Leafs @ Panthers - Dec. 15 7:00pm EST - CBC

[Guilt Trip]

Barkov, what a move.

Look at the replay.  Andersen went down before barking even looked up.  Why?

Seriously, man, your opinion of Andersen is so far off the mark it's a laughable.

Well, I disagree. To take the next step as an organization you can?t have a goalie that is usually second best in the contest.

I get that you are extra pissed off because Andersen didn't beat BOS last game and didn't in G7 last spring.  I'm disappointed too about that.  And I agree that Andersen needs to win some playoff series for us to be considered as a top-flight goalie.  But the stats, the style of play (calm in the net), and last but not least the W-L record all point toward a very good goalie who's a good fit for a team whose D-corps is not elite.  He's far and away the best chance we've had to go far when it counts at least since Belfour.

We'll see in June

We'll see if Dubas shores up this defence because it isn't good enough and won't be come playoff time. Hainsey on your top pair and top Pker is all you need to know about the state of our D. He should be on the 3rd pairing.

 

[Zee]

Barkov, what a move.

Look at the replay.  Andersen went down before barking even looked up.  Why?

Seriously, man, your opinion of Andersen is so far off the mark it's a laughable.

Well, I disagree. To take the next step as an organization you can?t have a goalie that is usually second best in the contest.

I get that you are extra pissed off because Andersen didn't beat BOS last game and didn't in G7 last spring.  I'm disappointed too about that.  And I agree that Andersen needs to win some playoff series for us to be considered as a top-flight goalie.  But the stats, the style of play (calm in the net), and last but not least the W-L record all point toward a very good goalie who's a good fit for a team whose D-corps is not elite.  He's far and away the best chance we've had to go far when it counts at least since Belfour.

We'll see in June

?  If we are playing in June he'll have answered the question.

Barney will get the reference. Quote from Cujo after he left the Leafs for the Wings and was asked if he thought he made the right decision. "we'll see in June" he said.

 

[Zee]

Barkov, what a move.

Look at the replay.  Andersen went down before barking even looked up.  Why?

Seriously, man, your opinion of Andersen is so far off the mark it's a laughable.

Well, I disagree. To take the next step as an organization you can?t have a goalie that is usually second best in the contest.

I get that you are extra pissed off because Andersen didn't beat BOS last game and didn't in G7 last spring.  I'm disappointed too about that.  And I agree that Andersen needs to win some playoff series for us to be considered as a top-flight goalie.  But the stats, the style of play (calm in the net), and last but not least the W-L record all point toward a very good goalie who's a good fit for a team whose D-corps is not elite.  He's far and away the best chance we've had to go far when it counts at least since Belfour.

We'll see in June

We'll see if Dubas shores up this defence because it isn't good enough and won't be come playoff time. Hainsey on your top pair and top Pker is all you need to know about the state of our D. He should be on the 3rd pairing.

The d wasn't the issue tonight. The entire team playing like crap was

 

[ZBBM]

Barkov, what a move.

Look at the replay.  Andersen went down before barking even looked up.  Why?

Seriously, man, your opinion of Andersen is so far off the mark it's a laughable.

Well, I disagree. To take the next step as an organization you can?t have a goalie that is usually second best in the contest.

I get that you are extra pissed off because Andersen didn't beat BOS last game and didn't in G7 last spring.  I'm disappointed too about that.  And I agree that Andersen needs to win some playoff series for us to be considered as a top-flight goalie.  But the stats, the style of play (calm in the net), and last but not least the W-L record all point toward a very good goalie who's a good fit for a team whose D-corps is not elite.  He's far and away the best chance we've had to go far when it counts at least since Belfour.

We'll see in June

We'll see if Dubas shores up this defence because it isn't good enough and won't be come playoff time. Hainsey on your top pair and top Pker is all you need to know about the state of our D. He should be on the 3rd pairing.

I hate to say it but Kapanen may have to go to make that happen.  Or Kadri maybe.

 

[Guilt Trip]

And enough of the Freddie bashing please. It's ridiculous. He won't be the best goalie on the ice every game. That's impossible. If it wasn't for him we'd be fighting for a wildcard spot, not be top 5 in the league. The team is a but out of sync since Nylander came back. It will come but it's going to take time.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Barkov, what a move.

Look at the replay.  Andersen went down before barking even looked up.  Why?

Seriously, man, your opinion of Andersen is so far off the mark it's a laughable.

Well, I disagree. To take the next step as an organization you can?t have a goalie that is usually second best in the contest.

I get that you are extra pissed off because Andersen didn't beat BOS last game and didn't in G7 last spring.  I'm disappointed too about that.  And I agree that Andersen needs to win some playoff series for us to be considered as a top-flight goalie.  But the stats, the style of play (calm in the net), and last but not least the W-L record all point toward a very good goalie who's a good fit for a team whose D-corps is not elite.  He's far and away the best chance we've had to go far when it counts at least since Belfour.

We'll see in June

We'll see if Dubas shores up this defence because it isn't good enough and won't be come playoff time. Hainsey on your top pair and top Pker is all you need to know about the state of our D. He should be on the 3rd pairing.

I hate to say it but Kapanen may have to go to make that happen.  Or Kadri maybe.

I know but hoping it would be a Johnsson, 1st rounder and top prospect like Lilypad maybe. If it takes Kadri I think they have to do it. We need a partner for Reilly and a guy like Parayko would fit the bill.

 

[Zee]

And enough of the Freddie bashing please. It's ridiculous. He won't be the best goalie on the ice every game. That's impossible. If it wasn't for him we'd be fighting for a wildcard spot, not be top 5 in the league. The team is a but out of sync since Nylander came back. It will come but it's going to take time.

Yeah they're in their 4th chunk funk just like last season they'll turn it around at some point. Just frustrating to lose to the bottom team in the conference

 

[lc9]

Barkov, what a move.

Look at the replay.  Andersen went down before barking even looked up.  Why?

Seriously, man, your opinion of Andersen is so far off the mark it's a laughable.

Well, I disagree. To take the next step as an organization you can?t have a goalie that is usually second best in the contest.

I get that you are extra pissed off because Andersen didn't beat BOS last game and didn't in G7 last spring.  I'm disappointed too about that.  And I agree that Andersen needs to win some playoff series for us to be considered as a top-flight goalie.  But the stats, the style of play (calm in the net), and last but not least the W-L record all point toward a very good goalie who's a good fit for a team whose D-corps is not elite.  He's far and away the best chance we've had to go far when it counts at least since Belfour.

None of this is untrue.  Problem is, if it?s a game 7 or a division game that decides playoff position it seems more than likely that Andersen will give up 4 plus goals.  Of course I?m being harsh, I don?t disagree.  But there is room for improvement. 

What?s been frustratin these past two weeks is that everyone has been defending Andersen to the nth degree.  This in a stretch where he has given up 4 or more goals in 3 of 6 and 3 or more goals in 5 of 6.  His GAA since Dec 1 has been 3.5.  He has struggled lately. 

 

[Zee]

Barkov, what a move.

Look at the replay.  Andersen went down before barking even looked up.  Why?

Seriously, man, your opinion of Andersen is so far off the mark it's a laughable.

Well, I disagree. To take the next step as an organization you can?t have a goalie that is usually second best in the contest.

I get that you are extra pissed off because Andersen didn't beat BOS last game and didn't in G7 last spring.  I'm disappointed too about that.  And I agree that Andersen needs to win some playoff series for us to be considered as a top-flight goalie.  But the stats, the style of play (calm in the net), and last but not least the W-L record all point toward a very good goalie who's a good fit for a team whose D-corps is not elite.  He's far and away the best chance we've had to go far when it counts at least since Belfour.

None of this is untrue.  Problem is, if it?s a game 7 or a division game that decides playoff position it seems more than likely that Andersen will give up 4 plus goals.  Of course I?m being harsh, I don?t disagree.  But there is room for improvement. 

What?s been frustratin these past two weeks is that everyone has been defending Andersen to the nth degree.  This in a stretch where he has given up 4 or more goals in 3 of 6 and 3 or more goals in 5 of 6.  His GAA since Dec 1 has been 3.5.  He has struggled lately.

I haven't been defending him. #TeamAndersenNeedsToBeBetter

 

[ZBBM]

Barkov, what a move.

Look at the replay.  Andersen went down before barking even looked up.  Why?

Seriously, man, your opinion of Andersen is so far off the mark it's a laughable.

Well, I disagree. To take the next step as an organization you can?t have a goalie that is usually second best in the contest.

I get that you are extra pissed off because Andersen didn't beat BOS last game and didn't in G7 last spring.  I'm disappointed too about that.  And I agree that Andersen needs to win some playoff series for us to be considered as a top-flight goalie.  But the stats, the style of play (calm in the net), and last but not least the W-L record all point toward a very good goalie who's a good fit for a team whose D-corps is not elite.  He's far and away the best chance we've had to go far when it counts at least since Belfour.

None of this is untrue.  Problem is, if it?s a game 7 or a division game that decides playoff position it seems more than likely that Andersen will give up 4 plus goals.  Of course I?m being harsh, I don?t disagree.  But there is room for improvement. 

What?s been frustratin these past two weeks is that everyone has been defending Andersen to the nth degree.  This in a stretch where he has given up 4 or more goals in 3 of 6 and 3 or more goals in 5 of 6.  His GAA since Dec 1 has been 3.5.  He has struggled lately.

I hear you.  I've made my share of intemperate remarks after frustrating games.  And nobody is claiming that Andersen has played his very best hockey this last bit.

But he doesn't give up soft goals very often.  Tonight, Barkov beat him on 1 great shot (G1) and 2 very good ones (G2 and G3). 

Even if I wanted to agree with you, as a practical matter, who out there who's available would you rather have? 

Andersen is not a problem, he's a strength.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Andersen is not a problem, he's a strength.

Definitely. And he's not going to be awesome every game. Best thing is he's very calm, doesn't let in many bad goals and instills confidence in his teammates.

 

[lc9]

I hear you.  I've made my share of intemperate remarks after frustrating games.  And nobody is claiming that Andersen has played his very best hockey this last bit.

But he doesn't give up soft goals very often.  Tonight, Barkov beat him on 1 great shot (G1) and 2 very good ones (G2 and G3). 

Even if I wanted to agree with you, as a practical matter, who out there who's available would you rather have? 

Andersen is not a problem, he's a strength.

In recognizing my overly outspoken stance against Andersen, I will cease from stomping to that end in game threads.  No one is guessing at my position, so I will just leave it. 

Let?s go win Tuesday. 

 

[ZBBM]

I hear you.  I've made my share of intemperate remarks after frustrating games.  And nobody is claiming that Andersen has played his very best hockey this last bit.

But he doesn't give up soft goals very often.  Tonight, Barkov beat him on 1 great shot (G1) and 2 very good ones (G2 and G3). 

Even if I wanted to agree with you, as a practical matter, who out there who's available would you rather have? 

Andersen is not a problem, he's a strength.

In recognizing my overly outspoken stance against Andersen, I will cease from stomping to that end in game threads.  No one is guessing at my position, so I will just leave it. 

Let?s go win Tuesday.

I second that.  It's all good, if we weren't passionate about our opinions we'd be lousy fans and what's the point of that?

 

[L K]

So the Kapanen hit will probably get no supplemental discipline right?  Later than hyman?s hit and absolutely no effort to not make a knee on knee.  This is pretty much in the NHLs wheelhouse of arbitrary punishment

 

[dekedastardly]

So the Kapanen hit will probably get no supplemental discipline right?  Later than hyman?s hit and absolutely no effort to not make a knee on knee.  This is pretty much in the NHLs wheelhouse of arbitrary punishment

I still can't wrap my head around why there was no penalty call on that play. The referee was right there watching it

 

[pnjunction]

Haven't posted here in a while but I'm much more frustrated with the dead power play than Andersen looking human. 

Sure they could use a bounce but 2/21 over 7 games in December seems to me teams  may have figured some things out (ie. Kadri doesn't do anything and can be mostly ignored, the other guys do mostly the same 2-3 plays from the same positions all the time).

 

[Bullfrog]

Ya, I'd like to see Kadri tried on the second unit. Maybe put Marleau in his spot on the first unit?

 

[ZBBM]

Ya, I'd like to see Kadri tried on the second unit. Maybe put Marleau in his spot on the first unit?

I'd prefer a righty there to see if that makes a difference.  If not Nylander, then Kapanen.  Or maybe put Tavares there and try Hyman in front of the net.

But yes, Nazem is doing nothing on 1PP and should move to the second.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Ya, I'd like to see Kadri tried on the second unit. Maybe put Marleau in his spot on the first unit?

I'd prefer a righty there to see if that makes a difference.  If not Nylander, then Kapanen.  Or maybe put Tavares there and try Hyman in front of the net.

But yes, Nazem is doing nothing on 1PP and should move to the second.

He isn't a threat so yes time to try Kappy. Problem right now is the Leafs are doing the exact same thing on the PP. They need to change it up. Have Marner and Matthews switch sides once in a while. Teams have caught on and are defending against that pass to Matthews so he's not effective there anymore.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Haven't posted here in a while but I'm much more frustrated with the dead power play than Andersen looking human. 

Yeah, I've been looking at the PP over the last little while, and it's pretty clear that it's been scouted. The main tactic is to move the puck from Reilly to Marner on the right side, and employ one of three options:

1) high tip
2) cross ice to Matthews
3) low pass in crease, short reversal pass from recipient.

The opposition is shutting down the cross ice to Matthews, and the high tip isn't working as the opposition is essentially collapsing on the right side, and pucks are getting blocked.

Ideally, you'd like to add a quality point shot as an option. Reilly simply does not have one. You'd like Marner to be able to use a shot from his setup point as well, but he's limited on the angle as a right shot, and he doesn't have the velocity to cleanly beat the goalie from that distance. The opposition now exclusively defends against the pass. 

If it was me coaching the PP, I'd like to start by trying to reverse Matthews and Marner. The play still runs through Marner, but on his off wing, which gives him a better ability to shoot as an option, which draws defenders to him, and opens more passing options. It also puts Matthews on his left-shot angle for immediate one-timers and catch and release wristers.

I might be shouted down on this, but I think Gardiner is a better point option on the PP than Reilly. He's got a better shot, and better creative vision.