Post-Game Talk: Utterly Rittich-ulous Leafs Lose 6-3

[grapes55]

The 6 on 5 EN situation was a good example of where he got some looks but kept floating around the RW area deferring to Holl instead of doing anything creative with the puck. Made no sense when he exited the zone with minimal forecheck pressure either like it was a 3 on 3. Seemed adverse to taking it to the net and just wanted to make the finesse play.

Also didn't help that every give and go opportunity he had with Marner seemed to end with Marner trying to snipe.

Could it be the wrist bothering him still? Even on Sunday I thought he looked passive (althought better than tonight). If it is the wrist I'd rather he just not play and be healthier for playoffs.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Very fragile goaltending. The Sens look more composed out there lately.

When we can't grind out a win against Vancouver that is very troubling. Which team could we beat right now in this division? We look like the worst team and it's not close.

Sure they can right the ship but they need to end this skid now.

Fixed it for you.

Kind of hard to "grind out wins" when your goalie is spotting the other team a couple of goals a game, which has consistently happened since our last win. Unless our team is playing shutout defense on a regular basis (and it has done very well for much of this season), you are asking us to grind out 4 or 5 goals to overcome the expected goals against + the weak crap our goalies give up.

I am telling you right now that whatever team in your head which is "super composed" or "grinding out wins" is not having to grind out 4 or 5 goals to get those wins (or even just a point) right now. They are likely grinding out 3 or maybe 4 goals, and even that is not on a regular basis for any team.

Only 4 teams have a high enough GF/60 at all strengths to overcome our GA/60 since our last win, and one of them is, as you can guess, Vancouver. So not many teams would be grinding out these wins right now.

 

[Cobra777]

Send Simmonds Thornton and Rittich to the sun

Send the whole franchise to the sun they are an embarrassment all of them

 

[Cobra777]

Let’s call a spade a spade. Goaltending is a question mark going into the playoffs and that’s the most important position in the playoffs.

Its huge but far from our only problem

 

[CanadasTeam]

No excuse to not have a Lilly-Sandin pairing now. If he plays Hutton, I'm going to lose it.

Be prepared to lose it then.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

PP is just an indictment of a lot of issues the team has. Rittich was trash in this game, but there's more issues than just goaltending. What about the countless giveaways at their own blue line or just past center ice.

Leafs had 5 recorded giveaways today (according to naturalstattrick; NHL said we had 6), and 3 came from Brodie alone. That is not a lot.

Marner also caused a lot of those likely unrecorded giveaways himself, which is not unusual for him.

Goaltending was the main issue today. We were 50% on the PP, were all over them for much of the game, and then Rittich goes out and spots them 3 weak goals when we had a lead. No team in the NHL is coming back from that very often.

 

[binop7]

Leafs had 5 recorded giveaways today (according to naturalstattrick; NHL said we had 6), and 3 came from Brodie alone. That is not a lot.

Marner also caused a lot of those likely unrecorded giveaways himself, which is not unusual for him.

Goaltending was the main issue today. We were 50% on the PP, were all over them for much of the game, and then Rittich goes out and spots them 3 weak goals when we had a lead. No team in the NHL is coming back from that very often.

I counted 3 horrendous giveaways. It's been common in this losing streak. Giving up the puck on blind passes, or poorly placed passes, being soft on the puck etc.

 

[Zybalto]

PP is just an indictment of a lot of issues the team has. Rittich was trash in this game, but there's more issues than just goaltending. What about the countless giveaways at their own blue line or just past center ice.

Its pretty much nitpicking though.

Toronto outplays the other team almost every game. Yea, special teams havnt converted the last month and a half at a great level but the Leafs are such a solid 5v5 team they can overcome it. Add up every other issue the team has and it's not close to goaltending. Flip the goalies and we win tonight...again...just like every playoff series the last 4 years as well.

Really wanna see a keeper go on a run for us in the playoffs this year for once.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Its huge but far from our only problem

What other problems have we had for an extended period of time outside of goaltending and, recently, the PP?

 

[CanadasTeam]

Just want to mention I thought Sandin was excellent tonight. Showed no effects of this being his first true full game of professional hockey this year. So much poise and skill at a young age, what a player we have there.

Agreed, he was very confident and played extremely well tonight.

 

[binop7]

Its pretty much nitpicking though.

Toronto outplays the other team almost every game. Yea, special teams havnt converted the last month and a half at a great level but the Leafs are such a solid 5v5 team they can overcome it. Add up every other issue the team has and it's not close to goaltending. Flip the goalies and we win tonight...again...just like every playoff series the last 4 years as well.

Really wanna see a keeper go on a run for us in the playoffs this year for once.

Goal support has been an issue in this losing streak and that's a recurring theme since last year as well. Maybe it's just how the team is built. (top heavy)

 

[napoleon in rags]

No Lead is Safe Dave

 

[binop7]

What other problems have we had for an extended period of time outside of goaltending and, recently, the PP?

Goal support. Bone headed decision making by some of the D men. Poor man marking by forwards. This team doesn't play a playoff style game.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I counted 3 horrendous giveaways. It's been common in this losing streak. Giving up the puck on blind passes, or poorly placed passes, being soft on the puck etc.

Giveaways are always a tough thing to measure because it is not exactly something that has a common definition. If it is simply turning the puck over, there are a lot of teams who have great giveaway "numbers" but turn the puck over a lot. Especially the dump and chase teams, but they don't count a failed dump and chase as a giveaway; they do count a failed or intercepted stretch pass as one though.

I'd have to track it for all teams but I am fairly sure you would find more than 3 horrendous giveaways a game for a lot of teams. It happens to everyone. Vancouver did it a few times today as well, but they doubled us up.

 

[Gabriel426]

Goalie coach maybe...

I'm starting to believe Canucks have very solid goalie coaching team, if it's the only one thing Canucks have been good at, it's been farming out elite goalies for the past decade or so.

Maybe the Leafs need to make that adjustment.

Well Ian Clark, Nucks goalie coach’s contract is expire at the end of the season.

 

[binop7]

Giveaways are always a tough thing to measure because it is not exactly something that has a common definition. If it is simply turning the puck over, there are a lot of teams who have great giveaway "numbers" but turn the puck over a lot. Especially the dump and chase teams, but they don't count a failed dump and chase as a giveaway; they do count a failed or intercepted stretch pass as one though.

I'd have to track it for all teams but I am fairly sure you would find more than 3 horrendous giveaways a game for a lot of teams. It happens to everyone. Vancouver did it a few times today as well, but they doubled us up.

I've watched Boston play recently and they seem to be much more responsible with the puck overall.

 

[Jocko Gummo]

Big Sieve Dave

 

[Jamesy]

Callapse time. 2014 style. Both times after the franchise loaded up on useless elements while ignoring talent.

Nothing to worry about. It's just a little setback...

 

[Zybalto]

Goal support. Bone headed decision making by some of the D men. Poor man marking by forwards. This team doesn't play a playoff style game.

...and then you look at the numbers and see they have been one of the best 5v5 teams with top 10 D underlying numbers. Isnt that exactly what you are looking for in a playoff team?

 

[Gabriel426]

Goalies is the problem but a lot of Leafs old demons are resurfacing.
1. Not locking down games. They were doing that literally all season prior to the last 6-7 games.
2. No structure both offense and defence. Once again, they were doing that all season prior to the last 6-7games.
3. Marner being too cute, he was simple and effective all season prior to the last 6-7 games.
4. Mistakes, just tons of mistakes from everyone something that rarely happens.

Even when they went 1-6-1 before the 9-0-1 run, they were playing with structure and great team defence.

what happened to this team.

 

[Gabriel426]

Maybe Dubas and Keefe knows the team can’t go far but needed a scapegoat and they will use lack of goaltending as an excuse to save their jobs for another Year. Lol

 

[Stolie the Goalie]

Maybe it's time to give Woll a game or two. Send No save Dave to the AHL.

 

[Zybalto]

Goalies is the problem but a lot of Leafs old demons are resurfacing.
1. Not locking down games. They were doing that literally all season prior to the last 6-7 games.
2. No structure both offense and defence. Once again, they were doing that all season prior to the last 6-7games.
3. Marner being too cute, he was simple and effective all season prior to the last 6-7 games.
4. Mistakes, just tons of mistakes from everyone something that rarely happens.

Even when they went 1-6-1 before the 9-0-1 run, they were playing with structure and great team defence.

what happened to this team.

Again,
Last 5 games 5v5:
Shots Against: 8th lowest in the NHL
xGA/60: 8th lowest in the NHL

Not saying they have been perfect but pretty sure they havnt been the trainwreck some are making out.

Pretty sure being bottom of the league for save% the last 5 is the real problem.

 

[Jamesy]

We gave up a 3rd rounder for this guy??

 

[Cobra777]

What other problems have we had for an extended period of time outside of goaltending and, recently, the PP?

well look at the last 4 seasons 1st round exits, the book is out on this team, clogg the middle, trap and tenaciously forcheck and get on our defense. I dunno am I the only one seeing all the turnovers, hurried bad passes and decisions with the puck and no flow to our game when teams play us this way? Certain players trying to stickhandle around 2 or three guys coughing up pucks, Reilly playing poorly along with Muzzin and Holl while Bogo and Dermott being our stalwart pair making the least boneheaded plays. This team being far too easy to play against and see a big 0 tenacity or battle from our guys and a couple old guys with former glory of being able to play heavy hockey and age and injuries have nullified them. I could go on to so many more points but its just not worth the type. This team played 3 exeptional games against Edmonton in that 3 game series where everyone battled, finished checks top to bottom, speed and passing top notch with high caliber creativity with the puck, Edmonton didn't know what hit them and I have not seen that effort since from each player, this team while in 1st never fires on all cylinders it always a line here or there or certain players rise on different games. This core lost to a freakin Zamboni driver and lost twice to a team that has not played or exercised for over a month what else do you want me to say