Leafs @ Flyers - Mar. 27th, 7:00pm - SNO, Fan 590

[azzurri63]

I still don't understand why Leaf games have so few penalties. Just checked the Boston boxscore and they have 6 PPO. They get so many PPs.

Leafs better practice the PK because I think we will be seeing a lot of Bruin PPOs.

Bruin owners have Bettman in their back pocket.

 

[Kin]

So if he played a full year with the new contract would you be happy with 63 points.

Getting 15 minutes a night? Happy or not, you're not going to be able to replace that production on an open market.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So if he played a full year with the new contract would you be happy with 63 points.

I sure wouldn't.

That 63-point pace is almost entirely based on 5-on-5 production since he's basically by himself on the 2nd PP unit and can't rack up points there like the other forwards do. But in the past 30 games since Nylander started to pick things up he has just 1 less 5-on-5 point than Marner, 2 less than Matthews, and 4 less than Tavares. And that's while playing mostly 3rd line minutes with Kadri/Marleau/Brown. Since getting moved up to the Matthews line he has 9 points in 9 games now, still without PP1 time.

 

[azzurri63]

I'm sure people have said this or something similar but since his slow start Nylander's been basically playing at a 63 points/82gp pace

So if he played a full year with the new contract would you be happy with 63 points.

I sure wouldn't.

I calculated on pace for 43 points.

 

[Kin]

So if he played a full year with the new contract would you be happy with 63 points.

I sure wouldn't.

That 63-point pace is almost entirely based on 5-on-5 production since he's basically by himself on the 2nd PP unit and can't rack up points there like the other forwards do. But in the past 30 games since Nylander started to pick things up he has just 1 less 5-on-5 point than Marner, 2 less than Matthews, and 4 less than Tavares. And that's while playing mostly 3rd line minutes with Kadri/Marleau/Brown. Since getting moved up to the Matthews line he has 9 points in 9 games now, still without PP1 time.

And even then I don't think anyone's saying Nylander is a finished product or that we shouldn't be expecting growth. Just that his initial bumpy start was just that and doesn't really colour who he can be going forward.

 

[BrownRolo]

Also for a game with 8 goals scored did anyone else find this game really boring?

I don't know maybe the Greg Millen effect?

 

[Kin]

I'm sure people have said this or something similar but since his slow start Nylander's been basically playing at a 63 points/82gp pace

So if he played a full year with the new contract would you be happy with 63 points.

I sure wouldn't.

I calculated on pace for 43 points.

If you re-read my post I'm guessing you can figure out the discrepancy.

 

[azzurri63]

I'm sure people have said this or something similar but since his slow start Nylander's been basically playing at a 63 points/82gp pace

So if he played a full year with the new contract would you be happy with 63 points.

I sure wouldn't.

I calculated on pace for 43 points.

If you re-read my post I'm guessing you can figure out the discrepancy.

What do you consider his slow start?
How many games you give him to get in game shape?
I really don't know how you can put a number to that.
All players are different and he wasn't hurt.
Plenty of time to train and get in shape which he did by all accounts.
Then game action which a player needs.
He should be getting more than 15 minutes a night and lately has been playing well but still a disappointment since the signing.

 

[Kin]

What do you consider his slow start?

His bad play in the first 19 games of the season. He's got 23 points in 30 games since then with excellent possession and face-off numbers.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Also for a game with 8 goals scored did anyone else find this game really boring?

I don't know maybe the Greg Millen effect?

Absolutely! I can't stand Millen. Like I said in the thread earlier, he jinxed Freddie by praising how well he'd been playing. Sounded like that idiot reporter who mention to Hainsey about the Leafs not losing after leading through 2 in Van city.
As for this game, JT's line was terrible defensively for the second game in a row. They weren't good against Florida either. JT did have a crazy good move in the OT, however that shootout attempt was pretty comical. Rielly had a rough night as did Hainsey to a certain extent. I did  like Muzzin and Zaitsev again. I really think they're playing a lot better then they were. That's a good sign. Muzz lead all with 26:44 in ice. Z was 3rd with 24:44. I hope they can keep improving as a pairing. Baffled that Babs didn't have Nylander with Matthews in the OT. And Hainsey out in OT?? What was that all about? If you're going to do that, why not go with 3 forwards? Nylander, Matthews, Kappy or Johnsson? Oh well these games mean absolutely nothing to these guys so meh, whatever.

 

[azzurri63]

Since March 11th Leafs are dead last in goals against. 4.33

 

[Guilt Trip]

Since March 11th Leafs are dead last in goals against. 4.33

But #1 in our hearts!!!

 

[hockeyfan1]

One good thing about how poorly the Leafs have been playing is I have zero expectations for the playoffs. I was more hopeful last year when they played the Bruins. This year I know they could possibly win but I doubt it.

Get Dermott and Gardiner back, and who knows. That said, my expectations are pretty low based on the overall team
defensive coverage issues that have been present all year.

It?s pretty apparent that Dubas believed they have enough depth to get the job done.  That was at the trade deadline back in February.  Wonder if he still believes they do considering that no one could foresee the loss of both Dermott and Gardiner and how evident their absence is proving to be.

Ah, gotta keep being optimistic.  You never know what could happen in the post-season.  Anything goes.

 

[cabber24]

I cringed watching that shootout, terrified Andersen would get hurt. Give him a friggin break already. These games are meaningless. Who cares what matters is how they do in the playoffs.

 

[cabber24]

Between Babcock and Andersen the leafs have no shot of winning 2 games in the playoffs.  I?d bet $100 on that.

Bab's finally has some lines that work. The D personnel is not deep enough but I guess with Dermott/Rosen/Gardiner back in the fold it will get better.

I am not at all worried about Andersen's play. I am worried about his workload though. Give him the break he desperately needs and I bet his game returns.

 

[IJustLurkHere]

Between Babcock and Andersen the leafs have no shot of winning 2 games in the playoffs.  I?d bet $100 on that.

I'll one up you. I'll pay you $100 to stop posting.

You just proved my point.

No I didn't. I'm just tired of your shit honestly.

Never argue with a fool or a drunk. They bring you down to their level then beat you with experience.

 

[cabber24]

Also for a game with 8 goals scored did anyone else find this game really boring?

I don't know maybe the Greg Millen effect?

Baffled that Babs didn't have Nylander with Matthews in the OT. And Hainsey out in OT?? What was that all about? If you're going to do that, why not go with 3 forwards? Nylander, Matthews, Kappy or Johnsson? Oh well these games mean absolutely nothing to these guys so meh, whatever.

I think the forward pairings started the way they did because the game ended on PP and Bab's wanted to start with fresh legs and he kept the "pairs" together through OT. Maner/Tavares, Matthews/Johnsson, Kappi/Nylander. Outside of Reily and Gardiner I would go three forwards in OT (3 on 3).

 

[herman]

Wow Hainsey was awful on this shift

That?s Muzzin

He was wearing number 2.

Oh haha, I thought L K was referring to when Muzzin divebombed the semi-loose puck on the boards with no support behind him and Matthews had to go into the tank at the end of a long shift to try to break up the 2-on-0

 

[L K]

Wow Hainsey was awful on this shift

That?s Muzzin

He was wearing number 2.

Oh haha, I thought L K was referring to when Muzzin divebombed the semi-loose puck on the boards with no support behind him and Matthews had to go into the tank at the end of a long shift to try to break up the 2-on-0

No I think I was behind because I was streaming the game.  I was a few minutes behind the live broadcast.  Yeah, that shift from Muzzin was not good.

 

[herman]

One positive I'll note, such as it were, is Gauthier is now one minor (albeit difficult) adjustment away from scoring (some) more goals.

I wish I had to video access and know-how to sliceydicey this, but nearly every shift he was supporting the entry (sometimes on his own, like when he eluded a check along the boards earlier in the game) and getting to the net to park a massive body in front of the goalie's eyes. His stick was facing the right direction, but it just wasn't coming down at the right moments to capitalize on Ennis' semi-blind passes through the crease. I don't know if he'll ever have the instincts or inclination to weather the grind consistently and force his way into the fray, but IF he can time that stick and establish strong positioning... very few defensemen these days under these rules would be able to stop him. It's a big IF and I'm pinning no hopes on it happening.

EDIT: oh hey
https://twitter.com/NickDeSouza_/status/1111048088842653697