Atlantic Division: (2) Boston Bruins vs (3) Toronto Maple Leafs

[2014olympicgold]

Uh, probably. That's not even the first time Kadri has done that exact play (cross check to the head to exact revenge). Players get suspended for hits and still have to fight/answer for them all the time, look at Paul Byron.

Ya, it's hard to say. Prolly would eventually do something dumb towards DeBrusk the way they were reacting to each other this series so far. He already did a questionable hit and dump play on Debrusk in game 1. Players were getting phonecalls on that type of hit in the regular season.

[lucafen4]

Uh, probably. That's not even the first time Kadri has done that exact play (cross check to the head to exact revenge). Players get suspended for hits and still have to fight/answer for them all the time, look at Paul Byron.

so true. just to add.

same play
same team
playoffs
same corner of same rink
same player (Chara) pulls Kadri off after cheap shot
same reaction from Kadri when realizing who's pulling him off - Turtle

[lucafen4]

Leafs Lines:

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen
Marleau-Nylander-Brown
Ennis-Gauthier-Moore
Petan

Rielly-Hainsey
Muzzin-Zaitsev
Gardiner-Dermott
Rosen-Marincin

Andreas Johnsson on PP1 in Kadri's spot.

[2014olympicgold]

Leafs Lines:

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen
Marleau-Nylander-Brown
Ennis-Gauthier-Moore
Petan

Rielly-Hainsey
Muzzin-Zaitsev
Gardiner-Dermott
Rosen-Marincin

Andreas Johnsson on PP1 in Kadri's spot.

Might be a blessing. Kadri is bad on the PP this yr.

[lucafen4]

Might be a blessing. Kadri is bad on the PP this yr.

Totally agree. Johnsson's an added dimension. His shot should either give himself some grade A chances - or force Bos to cheat a bit, opening lanes for others.

[chuckcouples]

I honestly hate "playoff hockey" reffing. I never understood why the reffing/rules changes between game 82 and 83.

To the Bruins credit they know the new line that comes into play in the playoffs. But omg game 2 was nuts. Reffs let way to many things go and if the Refs aren't going to ref the games responsibly, the players will become vigilantes. Kadri did something crazy stupid and does deserve a suspension, but if they call the Debursk knee, does he do that?

What exactly was the ref supposed to call on Debrusk's "knee"? The NHL rule for kneeing is as follows

"Kneeing is the act of a player leading with his knee and in some cases extending his leg outwards to make contact with his opponent."

Neither of those things happened on the hit in question. The fact that Debrusk's knee his Kadri's leg does not make the hit illegal. Debrusk was leading with his shoulder and Kadri adjusted his body position at the last second to avoid getting hit. He did not adjust enough and took the brunt of the hit from Debrusk's knee.

There are lots of chances for a player to seek revenge on what they think is a dirty play. None of those involve cross checking a guy in the face on a shift 20 seconds after he has touched the puck.

[DusterDave]

Call me crazy but the Leafs maybe better off without Kadri vs. Boston. He plays into their trap. We win pound for pound in the skill match up in Games 1 and 3. It’s a no contest in the heavy play - Game 2. Kadri out, Ennis in. Suits our style. Excellent game for the Leafs. Well deserved.

[The Comish]

That was a pretty darn effective 6:54 Ennis had. His work ethic was very noticeable. If I remember seeing this correctly, the Leafs record without Kadri was 5-2-1.

[butch]

this is going to 7 games

[2014olympicgold]

What exactly was the ref supposed to call on Debrusk's "knee"? The NHL rule for kneeing is as follows

"Kneeing is the act of a player leading with his knee and in some cases extending his leg outwards to make contact with his opponent."

Neither of those things happened on the hit in question. The fact that Debrusk's knee his Kadri's leg does not make the hit illegal. Debrusk was leading with his shoulder and Kadri adjusted his body position at the last second to avoid getting hit. He did not adjust enough and took the brunt of the hit from Debrusk's knee.

There are lots of chances for a player to seek revenge on what they think is a dirty play. None of those involve cross checking a guy in the face on a shift 20 seconds after he has touched the puck.

I honestly see Debrusk adjust his leg to Kadri who shifted away from the hit. AKA, leading with his knee. Debrusk might not have meant to hit his knee, but (in my eyes) he knew he was beat and stuck the leg out to make it harder for Kadri to get around.

Was it Clipping?
"An illegal “low hit” is a check that is delivered by a player who may or may not have both skates on the ice, with his sole intent to check the opponent in the area of his knees. A player may not lower his body position to deliver a check to an opponent’s knees."

I saw Debrusk change his one legs direction to hit Kadri. But whateveeerrrr

[lucafen4]

Totally agree. Johnsson's an added dimension. His shot should either give himself some grade A chances - or force Bos to cheat a bit, opening lanes for others.

Johnsson 2 PPP - Matthews 2 PPP.

Kadri who?

[2014olympicgold]

Johnsson 2 PPP - Matthews 2 PPP.

Kadri who?

AJ actually helped out on puck retrieval which was important on Matthews goal.

[lucafen4]

AJ actually helped out on puck retrieval which was important on Matthews goal.

Yup, and he can play everywhere and with anyone.

I'm enjoying the versatility of this team right now. there was a point in the game when Babcock pulled Nylander onto Matthews wing with Johnsson & moved Marleau to C with Brown and Kapanen on his wings. Then flipped Kapanen & Johnson on those two lines.

Ennis can play up and down the line up.

Best moment of the game for me was when, of all people, Nylander rubbed DeBrusk out along the boards in the D-zone and won the puck battle. he was fired up for the rest of the period. One can only hope Nylander starts to enjoy physical play vs. shying away from it.

Another observation, anyone else notice that Chara's starting to become a liability on D? Tavares won mutliple puck battles against him last night. He lost multiple races to pucks, his reach saved him many more. His feet were slow, legs lumbering. It took him a long time to get moving. In past years Chara used to be a side of the ice to avoid. Now, he might be an option to exploit.

As the series goes on, this Boston D is looking more and more exposed. Krug's small and getting bodied around. McAvoy is a danger to his own goalie. Gryz is probably their best all around Dman so far... but Zaitsev's looked just as good.

Improve those dump and chase to increase recovery rates and the Leafs will be alright.

[2014olympicgold]

Yup, and he can play everywhere and with anyone.

I'm enjoying the versatility of this team right now. there was a point in the game when Babcock pulled Nylander onto Matthews wing with Johnsson & moved Marleau to C with Brown and Kapanen on his wings. Then flipped Kapanen & Johnson on those two lines.

Ennis can play up and down the line up.

Best moment of the game for me was when, of all people, Nylander rubbed DeBrusk out along the boards in the D-zone and won the puck battle. he was fired up for the rest of the period. One can only hope Nylander starts to enjoy physical play vs. shying away from it.

Another observation, anyone else notice that Chara's starting to become a liability on D? Tavares won mutliple puck battles against him last night. He lost multiple races to pucks, his reach saved him many more. His feet were slow, legs lumbering. It took him a long time to get moving. In past years Chara used to be a side of the ice to avoid. Now, he might be an option to exploit.

As the series goes on, this Boston D is looking more and more exposed. Krug's small and getting bodied around. McAvoy is a danger to his own goalie. Gryz is probably their best all around Dman so far... but Zaitsev's looked just as good.

Improve those dump and chase to increase recovery rates and the Leafs will be alright.

When Hyman, Moore, and Marner have dumped him, he's not the same.

He's definitely been overused, that's it. His legs are gone.

[lucafen4]

When Hyman, Moore, and Marner have dumped him, he's not the same.

He's definitely been overused, that's it. His legs are gone.

Trevor Moore absolutely laid him out in game one. The camera panned away just as he got dumped. I've never seen Chara dropped this much in his career, let alone in a series. On that big old body, it's going to take it's tole.

If the Leafs make the second round... I'd be tempted to leave Nylander as 3rd C and move Kadri to #4C. Sit the Goat & play Ennis.

Kadri's played extensively with Connor Brown over the past 3 years as well.

That would be match-up hell.