2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs - Playoffs Edition

[hockeyfan1]

Some pointers:

- Rask outplaying Andersen
- lack of Kadri still hurting Leafs
- Matthews/Nylander not putting up numbers; running into Chara doesn't help (Games 1 & 4)
- RHD a mess
- Boston outshot in Games 3 & 4 (collectively 77-40 ratio)
- troubles containing Marchand continues

[tweet]987191515301793792[/tweet]

 

[Bonsixx]

This has probably already been said, but Marner is buzzing out there, and Matthews is sleeping. Wouldn't you want to try, in desperate times, to throw two of them together? Even on a powerplay? Just to see?

Anyway, it's too bad the Leafs shat all over the first two games, because the last two have been up for grabs. They're probably screwed now though.

Second test run is almost over. Next year has to be an actual playoff run, or some changes need to be made. And I'm not entirely opposed to trading Nylander like I used to be, since he's a non-factor in this series.

Very disappointing overall. I wish Babcock would just TRY Matthews/Marner together, even just on a powerplay, but I guess he knows best (And he does). I'm a fan of Bozak, but everytime he takes the first draw on a PP, I cringe. Why, Babs, Why?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

This has probably already been said, but Marner is buzzing out there, and Matthews is sleeping. Wouldn't you want to try, in desperate times, to throw two of them together? Even on a powerplay? Just to see?

Anyway, it's too bad the Leafs shat all over the first two games, because the last two have been up for grabs. They're probably screwed now though.

Second test run is almost over. Next year has to be an actual playoff run, or some changes need to be made. And I'm not entirely opposed to trading Nylander like I used to be, since he's a non-factor in this series.

Very disappointing overall. I wish Babcock would just TRY Matthews/Marner together, even just on a powerplay, but I guess he knows best (And he does). I'm a fan of Bozak, but everytime he takes the first draw on a PP, I cringe. Why, Babs, Why?

Coco brought up the good point that in Boston the Leafs should try Marleau-Matthews-Marner since Boston will want to put the Bergeron/top line against Matthews and those wingers have done a good job against that line. Hopefully that's what we see Saturday.

 

[Zee]

This has probably already been said, but Marner is buzzing out there, and Matthews is sleeping. Wouldn't you want to try, in desperate times, to throw two of them together? Even on a powerplay? Just to see?

Anyway, it's too bad the Leafs shat all over the first two games, because the last two have been up for grabs. They're probably screwed now though.

Second test run is almost over. Next year has to be an actual playoff run, or some changes need to be made. And I'm not entirely opposed to trading Nylander like I used to be, since he's a non-factor in this series.

Very disappointing overall. I wish Babcock would just TRY Matthews/Marner together, even just on a powerplay, but I guess he knows best (And he does). I'm a fan of Bozak, but everytime he takes the first draw on a PP, I cringe. Why, Babs, Why?

Coco brought up the good point that in Boston the Leafs should try Marleau-Matthews-Marner since Boston will want to put the Bergeron/top line against Matthews and those wingers have done a good job against that line. Hopefully that's what we see Saturday.

Babcock is out of ideas. His brilliant move will be to re-insert Komarov into the lineup.

 

[herman]

I know we have expectations on the kids to find their next levels, but I think some credit needs to go to Chara and McAvoy too. The only times we've scored against them were when Chara fell down and was a non-factor, or was on too long from an icing.

I would have liked to see a stronger effort on the tactics side to overload Chara with speed from the get go.

 

[Zee]

I know we have expectations on the kids to find their next levels, but I think some credit needs to go to Chara and McAvoy too. The only times we've scored against them were when Chara fell down and was a non-factor, or was on too long from an icing.

I would have liked to see a stronger effort on the tactics side to overload Chara with speed from the get go.

Or how about scoring goals when Chara and McAvoy aren't on the the ice for the other 38 minutes of the game?

 

[herman]

I know we have expectations on the kids to find their next levels, but I think some credit needs to go to Chara and McAvoy too. The only times we've scored against them were when Chara fell down and was a non-factor, or was on too long from an icing.

I would have liked to see a stronger effort on the tactics side to overload Chara with speed from the get go.

Or how about scoring goals when Chara and McAvoy aren't on the the ice for the other 38 minutes of the game?

That'd be preferred. If scoring, in general, was easy against the Bruins hurray.

The Bruins have made concerted efforts to remove all our standard scoring plays and we haven't adapted.

 

[Zee]

I know we have expectations on the kids to find their next levels, but I think some credit needs to go to Chara and McAvoy too. The only times we've scored against them were when Chara fell down and was a non-factor, or was on too long from an icing.

I would have liked to see a stronger effort on the tactics side to overload Chara with speed from the get go.

Or how about scoring goals when Chara and McAvoy aren't on the the ice for the other 38 minutes of the game?

That'd be preferred. If scoring, in general, was easy against the Bruins hurray.

The Bruins have made concerted efforts to remove all our standard scoring plays and we haven't adapted.

I think the key for the rest of this series involves the Leafs scoring more goals than the Bruins in each of the next 3 games.

 

[rdowdall]

I know we have expectations on the kids to find their next levels, but I think some credit needs to go to Chara and McAvoy too. The only times we've scored against them were when Chara fell down and was a non-factor, or was on too long from an icing.

I would have liked to see a stronger effort on the tactics side to overload Chara with speed from the get go.

Or how about scoring goals when Chara and McAvoy aren't on the the ice for the other 38 minutes of the game?

That'd be preferred. If scoring, in general, was easy against the Bruins hurray.

The Bruins have made concerted efforts to remove all our standard scoring plays and we haven't adapted.

I think the key for the rest of this series involves the Leafs scoring more goals than the Bruins in each of the next 3 games.

I would like to subscribe to your newsletter please.

 

[ZBBM]

It's all good.  This is our last "free pass" season in the playoffs.  Next year, however, they'd damn well better win at least one round.

As for Saturday, if I'm Babcock, I let the greyhounds runs like in the first week of the season.  The only hope in this series is to overwhelm them with speed and hope Freddie can on his head to stop the odd-mans that would inevitably result.  Either we win a game or two or else lose 8-5.  Either way it will be fun.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

It's all good.  This is our last "free pass" season in the playoffs.  Next year, however, they'd damn well better win at least one round.

As for Saturday, if I'm Babcock, I let the greyhounds runs like in the first week of the season.  The only hope in this series is to overwhelm them with speed and hope Freddie can on his head to stop the odd-mans that would inevitably result.  Either we win a game or two or else lose 8-5.  Either way it will be fun.

At the same time I'd also be completely fine if Martin dressed as long as he succeeds in his only goal of murdering Marchand on the ice.

 

[ZBBM]

As for trading Nylander, let us not be hasty.  He has been only slightly less effective than Matthews so far.  What we should be considering is whether Matthews is indeed a "generational" talent who has the ability to take over games, or instead just a very very good player.  Which would still be a wonderful thing, mind you.

 

[ZBBM]

It's all good.  This is our last "free pass" season in the playoffs.  Next year, however, they'd damn well better win at least one round.

As for Saturday, if I'm Babcock, I let the greyhounds runs like in the first week of the season.  The only hope in this series is to overwhelm them with speed and hope Freddie can on his head to stop the odd-mans that would inevitably result.  Either we win a game or two or else lose 8-5.  Either way it will be fun.

At the same time I'd also be completely fine if Martin dressed as long as he succeeds in his only goal of murdering Marchand on the ice.

Well, inhumane and incorrect as it is to admit, yeah. 

 

[ZBBM]

I don't know why, but I'm in really good mood about the team today.  They are superfun to watch and it will only get better next year when 18/24 are in the lineup.  Hopefully this bit of an ass-kicking will pay dividends down the road.

Bring on Saturday!  Release the Hounds!

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I don't know why, but I'm in really good mood about the team today.  They are superfun to watch and it will only get better next year when 18/24 are in the lineup.  Hopefully this bit of an ass-kicking will pay dividends down the road.

Bring on Saturday!  Release the Hounds!

Happy 4/20 day bud.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I don't even really think that Polak's been that bad in these playoffs, but it's downright embarrassing watching him and Dermott play in the defensive end when Dermott knows that he's the only one capable of moving the puck.

 

[Coco-puffs]

I don't even really think that Polak's been that bad in these playoffs, but it's downright embarrassing watching him and Dermott play in the defensive end when Dermott knows that he's the only one capable of moving the puck.

Other than that 2-on-1 last night, I think Polak has been fine considering his limitations moving the puck up the ice.  (ie, I wouldn't expect any better with the puck on his stick)

 

[Coco-puffs]

As for trading Nylander, let us not be hasty.  He has been only slightly less effective than Matthews so far.  What we should be considering is whether Matthews is indeed a "generational" talent who has the ability to take over games, or instead just a very very good player.  Which would still be a wonderful thing, mind you.

My biggest question mark with Nylander is whether he's ever going to get his will to come anywhere near his skill.  Right now, the biggest separator between Marner and Nylander has been will.  Mind you, its easier to be willing to engage with Torey Krug than it is with Zdeno Chara.

I don't see that problem with Matthews- he seems to be working hard and battling most of the time, but its harder to be effective with one guy on your line being a bit of a passenger without the puck.  Also, I'm not sure Matthews isn't still a bit injured. 

As for trading Nylander.  There is no way I'd advocate for trading him just to trade him due to that lack of will right now.  It can come around and I don't want it to come around if he's with another team.  But, if you're asking who would I trade out of the Big 3 to address our defense he's the only guy I'd consider and we'd have to be getting someone really really good back.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

As for trading Nylander.  There is no way I'd advocate for trading him just to trade him due to that lack of will right now.  It can come around and I don't want it to come around if he's with another team.  But, if you're asking who would I trade out of the Big 3 to address our defense he's the only guy I'd consider and we'd have to be getting someone really really good back.

If it's a Johansen-for-Jones type trade, I'd consider it sure. If it's Hall-for-Larsson, obviously not. The problem is Nashville was in such a unique situation with their loaded D to make that trade possible for them, and I don't think there's a team out there right now who has a 20-year old future top pairing defenceman that they'd be willing to move for an elite forward. Carolina would be the closest with Hanifin and a) I don't think he's at Nylander's level and b) being a lefty is probably the reason we didn't draft him in the first place.

I guess what I'm saying is it's easy to say we should trade Nylander for help on defence, but it's a lot harder to actually find a deal out there that works.

 

[Coco-puffs]

As for trading Nylander.  There is no way I'd advocate for trading him just to trade him due to that lack of will right now.  It can come around and I don't want it to come around if he's with another team.  But, if you're asking who would I trade out of the Big 3 to address our defense he's the only guy I'd consider and we'd have to be getting someone really really good back.

If it's a Johansen-for-Jones type trade, I'd consider it sure. If it's Hall-for-Larsson, obviously not. The problem is Nashville was in such a unique situation with their loaded D to make that trade possible for them, and I don't think there's a team out there right now who has a 20-year old future top pairing defenceman that they'd be willing to move for an elite forward. Carolina would be the closest with Hanifin and a) I don't think he's at Nylander's level and b) being a lefty is probably the reason we didn't draft him in the first place.

I guess what I'm saying is it's easy to say we should trade Nylander for help on defence, but it's a lot harder to actually find a deal out there that works.

I completely agree with everything you stated there.  Its going to be really hard to find a deal that would work, and I emphasize that I wouldn't trade him just to trade him.  I'm also not opposed to trading him for an older d-man from a particular team out west that might need to think about rebuilding.  (I highly doubt that's in the cards- but one can dream)

Furthermore, unless we get Tavares next year- he's really our only internal option to play 3C.  I think he'd actually learn to engage MUCH more and test his will throughout the regular season much more playing down the middle.