, f*** this

f***ing hate Keefe. He's ruining this team