Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins - Round 1

[Bates]

I don't quite understand why we even use a 4th line at this point?? 23 or 24 minutes for Tavares and Matthews lines only leaves enough for a Nylander line.  Load it up and don't worry about overusing anyone.

 

[Guilt Trip]

5 changes I would make heading into game 7:

1) Bump Ennis to the 3rd line. I know everyone wants this to be Moore, but I don't think he would bring a much different element than Marleau or Brown already do. Ennis has the skill that someone like Nylander needs to play with. Don't care which winger gets bumped down, Babcock can alternate between the two throughout the game.

2) Have Tavares take face-offs on the PK. Whether he stays there if the Leafs clear it or he plays the Bozak role of face-off/get-off I don't care, but Hyman's getting devoured by Bergeron out there. His PK face-off percentage is 24%.

3) On the powerplay keep Matthews out for an extra 30 seconds or so after PP1 comes off. I, somewhat, understand the idea between not wanting the top unit to be gased after a powerplay (they probably want the Tavares line fresh for when the Bergeron line comes out shortly afterward), but that doesn't apply to Matthews so let him stay out there.

4) Especially if there's a long stretch of 5-on-5 time, start double shifting Matthews on the 4th line. Maybe have this coincide with Marleau's time on that unit.

5) Similar to 4, try to have Rielly take some shifts on the 3rd pairing. It's painfully obvious that Gardiner and Dermott, especially Gardiner, are playing injured. In game 6 when Hainsey was out Rielly got a bunch of extra ice-time and he was absolutely flying out there. There's really no reason he should be playing less than 25 minutes in game 7.

The prevailing theme here is that Matthews, Tavares, and Rielly need to be leaned on heavily in game 7. It's do or die now so there's no point in worrying about fatigue levels anymore.

Won't argue with this but I would keep the whole PP1 unit out there for 1:30. You don't use as much energy as a regular shift on the PP so they should be good to go. As far as having someone ready for Bergeron after the PP, he and Marchand usually help kill the pp.
Marleau def needs to be moved off the 3rd line even tho he has as many assists as Marner this series. How sad is that? Marner has 1 even strength point since game 1 and only 2 points since game 1. We need some Marner magic in game 7.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I don't quite understand why we even use a 4th line at this point?? 23 or 24 minutes for Tavares and Matthews lines only leaves enough for a Nylander line.  Load it up and don't worry about overusing anyone.

Agree. There's no reason to not run with just 3 centres. Goat is doing nothing. No points, doesn't win faceoffs so what's the point? Start doing stuff like JT line, Matthews, JT line, Matthews line, Willy line. Throw Willy on with Matthews here and there. Boston can't match that and having 1st change should allow Babs to dictate the game. Let them react to it.

 

[Peter D.]

As CarltonTheBear suggests, there is no better time to run with your best players than tomorrow.  Time to unshackle Matthews and give him the 24 to 28 minutes like other stars get in the league.  And I'm sure Rielly could handle 30+.

 

[Guilt Trip]

As CarltonTheBear suggests, there is no better time to run with your best players than tomorrow.  Time to unshackle Matthews and give him the 24 to 28 minutes like other stars get in the league.  And I'm sure Rielly could handle 30+.

Totally agree. How many think Babs will do it? I don't think he will unfortunately.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The inability to execute and poor deployment by the coach cost Leafs the game.

If Babcock sees the writing on the wall, he?ll make the changes.  Don?t think he has much choice. 

 

[Guilt Trip]

The inability to execute and poor deployment by the coach cost Leafs the game.

If Babcock sees the writing on the wall, he?ll make the changes.  Don?t think he has much choice. 

He hasn't changed from Hyman taking faceoffs on the PK since Lindholm was traded. That's ridiculous. Put out JT or anyone who can possibly win a faceoff.

 

[Bender]

The inability to execute and poor deployment by the coach cost Leafs the game.

If Babcock sees the writing on the wall, he?ll make the changes.  Don?t think he has much choice. 

He hasn't changed from Hyman taking faceoffs on the PK since Lindholm was traded. That's ridiculous. Put out JT or anyone who can possibly win a faceoff.

Hyman wasn't bad on the draw in the regular season. Definitely needs to ride his big guns now.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

The inability to execute and poor deployment by the coach cost Leafs the game.

If Babcock sees the writing on the wall, he?ll make the changes.  Don?t think he has much choice. 

He hasn't changed from Hyman taking faceoffs on the PK since Lindholm was traded. That's ridiculous. Put out JT or anyone who can possibly win a faceoff.

Hyman wasn't bad on the draw in the regular season. Definitely needs to ride his big guns now.

I was surprised by the numbers. Not earth shaking, but pretty solid.

During the 2018/19 season Hyman took 141 face-offs on the PK and was a respectable 48.9%. In D-zone draws short-handed he was 53.1%. Not bad, and only 2% off Tavares.

 

[Guilt Trip]

The inability to execute and poor deployment by the coach cost Leafs the game.

If Babcock sees the writing on the wall, he?ll make the changes.  Don?t think he has much choice. 

He hasn't changed from Hyman taking faceoffs on the PK since Lindholm was traded. That's ridiculous. Put out JT or anyone who can possibly win a faceoff.

Hyman wasn't bad on the draw in the regular season. Definitely needs to ride his big guns now.

I was surprised by the numbers. Not earth shaking, but pretty solid.

During the 2018/19 season Hyman took 141 face-offs on the PK and was a respectable 48.9%. In D-zone draws short-handed he was 53.1%. Not bad, and only 2% off Tavares.

But he was getting killed by Bergeron so Babs needs to adjust.

 

[Bender]

The inability to execute and poor deployment by the coach cost Leafs the game.

If Babcock sees the writing on the wall, he?ll make the changes.  Don?t think he has much choice. 

He hasn't changed from Hyman taking faceoffs on the PK since Lindholm was traded. That's ridiculous. Put out JT or anyone who can possibly win a faceoff.

Hyman wasn't bad on the draw in the regular season. Definitely needs to ride his big guns now.

I was surprised by the numbers. Not earth shaking, but pretty solid.

During the 2018/19 season Hyman took 141 face-offs on the PK and was a respectable 48.9%. In D-zone draws short-handed he was 53.1%. Not bad, and only 2% off Tavares.

But he was getting killed by Bergeron so Babs needs to adjust.

No question. But I think people look at Hyman getting crushed by Bergeron and people automatically think he's been terrible all year long on the draw, which isn't the case. He definitely can't go against Bergeron though.

 

[herman]

https://theathletic.com/938232/2019/04/22/bourne-the-difficulties-with-fixing-the-leafs-pk-and-why-that-time-should-be-earmarked-for-5-on-5-preparation/

This is a really good peek into the intricacies of special teams adjustments (or any team adjustments for that matter), and why obvious reactionary responses are usually not the successful route to take.

That being said, I think DJ Smith really deserves a promotion to a head coaching gig in OTT/EDM/BUF.

 

[disco]

Helluva series, been a conference final caliber match-up. Whoever loses tonight certainly doesn't suck.

Also,
Matthews/Marner: 21 years old
Bergeron/Marchand: 33 and 30 years old.

Leafs will improve simply by existing, not so for these Bruins. The future is indeed bright.
Winning this series would be a visible turning point in this franchise.

Go Leafs Go.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Helluva series, been a conference final caliber match-up. Whoever loses tonight certainly doesn't suck.

Also,
Matthews/Marner: 21 years old
Bergeron/Marchand: 33 and 30 years old.

Leafs will improve simply by existing, not so for these Bruins. The future is indeed bright.
Winning this series would be a visible turning point in this franchise.

Go Leafs Go.

We all need to remember how young this team is. Winning would be a turning point for both franchises I think. Let's hope the Leafs use their speed tonight.

 

[cabber24]

Helluva series, been a conference final caliber match-up. Whoever loses tonight certainly doesn't suck.

Also,
Matthews/Marner: 21 years old
Bergeron/Marchand: 33 and 30 years old.

Leafs will improve simply by existing, not so for these Bruins. The future is indeed bright.
Winning this series would be a visible turning point in this franchise.

Go Leafs Go.

I hear yeah but this roster won't be affordable in the future. The cap won't move fast enough. The friggin Canadian dollar is tanking too.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Helluva series, been a conference final caliber match-up. Whoever loses tonight certainly doesn't suck.

Also,
Matthews/Marner: 21 years old
Bergeron/Marchand: 33 and 30 years old.

Leafs will improve simply by existing, not so for these Bruins. The future is indeed bright.
Winning this series would be a visible turning point in this franchise.

Go Leafs Go.

I hear yeah but this roster won't be affordable in the future. The cap won't move fast enough. The friggin Canadian dollar is tanking too.

Canadian dollar will have no effect on the Leafs. As for affordable. The Leafs will keep their best and replace all others either from within or trades. It really is that simple. The core will stay together and the rest will be moving parts. No team can keep all their players and if we lose changes will be needed anyway.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The cap won't move fast enough. The friggin Canadian dollar is tanking too.

Canadian dollar will have no effect on the Leafs.

It effects the salary cap though, which I believe is what the original point was.

 

[Guilt Trip]

The cap won't move fast enough. The friggin Canadian dollar is tanking too.

Canadian dollar will have no effect on the Leafs.

It effects the salary cap though, which I believe is what the original point was.

My bad..makes sense

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Helluva series, been a conference final caliber match-up. Whoever loses tonight certainly doesn't suck.

Also,
Matthews/Marner: 21 years old
Bergeron/Marchand: 33 and 30 years old.

Leafs will improve simply by existing, not so for these Bruins. The future is indeed bright.
Winning this series would be a visible turning point in this franchise.

Go Leafs Go.

I hear yeah but this roster won't be affordable in the future. The cap won't move fast enough. The friggin Canadian dollar is tanking too.

The roster won't be affordable. The core, for whatever they determine that is, will be though. It's a salary cap world. Their pains are no more than any other team's have been or eventually will be. Not teams that want to be competitive.

The Bruins, as an example, have had to move on from major pieces(Thornton, Seguin) whetehr for money or other reasons in the past and continue to be competitive...for now.
It's all how you manage it.

 

[louisstamos]

Helluva series, been a conference final caliber match-up. Whoever loses tonight certainly doesn't suck.

Also,
Matthews/Marner: 21 years old
Bergeron/Marchand: 33 and 30 years old.

Leafs will improve simply by existing, not so for these Bruins. The future is indeed bright.
Winning this series would be a visible turning point in this franchise.

Go Leafs Go.

I hear yeah but this roster won't be affordable in the future. The cap won't move fast enough. The friggin Canadian dollar is tanking too.

The roster won't be affordable. The core, for whatever they determine that is, will be though. It's a salary cap world. Their pains are no more than any other team's have been or eventually will be. Not teams that want to be competitive.

The Bruins, as an example, have had to move on from major pieces(Thornton, Seguin) whetehr for money or other reasons in the past and continue to be competitive...for now.
It's all how you manage it.

The Hawks are also an excellent example of this - they were under a huge cap crunch after winning their first cup and traded away Ladd, Byfuglien, Versteeg, Eager etc. in 2010.  Won again in 2013 and promptly traded away Frolik and Bolland, and then won again in 2015.  It's all about identifying the core, and keeping good-to-great pieces coming in on the cheap to replace the ones going out.