Leafs 2015/2016 Schedule in 10 game chunks

[mr grieves]

So, have no fear, this is just a blip. Their 5-on-5 possession numbers are slipping to decidedly middle of the pack status, and their score adjusted 5-on-5 numbers are inside the bottom 10. They're putting up more points, but not playing as well/controlling the puck as much.

Yeah but some of that is the fact that 5 of their past 6 games have been against teams in the top 8 so far in score adjusted CF%.  There's still a lot of poorer possession teams for them to face.

I really have no idea how they are going to fare.  Reimer is going to come back down, but Bernier will come back somewhat as well.  And while I don't think they're going to start lighting the lamp, the SH% should tick up slightly as well because they're not completely devoid of offensive talent IMO.  I'm not sure what to make of them yet.

EDIT: To clarify, I mean what to make of them in terms of bottoming out.

It seems like they're somewhat improved over last season in terms of their play -- though how improved is tough to gauge this early and given the mix of opponents -- and worse in terms of talent (no Kessel, none of the FAs have broken out as a useful scorer as in years past). So bottom 5 seems a pretty safe prediction. But it's hard to say more than that.

Seems there will be runs of luck, like the one they're on now, that'll move them toward the top of the bottom five, and if their luck runs out they may fall lower (and depending on the lottery, maybe lower still). But barring a trade or dressing room rebellion or injury, I don't see them completely bottoming out.

 

[Zee]

Will the Oilers finally climb out of last overall when they have McDavid AND Matthews?

 

[Redleaf]

So, have no fear, this is just a blip. Their 5-on-5 possession numbers are slipping to decidedly middle of the pack status, and their score adjusted 5-on-5 numbers are inside the bottom 10. They're putting up more points, but not playing as well/controlling the puck as much.

Yeah but some of that is the fact that 5 of their past 6 games have been against teams in the top 8 so far in score adjusted CF%.  There's still a lot of poorer possession teams for them to face.

I really have no idea how they are going to fare.  Reimer is going to come back down, but Bernier will come back somewhat as well.  And while I don't think they're going to start lighting the lamp, the SH% should tick up slightly as well because they're not completely devoid of offensive talent IMO.  I'm not sure what to make of them yet.

EDIT: To clarify, I mean what to make of them in terms of bottoming out.

It seems like they're somewhat improved over last season in terms of their play -- though how improved is tough to gauge this early and given the mix of opponents -- and worse in terms of talent (no Kessel, none of the FAs have broken out as a useful scorer as in years past). So bottom 5 seems a pretty safe prediction. But it's hard to say more than that.

Seems there will be runs of luck, like the one they're on now, that'll move them toward the top of the bottom five, and if their luck runs out they may fall lower (and depending on the lottery, maybe lower still). But barring a trade or dressing room rebellion or injury, I don't see them completely bottoming out.

Thing is, this isn't the same squad that falls apart each year toward the end of schedule. I don't see an 18 wheeler going off the cliff this time. This club will go on losings streaks no doubt, but will finish outside the bottom five, unless and until there's a sell off. Babcock has got them playing as a unit, and I can see no reason why they won't start getting better and better from this point forward.

 

[Bullfrog]

Thing is, this isn't the same squad that falls apart each year toward the end of schedule. I don't see an 18 wheeler going off the cliff this time. This club will go on losings streaks no doubt, but will finish outside the bottom five, unless and until there's a sell off. Babcock has got them playing as a unit, and I can see no reason why they won't start getting better and better from this point forward.

Lack of high-end talent would be a big one.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Thing is, this isn't the same squad that falls apart each year toward the end of schedule. I don't see an 18 wheeler going off the cliff this time. This club will go on losings streaks no doubt, but will finish outside the bottom five, unless and until there's a sell off. Babcock has got them playing as a unit, and I can see no reason why they won't start getting better and better from this point forward.

Lack of high-end talent would be a big one.

And besides, that 18-wheeler already went over the side... a couple of times. This season represents driving that smoking heap of metal back up the hill. It's bound to hit a flat spot once in a while, but mostly it will be rolling back downhill, crushing the people who are pushing it.

 

[louisstamos]

You guys have the weirdest analogies...

 

[Kin]

Thing is, this isn't the same squad that falls apart each year toward the end of schedule. I don't see an 18 wheeler going off the cliff this time. This club will go on losings streaks no doubt, but will finish outside the bottom five, unless and until there's a sell off. Babcock has got them playing as a unit, and I can see no reason why they won't start getting better and better from this point forward.

Lack of high-end talent would be a big one.

The deadline shake-up should be another.

 

[bustaheims]

Thing is, this isn't the same squad that falls apart each year toward the end of schedule. I don't see an 18 wheeler going off the cliff this time. This club will go on losings streaks no doubt, but will finish outside the bottom five, unless and until there's a sell off. Babcock has got them playing as a unit, and I can see no reason why they won't start getting better and better from this point forward.

Lack of high-end talent would be a big one.

The deadline shake-up should be another.

Also, even playing as a unit, the team is only 2 points out of 30th, they're tied with Anaheim for the fewest ROW in the league, their possession numbers are dropping and they won't continue to receive the kind of goaltending they have over the past 2 weeks. Also, they've been fortunate enough to not have any important pieces get injured yet. The overused analogy of the 18 wheeler isn't necessary here, as there's not going to be a cliff for them to fall off of, since they're already down there.

 

[Kin]

The overused analogy of the 18 wheeler isn't necessary here, as there's not going to be a cliff for them to fall off of, since they're already down there.

Or, at the very least, it's useful to illustrate that 18 wheelers typically don't scale cliffs.

 

[Zee]

Another quality start by "Vesa" Bernier

 

[hockeyfan1]

November has been Reimer's month.

 

[Highlander]

Thats because it is Reim Time

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Thats because it is Reim Time

booooooooo!!!!!!

 

[Zee]

Relax guys, Leafs always have at least 1 good chunk every season.  This is it right now.

 

[Highlander]

Reims is traking pucks, Bernier is traking bucks?.big difference. 

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I wouldn't be surprised if they go on a little win streak here, maybe 4 of the next 5.

It'd be the Leafiest way to toy with our emotions.

Ummm

 

[hockeyfan1]

November is looking like a beaut! 

 

[Zee]

Chunk 3 fast approaching...

 

[Zee]

November is looking like a beaut!

Don't look now but Leafs are 3 points out of a playoff spot...

 

[bustaheims]

I wouldn't be surprised if they go on a little win streak here, maybe 4 of the next 5.

It'd be the Leafiest way to toy with our emotions.

Ummm

Yeah. But, I mean, even Buffalo had a really solid run early last season. A 10-3-0 stretch, which they followed with a 1-17-1 stretch. I don't think the Leafs are going to be that bad, but I also don't think they're goign have that long a run, either.