Toggle sidebar

Wow the playoffs are intense. Can we compete

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
  • We're expeting server maintenance on March 3rd starting at midnight, there may be downtime during the work.
Leaf Fans said:
No, they have been good.
Click to expand...

I disagree strongly the reason we are at 3-3 is not Canadians being good, they can hardly generate scoring chances the reason is the Leafs refusal to compete for 60 minutes, no one in front of Price for any extended period and their forward setting tents up in our crease pushing our Dmen out and jamming and poking away until a puck comes lose. Losing Tavares did not help because he is one of few who goes to the net.

What happened to the truculent Thornton we saw last 5 games when his spot was in jeopardy?? Now he languishes on the side slow as molasses give up pucks finishes no checks, what a waste of a roster spot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Massew and ruaware41
Stinger8 said:
I disagree strongly the reason we are at 3-3 is not Canadians being good, they can hardly generate scoring chances the reason is the Leafs refusal to compete for 60 minutes, no one in front of Price for any extended period and their forward setting tents up in our crease pushing our Dmen out and jamming and poking away until a puck comes lose. Losing Tavares did not help because he is one of few who goes to the net.

What happened to the truculent Thornton we saw last 5 games when his spot was in jeopardy?? Now he languishes on the side slow as molasses give up pucks finishes no checks, what a waste of a roster spot.
Click to expand...
They have to start better than they have been. That is fair.
 
ruaware41 said:
The excuses continue 5 years in a row. Tbh just like Tavares didn’t make a difference in the 2nd Boston series I doubt it would change the Habs winning at least 3. He hasn’t exactly been spectacular for the Leafs in the post season either. We just need our excuse machine to keep churning.
Click to expand...

honestly, I don't think this team has a talent problem, it has a mindset and resilience/grit problem. And it's a problem within the core. The Raptors had the exact same problem until 2019. The Raptors with Vince Carter in the late 90s had this problem. You're not going to solve it by signing peripheral players with those intangibles - it has to come from within your core. If they can't develop it, then you must make a change. It's like pornography - I can't define it, but I know it when I see it. It might not even be one player, but the sum of the parts. Like the Raptors, the problem wasn't only DeRozan and his style of play - but when he and Valanciunas were swapped for Leonard and Gasol, that was the difference maker. The intangibles and determination with the go to guys on the Leafs is simply not there and with each passing day, I become increasingly skeptical that they will develop it without a major shakeup. You could argue that Lowry was a part of the problem between 2013-2018 too, but clearly swapping out one of them did the trick. Sometimes, it's the interpersonal dynamics rather than the individual player that is the problem

For all the shit that Nylander got, I feel somewhat vindicated for him that he is not the problem. Always felt like he got a raw deal, but he has proven to be the most resilient and intense of the core. Huge props to Spezza as well and both Rielly and Kerfoot have been subtly very good. Galchenyuk - even with OT gaffe - has exceeded expectations. As great as Marner, Matthews, and Hyman have been, they need to kick it up a notch and tonight is the prime opportunity for them to do this. Failure to do so, and I would only expect Matthews to be around this time next season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stinger8 and ruaware41
After watching the other series and how the physicality and intensity and speed at which they were being played, it spawned this thread asking can our Leafs really compete at those playoff levels.

After watching a boring, rather uneventful and unsuccessful 1st round, against an inferior opponent we now have our answer to this question.

Conclusion: Concerns were justified as some of these teams are playing at levels well above from what we've ever seen from our Leafs.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Stinger8 and ToneDog
I started the thread because I had concern's that we could not compete, I was convinced to a degree that we would pull it out, compete enough to win. The majority of respondents were indignant, how could I be so concerned?? My initial fears proved correct, this team as I said a while back (and I got flack) should rename themselves the Toronto Dairy Queens cause all they serve up is soft product.

This team would get eviscerated against the Av's the Lightening the Knights and probably the Canes

They are soft, they are spoiled, they feel entitled they are unmotivated and that needs to change through personnel and I believe coaching.... Gerard Gallant anyone?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Willchel Marlynder
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom