Leafs @ Bruins - Apr. 12th, 7:00pm - CBC, Fan 590

[herman]

It was a good and exciting tilt until Babcock got a bit cute with the 4th line (thinking Komarov-Plekanec-Kapanen could handle Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak), and one of our scoring centres lost his composure and single handedly pinned Matthews-Nylander Bozak-JvR to the bench for 7+ minutes.

https://twitter.com/SteveBurtch/status/984763097331019776

 

[cabber24]

It was a good and exciting tilt until Babcock got a bit cute with the 4th line (thinking Komarov-Plekanec-Kapanen could handle Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak), and one of our scoring centres lost his composure and single handedly pinned Matthews-Nylander Bozak-JvR to the bench for 7+ minutes.

https://twitter.com/SteveBurtch/status/984763097331019776

Although I did not think it was wise to start the 4th line in our end with a minute left in the second. Let's not forget BOS gets last change. This is like the 4th time someone said why we choose to do that, we didn't.

 

[herman]

Although I did not think it was wise to start the 4th line in our end with a minute left in the second. Let's not forget BOS gets last change. This is like the 4th time someone said why we choose to do that, we didn't.

I think you explained it yourself -- we did choose to start our 4th line in our own zone. I thought they'd be fine too; it's not like Pastrnak has never victimized a slower check on a fadeaway before.

 

[cabber24]

Although I did not think it was wise to start the 4th line in our end with a minute left in the second. Let's not forget BOS gets last change. This is like the 4th time someone said why we choose to do that, we didn't.

I think you explained it yourself -- we did choose to start our 4th line in our own zone. I thought they'd be fine too; it's not like Pastrnak has never victimized a slower check on a fadeaway before.

Did we choose to have our 4th line up against the Bergeron line? YES OR NO?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Although I did not think it was wise to start the 4th line in our end with a minute left in the second. Let's not forget BOS gets last change. This is like the 4th time someone said why we choose to do that, we didn't.

I just checked the shift chart, the Bergeron line was off for two shifts prior to that so it was pretty obvious that they'd be coming on next.

If Babcock put his 4th line on thinking that Boston would just match with their 4th line despite the fact that it was an offensive zone face-off for them and Bergeron's unit was fresh and there was only a minute left in the period... then well he's kinda dumb.

 

[Zee]

Although I did not think it was wise to start the 4th line in our end with a minute left in the second. Let's not forget BOS gets last change. This is like the 4th time someone said why we choose to do that, we didn't.

I think you explained it yourself -- we did choose to start our 4th line in our own zone. I thought they'd be fine too; it's not like Pastrnak has never victimized a slower check on a fadeaway before.

Did we choose to have our 4th line up against the Bergeron line? YES OR NO?

I mean, the coach has to figure that with a minute left and last change, if he sees Toronto's 4th line on the ice he'd probably want to get a mismatch and throw out his #1 line.  Babcock should have known this, and played some other Leafs line instead.  The only way it would have made sense is if the Boston #1 line had just played and was gassed, then Babcock would know they're probably not gonna play the next shift.  Babcock gets paid over $6M to know this stuff.

 

[herman]

Although I did not think it was wise to start the 4th line in our end with a minute left in the second. Let's not forget BOS gets last change. This is like the 4th time someone said why we choose to do that, we didn't.

I think you explained it yourself -- we did choose to start our 4th line in our own zone. I thought they'd be fine too; it's not like Pastrnak has never victimized a slower check on a fadeaway before.

Did we choose to have our 4th line up against the Bergeron line? YES OR NO?

I mean, the coach has to figure that with a minute left and last change, if he sees Toronto's 4th line on the ice he'd probably want to get a mismatch and throw out his #1 line.  Babcock should have known this, and played some other Leafs line instead.  The only way it would have made sense is if the Boston #1 line had just played and was gassed, then Babcock would know they're probably not gonna play the next shift.  Babcock gets paid over $6M to know this stuff.

He knew the situation. Like I said, it's just overconfidence in his 4th line, thinking Plekanec and Komarov could handle it (gud pros, gud shutdown vets) and he got burned in a high-leverage situation.

 

[cabber24]

Although I did not think it was wise to start the 4th line in our end with a minute left in the second. Let's not forget BOS gets last change. This is like the 4th time someone said why we choose to do that, we didn't.

I think you explained it yourself -- we did choose to start our 4th line in our own zone. I thought they'd be fine too; it's not like Pastrnak has never victimized a slower check on a fadeaway before.

Did we choose to have our 4th line up against the Bergeron line? YES OR NO?

I mean, the coach has to figure that with a minute left and last change, if he sees Toronto's 4th line on the ice he'd probably want to get a mismatch and throw out his #1 line.  Babcock should have known this, and played some other Leafs line instead.  The only way it would have made sense is if the Boston #1 line had just played and was gassed, then Babcock would know they're probably not gonna play the next shift.  Babcock gets paid over $6M to know this stuff.

I too think it was awful call to start them. Just pointing out Boston gets last call. Yes, Babcock was unfortunately a large factor is the loss tonight.

The thing I am most pissed about is the friggin offside! Seriously, like I already said, a franchise worth billions doesn't have the resources to identify an offside? Hire 35 people to do only that if that's what it takes. I sincerely hope someone got fired last night.

 

[Zee]

Although I did not think it was wise to start the 4th line in our end with a minute left in the second. Let's not forget BOS gets last change. This is like the 4th time someone said why we choose to do that, we didn't.

I think you explained it yourself -- we did choose to start our 4th line in our own zone. I thought they'd be fine too; it's not like Pastrnak has never victimized a slower check on a fadeaway before.

Did we choose to have our 4th line up against the Bergeron line? YES OR NO?

I mean, the coach has to figure that with a minute left and last change, if he sees Toronto's 4th line on the ice he'd probably want to get a mismatch and throw out his #1 line.  Babcock should have known this, and played some other Leafs line instead.  The only way it would have made sense is if the Boston #1 line had just played and was gassed, then Babcock would know they're probably not gonna play the next shift.  Babcock gets paid over $6M to know this stuff.

He knew the situation. Like I said, it's just overconfidence in his 4th line, thinking Plekanec and Komarov could handle it (gud pros, gud shutdown vets) and he got burned in a high-leverage situation.

Which makes it an idiotic decision.  I realize he guided this team to 105 points, the best season ever, but what exactly has Tomas Plekanec done in his amazing Leafs career to warrant this kind of trust?  The guy has been an absolute non factor in every game I've watched with the exception of maybe 1.

 

[herman]

And I get it from Babcock's perspective. He's been telling his team they're good, they can handle anything. Getting into line juggling in the face of danger would be showing a lack of trust, etc. He wants to see who rises to the occasion and breaks through when the deck is stacked against them (Hyman!).

 

[herman]

Which makes it an idiotic decision.  I realize he guided this team to 105 points, the best season ever, but what exactly has Tomas Plekanec done in his amazing Leafs career to warrant this kind of trust?  The guy has been an absolute non factor in every game I've watched with the exception of maybe 1.

I see it as similar to how star players sometimes break structure/formation on sort-outs because they believe in themselves and think they can single-handedly kill a rush or dangle 3 players in succession from a standstill. The ego is necessary for making bold plays, but sometimes it overextends.

 

[L K]

And I get it from Babcock's perspective. He's been telling his team they're good, they can handle anything. Getting into line juggling in the face of danger would be showing a lack of trust, etc. He wants to see who rises to the occasion and breaks through when the deck is stacked against them (Hyman!).

I get it, but it's the postseason now.  Hanging on to, well he's the veteran and we don't want to hurt his feelings, should be thrown out the window at this point.  Matthews shouldn't be playing 16 minutes a night in the postseason.  Komarov really shouldn't be playing over Johnsson at this point.  You should be icing your best lineup and playing them to their best, not just trying to make people feel good.

 

[cabber24]

Outside of injuries, worst start possible...

 

[L K]

Although I did not think it was wise to start the 4th line in our end with a minute left in the second. Let's not forget BOS gets last change. This is like the 4th time someone said why we choose to do that, we didn't.

I just checked the shift chart, the Bergeron line was off for two shifts prior to that so it was pretty obvious that they'd be coming on next.

If Babcock put his 4th line on thinking that Boston would just match with their 4th line despite the fact that it was an offensive zone face-off for them and Bergeron's unit was fresh and there was only a minute left in the period... then well he's kinda dumb.

To be fair, Babcock has been doing that for other teams all year.  He's far too focused on line matching and it skews ice time too much.  We should be playing our best players at this point, not spreading out the ice time to make Plekanek and Komarov feel good about themselves when they have consistently been poor performers.

 

[herman]

And I get it from Babcock's perspective. He's been telling his team they're good, they can handle anything. Getting into line juggling in the face of danger would be showing a lack of trust, etc. He wants to see who rises to the occasion and breaks through when the deck is stacked against them (Hyman!).

I get it, but it's the postseason now.  Hanging on to, well he's the veteran and we don't want to hurt his feelings, should be thrown out the window at this point.  Matthews shouldn't be playing 16 minutes a night in the postseason.  Komarov really shouldn't be playing over Johnsson at this point.  You should be icing your best lineup and playing them to their best, not just trying to make people feel good.

I don't disagree with you. I do think Babcock needs to see his own misjudgments (most of this theories have generally worked in the past, so why change?). He'll adjust.

 

[Zee]

And I get it from Babcock's perspective. He's been telling his team they're good, they can handle anything. Getting into line juggling in the face of danger would be showing a lack of trust, etc. He wants to see who rises to the occasion and breaks through when the deck is stacked against them (Hyman!).

I get it, but it's the postseason now.  Hanging on to, well he's the veteran and we don't want to hurt his feelings, should be thrown out the window at this point.  Matthews shouldn't be playing 16 minutes a night in the postseason.  Komarov really shouldn't be playing over Johnsson at this point.  You should be icing your best lineup and playing them to their best, not just trying to make people feel good.

Especially when that vet is a guy who is gonna be gone next season anyway as he's a UFA.  Why exactly would we care about Komarov's feelings at this point?  He has no future with the Leafs beyond this season.  He's been a great soldier for years, but he's not the same player anymore.

 

[L K]

And I get it from Babcock's perspective. He's been telling his team they're good, they can handle anything. Getting into line juggling in the face of danger would be showing a lack of trust, etc. He wants to see who rises to the occasion and breaks through when the deck is stacked against them (Hyman!).

I get it, but it's the postseason now.  Hanging on to, well he's the veteran and we don't want to hurt his feelings, should be thrown out the window at this point.  Matthews shouldn't be playing 16 minutes a night in the postseason.  Komarov really shouldn't be playing over Johnsson at this point.  You should be icing your best lineup and playing them to their best, not just trying to make people feel good.

I don't disagree with you. I do think Babcock needs to see his own misjudgments (most of this theories have generally worked in the past, so why change?). He'll adjust.

I guess my concern is why is something like "play your best lineup" something that one of the best coaches in the NHL needs to be adjusting for in the first place.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I guess, in Babcock's defence, Bergeron's 82% CF would suggest that it really wouldn't have mattered who he matched up against on that face-off. I really don't know how they're going to stop that line.

 

[herman]

fun tidbit: if Kadri gets suspended and we get the joy of Johnsson on the power play, Komarov is still going to be on the other unit.

 

[herman]

I guess my concern is why is something like "play your best lineup" something that one of the best coaches in the NHL needs to be adjusting for in the first place.

Your best lineup is not the same as his best lineup is probably my best answer to that.