Game 7: Leafs @ Bruins - Apr. 23rd, 7:00pm - CBC, TSN 1050

[Redleaf]

Well...I'm at a loss for words.  Disappointing is the only word that comes to mind.

On paper, this is one of the best teams I've seen in my lifetime.  However, as proven time in and time out, what is good on paper is absolutely irrelevant in the playoffs.

I'm at a loss for words as to why we are done.  On the ice, our top players didn't play that badly overall in the series.  Matthews showed up, Rielly was good.
Andersen played well enough for us to win this in 6 games.  We didn't lose this series because of the usual scapegoats (i.e. Hainsey/Zaitsev/Marleau/Goat etc.).  We also didn't lose because Bergeron, Marchand and Pasternak scored a boat load of goals between them, which is what I would have expected in a 7 game series loss - Tavares/Marner/Hyman kept them mostly in check.  We didn't lose because we were out muscled or out hustled.  We won 2 (TWO!!!) games on their turf, so home ice was mostly irrelevant.  Our defensive system was brutal at times, but in my opinion was not reason number 1 why we lost.

I just don't understand what i just saw over the last 7 games and conclude definitely on how or why our season ended.  We should still be playing.  I don't know what just happened.

My guess would be the lack of a couple of good mobile but solid defensive defensemen. Because of our insufficient defence Corp, the onus was put on our forwards to help bridge the gap. That ultimately lead to guys like Tavares and Marner (among others) being deployed for defensive assignments, which I believe stifled their offence and greatly reduced the effectiveness of this teams greatest strength: high octane offense.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I hope we?ve seen the last of all of these. I?d potentially give Babcock one more year with new assistant coaches, although ideally I?d like Keefe to get a look first. He would be best placed to plug guys from the Marlies into the big team ala Cooper in Tampa.

I wonder if we'll see the assistants fired and Keefe and Guy Boucher brought in to replace them. Boucher was apparently very close to becoming the Leafs head coach before Babcock finally decided to zero in on the Leafs, and Keefe is of course Dubas' guy. That'd certainly put some pressure on Babcock as well.

 

[L K]

Woke up today.  Sun still rose, ate breakfast, on my second coffee of the day, walked my dog, at work.  Life goes on.  The Leafs didn?t win and we move on.  Oh well.

This is still a really good 5on5 team that has massive amounts of offensive skill and a bad power play.  They could improve significantly if they find a way to fix the power play.

The defense isn?t going to get much better than this though as the cap wil limit what we do in the offseason.  This is going to be a big test for a Dubas as he tries to work his way around a tight cap.

Up first is probably getting rid of the assistants.  I do wonder what Matthews take on Babcock is after two years in a row of him being underutilizes in the postseason.

I get why Babcock would defend Marleau in his post-gam press conference but at the same time it doesn?t change that it was horrible utilization.  The 3rd line had it rough this series.  Nylander would gain the zone.  Have no one up with him.  He would pass back to the point.  The puck would be shot into the corner and the Back marleau would lose a puck battle.  Over and over again.

 

[Zee]

Well said LK, life goes on, but I'm so glad I didn't watch last night because I figured that would be the outcome.  Saved me from being in a bad mood last night.  Babcock's stubbornness will be his downfall, I can see them giving him one more kick at it next season, but in my opinion it's a mistake.  They need a more progressive coach than someone who continually runs out his 4th line even when down a goal or 2.

 

[cabber24]

Woke up today.  Sun still rose, ate breakfast, on my second coffee of the day, walked my dog, at work.  Life goes on.  The Leafs didn?t win and we move on.  Oh well.

This is still a really good 5on5 team that has massive amounts of offensive skill and a bad power play.  They could improve significantly if they find a way to fix the power play.

The defense isn?t going to get much better than this though as the cap wil limit what we do in the offseason.  This is going to be a big test for a Dubas as he tries to work his way around a tight cap.

Up first is probably getting rid of the assistants.  I do wonder what Matthews take on Babcock is after two years in a row of him being underutilizes in the postseason.

I get why Babcock would defend Marleau in his post-gam press conference but at the same time it doesn?t change that it was horrible utilization.  The 3rd line had it rough this series.  Nylander would gain the zone.  Have no one up with him.  He would pass back to the point.  The puck would be shot into the corner and the Back marleau would lose a puck battle.  Over and over again.

Yes, 5 on 5, we're great. Special teams is coachable.

I would also give Matthews the C now.

 

[Bullfrog]

Yes, 5 on 5, we're great. Special teams is coachable.

I would also give Matthews the C now.

I'm torn on that one. Matthews or Rielly? Tavaras deserves some consideration too, but I think it's M or R.

 

[Zee]

Yes, 5 on 5, we're great. Special teams is coachable.

I would also give Matthews the C now.

I'm torn on that one. Matthews or Rielly? Tavaras deserves some consideration too, but I think it's M or R.

They were talking about this on the Leaf Report podcast.  They both thought that Matthews wants the "C" and it would put the onus on him to be "the guy" and show the team he's the leader in all situations.  Rielly will be the same with or without the captaincy, but a guy like Matthews it might make a big difference in his mind.  I tend to agree with this take.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Yes, 5 on 5, we're great. Special teams is coachable.

I would also give Matthews the C now.

I'm torn on that one. Matthews or Rielly? Tavares deserves some consideration too, but I think it's M or R.

It's always been Rielly to me.  I think he's always set a great example on the ice and off, he's been with the team for 6 years, he's entered the discussion among the elite players at his position, and as a defenseman he just makes a natural alternative choice to the discussion about picking one forward or another for the role.  It's entirely subjective, but he strikes me as more of a leader than Matthews, Tavares or Marner.

Oh, and I loved the way he stuck up for Jake Gardiner after the game.  That's leadership to me.

 

[Chris]

If they feel compelled to name a captain next year, I'd prefer Rielly. Might be better to wait another year if they want to make Matthews captain, I just don't feel like he's ready for that. Could be wrong, just a feeling.

 

[mr grieves]

I hope we?ve seen the last of all of these. I?d potentially give Babcock one more year with new assistant coaches, although ideally I?d like Keefe to get a look first. He would be best placed to plug guys from the Marlies into the big team ala Cooper in Tampa.

I wonder if we'll see the assistants fired and Keefe and Guy Boucher brought in to replace them. Boucher was apparently very close to becoming the Leafs head coach before Babcock finally decided to zero in on the Leafs, and Keefe is of course Dubas' guy. That'd certainly put some pressure on Babcock as well.

I remember Friedman mentioning on his & Marek's podcast, back before the playoffs, that Florida's Paul McFarland got the Panthers' pretty good PP organized and has been released by the team. They speculated about a fit in Toronto -- he's young (like Dubas!) and the Leafs' powerplay was mediocre (as was clear back before the playoffs...)

 

[Zee]

If they feel compelled to name a captain next year, I'd prefer Rielly. Might be better to wait another year if they want to make Matthews captain, I just don't feel like he's ready for that. Could be wrong, just a feeling.

I disagree, he stepped up in the playoffs and was the Leafs best forward from game 3 onward.  I think he's ready to take the next step.

 

[L K]

Yeah, I think this series was Matthews stepping up his game.  His defensive effort was better.  His goal scoring was there.  I think this would be a fine time to anoint him.

 

[lc9]

Now is the time to give matthews the C. He is the guy. 

 

[cabber24]

I had the C put on my Matthews jersey when I bought it 2 years ago.

 

[cabber24]

And as for the penalty kill, according to NHL.com, going back to 1985-86 there?ve been 424 teams whose playoff runs lasted at least six games. Toronto?s 2019 penalty-kill percentage, an embarrassing 56 per cent, ranks 423rd out of 424. The Leafs? 2018 penalty kill ranks 421st. Their 2017 work ranks 407th. Those numbers are Babcock?s numbers.

Strike three your out.

 

[Zee]

And as for the penalty kill, according to NHL.com, going back to 1985-86 there?ve been 424 teams whose playoff runs lasted at least six games. Toronto?s 2019 penalty-kill percentage, an embarrassing 56 per cent, ranks 423rd out of 424. The Leafs? 2018 penalty kill ranks 421st. Their 2017 work ranks 407th. Those numbers are Babcock?s numbers.

Strike three your out.

Holy hell, historically bad numbers.

 

[Redleaf]

If they feel compelled to name a captain next year, I'd prefer Rielly. Might be better to wait another year if they want to make Matthews captain, I just don't feel like he's ready for that. Could be wrong, just a feeling.

I disagree, he stepped up in the playoffs and was the Leafs best forward from game 3 onward.  I think he's ready to take the next step.

I completely agree Zee. Give Matthews the 'C' and Rielly and Tavares can have 'A's

 

[Guilt Trip]

If they feel compelled to name a captain next year, I'd prefer Rielly. Might be better to wait another year if they want to make Matthews captain, I just don't feel like he's ready for that. Could be wrong, just a feeling.

I disagree, he stepped up in the playoffs and was the Leafs best forward from game 3 onward.  I think he's ready to take the next step.

I completely agree Zee. Give Matthews the 'C' and Rielly and Tavares can have 'A's

I also agree. We saw a major step forward for Matthews in this series. Watching him become a more 200ft player and scoring those 5 goals was nice to see. It's time he gets the C. It should also be noted that Matthews took some of the blame on Gardiner's gaffe. I personally don't think he was at any fault but he's trying to deflect the heat off Gardiner.

 

[Zee]

If they feel compelled to name a captain next year, I'd prefer Rielly. Might be better to wait another year if they want to make Matthews captain, I just don't feel like he's ready for that. Could be wrong, just a feeling.

I disagree, he stepped up in the playoffs and was the Leafs best forward from game 3 onward.  I think he's ready to take the next step.

I completely agree Zee. Give Matthews the 'C' and Rielly and Tavares can have 'A's

I also agree. We saw a major step forward for Matthews in this series. Watching him become a more 200ft player and scoring those 5 goals was nice to see. It's time he gets the C.

I'm fully expecting it to happen. It's been long enough.

 

[Guilt Trip]

If they feel compelled to name a captain next year, I'd prefer Rielly. Might be better to wait another year if they want to make Matthews captain, I just don't feel like he's ready for that. Could be wrong, just a feeling.

I disagree, he stepped up in the playoffs and was the Leafs best forward from game 3 onward.  I think he's ready to take the next step.

I completely agree Zee. Give Matthews the 'C' and Rielly and Tavares can have 'A's

I also agree. We saw a major step forward for Matthews in this series. Watching him become a more 200ft player and scoring those 5 goals was nice to see. It's time he gets the C.

I'm fully expecting it to happen. It's been long enough.

I think so to. I'm betting they wait until Marner signs tho lol..