Islanders @ Leafs - Dec. 29th, 7:00pm - CBC, Fan 590

[Bullfrog]

There's literally no man of the match or HM tonight

Kadri and Brown are even, I guess them. *shrugs*

I only watched the last half of the third period. Johnsson and Tavares looked like they were trying. That's good, I guess?

 

[ZBBM]

There's literally no man of the match or HM tonight

Kadri and Brown are even, I guess them. *shrugs*

True, although funny I've been thinking about who to pick out and settled on Brown.  I can go with Kadri too, they have done more with less icetime than the big forwards.

Anyone breaks the shutout and immediately moves to the front of the line.

TBH Tavares was the best forward tonight.  He didn't get anything but he was working and was usually in the middle of whatever few chances the Leafs had. 

IMO this is what separates him from Matthews, for now.  There are games when Matthews doesn't really do much, though because of his innate skill he's never totally invisible.  Tavares almost never has a game where he disappears.

EDIT: herman just saw you MotM vote.  I didn't see the game that way, I guess.

U hit the nail on the head about Matthews and Tavares. In my opinion Marner, Tavares and Reilly are pretty consistent as far as compete game in game out.
Matthews is so damn talented and with the sick shot can put up points without really doing much.
To be honest thats what concerns me about him.
Besides McDavid there is no one else I would rather have in this league but his inconsistency worries me. I don't know if its a lingering injury or what but if it isn't I would be skeptical at throwing him more money than JT. Think the Leafs would be making a mistake in regards to who they will be able to keep down the road if they throw some of the money rumoured at him.
Just my opinion.

I sort of share your concerns azzurri, but I think he almost has to get paid more than Tavares because he and his camp will expect it.  And, in his defense, before he got hurt he was dominating, and not just because of early-season looseness.  All the hype about him taking his shot to an even higher level looked true.  He hasn't been able to match that since coming back.

To me the big question mark about Matthews is whether he can raise his game in the playoffs to fight through the tighter play.  The same question holds for Andersen, Nylander, and Rielly.  Tavares has averaged almost a PPG in limited playoff experience so there's evidence he can do it.  Marner of all of the other stars seems to be able to keep playing his game in all situations.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Speaking of Nylander, when is he going to get the monkey off his back? He's played 11 games and has 0 goals. I get that he makes some nice zone exits and entries but he's being paid to put points up. I can't remember the last time he even took a good shot on net

Looks like Nylander is coming around to being himself,  and judging by the way he's been playing with each game lately, that break will come up very soon.

We all have expectations for Nylander but I'm still cutting him some slack  for the fact that he missed all of training camp and the nearly two months into the season.

I have faith that that puck will soon be flying into the net. 

 

[herman]

I think the most disappointing part for me was Moore?s centering pass to Gauthier for his third goal in three games was too hot and off the mark and it split our D down the ice. Teams just fold up on us whenever Gauthier scores.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

The Leafs won 5 games straight. They laid an egg last night. The sky isn't falling. Breathe people.

 

[Highlander]

Sparks inability to control rebounds is very concerning.

Sparks is awful.  Leafs inability to get a legit backup is kind of laughable.  Tampa?s goalie goes down for a month, no problem.  If Andersen went down leafs would be screwed.  No quality goalies in the organization.  Doesn?t make any sense.

Wasn't Domingue like .905? I don't like Sparks either but that is a really bad comparison, esp with Sparks winning way more than he's lost thus far.

Both Woll and Scott are excellent goalie prospects, albeit a few years away.  Sparks will settle down and the Leafs gave him little to no support.  Perhaps this new guy they picked up will be back up and get a few games in.

 

[ZBBM]

We get to suck on that sour lollipop for the next four days.

And then it's Kiddie Day or whatever they call it on Thursday freaking afternoon.

 

[Zee]

Yeah people talk about how Tampa was fine with their backup , he's 15-4, but look at his stats, the same as Sparks. Domingue is 2.99 GAA and .904save%. Sparks after last night is 3.01GAA and .905 save%

What's the difference other than maybe Tampa's defense not giving up as many  grade A scoring chances?

 

[OldTimeHockey]

It's really hard to win games by outscoring the opposition with 0 goals. Sparks is nowhere near a starter in this league but he's played 9 games and is 6-2-1. That record is a direct result of the team in front of him out scoring the other team. Last night they didn't.

 

[ZBBM]

I think if people are waiting for a lesser copy of Andersen -- calm and efficient in net but not quite as good overall -- they are unlikely to get it.  McElhinney was close to that, but his record in CAR doesn't exactly indict Dubas for making the wrong choice.

Sparks has done the only thing you can really hope a backup to do, and that is win more than half the time.  Until he quits doing that, I think his position is secure.

 

[Zee]

I think if people are waiting for a lesser copy of Andersen -- calm and efficient in net but not quite as good overall -- they are unlikely to get it.  McElhinney was close to that, but his record in CAR doesn't exactly indict Dubas for making the wrong choice.

Sparks has done the only thing you can really hope a backup to do, and that is win more than half the time.  Until he quits doing that, I think his position is secure.

Isn't McElhinney been lights out good for Carolina?  His save % is over .920 and he's played more games than Sparks

 

[Bates]

I think if people are waiting for a lesser copy of Andersen -- calm and efficient in net but not quite as good overall -- they are unlikely to get it.  McElhinney was close to that, but his record in CAR doesn't exactly indict Dubas for making the wrong choice.

Sparks has done the only thing you can really hope a backup to do, and that is win more than half the time.  Until he quits doing that, I think his position is secure.

Isn't McElhinney been lights out good for Carolina?  His save % is over .920 and he's played more games than Sparks

Yeah but he isn't scoring enough goals!!!!

 

[azzurri63]

There's literally no man of the match or HM tonight

Kadri and Brown are even, I guess them. *shrugs*

True, although funny I've been thinking about who to pick out and settled on Brown.  I can go with Kadri too, they have done more with less icetime than the big forwards.

Anyone breaks the shutout and immediately moves to the front of the line.

TBH Tavares was the best forward tonight.  He didn't get anything but he was working and was usually in the middle of whatever few chances the Leafs had. 

IMO this is what separates him from Matthews, for now.  There are games when Matthews doesn't really do much, though because of his innate skill he's never totally invisible.  Tavares almost never has a game where he disappears.

EDIT: herman just saw you MotM vote.  I didn't see the game that way, I guess.

U hit the nail on the head about Matthews and Tavares. In my opinion Marner, Tavares and Reilly are pretty consistent as far as compete game in game out.
Matthews is so damn talented and with the sick shot can put up points without really doing much.
To be honest thats what concerns me about him.
Besides McDavid there is no one else I would rather have in this league but his inconsistency worries me. I don't know if its a lingering injury or what but if it isn't I would be skeptical at throwing him more money than JT. Think the Leafs would be making a mistake in regards to who they will be able to keep down the road if they throw some of the money rumoured at him.
Just my opinion.

I sort of share your concerns azzurri, but I think he almost has to get paid more than Tavares because he and his camp will expect it.  And, in his defense, before he got hurt he was dominating, and not just because of early-season looseness.  All the hype about him taking his shot to an even higher level looked true.  He hasn't been able to match that since coming back.

To me the big question mark about Matthews is whether he can raise his game in the playoffs to fight through the tighter play.  The same question holds for Andersen, Nylander, and Rielly.  Tavares has averaged almost a PPG in limited playoff experience so there's evidence he can do it.  Marner of all of the other stars seems to be able to keep playing his game in all situations.

Yes the playoffs are a whole new ballgame and you all know my position as far as being a playoff team.

Getting back to Auston yes he was the best player in the league before the first injury and by far.

Again the injuries are a concern. I don't care how good you are if you're missing 20 games a year do you deserve more money than JT. I don't think so.

Plus when he returns his game is suspect and inconsistent.

It's a hard call. He's in my opinion a generational player but some questions for sure regarding his health and overall compete level night in night out.

Also if he is hurt what's he doing on the ice? Did he comeback too early? Did he get shaken up again in the Detroit game?

If the answers are no to all of the above then Dubas would be foolish to pay him more than JT. I think same as Eichel would be what I would offer and thats due to the health issues and missed time each year.

 

[Guilt Trip]

You can't offer money based on thinking a player will get hurt or not. It's based on what they do when they play and the potential going forward. Also when they're hurt and put on the IR, their salaries don't count so his overall cap hit.
As for Matthews being inconsistent after coming back from injury.
He had 10 goals, 16 points in his first 11 games.
Since returning, he has 9 goals and 19 points in 14 games. Guys would kill for that "inconsistency". He's 5th in the league for points per game. JT is 26th and playing with Marner. He's just behind OV in goals per game and ahead of JT. Matthews is just fine and he will be the highest paid Leaf. Marner might be in JT's ballpark tho.

 

[Bender]

I think if people are waiting for a lesser copy of Andersen -- calm and efficient in net but not quite as good overall -- they are unlikely to get it.  McElhinney was close to that, but his record in CAR doesn't exactly indict Dubas for making the wrong choice.

Sparks has done the only thing you can really hope a backup to do, and that is win more than half the time.  Until he quits doing that, I think his position is secure.

Isn't McElhinney been lights out good for Carolina?  His save % is over .920 and he's played more games than Sparks

Yeah but he isn't scoring enough goals!!!!

Come on, you guys know the reasoning why they kept Sparks. Mac was basically never a good goalie and had one good year with us last year and is 35+. Would you throw away your young AHL starter for 35yo Mac? Absolutely not. Mac is having a good year, more power to him, but keeping Mac would've been the completely wrong move. 

 

[Bates]

I think if people are waiting for a lesser copy of Andersen -- calm and efficient in net but not quite as good overall -- they are unlikely to get it.  McElhinney was close to that, but his record in CAR doesn't exactly indict Dubas for making the wrong choice.

Sparks has done the only thing you can really hope a backup to do, and that is win more than half the time.  Until he quits doing that, I think his position is secure.

Isn't McElhinney been lights out good for Carolina?  His save % is over .920 and he's played more games than Sparks

Yeah but he isn't scoring enough goals!!!!

Come on, you guys know the reasoning why they kept Sparks. Mac was basically never a good goalie and had one good year with us last year and is 35+. Would you throw away your young AHL starter for 35yo Mac? Absolutely not. Mac is having a good year, more power to him, but keeping Mac would've been the completely wrong move.

I would follow your point if I thought Sparks was worth it.

 

[Kin]

Come on, you guys know the reasoning why they kept Sparks. Mac was basically never a good goalie and had one good year with us last year and is 35+. Would you throw away your young AHL starter for 35yo Mac? Absolutely not. Mac is having a good year, more power to him, but keeping Mac would've been the completely wrong move.

I genuinely don't think it matters much. Sparks isn't enough of a prospect that you'd keep him and have a less good backup but McBackup was a dice roll. Neither move would have been a particularly bad one.

 

[princedpw]

I think if people are waiting for a lesser copy of Andersen -- calm and efficient in net but not quite as good overall -- they are unlikely to get it.  McElhinney was close to that, but his record in CAR doesn't exactly indict Dubas for making the wrong choice.

Sparks has done the only thing you can really hope a backup to do, and that is win more than half the time.  Until he quits doing that, I think his position is secure.

Isn't McElhinney been lights out good for Carolina?  His save % is over .920 and he's played more games than Sparks

Yeah but he isn't scoring enough goals!!!!

Come on, you guys know the reasoning why they kept Sparks. Mac was basically never a good goalie and had one good year with us last year and is 35+. Would you throw away your young AHL starter for 35yo Mac? Absolutely not. Mac is having a good year, more power to him, but keeping Mac would've been the completely wrong move.

I would follow your point if I thought Sparks was worth it.

I never watched him play for the Marlies but it seems that people who did thought he was the best goalie in the AHL last year.  Understanding that predicting goalies seems to be impossible, doesn't that make him just about as good a goalie prospect as one is likely going to have any particular time?

 

[bustaheims]

Isn't McElhinney been lights out good for Carolina?  His save % is over .920 and he's played more games than Sparks

His overall numbers don't really paint a great picture of how he's played so far this season. In October and December, his Sv% was below .900. His overall numbers are buoyed by a great stretch he had in November.

So, no, I'd say he hasn't been "lights out good" for Carolina. He has a good stretch in November, and has otherwise been below average.

 

[Bates]

I think if people are waiting for a lesser copy of Andersen -- calm and efficient in net but not quite as good overall -- they are unlikely to get it.  McElhinney was close to that, but his record in CAR doesn't exactly indict Dubas for making the wrong choice.

Sparks has done the only thing you can really hope a backup to do, and that is win more than half the time.  Until he quits doing that, I think his position is secure.

Isn't McElhinney been lights out good for Carolina?  His save % is over .920 and he's played more games than Sparks

Yeah but he isn't scoring enough goals!!!!

Come on, you guys know the reasoning why they kept Sparks. Mac was basically never a good goalie and had one good year with us last year and is 35+. Would you throw away your young AHL starter for 35yo Mac? Absolutely not. Mac is having a good year, more power to him, but keeping Mac would've been the completely wrong move.

I would follow your point if I thought Sparks was worth it.

I never watched him play for the Marlies but it seems that people who did thought he was the best goalie in the AHL last year.  Understanding that predicting goalies seems to be impossible, doesn't that make him just about as good a goalie prospect as one is likely going to have any particular time?

I've watched him at the NHL level and have never seen him as anything to get attached to. I also watched Domingue in the NHL, the most attractive part of either's game is their Cap hit. If I has a game I needed to win today  I would choose Mcbackup over either of them.