Doesn't sound like you're much of a fan of hockey or the Leafs then. All teams have issues and adversity, but I've enjoyed watching them.Come on, the Leafs have been boring to watch the last year or so and the game day atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired.
Don't let the score fool you either, the Leafs should have had more goals as well, just some bad luck and whiffed pucks and missed nets. The chances were there.
What I liked is that they showed they can be defensive when needed, and grind out a win (albeit vs a bottom feeder).
I doubt he was just looking at the one game. His criteria for success is probably a lot different from mine and yours.
Well they are currently pacing at 97 points which would be a playoff bubble. A win tonight would result in a 101 point pace and a certain playoff berth, while a reg loss would result in a 92 point pace and a playoff miss.
So clearly the season rests upon tonight's game.
Oh I agree that it wasn't all bad, it just fell was short of what I would call a "beautiful" game. I don't want to make too much of this though, what he said sounds ridiculous on the surface but I can sort of get where he's coming from too.
I though it was clear that he was looking at that one game.
I would hope the criteria for success is the same for all of us in the long run (just win baby). The criteria for a game being "beautiful" varies though, I think we can all agree on that.
He clarified what he meant in a later interview. He knows it was an ugly way to win and not ideal, but think it was great for the team in the long run. What was "beautiful" was the fact that the team never faltered and kept pushing despite not creating many chances.Yeah, depends on what Babcock was referring to I guess, also "beautiful" game is a little over the top for any game . Maybe playoff series winning game.
He clarified what he meant in a later interview. He knows it was an ugly way to win and not ideal, but think it was great for the team in the long run. What was "beautiful" was the fact that the team never faltered and kept pushing despite not creating many chances.
That's basically how I took it. "Beautiful" to take a step in the right direction and be able to play a different style of game.
They just need to use that and their skill together consistently.
However, I thought they had some very good chances in that game but missed the net or flubbed the puck.
Marincin and Petan just placed on waivers, must mean Hyman is returning. Or else why place them on waivers today if no spots are needed on roster????
Wouldn't be surprised to see Hyman in lineup tonight.
Don't let the score fool you either, the Leafs should have had more goals as well, just some bad luck and whiffed pucks and missed nets. The chances were there.
What I liked is that they showed they can be defensive when needed, and grind out a win (albeit vs a bottom feeder).
Marincin and Petan just placed on waivers, must mean Hyman is returning. Or else why place them on waivers today if no spots are needed on roster????
Wouldn't be surprised to see Hyman in lineup tonight.
The problem with this philosophy is that a better team will eventually gain momentum and eventually score. There were periods of time when LA hemmed us in and yeah no super dangerous chances, but its LA.
If that team was Boston, Caps, Pens, Vegas... its a puck behind Freddy.
Its been too far long in Babs tenure as a coach to still be trying to instill a defensive play with kinks to workout.
Its been far too too long that we cant go pure offense start on time and score get up 2 points THEN play defensive systems.
Vegas has speed on the wings and heavy boys in the back. We will see how well this system works VS them.
We don't have the cap space. If Hyman were to be activated, we'd have to send one of Spezza, Timashov or Shore down to make him fit...
I mean you could be right that better teams would have scored, but you could also be wrong, no one really knows. All we know is it worked that game.
This team has a ton of new players, I think Babs gets a bit of time to try and get them all on the same page (I think he is getting to the end of that "bit of time").
Compete level is another argument and I agree with you, they need to be consistent with this (I think they showed they can do it in the playoffs, they just need to bring it every night).
Agree again, Vegas is a very good test.
Why two today and two tomorrow?I'm gonna assume Hyman will be back Saturday.
Petan and Marincin off the roster tomorrow. Spezza or Shore waived tomorrow and we can active Hyman saturday
Why two today and two tomorrow?