Toronto Maple Leafs

[2014olympicgold]

Selke trophy is a popularity trophy. No way the people who win it are the best defensive forwards in the game. They are just top line players who are 2-way. I'm sure there's a 3rd line forward that is better defensively than Couturier, Bergeron and Barkov. It's just people go "Wow this guy who can win faceoffs and put up points backchecks".

Tough trophy to gauge, same with the Lady Byng.

[Invictus]

So much Zzzzz on Huberdeau.

Be a good playoff series if these two teams can meet. At least we get to see them go at it tonight.

[blayze]

I dunno, maybe I haven't watched the right games this year but I just don't see it. Probably have never thought this when watching him. But will watch him more closely to see if he really is a future Selke winner (which I don't see at all). I remember him last year struggling on D and the past couple of playoff seasons were disasters in both ends of the rink. Plus I don't think he gets paid the big bucks to worry too much about being a Bergeron type of guy. But like I said, something to watch for sure...

We gotta be watching different games. Matthews is solid defensively and has improved every year. Statistically he's the team's best defensive forward actually. I don't think it's fair to pin their recent playoff disappointments on his defense.

Again he's no Bergeron, but I do think a lot of his defensive strengths tend to be overshadowed by his unworldly goal scoring ability. Nobody watches your defense when you're ripping 60+ a year.

[kovalchuk17]

Matthews is a good defensive forward. his impact on the 2-way game limiting chances and takeaways is top notch. it is not his fault his goalies have sucked behind him for long stretches causing his GA/60 to be inflated.

https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/sta...q8Oa1MBj4glGQg

as for who actually wins the hart, it is really hard to say. theres so many players have ridiculous seasons, it may come down to voter bias and auston has a leg up there playing for the leafs

[2014olympicgold]

Jake Muzzin has been removed from LTIR, Dahlstrom sent down.

Now...wonder where he plays...

[hockeyrobot]

Man. Peaking at the right time? Or a week too early?

[Invictus]

Can you not jinx it... I have the TOR goalie.... not even the 3rd yet.

:/ :/

[hockeyrobot]

Can you not jinx it... I have the TOR goalie.... not even the 3rd yet.

:/ :/

Woops............I have Barkov.

[Feenom]

Gotta get that JT line going, can’t rely on 1 line in the playoffs. Hubs gets 100. Great season for him.

Tough game for Bob, kind of starting to fade late in the season. Will he start in the playoffs? Maybe another seesaw with him and Knight.

[hockeyrobot]

Huberdeau has the most assists, in a season, by a Left Winger ever.

Toronto wishes their first line winger could do that.... nevermind their second line winger.

Ok fine. Huberdeau for Hart.

[Invictus]

Tough game for Bob, kind of starting to fade late in the season. Will he start in the playoffs? Maybe another seesaw with him and Knight.

I wonder if a chunk of rest would do him some good, kind of like with Price

[blayze]

What a crazy game.

Big night for Hubie... he must've read this thread for extra motivation

[2014olympicgold]

1. Leafs shouldn't have given up a 5-1 lead. No way that should happen. I hate Holl so much and I can't believe he's on the ice still for the Leafs.
2. Refs mid-playoff form. I know the Leafs had 7 powerplays, but that's not the point. There was a penalty called on a hook that was made on Mikheyev on an almost breakaway then out of no where a Panther comes in and absolutely dives at his feet. 1 penalty. Easily should have been 2. The JT OT breakaway that had 2 hooks/slashes on it. I saw so many missed calls on both sides and I don't give a crap about "what you want the refs to call everything?" Yes. Yes I do. Call everything and players will adjust pretty freaking quickly because if they don't, they won't make the team.
3. You bench Lybushkin and the opponent gets like 5 of the 7 goals within 5ft of the net. Holl/Muzzin were on for 5 of 7 goals against. Headshake. Head. Shake.


Getting 3 of 4 points on B2B in Florida is good. I would take that. Kallgren is apparently fine and it was just a "stunner". Since Feb1, the Leafs are 7-0-1 against Eastern playoff teams. They've used an AHL goalie for a month. Missed Muzzin. Nylander is sick (like cold). Taking a step back, it's just 1 game and it's fine. It's fine. It's fine....it's fine....know when you say something too much it sounds weird?

[Feenom]

Yea I don't get the benching of Lyb. pretty steady guy out there. Holl struggled pretty bad last night. Leafs could have for the very first time in their history 2 100 point guys. AM should be there soon and on his pace, Marner too. Playoffs are just around the cornerrrrr....It's fine, fine until it's not.

[Stifler]

Matthews is a good defensive forward. his impact on the 2-way game limiting chances and takeaways is top notch. it is not his fault his goalies have sucked behind him for long stretches causing his GA/60 to be inflated.

https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/sta...q8Oa1MBj4glGQg

as for who actually wins the hart, it is really hard to say. theres so many players have ridiculous seasons, it may come down to voter bias and auston has a leg up there playing for the leafs

Josi should be considered, although its getting off track lol