What would you like to see out of the rest of the season?

[leafsfan5]

We've only played 44 games but are already locked into our first round matchup, meaning the next 38 games will be a bit of a drag as there's not a lot to play for except home ice. With that in mind, what are certain things you hope to see over the rest of the season to keep you intrigued and have you feeling confident for the playoffs? I'll start with a few:

- Give Sandin - Liljergen top pair matchups. They killed it last night versus Boston and I feel they're ready for the challenge. I'd love to give them tougher opponents over the rest of the season to see if they can handle it come playoff time
- Have Matthews return back to form. He looked good last night, specifically his wrist on that game tying goal. Hopefully he gets into top form before game 1 and we have 50-60 goal Matthews back
- Acquire a piece or 2 at the deadline. My views will probably change a bit more as we go a long, but as of right now I'd love Tarasenko + Barbashev (if it can come a bit cheap). Feel like those 2 would make us a heavier and deep team that is a pain to play against. If we don't want to spend a lot of assets I'm fine with just Barbashev
- Give McMann an extended look on the 4th line. He's looked really solid in the couple games he's been here, has good speed and is willing to engage physically. Him and Holmberg are great depth additions from the minors

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[HockeyVirus]

IMO

- We badly need more scoring. Especially if Matthews is hurt and is only going to be able to give so much we need scoring. If any of the top guys are out we are severely hurt here. The depth would be insurance and if we are healthy even better.

- More toughness on the roster. Whether that is a Marlie like McMann or guys like Hunt establish themselves, hopefully Knies can provide a bit of that. But we need to be looking at what Tampa is going to bring and try to be able to match that.

Other than that, I don't care. Just be ready for Tampa. Do what they need to do, experiment with different combos and strategies. Sooner Dubas adds guys the sooner they can find their place and rhythm on the team

 

[ACC1224]

Consistent excellent goaltending

 

[Buds17]

-Retain the hold on 2nd place/home ice
-Begin the playoffs with as healthy of a squad as possible

 

[Jojalu]

I would like to see Knies signed and maybe get into a game or two.

Robertson to get healthy and find some success.

Matthews to heal and have a hot second half while maintaining his 200 foot game.

Goalies to stay healthy and one to take the reigns.

The team to get back to a D-first mentality.

A trade that actually improves the team for the playoffs.

 

[saltming]

 

[LeafsNation75]

Consistent excellent goaltending

This is the correct answer.

-Retain the hold on 2nd place/home ice

Last year Toronto was 2nd in the Atlantic and had Game 7 on home ice. I agree that if possible it's best to keep home ice in the playoffs, however we can't say that means it's a guaranteed win.

If you go back 1 year before to 2021 they blew that 3-1 series lead against Montreal losing Games 5 & 7 in Toronto. The only difference is there was no fans and John Tavares being injured.

 

[Buds17]

This is the correct answer.


Last year Toronto was 2nd in the Atlantic and had Game 7 on home ice. I agree that if possible it's best to keep home ice in the playoffs, however we can't say that means it's a guaranteed win.

If you go back 1 year before to 2021 they blew that 3-1 series lead against Montreal losing Games 5 & 7 in Toronto. The only difference is there was no fans and John Tavares being injured.

I agree that such guarantees absolutely do not exist in sport, as we are painfully aware that Toronto has lost deciding games in both familiar and unfamiliar territory. Nevertheless, I still believe the aim should always be to finish as high in the standings as possible.

 

[ANDI P IS CUTE]

id like to see accountability.

 

[wingman75]

From now to the All-Star game [8 Games], whatever they want as long as they keep a .600 points percentage and no injuries. Continue with a general goaltender rotation despite results. Tinker with the D to find the best pairings with the healthy players. Experiment with the PP to have multiple options come playoff time.

From All-Star game to Trade Deadline [10 Games], start to tighten up team play, and focus on limiting the other teams high danger changes. Make a decision on the #1 and #2 goaltenders (I think this is already done). Make final roster decisions, leading to trade deadline moves. Are we all in? We should be.

From Trade Deadline to Game 1 of the playoffs [20 Games], start to play machine like hockey on the defensive side while still being able to generate enough scoring to win consistently. No duds; be competitive in every game regardless of result. Get the PP & PK fine tuned. Integrate the new players into their role(s). Finalize the top 6 D.

 

[WillyC]

From now until the end of the season?… I’d like to see the Leafs win the President’s Trophy and home ice throughout the playoffs.

 

[meefer]

*Continued improvement of Liljegren and Sandin.
*Consistently good goaltending.
*No more serious injuries.
*Good acquisitions at the TDL.

 

[leafsfan5]

I would like to see Knies signed and maybe get into a game or two.

Robertson to get healthy and find some success.

Matthews to heal and have a hot second half while maintaining his 200 foot game.

Goalies to stay healthy and one to take the reigns.

The team to get back to a D-first mentality.

A trade that actually improves the team for the playoffs.

This is a big one. The Leafs were at their best with the defensive-first mentality and not making a lot of high risk plays. That's our pathway to beat Tampa in round 1 imo

Timmins/Rielly have a habit of making some risky decisions so those are the 2 that need to learn to be more conservative

 

[BayStBullies]

Fair officiating

 

[Niagara Bill]

FIRST STANLEY CUP VICTORY SINCE 1967.