Guilt Trip
Well-known member
So far no complaints about any of them including Murray who needs time.
Flyers @ Maple Leafs - Jan. 5th, 7:00pm - SN, Fan 590
- Thread starter CarltonTheBear
- Start date
Back into 6th place with .659 win% at the midpoint of the season
Considering the coaching change, system overhaul, change in personnel, the injuries - especially Matthews & Stolarz, could have been a lot worse.
If they could find a good partner for Rielly and a half decent center, they could do some damage if they can stay healthy.
In the interim, what is the D going to look like without McCabe? He's probably out at least a week.
Considering the coaching change, system overhaul, change in personnel, the injuries - especially Matthews & Stolarz, could have been a lot worse.
If they could find a good partner for Rielly and a half decent center, they could do some damage if they can stay healthy.
In the interim, what is the D going to look like without McCabe? He's probably out at least a week.
dappleganger
Active member
Oh no, not what I meant. Just stupid that he got hurt doing that. No real problem with any of it.
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
herman
Well-known member
I don’t know that it needs a whole thread. Every guy on the team has looked off for a stretch. Except Stolarz and Lorentz.
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
I was kidding on the thread thing.
15 games in December that seemed to start with a number on the shelf probably took something out of them.
L K
Well-known member
Nylander definitely is lacking his explosive extra gear right now. You can really notice when he's not able to get around guys coming down the half boards. He'll be fine.
Matthews similarly looked a step slower last night which isn't entirely surprising coming off a back-to-back.
Enough really can't be said about how awful the schedule has been this year now that we are half way through the season:
Back to Backs: 10
Back to Backs with Travel: 8
Back to Backs against a Rested Team: 8
3 Games in 4 Nights: 6
14 teams have played 5 or fewer back-to-backs so far.
The average team has a .426 point percentage on zero days rest. The Leafs are at .550.
Going back to the Hathaway:McCabe fight. The only thing I don't really love about it after watching it a few more times is that Hathaway makes no effort to engage in a fight until he does. McCabe shoves him a few times and Hathaway stands there and then confetti's his gloves and starts throwing punches. McCabe brought the fight on himself but Hathaway didn't engage him in a mutual fight there. It doesn't really change anything in the outcome because I didn't see anything in the fight itself that hurt McCabe it was his head hitting the ice when they both went down and I really don't buy any argument that there was any intent to drive him into the ice.
Matthews similarly looked a step slower last night which isn't entirely surprising coming off a back-to-back.
Enough really can't be said about how awful the schedule has been this year now that we are half way through the season:
Back to Backs: 10
Back to Backs with Travel: 8
Back to Backs against a Rested Team: 8
3 Games in 4 Nights: 6
14 teams have played 5 or fewer back-to-backs so far.
The average team has a .426 point percentage on zero days rest. The Leafs are at .550.
Going back to the Hathaway:McCabe fight. The only thing I don't really love about it after watching it a few more times is that Hathaway makes no effort to engage in a fight until he does. McCabe shoves him a few times and Hathaway stands there and then confetti's his gloves and starts throwing punches. McCabe brought the fight on himself but Hathaway didn't engage him in a mutual fight there. It doesn't really change anything in the outcome because I didn't see anything in the fight itself that hurt McCabe it was his head hitting the ice when they both went down and I really don't buy any argument that there was any intent to drive him into the ice.
herman
Well-known member
The thing I’ve noticed is in contrast to the first time this line played together for a stretch so effectively that it carried the team when Matthews was blah, they’ve reversed the formation, so to speak.
Earlier in the season, Pacioretty and Tavares were getting in on the forecheck and Willy was mopping up. Now, it’s the reverse, because they’re mostly hemmed in until a late in the shift possession change springs Nylander, but often without puck control so he’s just F1. Coupled with whatever L K pointed out about the top gear stalling, this line hasn’t done much other than give up goals and its equal parts blame for all three.
Guru Tugginmypuddah
Well-known member
And nothing for Hathaway for being a Richard?
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
Hopefully not....the 2pts are worth more and the 4th line actually looks decent...don't mess with a winning lineup
bustaheims
Well-known member
Also, Hathaway probably wouldn't even engage with Reaves, so, that just means the Leafs have a guy out there running around looking for vengeance and taking unnecessary penalties. Leave Raves in the pressbox where he belongs.
Ozzie
Member
Sometimes you have to send a signal to those who take liberties like running your rookie goalie.
Also I couldn't tell if McCabes injury was a fluke or an intentional knee to the face.... but tomorrow the Leafs face Hathaway again.