2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs - Playoffs Edition
- Thread starter Guru Tugginmypuddah
- Start date
herman
Well-known member
Zee said:
The Jets are scary deep at forward and at the top of their defense. They lacked any goalstopping ability last year and for the season opener this year and we're well aware now how much your forward depth doesn't matter when the puck just keeps going into the net. I don't think they're championship caliber because of Laine alone, but they're a well built team for their style of play.
herman said:
Just sucks about the whole 'having to live in Winnipeg' thing.
herman said:
Whose side are you on?
Zee
Active member
herman said:
They've also been building for a while. Leafs were 30th two season ago, can't expect to go from 30th to Stanley Cup so quickly. Leafs will get there in the next 2-3 seasons.
The Jets actually had 99 points the year the Leafs drafted Marner, so the Jets took a step back before they moved forward.
herman said:CarltonTheBear said:
Get a haircut, Wilhem the troll.
herman
Well-known member
Zee said:
Counting progress by overall points in our 3-point system is a bit of a red herring, in my view. Once you get to OT, it's a coin flip.
Last year's Leafs were ass at shootouts. This year they're over 100 points because of the extra shootout wins. It's a bit artificial.
End of season 5v5 goal differential mixed with a PDO check is a clearer picture of team strength to me.
Zee
Active member
herman said:
OK forget points, the Jets made the playoffs that season, were bounced in round 1 and then missed the playoffs for 2 straight seasons. So they took a step back before their great season this year. Leafs so far have been a playoff team 2 straight seasons, this year's edition isn't yet done despite the bad start in the series. So I see forward progress by the Leafs despite the last 2 games. I think things are only going to get better despite what the trolls like to yap about.
So just to reign this back in to the Leafs for a second.
I've seen a lot of consternation over their Coach and his choices. Having watched the most that a person should have to watch of the first two games, here is where I have some questions.
1. Does it seem to anyone else that the Leafs seem to be trying to play a more patient game now that they are in the playoffs? They seem to be hanging back more rather than pushing the pedal to the metal and just skating all out.
2. If the above is true, do you think that is a coaching decision, or do you think that Boston is applying the pressure that make it looks that way?
3. Should the Leafs be trying to get the Bruins to play a more run and gun style in the hopes that the Leafs scoring depth out weighs the Bruins scoring depth? Can the Leafs even do that?
Basically, does it look like the Leafs are trying to play more like Boston than they should, and rather than let Boston dictate how the Leafs are going to play, the Leafs should come out and play their style and see what Boston does with it? Or is the way Boston is playing actually causing the Leafs to look slow and there isn't really anything they are going to be able to do about it?
I've seen a lot of consternation over their Coach and his choices. Having watched the most that a person should have to watch of the first two games, here is where I have some questions.
1. Does it seem to anyone else that the Leafs seem to be trying to play a more patient game now that they are in the playoffs? They seem to be hanging back more rather than pushing the pedal to the metal and just skating all out.
2. If the above is true, do you think that is a coaching decision, or do you think that Boston is applying the pressure that make it looks that way?
3. Should the Leafs be trying to get the Bruins to play a more run and gun style in the hopes that the Leafs scoring depth out weighs the Bruins scoring depth? Can the Leafs even do that?
Basically, does it look like the Leafs are trying to play more like Boston than they should, and rather than let Boston dictate how the Leafs are going to play, the Leafs should come out and play their style and see what Boston does with it? Or is the way Boston is playing actually causing the Leafs to look slow and there isn't really anything they are going to be able to do about it?
Zee
Active member
Significantly Insignificant said:
Random thoughts to follow:
It's probably a coaching decision because of the age old wisdom that you can't win playing run and gun hockey in the playoffs.
Last game for example, when the Leafs finally seemed to open up and create chances (after it was 4-0), the Bruins get one chance and they bury it for a goal. Part of it was bad luck, part is bad defensive coverage and not getting any type of timely save.
Leafs and Bruins played to a 3-3 scoreline after the initial 4 goal onslaught, and sure you can say the Bruins played differently due to the score, but the Leafs were actually trying to create more offense at that point, they finally realized they had to start skating and taking chances.
If they can fix the PK, I think the team should be able to match the Bruins fairly well 5 on 5. We can't take a penalty and have it converted for a goal 50% of the time, you just can't win playing catch up hockey all night long.
I'll throw out a cliche for tonight's game -- FIRST GOAL IS IMPORTANT. If Leafs can get the early lead, get the crowd into it, I think they'll be fine and carry a win tonight. Need to be better in pretty much every area. Andersen needs to have a game tonight.
herman
Well-known member
Zee said:
You're letting troll talk creep into your head. They don't matter.
The Leafs are on a huge upswing and this is still very nearly the ground floor.
5v5 goal differential per season
2014-15: -35
2015-16: -40
2016-17: 6
2017-18: 28
It's a 60+ goal swing from the end of Carlyle to now, with an artificial dip a bit lower for Matthews/Laine.
Hot take: it's possible both the Leafs and Jets have very good futures in the NHL.
Zee
Active member
herman said:
Oh I know, the Leafs are on the upswing and even the most pessimistic fan has to acknowledge that. They're finally building a team with mostly home-grown talent. We have more young guys coming (Johnsson and Kapanen weren't all season regulars yet), Grundstrom, Engvall, Aaltonen have all seemed to progress well and have a shot at making the Leafs next season. The future is brighter than I've ever seen it in the last 40 years.
ZBBM
Active member
herman said:
I did see Shanahan roll his eyes when they showed a reaction shot last game, and that screams Dubas.
BTW, for a camera operator how boring would it be to get assigned to shoot the GMs at a game? "Just turn on the camera, Terry, and keep watching until Lamoriello rubs his forehead or something and then relay the clip to the truck. Then do the same for Shanny." Zzzzzzzz
Zee
Active member
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
C'mon man, that's a bit of a stretch seeing an eye-roll and assuming Shanahan is pining for Dubas to run the team ;D
I would be more on board with this if after said eye-roll, Dubas is standing behind Shanahan and Shanny turns to him and points and we see Dubas nod his head. ;D ;D