Series Talk: Which Leaf has the most to prove in the postseason?

[SHANNYPLAN]

Morgan Rielly. Big fan of his, but he has been very disappointing these last two seasons. This is his chance to show us whether or not he can be our #1 Dman going forward, especially with his contract up for renewal next off season.

 

[Teeder Keon]

Everyone , except any who have won the cup ..
Which correct me if I’m wrong is Bogo and Jack ?
Just win baby , just win ....

 

[Mickey Marner]

In order, probably goaltending, Keefe, then our star players.

 

[crump]

Campbell can make our goaltending question an easy one to answer here. If he can do in the post season what he's done in the regular season, we have a new starter. Freds contract question goes out the window.

Lots of other players need to step up. We haven't seen the best of Rielly this year. Mikheyev can get off the schnide and produce when it really counts. Simmonds has a lot more to offer I feel. Just need the big money players to keep stepping up in the playoffs.

 

[Bigmarycombo]

Nylander Tavares and Foligno inthat order

They will be out against the second pairing dmen shill Matthews and marner are in the first pairing.

Nylander has to show some balls and stop avoiding body contact
I hope he can. Our second line will determine our success.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

It's his 2nd playoffs, and he was fine in his first last year.

Last year the Leafs didn't make the playoffs. No matter how much you Dubas/Keefe fanboys wanna spin it.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Last year the Leafs didn't make the playoffs.

Last year, the Leafs did factually make the playoffs. I'll listen to the NHL's clear and explicit position on the matter, instead of you, thanks.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Last year, the Leafs did factually make the playoffs. I'll listen to the NHL's clear and explicit position on the matter, instead of you, thanks.

That's weird, because the NHL called those games "play ins" not "playoffs".

No, no playoffs.

 

[Leafsfan74]

That's weird, because the NHL called those games "play ins" not "playoffs".

No, no playoffs.

Technically yes of course. Relatively speaking it was the Leafs challenge that they failed in once again.

I remember most the unhappiness Muzzin had after. Loved that guy the moment he expressed it, he had no interest in excuses.

If a team doesn't have it in them to sacrifice they will never win a ring. I expect this year to be different.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

I'd say Andersen but I'm not sure he even plays. After him, Nylander. Willy doesn't like getting hit and it's much more glaring come playoff time. I'm not expecting him to throw his weight around, but I'd like to see him more willing to take a hit to make a play vs trying to finesse everything.

 

[lottster14]

Last year, the Leafs did factually make the playoffs. I'll listen to the NHL's clear and explicit position on the matter, instead of you, thanks.

The play in round was to decide the playoffs, we lost in the play ins. Such rocket science, 2+2=4.

We missed last year.

 

[Dekes For Days]

That's weird, because the NHL called those games "play ins" not "playoffs".

The play in round was to decide the playoffs

Actually, they called them the "Qualifiers", and they were explicitly stated to be part of the playoffs by the NHL. Leafs factually made the playoffs last year. There is no valid argument against that.

 

[Le Cobra]

as much as I love him, Campbell. He is untested in the postseason.

Pros: he reminds me of Potvin and Cujo stylistically and both were very good playoff goalies.

After the series vs MTL, I believe he will have answered this question. He is the backbone of the team. YOU CAN DO IT JACK! STEAL US THE FIRST ROUND!

 

[wingman75]

I am going to say Morgan Rielly has the most to prove come playoff time. If he can be outstanding, it has a double positive effect. Obviously helps the team now and gives them a better chance at success, and secondly, helps him in his bid for a new contract (with the Leafs or not). I want to see him to be harder on the puck, make quicker and more decisive decisions with and without the puck.

We already know how good the rest of the top guys are... how effective can Rielly be? Can he step it up a notch?

 

[Dave92]

Gonna throw Marner out there. He had the one great game vs Boston two years ago and nothing else has been quite what you would expect from a top 10 salary in the league.

Also JT, Rielly, Nylander. Basically the entire core aside from Matthews.

 

[moon111]

Marner for sure.

He's appeared in 25 playoff games...
+3 once.
+2 twice.
+1 four times.
0 eight times.
-1 six times
-2 twice
-3 once.

Honestly, Marner is a double-bladed sword when it comes to the playoffs. You want to play safe playoff hockey against the Leafs?
Just keep getting in on Marner, and sooner or later he'll cause a turnover that will lead directly into Leaf fans blaming a defenseman
and goalie for not stopping a 2-on-1.

Multi-millionaire Marner is a -2 in the playoffs for the Leafs. At 5-on-5 he's produced 1.25 points/60 in the playoffs. Compare that
to Connor Brown who played a safer game, produced 1.15 points/60 in the playoffs and was a plus 2. In 20 playoff games, Brown was
only a minus player twice btw.

The only goal in the playoffs is to win. Marner just doesn't know when and when not to hotdog out there. If I were coaching against
the Leafs in the playoffs and the game was out of reach, I'm making sure my players aren't checking Marner too tight. I'd want to see
him score some useless points to encourage his play-style... because it might help in the next game.

 

[Budz]

Marner - but it’s not about points. It’s about playing smart.

Rielly too. Been hoora bad this year.

 

[All Mod Cons]

All of them sans Muzzin. He's proved he can do it.

 

[ZEBROA]

I expect Tavares to be best in his line. Matthews in his. Marner to have most points, a lot more goals. Nylander to be in forth place in points but mostly be better at d.

Need more from Tavares overall.

 

[Mitch nylander]

Everyone , except any who have won the cup ..
Which correct me if I’m wrong is Bogo and Jack ?
Just win baby , just win ....

Jake Muzzin won with LA in 2014, and Zach Bogosian won last year. Those are the only 2. Jack never won.

 

[Teeder Keon]

Jake Muzzin won with LA in 2014, and Zach Bogosian won last year. Those are the only 2. Jack never won.

Thanks man , appreciate that

 

[Confucius]

It's JT, he has to step up and lead by example, he can't be an also there.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Actually, they called them the "Qualifiers", and they were explicitly stated to be part of the playoffs by the NHL. Leafs factually made the playoffs last year. There is no valid argument against that.

Yep. Stats accrued by players are explicitly listed under playoff stats.

 

[lebdafor norris]

Marner and JT, the lackluster offence has been the biggest factor for the Leafs defeat during their last 2 playoffs with JT and Marner being the 2 biggest underachievers offensively for those 2 series

 

[Koolboss]

John Tavares no doubt, he is has been no show in post season for most of his career. He needs to earn the 12mil we gifted him