We can never do anything easily or can we?
- Thread starter Bluelines
- Start date
I don't mind losing. Am used to it. But losing that EDM game on a phantom call and the way last nights game almost ended I can't stand.
We're kinda lucky to be 7-2, but can't help but think if that phantom penalty on Muzzy isn't made we're either 8-1 or 7-1-1.
After last years crushing loss to CBJ and the Bruins series'. I just want to get in and win a round. This franchise needs a playoff series win in the biggest way possible.
We're kinda lucky to be 7-2, but can't help but think if that phantom penalty on Muzzy isn't made we're either 8-1 or 7-1-1.
After last years crushing loss to CBJ and the Bruins series'. I just want to get in and win a round. This franchise needs a playoff series win in the biggest way possible.
The advise I gave as a coach was at the end of the day a 10-0 win and a 1-0 win are worth the exact same 2 points. All that matters is we CAN win 1 goal games, not how we win them.
Wasn't one of the previous criticisms of the Leafs was that they can't close out games?
So now that they're doing that, it's now "they can't make things easy". Won't even touch on that utter shitshow of reffing last night that led to that being a 1 goal game either. "If you remove the empty net goals" what sound logic here too.
What a terrible thread.
So now that they're doing that, it's now "they can't make things easy". Won't even touch on that utter shitshow of reffing last night that led to that being a 1 goal game either. "If you remove the empty net goals" what sound logic here too.
What a terrible thread.
Da good side of it is we practice closing out games which may help us for playoffs ... a lot of these games were really not 1 goal games though ... da only game I thought we really might have lost was da Habs game which we won ... da Sens loss we took night off and Sens had game of their life ... da Oilers loss was pure officiating loss
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
Some of you will find a reason to complain about absolutely anything.
Get a breathe of fresh air. You need it.
Get a breathe of fresh air. You need it.
Clark4Ever
What we do in hockey echoes in eternity...
I'm more encouraged by these types of wins than the blowouts we've had in the past.
The team is finally showing signs of maturity that are conducive to playoff success.
The team is finally showing signs of maturity that are conducive to playoff success.
hockeyes
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- Jun 15, 2013
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I think the Leafs are just focused on holding the lead once they get it vs extending it. In the end its good practice because as we all know, defending is more consistently reproducible than needing to score.
Calgary spent 30 minutes running around the Leaf zone before they tied it up and then had nothing left in the tank to hang on for even a single point.
Calgary spent 30 minutes running around the Leaf zone before they tied it up and then had nothing left in the tank to hang on for even a single point.
willmma
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- Jan 5, 2017
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I see @Bluelines point. It's great that we are able to win these 1 goal games. The frustrating part is that it feels like we let our foot off the gas when we have a two-goal lead. Especially, the last Calgary game. 10-1 shots and 2-0 score after the first. And then we let them back in 18 shots against in the second, out scored 2-1.
The problem with one goal games is that one bad bounce can turn outcome.
In the game against Ottawa we had a 3-1 lead in the third and we gave up a goal.
Winnipeg, we had a 2-0 lead and gave up a goal to make it a one-goal game
First Calgary game, we had a 3-1 lead in the third and gave up a goal
I guess the complaint here is that we have not been able to pad our leads. I don't think we had a 3 goal lead at any point this season.
The problem with one goal games is that one bad bounce can turn outcome.
In the game against Ottawa we had a 3-1 lead in the third and we gave up a goal.
Winnipeg, we had a 2-0 lead and gave up a goal to make it a one-goal game
First Calgary game, we had a 3-1 lead in the third and gave up a goal
I guess the complaint here is that we have not been able to pad our leads. I don't think we had a 3 goal lead at any point this season.
The fact that we're winning the hard games is why I'm so excited for this team right now. Last year we'd win some of these in overtime, lose some in the shootout, and just outright lose a bunch in regulation. We can win games easily and we're going to do it plenty of times this year. During Babcock's entire tenure the Leafs were trying to get good at closing down games and protecting one goal leads. We're finally doing it. It's stressful as all hell, but it's exactly what we've been begging to see.
The blowouts will come, we've got the firepower and most of the teams in this division suck defensively.
The blowouts will come, we've got the firepower and most of the teams in this division suck defensively.
BertCorbeau
F*ck cancer - RIP Fugu and Buffaloed
I do like their mental fortitude that even if they give up a tying goal, they don't fall flat on their face and lose.
Look at the second game against Ottawa and how much of a collapse that was. Now look at how they've turned a corner. They do need to tighten up defensively, but the ability to get back on your toes and win the game after giving up the lead is good.
These divisional games were always going to be tight, a back and forth affair. Since they're playing these other teams so much, consistently coming out on top when they come back can do some long-term mental gymnastics in their head.
That being said I'd like to see more 60-minute efforts. The last couple of games have been a bit too leaky defensively. Which isn't a recipe for success.
Look at the second game against Ottawa and how much of a collapse that was. Now look at how they've turned a corner. They do need to tighten up defensively, but the ability to get back on your toes and win the game after giving up the lead is good.
These divisional games were always going to be tight, a back and forth affair. Since they're playing these other teams so much, consistently coming out on top when they come back can do some long-term mental gymnastics in their head.
That being said I'd like to see more 60-minute efforts. The last couple of games have been a bit too leaky defensively. Which isn't a recipe for success.
Buds17
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I think there's something to be said about being in and closing out the close games. The games might be tight, but as of now, there's breathing room in their W/L record. The final four this year will seem like uncharted territory with the teams not previously having faced each other. Just win and get there.
Bluelines
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Fogelhund
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Leafs are worse 5v5 xGA than last year. Defensively we haven't been strong, 5v5 we haven't been great... though we tend to dominate in stretches, then turtle. We are winning off the backs of our PP. This really isn't a recipe for LT success, so we need to address some of these issues. Of course, Keefe said last night... "It's been far from perfect. We've got a lot of areas to grow." At least it's acknowledged.
But, like JT above says, we are winning, and have better mental fortitude. Continue working on the 5v5 game, and defensively, and we should be good... Without addressing that, our current record isn't sustainable.
But, like JT above says, we are winning, and have better mental fortitude. Continue working on the 5v5 game, and defensively, and we should be good... Without addressing that, our current record isn't sustainable.
Judas Tavares
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- Feb 9, 2007
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When the Leafs would those October games 8-5, there was always concern about how that won't fly in the playoffs. And how close, last shot wins games happen in the playoffs. Well now the team is getting their practice in with that kind of game and it is a good thing.
I am interested to see how they play coming off the break. I feel like they've been gassed since the first go around with Edmonton. I wanna see if a proper break for rest and practice has them looking better coming out of it. If we see similar games/efforts to the recent 2nd/3rd periods, then there may be cause for some concern.
I am interested to see how they play coming off the break. I feel like they've been gassed since the first go around with Edmonton. I wanna see if a proper break for rest and practice has them looking better coming out of it. If we see similar games/efforts to the recent 2nd/3rd periods, then there may be cause for some concern.
Captain14
Registered User
You don’t think spending 12 minutes of the 2nd and 3rd period killing penalties including being down 2 men for almost 2 of those minutes had anything to do with it??
Fogelhund
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Not really. There are reasons to be concerned, that this isn't sustainable.
7th last in xGA, worse than last year. 5v5 outplayed.
The record is fantastic, and it's great considering we haven't played to that record. But, if we can improve our 5v5 and defensive play, and continue this record, that would be awesome.
People can point to... but we are finding ways to win... and yet, only two of those seven wins, have been GWG at 5v5. We are reliant on an unsustainable PP situation, for the wins.
We've seen this before, where we had a good record, but play that shouldn't result in that. They've got a lot to cleanup at this point.
willmma
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I do, I do.
Yesterday is not a good example. Penalties were atrocious yesterday and yes overall we are not getting fair officiating.
And trust me, I am as high on this team as anyone could be.
But that said, we've had 2 goal leads many times this season and they all shrank to one goal lead (except for empty netters). We were never able to grow a two goal lead to a three goal lead. I'm providing some constructive criticism here and finding areas to improve.
zeke
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Well, they need to come up with one more gutsy performance tomorrow to end this early opening gauntlet strong.
They haven't played near well enough but racking up points always makes it easier.
But when they come back from this upcoming near off-week they have to show us a new level of play or i start to legit worry.
They haven't played near well enough but racking up points always makes it easier.
But when they come back from this upcoming near off-week they have to show us a new level of play or i start to legit worry.
- Dec 12, 2017
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zeke
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Last year I was able to see many things to be excited about despite their poor superficial win/loss record. Wins and losses are far from everything.
There are clear things to worry about with their play so far this year - though of course there are many good things too.
But they do have to play better than they have so far. No doubt about that.
I'll grant you that it might be amusing/annoying that some of the same posters who claimed wins and points meant everything the last couple of years might now be claiming that wins and points aren't everything, of course.
zeke
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Hard to say much about it other than the top pair has to be much better. They should have no problem being better, especially with the 2nd pair getting leaned on more and more...but there's never any guarantees that they do.
