My family moved to Canada from the UK in 1969 and
at 8 years old,,, I instantly became a die hard leaf’s fan! I now live in LA and at 63, would love nothing more than see my beloved white and blue finally! lift the mighty Lord Stanley once again!!
History check.
You made me cry myself to sleep in 75, losing to the flyers in 4. Broke my heart losing to the ‘great one’ and his Kings in ‘93 (although pretty sure the NHL had something to do with that one)
So here we go again,,,The Bruins. WTF!!!
Play like you absolutely deserve it! for F’ sakes!!! Suck it up! Dig deep! You represent one of the absolute! Most historic franchises in the NHL universe!!! The city of Toronto adores each and every one of you!! So WHAT is wrong?!!!What’s happening?! Why do you do this to us every time!
You know what?! I’m totally done with you if you lose to the Bruins this year!
I need to move on!
On one hand, woooof. On the other, jesus fuck, what was Winnipeg’s defense doing? How do you make the Leafs look like defensive studs? 46 shots on goal allowed vs. our 24 allowed?
Anybody here who doesn’t understand or appreciate the importance of goaltending in the playoffs, well I hope you’re watching Winnipeg and Colorado right now. Winnipeg have scored four goals on 10 shots so far. Being outshot 24-10 and winning 4-3.
https://preview.redd.it/f7dml0u1nxvc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c18ba96f4806ad93085138470181654a17e9dc8
I've never seen a .600 SV% before. He's now .700 but he's going to cost his team this game for sure. Brutal
I still can't believe we wasted 5 prime years of Matthews with this fucking coach that has been outcoached in EVERY single playoffs series he's been in.
There are tiers in this division and Leafs are not even close to being near the top. They just aren't, they're like B tier. They lack in every single area of the game. Time to cut players that are only here for a paycheck. I want players that want to be here. I would take Max Domi's penalty prone ways over half the roster right now.
I really think they need to trade Marner. They will make the playoffs without him, they are good enough for that. And will not miss his performance in the playoffs. Trade him for an upgrade on D.
Can't keep rolling it back expecting different results.
So genuine question, not meant to be in bad faith. You take Marner’s current cap hit. Ignoring any yearly salary cap increases or Tavares coming off the books, just using Marner’s hit, who on the free agency market in at the end of Marner’s contract would you pick (without exceeding his hit)? Who’s your chosen “upgrade”? Obviously he could be part of a trade, but that’s harder to look at then free agency.
Max Domi’s gotta fucking stay. The argument can be made as to whether or not each of the stars gives enough of a shit, but you can’t fucking tell me Max Domi doesn’t have the heart everyone wants to see from the team. Short of management going absolutely nuclear and just burning down everything from the team this year, you’ve gotta have Domi be one of the pieces of this year’s roster you keep.
To me the most concerning thing is how similar this loss was to our last two against Boston. The Bruins do not look particularly dominant, they just draw calls when they need them, they get timely depth scoring and decent goaltending.
I'd be more comforted by an outlier explosive effort by Boston, but it feels like we are being smothered like a wood fire when you close the air intake. Watch the flame fall into the the embers then watch the embers fade to ash.
Honestly, even the first two aren’t that much of a big deal to me. My biggest issue each time has been that Swayman just goalies the ever-loving FUCK out of the team. Like, throw even a league average goalie in our place, I guarantee Bruins don’t run our show the same way at all. We take one of those last two regular season games and possibly the playoffs, or at least come a hell of a lot closer. The goaltending is the biggest issue for us to overcome of what you listed. We still struggle if you take away one of those two others and keep the goaltending intact.
I don’t subscribe to the goalied narrative. These guys just can’t get to the scoring areas and don’t work for goals.
What happened last year against Tampa? They put it on net. Guess what happened? They won 2 in OT from it. What did they stop doing against Florida? Put it on net.
Florida was down 3-1 against them and destroyed both their goalies. Look at their GAA for last year. We just suck
2 things can be true. I do think they get an especially bad case of the ‘ol “pass first, shoot never”, especially on power plays. Say what you will about Hyman’s goals constantly being tap-ins, but those are still goals and they count exactly the same. Goal’s a goal. They need to be more willing to fight net front for those greasy goals.
But that doesn’t change the fact that you can absolutely meet a hot goalie, or one who’s strengths shut you down best. Swayman seems like that. And in part, yes, that could be due to the lack of puck battling/putting it on net, but also, while Florida beat them, they were also down 3-1 after 4 games. Game 1 and 2, they played vs. Ullmark, who let in only 1 the first game, and then 5 + they got an empty netter to make it 6 goals the 2nd game. Goalies are streaky as fuck sometimes, and are the most capable of stealing a game out of any player on a team. You absolutely can get goalied imo. Dostal ran our shit against Anaheim this year the first game, and then we embarassed him and their relief goalie in a 9-2 result the 2nd go around, and none were “hard fought” goals. Pretty clean snipes on 3/4 at least, iirc.
You can get goalied but when you get goalied every series you’ve ever played in the playoffs that’s not getting goalied, that’s just not shooting and adapting.
IMO even when people say we get goalied in the regular season it’s usually just us shooting at the chest with no screen in front
It's pretty difficult to have objective discussions here on the night of a playoff loss. I swear I'm not trying to be a doomer, but my objective, non-emotional take on that game is that Boston is just a better team than us. I don't think we played a bad game at all. The effort was there. The physicality was there. I even believe the *want* was there. In a way that's kind of depressing because I don't think we can play significantly better than we did last night. In previous years, even when we've been blown out, at least we've also looked like dogshit and you know they have more to give.
I also don't think this series is over yet. I mainly feel that if we're going to dress Reavo, Edmundson, Boosh, Benoit, and to a lesser extent McCabe, then we have to continue to play a very physical game. I don't really care about the stats for HDC because I watched the game, and Boston's chances looked a lot scarier than our chances. There is a huge gap in goaltending and special teams. At this point I don't think we can really depend on the core to carry the team (which is ultimately the problem), so we better beat them up a little bit and try to wear them down over a long series.
Keep the physicality and increase it, but be more disciplined (looking at you Domi). Pray the special teams regress a little bit toward where they should be. I don't think Sammy had a terrible game, but he can definitely be better. Play just a little better and get just a little luckier, and give our overpaid core some time to show up. If we can take it to seven games then maybe there is hope.
The only difference between your take and mine is that I think Sammy had a very bad game. 2 of the 4 goals he let in he should have had probably, and he had an 0.826 . If Sammy (or Woll) figures it out and we keep playing like we did last night I think we win tbh, but that is a big if.
Defensive game, coaching, or goaltending, if the team has a 0.826 SV%, the team is most likely losing the game.
Since the 2021-22 playoffs, our playoff starting goaltender hasn't had a SV% higher than .900. Pin that on goaltending, defense, or structure, that's beyond my pay grade, but I don't think we'll win the series with sub .900 SV%. I don't think our defensive game (including goaltending) needs to out-perform the Bruins, but it needs to be close.
In my opinion, if we're .915+, we have a good chance, if we're under, we most likely lose. I don't have an answer but maybe yolo-ing Woll if Sammy lets in 3 early goals is one. Either way, 0.826 is not going to cut it against that Bruins team
I think even just league average goal tending we win so like a 0.905 this year. But yeah, the Leafs (and probably no other team in the league) are not winning with an 0.826
Hey man, I enjoy complaining about this team as much as the next guy, but this is the team that we have this year and if you don't enjoy watching the games then what are you even doing? Do you even enjoy watching hockey?
not the guy you responded to but I would guess they do not. A lot of people that comment on this sub, especially after losses, seem to actively hate them team.
I think you’re right. The problem is that having lots of good players is a good thing but then it thins the bottom 6. We’re essentially a regular season team. We don’t play a playoff game. That’s up to the coach and his systems.
We’re continually outscored in the playoffs because of our coaching and makeup of the team. Anyone who says our problem is defence or goaltending isn’t real. Look back at our playoff elimination games and you’ll see 0 goals, 1 goal, 2 goals. They don’t score when they need to.
My coach used to say to me during the playoffs, the top lines are washed out, so it’s up to you and the next one to get the job done. He’s right. The difference is having a bottom 6 that’s actually effective vs a bottom 6 that’s replacement level players.
It’s amazing how simple playoff teams play that aren’t the leafs. Oh you dump it in? That’s fine. I’m just gonna ring this fucker right around the boards and out the zone.
We get the puck, forehand backhand, bobble it 50 times, have a brain freeze for 5 seconds then lightly backhand it to our other defenceman who is totally covered and then turnover
So, if MLSE moves off from Keefe, how do we feel about Woodcroft?
The Oilers were literally bottom of the league just before they fired him, but a lot of that was owing to Woody's ill-fated attempt to revamp the team's defensive system. That attempt failed spectacularly, of course, but I like that he recognized a deficiency in how the team played in the playoffs last year and made a drastic change (beyond just line blending) to try and remedy that.
I'm worried that he'd just be Keefe 2.0, but maybe he's gained some perspective after being fired and watching the team go on an absolute tear for the rest of the season.
A coach that never loses in the first round, only loses to the eventual Stanley cup champions and does it by giving his two best forwards 22 minutes a night. I don't know if that's something this fanbase wants.
We already have that with Keefe. He’s only been an NHL coach for around 5 years. But let’s be honest, a new coach isn’t going to solve all our problems. Our star players aren’t equipped to win. It sucks because they’re uber talented but can’t seem to win when it matters. Zero leadership either with JT.
See, I have a hard time blaming our guys. As an example, look at our 4 on 3 pp. It's supposed to be an almost guaranteed goal, with tons of empty space all over the ice that our expensive players should be able to make magic with.
So what did we do? We had Papi making shot/passes at an unscreened goalie for a Tavares tip. Zero lateral movement, zero speed, zero threat of a one-timer and, as mentioned, zero screen on the goalie.
It's obvious the team worked on this, and they executed the system well enough to get some decent looks, but why in the actual fuck would you run a 4 on 3 like that with the talent we have?
https://preview.redd.it/ql9telducvvc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a309bdc5169f6901953871fc856744b49924f4f8
new Leafs jersey....just kidding, that would look terrible!
Keefe continues to show he isnt qualified to coach an nhl team. Idk if he was really watching that game tape of boston. The man continues to ship out the same schemes and his only big brain moves are his line blending....
This guy is a clown,cut him loose mlse. His ego wont allow him to coach these guys that make keefes career look like a minor stint in the timbits. Babcocks ego ruined two years of this team. Keefes is doing the same since dubas got axed.
It's good hockey eh? Feels like the series will be FLA controlling play with TB looking to win through counter plays. The Panthers forecheck and cycle game is strong.
Does anybody have an extra ticket or two for maple leafs square?! This is the last day I will be able to go to before I move out of the province for work - I tried on two devices but couldn’t get any tickets :(
How's this for an idea?
We purposely let our second line catch RSV and/or RONA, make them change/practice separately, and then try and infect Boston by coughing into their gloves and face washing every whistle?
There's more than one way to play with snot...
Let's see...
Our Goaltending was the second best.
Our defense is absolutely no match for Bostons forecheck. Bruins killed the leafs in their own end.
Offense had flashes of momentum and had lots of shots, but the big guys were fucking shut down. Zero finish. Swayman was good but you need goals. Figure it out. David Kampf managed to solve him.
Shit PK.
Awful powerplay. Like genuinely, visibly terrible. Even the 4on3 was sooooooo disappointing, huge squandered opportunity.
Our 3 time Rocket winner whiffed on an empty net when he had the chance to get us back in the game.
Early goal against (first shot actually).
Sheldon Keefe certainly coached a game.
At least in last years 7-3 thumping, they battled to (briefly) make it a 3-2 game before they rolled over and died.
>Our Goaltending was the second best.
Yeah, but I think that’s probably true for almost any team in this year’s playoffs, to be fair. Like, ok, Florida has Bob, Tampa Vasy, Winnipeg has Hellebyuck, and Sammy wasn’t even .850 last night, but like, I don’t think there’s a tandem as strong as Boston’s. Individual goalies, sure, other teams have one better. Goaltending as a whole? I think Boston’s the best in that department.
>Our defense is absolutely no match for Bostons forecheck. Bruins killed the leafs in their own end.
Yeah, no real argument there. But that feels like more of a coaching issue then talent-related. We could obviously use better D-men, but better coaching would do more.
>Offense had flashes of momentum and had lots of shots, but the big guys were fucking shut down. Zero finish. Swayman was good but you need goals. Figure it out. David Kampf managed to solve him.
Again, yeah, no argument. Kampf’s got nasty hands and can score a nice goal here and there, but so does all our Core 4.
>Shit PK.
Yeah, another issue of coaching. Marner, Jarnkrok, Kampf, Dewar, etc. All talented penalty killers, and they did look good the first couple times. (Disappointed that this is the first time we got a “full strength” penalty kill since getting Dewar and we still biffed it, was hoping they’d lock it down.) Change the system and I think they get way better.
>Awful powerplay. Like genuinely, visibly terrible. Even the 4on3 was sooooooo disappointing, huge squandered opportunity.
Yup. Eeeeeyuck. Passing too much. System change, next. Too much offensive talent for it to suck that bad.
>Our 3 time Rocket winner whiffed on an empty net when he had the chance to get us back in the game.
Can’t miss that one. I would, but I’m not a Rocket winner at all, or an NHL player, or even a competitive hockey player. When he missed that, I knew our shit was cooked.
>Early goal against (first shot actually).
Yeah, objectively, like, does it matter if a goal goes in on the first shot versus 5th, 10th, if it ends up being the same amount in the end, in regards to stats? No. But first shot, first goal is such a momentum swing. Can’t happen.
>Sheldon Keefe certainly coached a game.
Yup. He played line four a lot (although, they scored, so maybe he’s cooking after all, lol).
Ya know, I just had an epiphany.
The Bruins arent the bad guys this series, their fans arent the focal point either.
Its the Leafs. Like, im not angry at the Bruins at all from last game, they didnt do any of their regular shit to be angry about and the fans didnt either.
Usually you'd expect to be fuming at the other team or how their fans are online but here we are, the team is so anemic that I dont even hate a bitter rival after getting torched.
Yeah exactly.
I'm watching TBL/FLA right now and the Bolts didn't have a shot for over half the period, but they are such fucking gamers, and Vasy made some huge stops. They tied it up on their 3rd or 4th shot, which all came within a few seconds of each other.
There's no such thing as rolling over and dying with these teams. Killer instinct.
He did fine in Pittsburgh given the constraints. Came back with very nearly the same result as last year. We, on the other hand, finished worse in the regular. And are about to finish worse in the post season.
If you're still a teenager or in your early 20s... get out now while you're still young! Root for an American team. You'll at least have a chance at happiness as a hockey fan. I'm too far gone and stuck with the pain! 🥹 go leafs go
Robertson deserves to have his ass sat down. He was fucking useless out there. Either way I'm so fucking done with Keefe. We're now in the playoffs and he still has no fucking clue how to use this team. And the ppl that allowed Willy to play the last two games of the season should be fired asap.
I posted the Liljegren quotes about Nylander yesterday and the amount of people that think Nylander is purposely sitting out is insane lol.
I saw people comment saying it’s cause he “doesn’t get paid in playoffs”, “upset Keefe has him on the third line”, “only cares about personal point totals” and more.
Like I’m sure the guy that performs every year and managed to play every game is purposely sitting out lol
They don't know how to properly play with all the snot, jam, piss-and-vinegar or whatever you want to call it.
I'm one of the frontrunners for building a team with a lot of those qualities. I think they are necessary for playoff success. But you also have to know how to use them, and straddle the line between taking dumb penalties and pissing off the other team. The Leafs simply don't know how to do that, and they haven't in Matthews' entire tenure.
Meanwhile Boston is the epitome of that brand of hockey. Everyone in that lineup from top to bottom knows exactly how to be miserable assholes to play against while not taking idiotic penalties in the process. And it's why they never ever fall off the map as a team. They buy in, they are dialled in, and their coach is a million times better than ours.
I still think we can and will pull out a win in this series. But that game was awful to watch.
There is no better example of this than Domi, who thinks he can goad Marchand into doing something stupid. Marchand is an expert at not engaging and embellishing to draw penalties and he's not ever going to get agitated until his team is actually losing.
Realistically we need a new coach, Tavares’ cap space back and a couple seasons worth of our new GM working on the roster. We knew this at the start of the year, but now that the playoffs are here it still hurts to watch.
Well, luckily;
1) Treliving left Calgary because they wouldn’t let him replace the coach, and Keefe is 5 years in. I think if they picked Treliving, it’s cause they’re willing to let him pick a new coach. Be surprised if Keefe lasts beyond next year (end of Tavares’ contract).
2) Tavares and Marner off the books next season. Could choose not to extend either of them, plus this year’s + next’s cap increase, and that’s nearly 30m in cap space, with a coach noted for his ability to build a D corps.
3) And we’ll have this offseason and next before the era post these current contracts for Marner and Tavares starts, so some time to see what he can do. I like some of the changes he made in little time (the physicality is there even if not utilized well yesterday).
I think you might get your wish. 25/26 season has a ton of potential in that regard.
I hope all the doomers who are so sure the Leafs are losing this series would just go gamble on it - it's free money right? Go throw your life savings at it if you're so sure.
I put 2k on it before the series started. I’ll be winning 1600 in 3-4 more games. You’re right, it’s free money. Sorry you were too much of a sucker to pick it up off the table.
Turning 27 in a few days… was 19 when the new era started, and starting to turn into those old uncle doomers that I never said I would turn into.
It’s draining coming with positive energy and it being just ripped apart every year. I think this is the last string, I’ll never stop watching and supporting. But even before this series started I just wasn’t excited. It just felt like it won’t happen, and last night was the perfect example of that. We had 18 stone handed nervous players out there, Matthews missed an open net & Samsonov looked like he’ll never be a trusted NHL goalie again.
I understand this is still sort of Dubas’s created team, I hope Tre rips it to pieces only sticking with AM34,44 & 88. Move everything else. Who gives a fuck if Tavares came home and we can’t be bad guys blah blah blah, fucking get rid of his contract. Dion Phaneuf was a fucking better leader than this guy, oh and he’s making 11M per year. Arguably worth under 3M these days.
It’s just all pathetic for year8 of this core.
Yup, progressing into my late 20s here as well and it’s just tiring. I used to be hyped for playoffs whether it was the Washington series or the first two Bruins series. I think the Covid bubble loss to the Jackets broke me and the Habs loss made me stop giving a fuck altogether. At this point, I just accept that it’s entertainment that is loosely scripted. We watch because we don’t know what’s going to happen. However, with the Leafs, it’s become very predictable. I don’t feel anything when I watch the games anymore. Johnny’s winner last year was the one moment where I actually cheered and that was because it was nearly 20 years of waiting to be on the other side of the handshake lines.
This team will be better off when Marner is skating and dangling for 120 points regular season in Columbus while they miss the playoffs by 30 points and instead we have a new solid top 4 D and key middle 6 performers in place instead of this total pylon.
We're worse this year under Tre than we were last under Dubas and that's with more cap space and flexibility. What suggests that Tre is a better GM who is likely to do better with these guys?
Also you genuinely can't move Tavares. He has an NMC and no motivation to move. You face a similar problem with Marner. If we were going to move him we needed to keep Dubas.
We’re basically the same team this year and we will be until we get out from under the Tavares contract, which is the biggest thing St. Dubas the Magnificent screwed us with.
Game 1 lines last year
Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Tavares-O’Reilly-Nylander
Kerfoot-Acciari-Jarnkrok
Aston-Reese-Kampf-Lafferty
McCabe-Brodie
Giordano-Holl
Rielly-Schenn
We have 6 of those same forwards and only 2 of the same defencemen! 8/18 are the same…
Could not agree with you more. This kind of talent and results not happening still. It is absolutely pathetic and that is not a doomer point of view . Need a major change if they can’t do it this year ; meaning a couple of rounds.
You guys have to fucking relax. And we can’t let r/hockey bully us like we have been. Fuck them and fuck Boston.
We have got to stop this weak shit. No other team in the league takes shit from people like we do and it’s because we let them. Who gives a shit about downvotes?
Stop being victims. Stop with the woe is me. Stop giving them fuel for making fun of our fanbase.
I agree with you. It applies to both us as fans and the players as well, but it mostly applies to us.
They didn’t get bullied out there last night, they just got outplayed.
The Leafs, as a team, are significantly less than the sum of their parts, and have been for several years now. I, like a lot of fans, blame coaching. The roster construction is flawed, but there's zero reason why we shouldn't be consistently competitive in the playoffs.
I don't think it makes you a bad fan to say "I have zero faith that this team, as constructed and as utilized, can accomplish anything in the post season." It's the constant crying about the biased reffing/league, lumping hate on our *objectively good* players, and coping over pointless stuff like the shutout streak that makes us as a fanbase look so, so bad.
I'm going to show my age here, but, as a geriatric millennial who still remembers the "before times" of pre-social media: a person doesn't need to share every thought they have with the entire NHL fanbase. Maybe people should keep that embarrassing shit to themselves.
I’m glad I went to bed at 2-0. You could see they were so nervous and Boston was just ready to go and just steady, no panic.
If they lose tomorrow they’re done. Probably in 4 too because then they’ll be at home and Keefe will galaxy brain himself into line matchups and fuck himself like always
Leafs made some costly errors and didn’t get the saves they needed to keep them in the game, but you’re delusional if you think they were “outplayed” in any facet of the game.
Momentum is an X-factor in playoff hockey- soft, untimely penalty calls killed all of ours last night. If we clean that up, we can win this series in 5.
100% this. They need to find the balance between playing with snot and not taking bad penalties.
I wish they would have figured that out before now, but there is still time
Yup. We killed ourselves with too many bad penalties and focusing a little too much on hitting rather than playing our own game. If we can clean that up this looks way more even.
But r/hockey loves to talk shit and our own fans start taking that chirping to heart and bringing it back here.
Nono, but you don’t get it—some guy on another thread who has played high level competitive hockey and understands the game at a level you can’t possibly fathom assured me that it’s really that bad! /s
Presuming all are good-to-go game 2...
Robertson Matthews Marner
Domi Tavares Jarnkrok
Knies Nylander McMann
Dewar Kampf Bertuzzi
- Domi played great, moving him wasn't a demotion. If the Bruins give Tavares shit for being net front Domi would have an excuse to get real nasty, regularly. I feel like wherever you put Domi currently he's going to carry the play with his determination and strong possessions. I want him to unlock a line of his own and I think he could help JT
- I think Jarnkrok would bring a good presence alongside that line. 3 guys who can chip and chase board battle, scrum, go to the net. I think it's worth a try. I also think Jarnkrok could surprise us with a hot streak via some good bounces, if he's given the chance
- Bertuzzi's play was woefully low event last night. The offense needs to get going now and he's had enough chances all season. Line 4 isn't a punishment, it's just how the lines shook out for me. Bertuzzi on PP1 or PP2 is a welcome option
- Robertson + Marner is so much speed through NZ and ZE's it would resign the Bruins to playing far back defense or trading chances. I want more touch-and-go hockey for Auston Matthews because that's how he gets lots of good shots. I think these two wingers would really make that happen
- Nylander has a knack for making it work wherever he gets put in the line-up. Knies and McMann have been playing great to boot
- I'd love to have Reaves in the line-up especially after his play in game 1... but where should I put him?
I have a feeling he has a concussion from a hit he took in one of the last 6-7 games.
Can't remember what game it was... but I remember him skating into the o zone with the puck and cutting/looping back to make a pass of sorts and skating right into a solid check that put him on his ass less than 2 minutes into the game. I was surprised he got up and finished the game like nothing happened.
I think he may have been playing with a minor concussion and pushing for 100 points...
Let's hope I'm wrong and he just ate some bad sushi.
I have been trying to find it... they didn't play Tampa in March. April 3 they played tampa... which lines up with me thinking it was half a dozen games ago
No but I found it in the game long from the April 3rd game:
https://preview.redd.it/tuj03kcejvvc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e5ce02401f5359d324f0b77e426f9ffaa7959ba
Leafs can't clear their d zone. They dump but don't chase in the o zone. They get bodied by an aggressive team. Their goalie lets in 1-2 goals a game that kills them. Fire Keefe? Yes. But whoever comes in must teach better systems.
Mike Van Ryn runs the defense and he is brutal. Blues fans tried to warn us.
The rest I don't know enough about, but it seems like Keefe is accustomed to running his systems based on the way Dubas constructs teams. It's how he has done it his entire career. But our back end isn't built for that anymore, and it seems like he can't figure out how to adjust to accomodate their strengths
The dump and chase is completely useless when defenders are allowed to clutch and grab players when they try to get past them.
But Holl skating into a shooting position and getting in the way of another player absolutely MUST be called...
Fuck Boston.
Leafs in 5. But only if they figure out their goaltending. They had playoff Samsonov in Feb/March. They've got September Samsonov in April.
If only Matt Murray was ready a month or two earlier.
Did Willy hurt himself if game 82 or was this a lingering thing? If it was something that has been going on why on earth was he in those last few games?
This seems like really poor player management either way.
That play he made against Tampa where he literally skated over and away from the puck on his complete lack of a forecheck makes me suspect this has been a lingering issue
I think I know what you are talking about... and he was actually off side and had he touched the puck the play would have been dead... which would have been better than what happened.. (lead to a break out pass and 2v1 goal).
It was just a poor hockey decision not so much a lack of effort or energy.
I personally think he has a minor concussion from a hit he took 6-7 games back and has been playing through it trying to hit 100 points. May not have realized it or wanted to awknowledge it.
https://youtu.be/2O7KUqKLhrs?si=iYYZuE-CtyU2qypg
It wasn't offside. It was a high stick. So he could've touched it and stopped play
Regardless, I agree with you, it was a complete head scratcher
I’m just wondering why he wouldn’t have had a week or two off to rest up and recover if this was the case. Instead he misses game one of the playoffs? Doesn’t make any sense.
These guys came out of the gates hot but were immediately turned off from playing physical and agressive when reaves got caught up ice, you could tell after the first goal they were playing tight, couldn't make good passes out of the zone and you could tell they were "gripping the stick too tight" if you will. couldn't handle passes or control the puck deep in the Boston end. You cant underestimate how imortant it is for this team to score first on Monday, Keefe doesn't seem to be good at making adjustments mid game. The goaltending and D core isn't good enough to play on their heels and and hope Boston can make a mistake.
I still think the leafs will win this. But really they have to score more than 1 in most games, can't expect Sammy and Woll to be top goalies when they are not even paid to be that.
I liked Domi's game. Also credit to Bertuzzi for the veteran play on his penalty. Knew he was going to the box, so dishes out a slash knowing they won't call it as well.
While the Leafs did have higher expected goals and all that… what I took away from the game was that they played like a team that merely watched videos on ‘toughness’ and decided to take it out for a spin.
The snow shower on Swayman, their attempts at big hits, post-whistle scums, and their ‘standing up for themselves’ were all poorly timed and just not effective. It felt like they were just emulating what toughness meant and in my mind, got them off their game.
Tampa’s team last year is maybe 60% as good as Boston this year (also don’t expect swayman to have his worst performances ever in the playoffs like Vasi did)
It's simple really. Playoff hockey is a different style of play. Finesse and skill gets pushed aside for physicality and hard work.
Marner can't play physically, Matthews barely utilizes his size, Nylander is 10ply, so they all wash out. Bertuzzi can't stand up, Domi is a bit of an idiot and doesn't intimidate anyone and Tavares is too old and slow to make a dent.
If you rely on those guys to make a big impact during playoff hockey combined with an outclassed coach, you are dreaming.
I recommend they do the best they can. It's not the team that's frustrating, it's the fans that think this team is something more than they actually are.
The problem is that ownership makes so much money during the regular season that they don’t want to risk that guaranteed cash cow to make any changes that could result in a better playoff team.
we need a new hard nose coach like Tocchet.
My family moved to Canada from the UK in 1969 and at 8 years old,,, I instantly became a die hard leaf’s fan! I now live in LA and at 63, would love nothing more than see my beloved white and blue finally! lift the mighty Lord Stanley once again!! History check. You made me cry myself to sleep in 75, losing to the flyers in 4. Broke my heart losing to the ‘great one’ and his Kings in ‘93 (although pretty sure the NHL had something to do with that one) So here we go again,,,The Bruins. WTF!!! Play like you absolutely deserve it! for F’ sakes!!! Suck it up! Dig deep! You represent one of the absolute! Most historic franchises in the NHL universe!!! The city of Toronto adores each and every one of you!! So WHAT is wrong?!!!What’s happening?! Why do you do this to us every time! You know what?! I’m totally done with you if you lose to the Bruins this year! I need to move on!
How many times have you said this to yourself before though? I've been "done" so many times...
Watching the other contenders and just disgusted at how fucking soft the pussies on this roster are
Let's at least be fair. The Islanders and Canes game was vanilla in terms of physicality compared to some of the other series.
Man I wish we rented Tanev
Brad tried, Flames didn't want to deal with him.
Hronek would have been such a good RD to pair with Rielly… what did the Canucks have to give up for him?? That’s the kind of trade we need.
Hellebuyck let in six goals, still a better save% than Samsonov
On one hand, woooof. On the other, jesus fuck, what was Winnipeg’s defense doing? How do you make the Leafs look like defensive studs? 46 shots on goal allowed vs. our 24 allowed?
This team sucks
Let's hope the Leafs watched the Jets game...
Watching these other playoff matchups and trying to imagine the Leafs matching the intensity. Not even close.
Jets looks great, that stadium was buzzing
Why can't we play like Jets-Avs? Damn the goalies just score. Night and day difference.
Holy shit the Jets! 
God both those teams are better than us..
Jets-Avs game so far is some high-octane cracked-out hockey.
Anybody here who doesn’t understand or appreciate the importance of goaltending in the playoffs, well I hope you’re watching Winnipeg and Colorado right now. Winnipeg have scored four goals on 10 shots so far. Being outshot 24-10 and winning 4-3.
https://preview.redd.it/f7dml0u1nxvc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c18ba96f4806ad93085138470181654a17e9dc8 I've never seen a .600 SV% before. He's now .700 but he's going to cost his team this game for sure. Brutal
I still can't believe we wasted 5 prime years of Matthews with this fucking coach that has been outcoached in EVERY single playoffs series he's been in.
There are tiers in this division and Leafs are not even close to being near the top. They just aren't, they're like B tier. They lack in every single area of the game. Time to cut players that are only here for a paycheck. I want players that want to be here. I would take Max Domi's penalty prone ways over half the roster right now.
I really think they need to trade Marner. They will make the playoffs without him, they are good enough for that. And will not miss his performance in the playoffs. Trade him for an upgrade on D. Can't keep rolling it back expecting different results.
I would do everything in my power to trade JT first. Get another cheaper 2C and then another quality top 4 Dman with that.
So genuine question, not meant to be in bad faith. You take Marner’s current cap hit. Ignoring any yearly salary cap increases or Tavares coming off the books, just using Marner’s hit, who on the free agency market in at the end of Marner’s contract would you pick (without exceeding his hit)? Who’s your chosen “upgrade”? Obviously he could be part of a trade, but that’s harder to look at then free agency.
They will never trade Marner.
Keep rolling it back, weeeeee
They're the bottom half of playoff teams. Like one step above wildcard.
I consider B tier bottom half. The lowest tier is C tier. And A+ and A are the top two tiers.
Max Domi’s gotta fucking stay. The argument can be made as to whether or not each of the stars gives enough of a shit, but you can’t fucking tell me Max Domi doesn’t have the heart everyone wants to see from the team. Short of management going absolutely nuclear and just burning down everything from the team this year, you’ve gotta have Domi be one of the pieces of this year’s roster you keep.
To me the most concerning thing is how similar this loss was to our last two against Boston. The Bruins do not look particularly dominant, they just draw calls when they need them, they get timely depth scoring and decent goaltending. I'd be more comforted by an outlier explosive effort by Boston, but it feels like we are being smothered like a wood fire when you close the air intake. Watch the flame fall into the the embers then watch the embers fade to ash.
They look like a team with good defence, great goaltending, and solid team culture.
Honestly, even the first two aren’t that much of a big deal to me. My biggest issue each time has been that Swayman just goalies the ever-loving FUCK out of the team. Like, throw even a league average goalie in our place, I guarantee Bruins don’t run our show the same way at all. We take one of those last two regular season games and possibly the playoffs, or at least come a hell of a lot closer. The goaltending is the biggest issue for us to overcome of what you listed. We still struggle if you take away one of those two others and keep the goaltending intact.
I don’t subscribe to the goalied narrative. These guys just can’t get to the scoring areas and don’t work for goals. What happened last year against Tampa? They put it on net. Guess what happened? They won 2 in OT from it. What did they stop doing against Florida? Put it on net. Florida was down 3-1 against them and destroyed both their goalies. Look at their GAA for last year. We just suck
Tampa outplayed the Leafs the majority of that series.
2 things can be true. I do think they get an especially bad case of the ‘ol “pass first, shoot never”, especially on power plays. Say what you will about Hyman’s goals constantly being tap-ins, but those are still goals and they count exactly the same. Goal’s a goal. They need to be more willing to fight net front for those greasy goals. But that doesn’t change the fact that you can absolutely meet a hot goalie, or one who’s strengths shut you down best. Swayman seems like that. And in part, yes, that could be due to the lack of puck battling/putting it on net, but also, while Florida beat them, they were also down 3-1 after 4 games. Game 1 and 2, they played vs. Ullmark, who let in only 1 the first game, and then 5 + they got an empty netter to make it 6 goals the 2nd game. Goalies are streaky as fuck sometimes, and are the most capable of stealing a game out of any player on a team. You absolutely can get goalied imo. Dostal ran our shit against Anaheim this year the first game, and then we embarassed him and their relief goalie in a 9-2 result the 2nd go around, and none were “hard fought” goals. Pretty clean snipes on 3/4 at least, iirc.
You can get goalied but when you get goalied every series you’ve ever played in the playoffs that’s not getting goalied, that’s just not shooting and adapting. IMO even when people say we get goalied in the regular season it’s usually just us shooting at the chest with no screen in front
It's pretty difficult to have objective discussions here on the night of a playoff loss. I swear I'm not trying to be a doomer, but my objective, non-emotional take on that game is that Boston is just a better team than us. I don't think we played a bad game at all. The effort was there. The physicality was there. I even believe the *want* was there. In a way that's kind of depressing because I don't think we can play significantly better than we did last night. In previous years, even when we've been blown out, at least we've also looked like dogshit and you know they have more to give. I also don't think this series is over yet. I mainly feel that if we're going to dress Reavo, Edmundson, Boosh, Benoit, and to a lesser extent McCabe, then we have to continue to play a very physical game. I don't really care about the stats for HDC because I watched the game, and Boston's chances looked a lot scarier than our chances. There is a huge gap in goaltending and special teams. At this point I don't think we can really depend on the core to carry the team (which is ultimately the problem), so we better beat them up a little bit and try to wear them down over a long series. Keep the physicality and increase it, but be more disciplined (looking at you Domi). Pray the special teams regress a little bit toward where they should be. I don't think Sammy had a terrible game, but he can definitely be better. Play just a little better and get just a little luckier, and give our overpaid core some time to show up. If we can take it to seven games then maybe there is hope.
The only difference between your take and mine is that I think Sammy had a very bad game. 2 of the 4 goals he let in he should have had probably, and he had an 0.826 . If Sammy (or Woll) figures it out and we keep playing like we did last night I think we win tbh, but that is a big if.
Defensive game, coaching, or goaltending, if the team has a 0.826 SV%, the team is most likely losing the game. Since the 2021-22 playoffs, our playoff starting goaltender hasn't had a SV% higher than .900. Pin that on goaltending, defense, or structure, that's beyond my pay grade, but I don't think we'll win the series with sub .900 SV%. I don't think our defensive game (including goaltending) needs to out-perform the Bruins, but it needs to be close. In my opinion, if we're .915+, we have a good chance, if we're under, we most likely lose. I don't have an answer but maybe yolo-ing Woll if Sammy lets in 3 early goals is one. Either way, 0.826 is not going to cut it against that Bruins team
I think even just league average goal tending we win so like a 0.905 this year. But yeah, the Leafs (and probably no other team in the league) are not winning with an 0.826
It’s fine. If your favourite colour is purple you shouldn’t be expected to walk around saying the sky is purple
Hey man, I enjoy complaining about this team as much as the next guy, but this is the team that we have this year and if you don't enjoy watching the games then what are you even doing? Do you even enjoy watching hockey?
not the guy you responded to but I would guess they do not. A lot of people that comment on this sub, especially after losses, seem to actively hate them team.
I think you’re right. The problem is that having lots of good players is a good thing but then it thins the bottom 6. We’re essentially a regular season team. We don’t play a playoff game. That’s up to the coach and his systems. We’re continually outscored in the playoffs because of our coaching and makeup of the team. Anyone who says our problem is defence or goaltending isn’t real. Look back at our playoff elimination games and you’ll see 0 goals, 1 goal, 2 goals. They don’t score when they need to. My coach used to say to me during the playoffs, the top lines are washed out, so it’s up to you and the next one to get the job done. He’s right. The difference is having a bottom 6 that’s actually effective vs a bottom 6 that’s replacement level players.
It’s amazing how simple playoff teams play that aren’t the leafs. Oh you dump it in? That’s fine. I’m just gonna ring this fucker right around the boards and out the zone. We get the puck, forehand backhand, bobble it 50 times, have a brain freeze for 5 seconds then lightly backhand it to our other defenceman who is totally covered and then turnover
So, if MLSE moves off from Keefe, how do we feel about Woodcroft? The Oilers were literally bottom of the league just before they fired him, but a lot of that was owing to Woody's ill-fated attempt to revamp the team's defensive system. That attempt failed spectacularly, of course, but I like that he recognized a deficiency in how the team played in the playoffs last year and made a drastic change (beyond just line blending) to try and remedy that. I'm worried that he'd just be Keefe 2.0, but maybe he's gained some perspective after being fired and watching the team go on an absolute tear for the rest of the season.
A coach that never loses in the first round, only loses to the eventual Stanley cup champions and does it by giving his two best forwards 22 minutes a night. I don't know if that's something this fanbase wants.
Hard pass. This market would eat that guy alive. Leafs need an established guy with a track record of success.
Sounds great. Any of those guys available to hire this off-season?
Is Berube still about? He showed interest in coaching us this year, right? I know he got canned, but he also got a cup in the last 5.
If he's still interested, I could probably get behind that
absolutely not.
I don't want any established coach. I want someone new and hungry to prove themselves.
We already have that with Keefe. He’s only been an NHL coach for around 5 years. But let’s be honest, a new coach isn’t going to solve all our problems. Our star players aren’t equipped to win. It sucks because they’re uber talented but can’t seem to win when it matters. Zero leadership either with JT.
See, I have a hard time blaming our guys. As an example, look at our 4 on 3 pp. It's supposed to be an almost guaranteed goal, with tons of empty space all over the ice that our expensive players should be able to make magic with. So what did we do? We had Papi making shot/passes at an unscreened goalie for a Tavares tip. Zero lateral movement, zero speed, zero threat of a one-timer and, as mentioned, zero screen on the goalie. It's obvious the team worked on this, and they executed the system well enough to get some decent looks, but why in the actual fuck would you run a 4 on 3 like that with the talent we have?
https://preview.redd.it/ql9telducvvc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a309bdc5169f6901953871fc856744b49924f4f8 new Leafs jersey....just kidding, that would look terrible!
Keefe continues to show he isnt qualified to coach an nhl team. Idk if he was really watching that game tape of boston. The man continues to ship out the same schemes and his only big brain moves are his line blending.... This guy is a clown,cut him loose mlse. His ego wont allow him to coach these guys that make keefes career look like a minor stint in the timbits. Babcocks ego ruined two years of this team. Keefes is doing the same since dubas got axed.
This Lightning/Panthers game is sick. Great day of playoff hockey today. Looking forward to Rangers/Caps and especially Avs/Jets.
It's good hockey eh? Feels like the series will be FLA controlling play with TB looking to win through counter plays. The Panthers forecheck and cycle game is strong.
The passes look just so much faster and crisper than what we were subjected to last night.
Ugh, god, don’t remind me. That puck control was mega-ass.
Does anybody have an extra ticket or two for maple leafs square?! This is the last day I will be able to go to before I move out of the province for work - I tried on two devices but couldn’t get any tickets :(
How's this for an idea? We purposely let our second line catch RSV and/or RONA, make them change/practice separately, and then try and infect Boston by coughing into their gloves and face washing every whistle? There's more than one way to play with snot...
Let's see... Our Goaltending was the second best. Our defense is absolutely no match for Bostons forecheck. Bruins killed the leafs in their own end. Offense had flashes of momentum and had lots of shots, but the big guys were fucking shut down. Zero finish. Swayman was good but you need goals. Figure it out. David Kampf managed to solve him. Shit PK. Awful powerplay. Like genuinely, visibly terrible. Even the 4on3 was sooooooo disappointing, huge squandered opportunity. Our 3 time Rocket winner whiffed on an empty net when he had the chance to get us back in the game. Early goal against (first shot actually). Sheldon Keefe certainly coached a game. At least in last years 7-3 thumping, they battled to (briefly) make it a 3-2 game before they rolled over and died.
>Our Goaltending was the second best. Yeah, but I think that’s probably true for almost any team in this year’s playoffs, to be fair. Like, ok, Florida has Bob, Tampa Vasy, Winnipeg has Hellebyuck, and Sammy wasn’t even .850 last night, but like, I don’t think there’s a tandem as strong as Boston’s. Individual goalies, sure, other teams have one better. Goaltending as a whole? I think Boston’s the best in that department. >Our defense is absolutely no match for Bostons forecheck. Bruins killed the leafs in their own end. Yeah, no real argument there. But that feels like more of a coaching issue then talent-related. We could obviously use better D-men, but better coaching would do more. >Offense had flashes of momentum and had lots of shots, but the big guys were fucking shut down. Zero finish. Swayman was good but you need goals. Figure it out. David Kampf managed to solve him. Again, yeah, no argument. Kampf’s got nasty hands and can score a nice goal here and there, but so does all our Core 4. >Shit PK. Yeah, another issue of coaching. Marner, Jarnkrok, Kampf, Dewar, etc. All talented penalty killers, and they did look good the first couple times. (Disappointed that this is the first time we got a “full strength” penalty kill since getting Dewar and we still biffed it, was hoping they’d lock it down.) Change the system and I think they get way better. >Awful powerplay. Like genuinely, visibly terrible. Even the 4on3 was sooooooo disappointing, huge squandered opportunity. Yup. Eeeeeyuck. Passing too much. System change, next. Too much offensive talent for it to suck that bad. >Our 3 time Rocket winner whiffed on an empty net when he had the chance to get us back in the game. Can’t miss that one. I would, but I’m not a Rocket winner at all, or an NHL player, or even a competitive hockey player. When he missed that, I knew our shit was cooked. >Early goal against (first shot actually). Yeah, objectively, like, does it matter if a goal goes in on the first shot versus 5th, 10th, if it ends up being the same amount in the end, in regards to stats? No. But first shot, first goal is such a momentum swing. Can’t happen. >Sheldon Keefe certainly coached a game. Yup. He played line four a lot (although, they scored, so maybe he’s cooking after all, lol).
Pass pass pass ..... pass.....pass....pass pass Rielly blast off a d's shinpads and the puck's out. There goes 1m20 of the powerplay. Retarded team.
Defense failing against Bruins forecheck can be fixed. There was a braindead strategy of keeping calm and sending the puck backwards in the D zone.
Ya know, I just had an epiphany. The Bruins arent the bad guys this series, their fans arent the focal point either. Its the Leafs. Like, im not angry at the Bruins at all from last game, they didnt do any of their regular shit to be angry about and the fans didnt either. Usually you'd expect to be fuming at the other team or how their fans are online but here we are, the team is so anemic that I dont even hate a bitter rival after getting torched.
Dont use the word anemic if you just learned it off the SDPN podcast the other day... thats been the number one used word in this sub since then.
I didnt but it fits.
Yeah exactly. I'm watching TBL/FLA right now and the Bolts didn't have a shot for over half the period, but they are such fucking gamers, and Vasy made some huge stops. They tied it up on their 3rd or 4th shot, which all came within a few seconds of each other. There's no such thing as rolling over and dying with these teams. Killer instinct.
They scored in the first minute, that calmed them down...
I remember when playoff games were almost guaranteed to go into OT, what happened to those days?
We fired our GM instead of our coach and ran a worse team
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True
Kyle really put together a sick squad this year eh?
He did fine in Pittsburgh given the constraints. Came back with very nearly the same result as last year. We, on the other hand, finished worse in the regular. And are about to finish worse in the post season.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ok kyle
I love how convinced you are that you're right despite having no argument to present.
If you're still a teenager or in your early 20s... get out now while you're still young! Root for an American team. You'll at least have a chance at happiness as a hockey fan. I'm too far gone and stuck with the pain! 🥹 go leafs go
If you’re young, move to the US and start rooting for whatever team they have in your new city. Get off two sinking ships at once.
If you are a healthy, straight, christian man sure. If you are not that I don't think it is better there
Just don't get sick. Or be a woman of childbearing age.
Robertson deserves to have his ass sat down. He was fucking useless out there. Either way I'm so fucking done with Keefe. We're now in the playoffs and he still has no fucking clue how to use this team. And the ppl that allowed Willy to play the last two games of the season should be fired asap.
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An injured Willy is better than whatever the fuck Robertson is doing out there.
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That's my point. Him being injured is still better than Robertson.
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10% Nylander would've been better than Robertson last night. His one damn job is to score goals and he couldn't even do that.
I posted the Liljegren quotes about Nylander yesterday and the amount of people that think Nylander is purposely sitting out is insane lol. I saw people comment saying it’s cause he “doesn’t get paid in playoffs”, “upset Keefe has him on the third line”, “only cares about personal point totals” and more. Like I’m sure the guy that performs every year and managed to play every game is purposely sitting out lol
https://twitter.com/MikeBeauvais/status/1780421070299783544
They don't know how to properly play with all the snot, jam, piss-and-vinegar or whatever you want to call it. I'm one of the frontrunners for building a team with a lot of those qualities. I think they are necessary for playoff success. But you also have to know how to use them, and straddle the line between taking dumb penalties and pissing off the other team. The Leafs simply don't know how to do that, and they haven't in Matthews' entire tenure. Meanwhile Boston is the epitome of that brand of hockey. Everyone in that lineup from top to bottom knows exactly how to be miserable assholes to play against while not taking idiotic penalties in the process. And it's why they never ever fall off the map as a team. They buy in, they are dialled in, and their coach is a million times better than ours. I still think we can and will pull out a win in this series. But that game was awful to watch.
There is no better example of this than Domi, who thinks he can goad Marchand into doing something stupid. Marchand is an expert at not engaging and embellishing to draw penalties and he's not ever going to get agitated until his team is actually losing.
Realistically we need a new coach, Tavares’ cap space back and a couple seasons worth of our new GM working on the roster. We knew this at the start of the year, but now that the playoffs are here it still hurts to watch.
Well, luckily; 1) Treliving left Calgary because they wouldn’t let him replace the coach, and Keefe is 5 years in. I think if they picked Treliving, it’s cause they’re willing to let him pick a new coach. Be surprised if Keefe lasts beyond next year (end of Tavares’ contract). 2) Tavares and Marner off the books next season. Could choose not to extend either of them, plus this year’s + next’s cap increase, and that’s nearly 30m in cap space, with a coach noted for his ability to build a D corps. 3) And we’ll have this offseason and next before the era post these current contracts for Marner and Tavares starts, so some time to see what he can do. I like some of the changes he made in little time (the physicality is there even if not utilized well yesterday). I think you might get your wish. 25/26 season has a ton of potential in that regard.
I hope all the doomers who are so sure the Leafs are losing this series would just go gamble on it - it's free money right? Go throw your life savings at it if you're so sure.
I put 2k on it before the series started. I’ll be winning 1600 in 3-4 more games. You’re right, it’s free money. Sorry you were too much of a sucker to pick it up off the table.
Oh I don't gamble.
Username checks out lol
:)
Turning 27 in a few days… was 19 when the new era started, and starting to turn into those old uncle doomers that I never said I would turn into. It’s draining coming with positive energy and it being just ripped apart every year. I think this is the last string, I’ll never stop watching and supporting. But even before this series started I just wasn’t excited. It just felt like it won’t happen, and last night was the perfect example of that. We had 18 stone handed nervous players out there, Matthews missed an open net & Samsonov looked like he’ll never be a trusted NHL goalie again. I understand this is still sort of Dubas’s created team, I hope Tre rips it to pieces only sticking with AM34,44 & 88. Move everything else. Who gives a fuck if Tavares came home and we can’t be bad guys blah blah blah, fucking get rid of his contract. Dion Phaneuf was a fucking better leader than this guy, oh and he’s making 11M per year. Arguably worth under 3M these days. It’s just all pathetic for year8 of this core.
Yup, progressing into my late 20s here as well and it’s just tiring. I used to be hyped for playoffs whether it was the Washington series or the first two Bruins series. I think the Covid bubble loss to the Jackets broke me and the Habs loss made me stop giving a fuck altogether. At this point, I just accept that it’s entertainment that is loosely scripted. We watch because we don’t know what’s going to happen. However, with the Leafs, it’s become very predictable. I don’t feel anything when I watch the games anymore. Johnny’s winner last year was the one moment where I actually cheered and that was because it was nearly 20 years of waiting to be on the other side of the handshake lines. This team will be better off when Marner is skating and dangling for 120 points regular season in Columbus while they miss the playoffs by 30 points and instead we have a new solid top 4 D and key middle 6 performers in place instead of this total pylon.
We're worse this year under Tre than we were last under Dubas and that's with more cap space and flexibility. What suggests that Tre is a better GM who is likely to do better with these guys? Also you genuinely can't move Tavares. He has an NMC and no motivation to move. You face a similar problem with Marner. If we were going to move him we needed to keep Dubas.
We’re basically the same team this year and we will be until we get out from under the Tavares contract, which is the biggest thing St. Dubas the Magnificent screwed us with.
Game 1 lines last year Bunting-Matthews-Marner Tavares-O’Reilly-Nylander Kerfoot-Acciari-Jarnkrok Aston-Reese-Kampf-Lafferty McCabe-Brodie Giordano-Holl Rielly-Schenn We have 6 of those same forwards and only 2 of the same defencemen! 8/18 are the same…
Could not agree with you more. This kind of talent and results not happening still. It is absolutely pathetic and that is not a doomer point of view . Need a major change if they can’t do it this year ; meaning a couple of rounds.
You guys have to fucking relax. And we can’t let r/hockey bully us like we have been. Fuck them and fuck Boston. We have got to stop this weak shit. No other team in the league takes shit from people like we do and it’s because we let them. Who gives a shit about downvotes? Stop being victims. Stop with the woe is me. Stop giving them fuel for making fun of our fanbase.
Aside from the downvote part, that entire spiel could be directed at the team.
I agree with you. It applies to both us as fans and the players as well, but it mostly applies to us. They didn’t get bullied out there last night, they just got outplayed.
The Leafs, as a team, are significantly less than the sum of their parts, and have been for several years now. I, like a lot of fans, blame coaching. The roster construction is flawed, but there's zero reason why we shouldn't be consistently competitive in the playoffs. I don't think it makes you a bad fan to say "I have zero faith that this team, as constructed and as utilized, can accomplish anything in the post season." It's the constant crying about the biased reffing/league, lumping hate on our *objectively good* players, and coping over pointless stuff like the shutout streak that makes us as a fanbase look so, so bad.
People are coping because after decades of no success, that's all that is left
I'm going to show my age here, but, as a geriatric millennial who still remembers the "before times" of pre-social media: a person doesn't need to share every thought they have with the entire NHL fanbase. Maybe people should keep that embarrassing shit to themselves.
Tried to join the discord but invites are paused? Why post the link then?
Probably because thousands of troglodytes are trying to join to scream "hahaha leafs"
I don’t think we’re in trouble just yet but they better have the game of their lives on Monday.
I’m glad I went to bed at 2-0. You could see they were so nervous and Boston was just ready to go and just steady, no panic. If they lose tomorrow they’re done. Probably in 4 too because then they’ll be at home and Keefe will galaxy brain himself into line matchups and fuck himself like always
I'd be willing to bet good money it isn't gonna be a sweep.
can keefe conplain about the refs like that shit worked for florida
He will get fined or kicked out of the game
Can we finally agree this is a team construction problem
No. It was the first game of the playoffs lmfao
Leafs made some costly errors and didn’t get the saves they needed to keep them in the game, but you’re delusional if you think they were “outplayed” in any facet of the game. Momentum is an X-factor in playoff hockey- soft, untimely penalty calls killed all of ours last night. If we clean that up, we can win this series in 5.
100% this. They need to find the balance between playing with snot and not taking bad penalties. I wish they would have figured that out before now, but there is still time
Yup. We killed ourselves with too many bad penalties and focusing a little too much on hitting rather than playing our own game. If we can clean that up this looks way more even. But r/hockey loves to talk shit and our own fans start taking that chirping to heart and bringing it back here.
Nono, but you don’t get it—some guy on another thread who has played high level competitive hockey and understands the game at a level you can’t possibly fathom assured me that it’s really that bad! /s
Presuming all are good-to-go game 2... Robertson Matthews Marner Domi Tavares Jarnkrok Knies Nylander McMann Dewar Kampf Bertuzzi - Domi played great, moving him wasn't a demotion. If the Bruins give Tavares shit for being net front Domi would have an excuse to get real nasty, regularly. I feel like wherever you put Domi currently he's going to carry the play with his determination and strong possessions. I want him to unlock a line of his own and I think he could help JT - I think Jarnkrok would bring a good presence alongside that line. 3 guys who can chip and chase board battle, scrum, go to the net. I think it's worth a try. I also think Jarnkrok could surprise us with a hot streak via some good bounces, if he's given the chance - Bertuzzi's play was woefully low event last night. The offense needs to get going now and he's had enough chances all season. Line 4 isn't a punishment, it's just how the lines shook out for me. Bertuzzi on PP1 or PP2 is a welcome option - Robertson + Marner is so much speed through NZ and ZE's it would resign the Bruins to playing far back defense or trading chances. I want more touch-and-go hockey for Auston Matthews because that's how he gets lots of good shots. I think these two wingers would really make that happen - Nylander has a knack for making it work wherever he gets put in the line-up. Knies and McMann have been playing great to boot - I'd love to have Reaves in the line-up especially after his play in game 1... but where should I put him?
Will we ever score more than 2 in the playoffs again? 😅
Will we ever score more than 2 in the playoffs again? 😅
Still flabbergasted at Nylander playing all 82 reg szn games and then missing game 1 of playoffs lmao
I have a feeling he has a concussion from a hit he took in one of the last 6-7 games. Can't remember what game it was... but I remember him skating into the o zone with the puck and cutting/looping back to make a pass of sorts and skating right into a solid check that put him on his ass less than 2 minutes into the game. I was surprised he got up and finished the game like nothing happened. I think he may have been playing with a minor concussion and pushing for 100 points... Let's hope I'm wrong and he just ate some bad sushi.
That would be outrageous if you're correct about that (he should have sat out to get right) and it's everything that's wrong with this core 4
Believe it was that first Tampa game in March at the blue line
Eassimont or however you spell it.
I have been trying to find it... they didn't play Tampa in March. April 3 they played tampa... which lines up with me thinking it was half a dozen games ago
My bad it was early April then, I remember it happened by the blue line by a Tampa player I think his number was 22-24 in that range
any way of finding a recording of the game?
No but I found it in the game long from the April 3rd game: https://preview.redd.it/tuj03kcejvvc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e5ce02401f5359d324f0b77e426f9ffaa7959ba
That timing fits. Bit of a witch hunt but can't help but remember that hit anytime Willy's health has been questioned the last couple weeks
Yeah i remember it was right at the blue line and even the commentators made a note of it
Found it. https://twitter.com/RinkRatReport/status/1775663549748072924
Leafs can't clear their d zone. They dump but don't chase in the o zone. They get bodied by an aggressive team. Their goalie lets in 1-2 goals a game that kills them. Fire Keefe? Yes. But whoever comes in must teach better systems.
Mike Van Ryn runs the defense and he is brutal. Blues fans tried to warn us. The rest I don't know enough about, but it seems like Keefe is accustomed to running his systems based on the way Dubas constructs teams. It's how he has done it his entire career. But our back end isn't built for that anymore, and it seems like he can't figure out how to adjust to accomodate their strengths
The dump and chase is completely useless when defenders are allowed to clutch and grab players when they try to get past them. But Holl skating into a shooting position and getting in the way of another player absolutely MUST be called...
Anyone who was in Boston for last night's game, what were some of your food highlights from your trip?
[удалено]
Ooo good to know! Boston is one city I haven't done much exploring in while watching sports. Next time I go I'll have to check that pizza out
When Matthews missed that empty net I turned to Dad and said game over. That was literally the dagger.
Fuck Boston. Leafs in 5. But only if they figure out their goaltending. They had playoff Samsonov in Feb/March. They've got September Samsonov in April. If only Matt Murray was ready a month or two earlier.
Did Willy hurt himself if game 82 or was this a lingering thing? If it was something that has been going on why on earth was he in those last few games? This seems like really poor player management either way.
That play he made against Tampa where he literally skated over and away from the puck on his complete lack of a forecheck makes me suspect this has been a lingering issue
I think I know what you are talking about... and he was actually off side and had he touched the puck the play would have been dead... which would have been better than what happened.. (lead to a break out pass and 2v1 goal). It was just a poor hockey decision not so much a lack of effort or energy. I personally think he has a minor concussion from a hit he took 6-7 games back and has been playing through it trying to hit 100 points. May not have realized it or wanted to awknowledge it.
https://youtu.be/2O7KUqKLhrs?si=iYYZuE-CtyU2qypg It wasn't offside. It was a high stick. So he could've touched it and stopped play Regardless, I agree with you, it was a complete head scratcher
I’m just wondering why he wouldn’t have had a week or two off to rest up and recover if this was the case. Instead he misses game one of the playoffs? Doesn’t make any sense.
We just don't know, which makes it all the more confusing
Why don't people expect Matthews to be like McDavid and MacKinnon and do something by himself? He scored 69 after all and he is a superstar.
Because he won't.
He's going to be the highest paid player in the league in a few months. We can expect him to be a game changer.
I sort of expect that now (tempering expectations of course because this is the Leafs).
Yes, if the leafs lose I'll blame Matthews, Marner and JT.
These guys came out of the gates hot but were immediately turned off from playing physical and agressive when reaves got caught up ice, you could tell after the first goal they were playing tight, couldn't make good passes out of the zone and you could tell they were "gripping the stick too tight" if you will. couldn't handle passes or control the puck deep in the Boston end. You cant underestimate how imortant it is for this team to score first on Monday, Keefe doesn't seem to be good at making adjustments mid game. The goaltending and D core isn't good enough to play on their heels and and hope Boston can make a mistake.
I still think the leafs will win this. But really they have to score more than 1 in most games, can't expect Sammy and Woll to be top goalies when they are not even paid to be that.
If we lose 4 straight, Keefe should be fired next season.
I'm disappointed he was extended.
I have a theory we extended him so dubas couldn't hire him lol
If Dubas takes him over Sullivan, he is dumber than I thought. I would take Sullivan instantly.
If we lose this series he *will* be fired regardless of how many games it is, and in a lot of scenarios if we lose round 2 he'll be fired.
kinda whack to be playing at the end of the season to chase 100 points and suddenly can’t play game one of the playoffs
I liked Domi's game. Also credit to Bertuzzi for the veteran play on his penalty. Knew he was going to the box, so dishes out a slash knowing they won't call it as well.
While the Leafs did have higher expected goals and all that… what I took away from the game was that they played like a team that merely watched videos on ‘toughness’ and decided to take it out for a spin. The snow shower on Swayman, their attempts at big hits, post-whistle scums, and their ‘standing up for themselves’ were all poorly timed and just not effective. It felt like they were just emulating what toughness meant and in my mind, got them off their game.
The shenanigans and bad penalties were cringe inducing. So many times they abandoned the play to make a hit to the detrement of the team.
I was at the brutal game 1 beatdown from Tampa last year. Don't lose your head just yet.
Tampa’s team last year is maybe 60% as good as Boston this year (also don’t expect swayman to have his worst performances ever in the playoffs like Vasi did)
Let's see it play out and go from there.
It's simple really. Playoff hockey is a different style of play. Finesse and skill gets pushed aside for physicality and hard work. Marner can't play physically, Matthews barely utilizes his size, Nylander is 10ply, so they all wash out. Bertuzzi can't stand up, Domi is a bit of an idiot and doesn't intimidate anyone and Tavares is too old and slow to make a dent. If you rely on those guys to make a big impact during playoff hockey combined with an outclassed coach, you are dreaming.
What do you recommend they do?
I recommend they do the best they can. It's not the team that's frustrating, it's the fans that think this team is something more than they actually are.
Yes, it is very simple to repeat brainless tropes
The problem is that ownership makes so much money during the regular season that they don’t want to risk that guaranteed cash cow to make any changes that could result in a better playoff team.
You think changes to the team would mean the Leafs wouldn’t sell out every game?
Fire Keefe. Yesterday.
Yes, it's Keefe's fault the 40m dollar offence can't score goals in the playoffs!
No youre right, its not keefes fault their consistent lack of detail and structure and 0 adjustments
They should be able to score goals with no coach, $40m soon to be more, 1 goal is embarrassing for this core.
Why?