• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins - Round 1

RedLeaf said:
Frycer14 said:
This will be fun. Too close to call an outcome, but I really want to see which leaf players elevate their game, and which ones don't - and make off season adjustments accordingly.
Click to expand...

If last year?s playoffs were any indication I bet we see Marner and Kapenen raise their games a notch or 2. I also bet Tavares plays lights out along with (hopefully) Anderson. The other key players that must UP their games for the Leafs to prevail are Matthews, and NYLANDER.

BTW. Who remembers when the sens we?re supposed to beat us in four straight games? They beat us every regular season game that year too.
Click to expand...

Was that the year we swept the Sens in the playoffs?
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Boston's two trade deadline-ish acquisitions haven't exactly panned out for them so far. Marcus Johansson has just 1 goal and 3 points in 10 games and missed 10 games with a lung contusion injury. Charlie Coyle has just 2 goals and 6 points in 21 games since becoming a Bruin. Ryan Donato, the guy he was traded for, had 16 points in 22 games with Minnesota post-trade.
Click to expand...

I knew that Donato trade was bad as soon as it was made.
 
https://theathletic.com/899580/2019/04/08/the-maple-leafs-under-pressure-rankings-whos-under-the-biggest-microscope-in-the-playoffs/

4. William Nylander
From Jan. 20 onward, Tavares, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were the only Leafs to outscore Nylander, who managed 24 points over the final 35 games. The Leafs pounded teams when he was out there with five a side, grabbing 58 percent of the scoring chances and 63 percent of the goals.
Click to expand...

?\_(ツ)_/?
 
https://twitter.com/IneffectiveMath/status/1115285029377249280

This is going to be a fun series.
 
herman said:
https://theathletic.com/899580/2019/04/08/the-maple-leafs-under-pressure-rankings-whos-under-the-biggest-microscope-in-the-playoffs/

4. William Nylander
From Jan. 20 onward, Tavares, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were the only Leafs to outscore Nylander, who managed 24 points over the final 35 games. The Leafs pounded teams when he was out there with five a side, grabbing 58 percent of the scoring chances and 63 percent of the goals.
Click to expand...

?\_(ツ)_/?
Click to expand...

24 in 35 is only a 56-point pace over a full 82-game season.  It's not enough for a guy being paid 6.9 million/year.  He is under pressure to show he deserves that contract.
 
princedpw said:
24 in 35 is only a 56-point pace over a full 82-game season.  It's not enough for a guy being paid 6.9 million/year.  He is under pressure to show he deserves that contract.
Click to expand...

*sobs* and then... *sniff* and then he... *hic* he waited until the last 40 minutes to *sniff* call Dubas... and signed such an expensive deal! I just don't know why he didn't just take that 5M x 8 yr deal in July!
 
herman said:
princedpw said:
24 in 35 is only a 56-point pace over a full 82-game season.  It's not enough for a guy being paid 6.9 million/year.  He is under pressure to show he deserves that contract.
Click to expand...

*sobs* and then... *sniff* and then he... *hic* he waited until the last 40 minutes to *sniff* call Dubas... and signed such an expensive deal! I just don't know why he didn't just take that 5M x 8 yr deal in July!
Click to expand...
July of 2017
 
Listening to the radio the last 2 days is confusing. Basically the leafs will get pummeled in the first round, have no chance of winning and for the reasons that all these experts have been saying all season; lack of denfesive talent.

However, when they lose it?ll be a big disappointment and should Babcock continue to coach this team.

How can it be a disappointment if that?s the expectation? And if it?s a talent issue then why should the coach pay for it?

Personally I never thought this was the leafs year and it?s unfortunate the way the playoff format has pitted these 2 games against each other. But I just don?t understand how on the one hand you expect them to lose and on the other hand be disappointed when they do. That?s
 
Joe S. said:
Listening to the radio the last 2 days is confusing. Basically the leafs will get pummeled in the first round, have no chance of winning and for the reasons that all these experts have been saying all season; lack of denfesive talent.

However, when they lose it?ll be a big disappointment and should Babcock continue to coach this team.

How can it be a disappointment if that?s the expectation? And if it?s a talent issue then why should the coach pay for it?

Personally I never thought this was the leafs year and it?s unfortunate the way the playoff format has pitted these 2 games against each other. But I just don?t understand how on the one hand you expect them to lose and on the other hand be disappointed when they do. That?s
Click to expand...
Is it his fault the D isn't great, no.

However, if he plays role players more then Matthews and Marner again he should be fired. Looking at the practice lines it seems that Babs is planning matching best on best this time around. Last year Babcock was a large reason they lost. This year he cannot be out coached, not at his salary.
 
In case you're wondering what the rationale is for splitting up Matthews and Nylander (initially)...

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/04/08/mike-babcock-on-playoff-hockey-the-real-world-is-coming-right-away-here-no-time-no-space/

You have the luxury of Matthews and Tavares, they have the luxury of Bergeron and Krejci. How much do you think this series will come down to who among those stars will be able to beat the others?

Babcock: It is, but a lot of the times those guys cancel each other out and it is the rest of the guys that matter. The more depth you have, the better off you are. But there is no question I have been in a lot of playoff series where your stars had no points after the first round and hardly any after two rounds, but by the end, they were leading the team in scoring. The other guys got them through. That is what depth on a team is all about. That is the great thing about hockey: It is a team game. You need everybody. You need all 20 guys. All 20 guys are going to have to play well. That is what makes it fun.
Click to expand...

It's going to be a lot of Marleau-Kadri-Nylander, Gardiner-Dermott vs Boston's bottom 6 and third pair...
 
herman said:
It's going to be a lot of Marleau-Kadri-Nylander, Gardiner-Dermott vs Boston's bottom 6 and third pair...
Click to expand...
Agreed and that's what i think he put Willy there. Kadri's line has to win it's battle.
 
herman said:
In case you're wondering what the rationale is for splitting up Matthews and Nylander (initially)...

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/04/08/mike-babcock-on-playoff-hockey-the-real-world-is-coming-right-away-here-no-time-no-space/

You have the luxury of Matthews and Tavares, they have the luxury of Bergeron and Krejci. How much do you think this series will come down to who among those stars will be able to beat the others?

Babcock: It is, but a lot of the times those guys cancel each other out and it is the rest of the guys that matter. The more depth you have, the better off you are. But there is no question I have been in a lot of playoff series where your stars had no points after the first round and hardly any after two rounds, but by the end, they were leading the team in scoring. The other guys got them through. That is what depth on a team is all about. That is the great thing about hockey: It is a team game. You need everybody. You need all 20 guys. All 20 guys are going to have to play well. That is what makes it fun.
Click to expand...

It's going to be a lot of Marleau-Kadri-Nylander, Gardiner-Dermott vs Boston's bottom 6 and third pair...
Click to expand...

In the past, he has done different things on the road vs home.  I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks this kind of spread is more advantageous on the road and then switches to Matthews-Nylander (and avoid matching them against Bergeron) at home.
 
herman said:
In case you're wondering what the rationale is for splitting up Matthews and Nylander (initially)...

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/04/08/mike-babcock-on-playoff-hockey-the-real-world-is-coming-right-away-here-no-time-no-space/

You have the luxury of Matthews and Tavares, they have the luxury of Bergeron and Krejci. How much do you think this series will come down to who among those stars will be able to beat the others?

Babcock: It is, but a lot of the times those guys cancel each other out and it is the rest of the guys that matter. The more depth you have, the better off you are. But there is no question I have been in a lot of playoff series where your stars had no points after the first round and hardly any after two rounds, but by the end, they were leading the team in scoring. The other guys got them through. That is what depth on a team is all about. That is the great thing about hockey: It is a team game. You need everybody. You need all 20 guys. All 20 guys are going to have to play well. That is what makes it fun.
Click to expand...

It's going to be a lot of Marleau-Kadri-Nylander, Gardiner-Dermott vs Boston's bottom 6 and third pair...
Click to expand...

The only problem is that we have had plenty of that line in the last 30 games and it really hasn't been effective at putting the puck in the net.  Marleau has been hit by the old tree, and Kadri and Nylander are paying sins for who knows what as the hockey gods apparently hate them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

About Us

This website is NOT associated with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the NHL.


It is operated by Rick Couchman and Jeff Lewis.
Back
Top