Toronto Maple Leafs

[2014olympicgold]

If you could wait until he starts taking contact in practice... I'd do that.

If you're in the playoffs already, I'd pick him up. Most playoffs start next week. So some teams know they're in by now and this week doesn't matter.

[2014olympicgold]

Leafs practice Lines:

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Nylander-JT-Mikheyev
Clifford-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Engvall-Goat-Spezza/Malgin

Dermott-Holl
Marincin-Barrie
Rosen-Sandin/Liljegren
Rielly-Ceci

Sandin QB of PP2, so Liljegren likely sitting tonight. Mikheyev was given the RW2 because Keefe wanted to give him "Game like action". Not like he's playing tmo, or soon, but he's def getting closer than anticipated 4weeks ago.

[2014olympicgold]

Didn't watch a lot of the game, but there was shifts Matthews looked unstoppable. But the issue when he goes HAM and doesn't score...1/3 times he gets trapped in his own zone and the Leafs become Tim Bits Hockey. Nylander looked pretty good again from what I watched. Andersen solid. Quick was solid too.

I saw Doughty's hit on Clifford. I literally went "oof" when I saw that hit.

Here's a quote from Andersen after that game:

"It was a great game, beautiful game. Great to play behind the team like that, the way we played made it easy for me. Unfortunate we couldn't get the extra point."

Think he likes playing with some defensive system in front of him.

[DusterDave]

A single point so far on the Cali road trip after two games against SJ and LA is extremely disappointing. At least FLA and the wild card teams from the Metro haven’t been getting points either. Expecting a big win tonight in ANA.

[FutureHoustonHockeyteamFan]

If the Leafs don't bounce back with a large margin of victory tonight, I'll be disappointed. 1 point versus SJ and LA is hard to wrap my head around. I know its a B2B, but still...

[Auston'sWilly]

You know, I don't mind Freddy as a goalie overall. It must be tough playing behind such an awful defensive team.
But, my goodness, he's sooooo bad in shootouts. Maybe the worst Leaf shootout goalie ever, although the stats may not support that assessment.
He just backs in and backs in and gives so much to shoot at. Frustrating to watch.

[2014olympicgold]

You know, I don't mind Freddy as a goalie overall. It must be tough playing behind such an awful defensive team.
But, my goodness, he's sooooo bad in shootouts. Maybe the worst Leaf shootout goalie ever, although the stats may not support that assessment.
He just backs in and backs in and gives so much to shoot at. Frustrating to watch.

2 points:
1. It's the style of goaltending most goalies use now. It's based on percentages and what not. Let the puck come to you. The goalies that tend to be good, are the ones that are big, or athletic. Freddy is big, but not a big goalie. Freddy is athletic, but not an athletic goalie. He's just an overall package. Which is why he's good in 3on3, or breakaways. He plays off of actual hockey. Reads the d-men and what the shooter might do. But when it's 1on1, he just isn't athletic enough to make that acrobatic save, and he's not big enough to just out wait players.

2. Shootout isn't hockey.

[lucafen4]

It's like Dana White always says.

"Never let the decision go to the judges"

A shootout in hockey is as close to a judges decision as you get.

[DusterDave]

What is more frustrating than only getting a single point in the three game Cali trip is Marner’s post game comments. Not a care in the world. Just brushes off the last three games like it’s no big deal and they’ll figure it out eventually. Takes the club to the cleaners for his massive pay day and then just plays for the name on the back of his jersey rather than the team. Where is the Mitch that blocks shots in the final seconds of a playoff game to salvage the win? Where’s the heart? When will the MSM hold the local boy accountable?

[lucafen4]

on a positive note... the last two games we've given up 2 goals. That's like a 5 year record or something isn't it? Maybe a couple Florida wins will create some desperation?
I might have picked a bad time to stop drinking

[2014olympicgold]

Bracco is back skating with Darryl Belfry this morning, presumably working his way back to playing with the Marlies again. He's been absent from the team for "personal reasons" since Feb 1st.

[Auston'sWilly]

So the Leafs can't beat Tampa, eh? Hmmm.
Now granted, with Stamkos and Hedman out, it was a little easier, but when they put their minds to it, the Leafs definitely have the ability to play with anyone.

[lucafen4]

4-3 and 2-1 wins vs. TB in the past two weeks.

Rielly made a world of difference for this team last night.

Since the SJ debacle they've given up 3 goals in 3 games and have been playing a much more complete game.
I won't suggest it's finally clicking because as soon as someone does we get another San Jose performance.

Still learning it takes more than just offensive skill to win in this league

This string of injuries on D was huge for this team though. It forced Holl & Dermott into huge roles and gave Sandin & Liljigren, well more Sandin a real eyes wide open look at NHL life.
Get healthy down the stretch. The team knows the depth in the system much better moving forward and those depth pieces have the confidence they can step in to larger roles.

Side note... be interesting to see if the Leafs sign Nesterov this summer.

[Auston'sWilly]

Two guys have noticeably struggled lately - JT and Sandin. This upcoming break will be good for both of them.

Btw, for those who missed it, Matthews and Freddy did an odd "bow" in reference to the Wuhan virus after the last win. <sigh>
Small thing, sure, but enough incidents like that add up and remind me why Tavares was probably a relatively easy captain choice.

[DusterDave]

Kudos to Kyle Dubas for really pushing for people to stay at home through his twitter. He just did a Q & A mailbag feature with some fans through Kevin McGran and the Toronto Star. They didn’t filter out the criticism either. Worth the short read: https://www.thestar.com/amp/sports/b...mpression=true