dekedastardly
Member
Are the young Leafs taking notes? "How to defend a two goal late game lead".
Leafs @ Ducks - Mar. 3rd, 10:00pm - TSN4, Fan 590
- Thread starter CarltonTheBear
- Start date
azzurri63
Active member
mr grieves said:
Well tonight up 2-1 with half a game to go could have gone either way but the first two games of the trip was the same old story with this team all year. We could have easily have gotten 3 points from those 2 games and who knows if we could have gotten to overtime against the Sharks maybe stole another point. If we could have grabbed 3 points from these 3 games I would have been very happy with that. Still could happen.
mr grieves
New member
azzurri63 said:
Amended.
dekedastardly
Member
Their play is sloppy jalopy. Maybe it's just me but this team has looked awfully tired since the All star break.
Nighty night
Nighty night
azzurri63
Active member
Ferraro on Overdrive with our blown leads saying coming into the 3rd period 11 points have been left on the table. 1 game was a regulation loss and 9 in the extra time. Says there enough blame for everybody including the guys behind the bench in the suits. Not able to bring it home.
hockeyfan1
New member
dekedastardly said:
They looked awfully lethargic in those first ten minutes from the opening faceoff. Perhaps it's just this California trip, but you have a point when you mention that they've looked tired since the ASG break.
Every team goes through a blah period but not quite with the consistency the Leafs have shown of late. A little tough for the young lads at this point in the schedule.
mr grieves
New member
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
I said a couple weeks ago: at the rate they're leaving points on the table -- shootout losses, blown 2nd period leads, games they can't get back into after losing the first -- I've gone from 60-40 they're in, to 60-40 they're out. A lot of Atlantic teams are rallying after their terrible starts, and the Leafs haven't solved much besides defensive zone face offs.
BrownRolo
New member
dekedastardly said:
I feel this way too. I said that a while ago and someone showed me the fancy stats that they have the same possession numbers, but it sure doesn't feel the same. Before the All-Star break they were constantly outplaying teams and winning board battles, doing the little things. Since the All-Star break they have been Carlyle-like...disappointing. I really thought they had turned a corner.
ZBBM
Active member
Everyone, me included, gets swept up in the hope that they'll make the playoffs, they were doing so well. But when you step back it all becomes pretty simple. Babcock Shanny &a Lou aren't playing for the playoffs this year, just as they always said (though not in so many words of course). Even acquiring Boyle was at best a half measure, maybe a token nod to the fanbase. In short they are sticking to the plan. That, and (predictably) the team is running out of gas somewhat. Though it's turned out to be more the vets (JVR Gardiner) than the star rookies.
Britishbulldog
Active member
BrownRolo said:
It's interesting that although I haven't been able to see as many games since the allstart break, I have that opinion as well. I felt that before the all star game the Leafs were hustling, winning puck battles,etc but now they don't seem to. I am not sure what the difference is. Hyman, Komarov, Martin, Kadri, Brown, Marner all seem to be hustling still. Gardiner seems to be playing better. When I really stop to analyze it is seems to me only JVR recently doesn't pass my 'eye' test (compared to a stats test).
I also have noticed teams playing against us use stretch passes to get behind our defense or create a large number of odd man rushes.
I haven't watched many games since the break, but the ones I have seen...remind me a lot of the (gasp) Carlyle teams. Lots of time chasing in the defensive zone, relatively short offensive forays. Getting outshot a lot of the time. If Anderson is hot they have a chance, but they seem to be getting outplayed a lot and the results are consistent with that.
JVR and Bozak haven't been impressive recently. Didn't see last night but that whole line was -4 so and I saw a number of comments here about them (Marner in particular).
I hope they can move one or both of JVR/Bozak for some significant defensive help in the offseason.
JVR and Bozak haven't been impressive recently. Didn't see last night but that whole line was -4 so and I saw a number of comments here about them (Marner in particular).
I hope they can move one or both of JVR/Bozak for some significant defensive help in the offseason.
Redleaf
Active member
The Leafs hopes of making the playoffs this season have always been a lofty one. This road trip has been a good reminder of where this team stands, and they are just not ready to compete in the playoffs yet. Honestly, another end-of-season tank job is what this club needs the most. I don't see that happening though. They will either a) slip into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth b) miss out by just a few points. I have to believe that neither outcome is ideal for the management team, and will just make the search for the final pieces needed that much more difficult.
Bullfrog
Active member
RedLeaf said:
Agreed with the first part. I think some need to remember that this team finished last place last season. The fact we're even talking playoff possibilities is exciting.
for the second part, i don't think getting in or just missing really makes difference for the future of the team. Playoff experience -- even getting blown out in the first round -- is valuable, but not super important at this point. I don't see any worries getting the final pieces. Once they're ready to contend, free agents will be interested.
Guru Tugginmypuddah
Active member
Frank E said:
I feel your pain.