Game 44: Islanders @ Leafs - Apr. 18, 7:00pm - LeafsTV, TSN 1050

[azzurri63]

Ho boy.

I yield to no one in embracing pessimism, but people -- seriously -- the Leafs are NOT going to miss the playoffs.  All this hand-wringing borders on the embarrassing.

Im 100% with you but this play has me worried about once qwe r there.

 

[ZBBM]

Gardiner has been absolutely awful in this game.  He pinches every single play without even checking to see if the forward is in position to cover for him.  He's weak on the puck in the defensive zone and wanders out of position a lot.  Not exactly sure why he is still getting ice time given all of that.

They were right when they said we do miss Gunnar.

Gardiner is showing his inexperience but I trust folks aren't going to give up on him.

 

[princedpw]

That's what I think is one of our biggest problems. Some think Burke built this tough team. Looks tough because of the scraps. Team to me is too soft. No reason guys should be left standing around Reimer or in our end. You can't blame the defense only it's a team thing. Team defence. The Bozak line. Never seen 3 softer players and they are all on one line. JVR is a big kid but you would never know it. Throw someone out there that can help offensively but has a mean streak to offset that. Understand it's your top line but they are a total liabilty in our end. I know Potvin your going to disagree with me but how come anyone in any kind of slump always seem to come out of it against the Leafs. I know it could be a combination of things maybe a lot of players coming home but I think it's because we are weak and soft defensively and a lot of players know that and play harder because of that. Guys like Tavares, Crosby, Stamkos aren't afraid of Orr, McLaren etc because those players won't go after them so the rest of the team have to make it hard on these guys. Play them tough but they are allowed to freewheel thus putting points up against us all the time. Toughness team defence 2 big problems not just this year been going on for a long time.

I'll agree with you about the defense but not the "toughness"  You say "Guys like Tavares, Crosby, Stamkos aren't afraid of Orr, McLaren ... " Who are they afraid of?  If we had Hartnell on our top line would Crosby run away and not score on us?  Because Crosby never scores on the Flyers?  See, I don't think it matters who Crosby or Tavares face. I don't think they are intimidated by anyone.

Let's talk about the real reasons why we are getting outshot 3-1.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

How many babies do Orr & McLaren have to fight in order to be taken out of the lineup?  Everyone else on the bottom of the depth chart gets rotated in and out at the first sign of mistake, yet Orr & McLaren remain, seeming to serve some kind of purpose of being the punishment for underachievers.  You're struggling? Play with Orr & McLaren.

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

though who cares now??..

 

[Zee]

Ho boy.

I yield to no one in embracing pessimism, but people -- seriously -- the Leafs are NOT going to miss the playoffs.  All this hand-wringing borders on the embarrassing.

You could shrug it off all you want but the way Leafs are playing they could easily lose the final 4 games. Then its out of the Leafs hands. Rangers have an easy 5 games left as well. Play NJ twice, Canes, Sabres, Florida. They can win 3 or 4 of those. This isn't a slam dunk for Leafs

 

[sneakyray]

though who cares now??..

I was wondering why they even blew the goal horn

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I know Potvin your going to disagree with me but how come anyone in any kind of slump always seem to come out of it against the Leafs.

They don't.  Others have shown long scoreless streaks end every night against many different teams.  The people who say they happen against the Leafs more than any other team have never given any evidence to prove their point, so I have no reason to believe them.

 

[oakl0008]

I STILL like your teddy bear pics Littlehockeyfan. <3

 

[ZBBM]

Ho boy.

I yield to no one in embracing pessimism, but people -- seriously -- the Leafs are NOT going to miss the playoffs.  All this hand-wringing borders on the embarrassing.

You could shrug it off all you want but the way Leafs are playing they could easily lose the final 4 games. Then its out of the Leafs hands. Rangers have an easy 5 games left as well. Play NJ twice, Canes, Sabres, Florida. They can win 3 or 4 of those. This isn't a slam dunk for Leafs

I go with probabilities, not with emotion after 2 losses in a row.

 

[Strangelove]

I know Potvin your going to disagree with me but how come anyone in any kind of slump always seem to come out of it against the Leafs.

They don't.  Others have shown long scoreless streaks end every night against many different teams.  The people who say they happen against the Leafs more than any other team have never given any evidence to prove their point, so I have no reason to believe them.

Teams with forwards always seem to score against the Leafs.

 

[Strangelove]

I think they'll make it but truly I wouldn't be that disappointed if they didn't because it'd be one hell of a feat at this point.

 

[Zee]

though who cares now??..

But the Leafs haven't lost when Phaneuf scores a goal. Oh

 

[Stickytape]

I thought the Leafs played a great game!  They came out with energy, killed off a huge 5-on-3, and rebounded by putting two pucks in the net.  Huge!

But after about 10 minutes I guess I somehow fell asleep and had the worst nightmare.  It was so ugly, I can't even describe it to you guys.  *shiver*

Anyway, I wonder how the rest of the game turned out.  *checks boxscore*


.....


Oh.  I see.

 

[Britishbulldog]

I STILL like your teddy bear pics Littlehockeyfan. <3

 

[azzurri63]

That's what I think is one of our biggest problems. Some think Burke built this tough team. Looks tough because of the scraps. Team to me is too soft. No reason guys should be left standing around Reimer or in our end. You can't blame the defense only it's a team thing. Team defence. The Bozak line. Never seen 3 softer players and they are all on one line. JVR is a big kid but you would never know it. Throw someone out there that can help offensively but has a mean streak to offset that. Understand it's your top line but they are a total liabilty in our end. I know Potvin your going to disagree with me but how come anyone in any kind of slump always seem to come out of it against the Leafs. I know it could be a combination of things maybe a lot of players coming home but I think it's because we are weak and soft defensively and a lot of players know that and play harder because of that. Guys like Tavares, Crosby, Stamkos aren't afraid of Orr, McLaren etc because those players won't go after them so the rest of the team have to make it hard on these guys. Play them tough but they are allowed to freewheel thus putting points up against us all the time. Toughness team defence 2 big problems not just this year been going on for a long time.

I'll agree with you about the defense but not the "toughness"  You say "Guys like Tavares, Crosby, Stamkos aren't afraid of Orr, McLaren ... " Who are they afraid of?  If we had Hartnell on our top line would Crosby run away and not score on us?  Because Crosby never scores on the Flyers?  See, I don't think it matters who Crosby or Tavares face. I don't think they are intimidated by anyone.

Let's talk about the real reasons why we are getting outshot 3-1.

The stars aren't afraid of our tough guys because Orr isn't going to go after them. Not these guy's style. The other players have to step up and take these guys out every chance they have. I don't mean kill someone or hurt them just play them tough. We don't do that. Don't have mean players other than the goons and good players know that. Hell I would love to see Reimer take matters in his own hands and once in a while stick someone to let them know because the rest of the team doesn't do that. Like shinny hockey in our own end. Awful.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

We could lose all games and still have a something like 94% chance of making it. 

Pretty dire viewing tonight, how long before the masses wake up to Carlyle and his interesting lineup choices.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Ho boy.

I yield to no one in embracing pessimism, but people -- seriously -- the Leafs are NOT going to miss the playoffs.  All this hand-wringing borders on the embarrassing.

You could shrug it off all you want but the way Leafs are playing they could easily lose the final 4 games. Then its out of the Leafs hands. Rangers have an easy 5 games left as well. Play NJ twice, Canes, Sabres, Florida. They can win 3 or 4 of those. This isn't a slam dunk for Leafs

I go with probabilities, not with emotion after 2 losses in a row.

Even playing like crap we should be able to beat either Tampa or Florida, and I'm sure we'll come out better against Ottawa on Saturday.

 

[Boston Leaf]

I could care less about hearing our % of making playoffs. We lose 4 and time to squirm.. Gotta win.. Who cares about percentages

 

[Damian]

another sloppy dismal effort... thats all