Golden Knights @ Leafs - Nov. 7th, 7:00pm - SNO, Fan 590

[herman]

https://twitter.com/rayferrarotsn/status/1192627067524911109

Who?s been telling them to move bodies on their PP setup?

Other than me, I mean.

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1192657060367884288
https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1192648572006813696

 

[herman]

PP2 looked so much more dangerous earlier because Nylander went roaming behind the net to change all the defense angles and force decisions about stick positions and lanes to cover.

That?s why Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak are so dangerous in the offensive zone. They each have two dedicated spots to shoot from but everyone else on the line swings the puck around all over the zone until a lane opens for an area pass (sometimes seemingly blind) into one of those default dangerous shooting areas.

They?ve played with each other long enough to trust their linemate to win and maintain possession and to get the puck to the right places. All anyone needs to do is get there at the right time.

https://twitter.com/nhl/status/1189327967043936262
https://twitter.com/nhl/status/1186801202496966657
https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/1185006111226843136
https://twitter.com/nhl/status/1184977566773452804
https://twitter.com/emarinofsky/status/1183173095856709634

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/rayferrarotsn/status/1192627067524911109

Who?s been telling them to move bodies on their PP setup?

That's easily been the most perplexing thing about our PP. I remember watching goals from Florida's powerplay last season and hearing others say the same thing: constant movement was one of the biggest factors to their success there. We haven't seen that at all this season except for that PP which was terrific. Hopefully it's the start of them picking it up there.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1192657060367884288

God I wish I hadn't seen this quote haha. "I dunno guys, how about we try... skating?"

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Watching OT, I literally had no reaction to the Tavares goal, because I was convinced the Vegas was going to go to video review as to whether or not Tavares was offside.  I'm still surprised that they didn't give it a shot, as I thought it was close enough that they might have got the call, and there's no consequence for Vegas if video review confirms the play was onside, right?

 

[Andy007]

I didn't catch the last half of the game; any reason why Dermott had so little ice time? To me he's been looking particularly explosive the last few games.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Watching OT, I literally had no reaction to the Tavares goal, because I was convinced the Vegas was going to go to video review as to whether or not Tavares was offside.  I'm still surprised that they didn't give it a shot, as I thought it was close enough that they might have got the call, and there's no consequence for Vegas if video review confirms the play was onside, right?

League automatically reviews all goals for that stuff in the last minute of regulation and OT.

And watching the replay again, I think it would have been a very quick good-goal confirmation.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I didn't catch the last half of the game; any reason why Dermott had so little ice time? To me he's been looking particularly explosive the last few games.

He doesn't play on the PP or PK and 11 penalties between the two teams probably made bench management a little tougher than usual. At 5-on-5 Dermott only played 45 seconds less than Tavares did.

 

[Andy007]

I didn't catch the last half of the game; any reason why Dermott had so little ice time? To me he's been looking particularly explosive the last few games.

He doesn't play on the PP or PK and 11 penalties between the two teams probably made bench management a little tougher than usual. At 5-on-5 Dermott only played 45 seconds less than Tavares did.

Actually it looks like he played about a minute and a half less than Tavares but I mean when compared to the other defencemen it still seems a little light. He played almost 3 minutes less ES than Holl (who has also been very good) and only had half of Ceci's ES minutes. He's been looking great imo, just found it a bit odd that he's been restricted so much.

 

[herman]

That's easily been the most perplexing thing about our PP. I remember watching goals from Florida's powerplay last season and hearing others say the same thing: constant movement was one of the biggest factors to their success there. We haven't seen that at all this season except for that PP which was terrific. Hopefully it's the start of them picking it up there.

If I can fault the coaching staff for anything so far (some 17 games in), it's the lack of movement on the PP and whatever their messaging is on PP entries. That being said, the players are still adjusting to one another and the new wrinkles in their systems.

It was night and day when Marner and Matthews switched PP sides the other night because they already knew the plays and angles from last season, and could afford more creativity in their structure.

Last night's 6th PP was a positive sign that they're getting comfortable with the new looks. After the shot-side setup is settled, I'm looking for them to mix it up between the two options, and maybe add a behind-the-net setup instead of just bumping around the umbrella.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Actually it looks like he played about a minute and a half less than Tavares but I mean when compared to the other defencemen it still seems a little light. He played almost 3 minutes less ES than Holl (who has also been very good) and only had half of Ceci's ES minutes. He's been looking great imo, just found it a bit odd that he's been restricted so much.

My numbers were strictly 5-on-5, so no 3-on-3 time for Tavares there. But like I was saying, I think Dermott's lack of ice-time here can pretty easily be explained by the fact the game was dominated with specialty teams play. Right now, this was an anomaly not a trend. I wouldn't think too much of it.

 

[Deebo]

I didn't see the game but I am seeing a lot of talk that Andsersen stole this one.

But Subban also made 35 saves, did Andersen face higher quality shots than Subban or something?

 

[Andy007]

Actually it looks like he played about a minute and a half less than Tavares but I mean when compared to the other defencemen it still seems a little light. He played almost 3 minutes less ES than Holl (who has also been very good) and only had half of Ceci's ES minutes. He's been looking great imo, just found it a bit odd that he's been restricted so much.

My numbers were strictly 5-on-5, so no 3-on-3 time for Tavares there. But like I was saying, I think Dermott's lack of ice-time here can pretty easily be explained by the fact the game was dominated with specialty teams play. Right now, this was an anomaly not a trend. I wouldn't think too much of it.

Yep, makes sense, thanks. Was curious because that low number just stuck out and Dermott was coming off that long injury.

 

[herman]

I didn't see the game but I am seeing a lot of talk that Andsersen stole this one.

But Subban also made 35 saves, did Andersen face higher quality shots than Subban or something?

It was a good goaltending duel. Could've easily been a blow out if either goalie faltered slightly. Both teams attacked with volume and quality, but the Leafs did it more obviously in the first, while Vegas did it more obviously in the 2nd, so the order of the narrative colours the 'direction' of the story.

 

[ZBBM]

I didn't see the game but I am seeing a lot of talk that Andsersen stole this one.

But Subban also made 35 saves, did Andersen face higher quality shots than Subban or something?

It was a good goaltending duel. Could've easily been a blow out if either goalie faltered slightly. Both teams attacked with volume and quality, but the Leafs did it more obviously in the first, while Vegas did it more obviously in the 2nd, so the order of the narrative colours the 'direction' of the story.

I agree with the first bolded, but not the second.  No SOG for the first 13-14 minutes of the 2nd is inexcusable for any NHL team not playing the 1995 New Jersey Devils.  And especially not for the forwards of the Leafs.  They were not shut down by some invincible VGK defense; they shut themselves down by lack of effort.  Hooray for them that they managed a second straight extra-time win by turning on the jets for a few minutes in the 3rd and relying on Superhero Andersen to save the day, but they are alarmingly uneven night in and night out. 

Babcock has had 3 years to get the drafted core to play differently.  They haven't gotten the message, or else simply can't do it.  Maybe he'll break through with them this season.  I'll believe it when I see it happen ... in April.

 

[herman]

Second period shot attempts and scoring chances were even at 5 on 5. So some of their shots got blocked or missed. Don't just go by the shot clock because you'll twist yourself into a conniption for no reason.

Vegas was better in the beginning of the second and the Leafs weathered the storm.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/_kishanmistry/status/1192653350682144768

 

[herman]

Can you imagine a full line of Auston Matthewses

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Can you imagine a full line of Auston Matthewses

Only every time I close my eyes.

 

[Highlander]

At what point do we maybe need to completely change the format of the PP.  it?s just so mediocre for this much talent

They?re overthinking the drop pass. It should be a live read of what the  defense is presenting, but they?re going 80? drop pass almost by default. Other than that, their setup is dangerous albeit they?re new to the angles. Once they settle into this one, I?d like them to flip between the ?new? and previously successful strong side model within games.

They have no puck retrieval option and no point shot.  They ought to try Barrie on the 1U.

U think they would try something. Maybe try Reilly and Barrie both on the point.
Barrie has been a disappointment but that may be due to Babcock and the system and how they are using him.

I think Barrie's disappointment is directly related to Babs. The PP is a mess right now so change it up with Barrie on PP1. He was the quarterback in Col so try it.

You mean McFarland?

Whatever. Babs and McFly if you'd like. Babs is the head coach and ultimately responsible for the personnel.

Not true,  McFarland and Hasktol are Dubas additions, endorsed by Shannahan.  However Babs was untouchable until either the Leafs either miss the playoffs or falter in round one.