R1G1: Leafs @ Bruins - May 1st, 7:00pm - CBC, TSN 1050

[Zee]

I don't think the series is over.  The old cliche "it's just one game" applies here.  Let's see what happens on Saturday night.  If the Leafs can't compete in that game and lose big again, then I'll say there's no hope.  If they lose in a close match I think there's some hope for winning on home ice.  If the Leafs can win on Saturday, all bets are off and the series can still go either way.

 

[Kin]

Bad game, to be sure. If I were Carlyle I'd seriously considering using the Leafs' one playoff mulligan on last night.

They get a playoff mulligan, right?

It would sure be nice.  I'm pretty sure they get a headshot mulligan if Ference gets off, though.

The Refs, ooh, I knew it was them. Even when it was the Bears, I knew it was them.

 

[Bonsixx]

Fraser & Kostka have played 14:00+ each.  Only Phaneuf (15:38) has played more.

I know that Carlyle has done some nice things with this team, but if they play like this for the rest of the series and get swept/lose in 5.  I have absolutely no hesitation in firing him and handing the keys to Dallas Eakins.

I agree 100%.

Please tell me you don't really think the Leafs would fire the first coach to get them to the playoffs in nine years because of a first-round series loss to a superior opponent...

 

[wnc096]

As discouraging as Game 1 was, you're right that this could have been a different game. Put JVR's crossbar shot in the net, along with one or two of the breakaways, and this game would have been a lot closer. Win or lose, it would have us all much more confident going into Game 2, despite the shot differential.

Gotta agree with that...van Riemsdyk scores on that play its 2-1 leafs after 1.  Boston doesn't score a back breaker with 12 seconds to in the period...and TO has a momentum going into the 2nd.  That's why its a game of inches.  Anyways I expect them to come out much better in Game 2 and forget about this one.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Cherry is talking sense for a change.

What was he saying?

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Bad game, to be sure. If I were Carlyle I'd seriously considering using the Leafs' one playoff mulligan on last night.

They get a playoff mulligan, right?

It would sure be nice.  I'm pretty sure they get a headshot mulligan if Ference gets off, though.

The Refs, ooh, I knew it was them. Even when it was the Bears, I knew it was them.

Wait, is there a new league policy on make-up non-calls?

 

[ZBBM]

But acting like BOS is invincible simply doesn't align with the facts.

I don't recall anyone saying the Bruins are this super awesome team, or that they are even a Cup contender.

They are simply head and shoulders above the Leafs and there are a ton of facts that do align with that argument.

Based on how the season series went between the two teams I don't think the difference is 'head and shoulders', and if it is I don't think 1 game proves or disproves that.  We can figure it out once the series is over.

Thanks for covering me on that.  LAST year BOS was vastly better.  This year -- if for no other reason than Reimer's improved play -- the difference isn't so vast.

 

[ZBBM]

Cherry is talking sense for a change.

What was he saying?

Talking about the D needing to keep it simpler, the forwards needing to battle more for puck possession, and Phaneuf to not play in a fog.

 

[cw]

Fraser & Kostka have played 14:00+ each.  Only Phaneuf (15:38) has played more.

I know that Carlyle has done some nice things with this team, but if they play like this for the rest of the series and get swept/lose in 5.  I have absolutely no hesitation in firing him and handing the keys to Dallas Eakins.

I kind of do. I like Eakins.

But I recall at the start of this season having doubts about them even making the playoffs. I look at this roster, comparing it to the Bruins and I don't expect much more than them to maybe win a game. The Bruins have owned them for some time. Obviously, as a fan, I'm hoping and cheering for much more. I just don't feel like firing the guy because my hopes didn't pan out. More or less, Carlyle got a fair amount out of the talent he had to work with - even if they get swept.

Just look at this team's D. How far will that get a coach?

 

[pnjunction]

Completely manhandled.  If the whole series is like that this might be worse than no playoffs at all, especially for anyone who has to deal with Bruins fans.  The rest of us will still have to hear about it ad nauseam from the media though, especially re. Kessel.

Carlyle talks about earning respect well last night's performance withdrew from that balance it was pathetic.  The rest of the series goes like that and we're a laughingstock for another year.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Carlyle must stop experimenting. It is not just Kostka, but why on Earth he put Grabbo and Lups together if they did not play a single game on the same line this or last year is simply beyond me. I have to say it again and again, to beat Bruins the Leafs must ice the best players available, players who can control the puck, make a pass. Every lost puck costs too much energy to recover. I like Orr and Mclaren, they are good guys, but this not the place to play them.

I think he put Grabovski with Lupul lastnight to get Lupul his ice time and limit Kadri's. Nothing more than that.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Pretty solid write up from Mirtle on the issues facing the Leafs, some of which could be helped by personnel changes: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/mirtle-leafs-central-weakness-exposed-by-bruins/article11675693/

 

[Bender]

Marchand is such a puke. I hope we lay him out for the rest of the series.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Fraser & Kostka have played 14:00+ each.  Only Phaneuf (15:38) has played more.

I know that Carlyle has done some nice things with this team, but if they play like this for the rest of the series and get swept/lose in 5.  I have absolutely no hesitation in firing him and handing the keys to Dallas Eakins.

I agree 100%.

Please tell me you don't really think the Leafs would fire the first coach to get them to the playoffs in nine years because of a first-round series loss to a superior opponent...

Yes, deadly serious.

Outshot constantly, first team in twenty years to make the playoffs with such a bad shot differential.

Terrible puck possession team, despite the fact that teams that play a possession game in the NHL today have more success.

Coach waxes lyrical about dumping the puck in and playing a physical game, despite the fact that the Leafs have accumulated more points this season in games they are outhit.

Coach dresses two goons who are about as useful as a CHOCOLATE FRACKING TEAPOT.

So, yes, I'm serious.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I personally like the suggeston earlier to pull Orr and McLaren. Put in Frattin and Hamilton. Move Frattin to the 3rd line with Kadri and put Komarov on the 4th line with Hamilton and McClement.

On Defense, I would take both Fraser and Kostka out. I would pair O'Byrne with Lyles and Gardiner with Franson...I would also make the defense(I'm looking at you Dion) do push ups every time they attempt to do a peewee type flip shot to clear the zone to basically nobody but a Bruins player. What ridiculous way to slow down flow and also give your offensive player a blind side pass that's going to get a forward killed eventually. And no, I don't want them to go to the bench and do pushups. I want them to drop down and give me 20 right there in the middle of the play.

 

[Kin]

Marchand is such a puke. I hope we lay him out for the rest of the series.

Be real though, their jerseys are reversed there and you're giving JVR crap for that "Accidental" tap.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Fraser & Kostka have played 14:00+ each.  Only Phaneuf (15:38) has played more.

I know that Carlyle has done some nice things with this team, but if they play like this for the rest of the series and get swept/lose in 5.  I have absolutely no hesitation in firing him and handing the keys to Dallas Eakins.

I agree 100%.

Please tell me you don't really think the Leafs would fire the first coach to get them to the playoffs in nine years because of a first-round series loss to a superior opponent...

as useful as a CHOCOLATE FRACKING TEAPOT.

So, yes, I'm serious.

Serious and apparently quite angry too!  ;D

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Pretty solid write up from Mirtle on the issues facing the Leafs, some of which could be helped by personnel changes: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/mirtle-leafs-central-weakness-exposed-by-bruins/article11675693/

The section on personnel decision and puck possession is just so wonderful, I wish more people would acknowledge this.

The fact that the coach doesn't see this is a massive problem.

 

[Bender]

Marchand is such a puke. I hope we lay him out for the rest of the series.

Be real though, their jerseys are reversed there and you're giving JVR crap for that "Accidental" tap.

While I don't like the love tap, a baseball swing is never appropriate. And besides, Marchand has a track record of being a puke.

 

[PG]

But acting like BOS is invincible simply doesn't align with the facts.

I don't recall anyone saying the Bruins are this super awesome team, or that they are even a Cup contender.

They are simply head and shoulders above the Leafs and there are a ton of facts that do align with that argument.

Based on how the season series went between the two teams I don't think the difference is 'head and shoulders', and if it is I don't think 1 game proves or disproves that.  We can figure it out once the series is over.

Thanks for covering me on that.  LAST year BOS was vastly better.  This year -- if for no other reason than Reimer's improved play -- the difference isn't so vast.

And yet the Leafs only beat them once, by a goal, which was also the only time they scored more than 2 goals against them.

I don't just look at the 5 points that separated them in the standings (and that's with an unusual amount of their players having piss poor seasons). I just look at the results when they play each other. They are miles ahead of the Leafs defensively, physically, and mentally. And even if you want to say the Leafs are better offensively, which they are statistically, it sure never shows when they play the Bruins, especially in Boston.

Just calling it how I see it. I understand others see it differently and I hope they are right, but I seriously doubt it.