Leafs @ Bruins - Apr. 12th, 7:00pm - CBC, Fan 590

[L K]

I guess my concern is why is something like "play your best lineup" something that one of the best coaches in the NHL needs to be adjusting for in the first place.

Your best lineup is not the same as his best lineup is probably my best answer to that.

Yeah, that's fair.

 

[rdowdall]

I guess, in Babcock's defence, Bergeron's 82% CF would suggest that it really wouldn't have mattered who he matched up against on that face-off. I really don't know how they're going to stop that line.

Hope they put everything they have in to game one?

I know it was a bad game.  I would like to draw on history for a moment if I could, so scootch children...scootch.  What have I told you about the scootching?

The year was 2002.  A second seeded Toronto Maple Leafs team was lining up against a 7th seeded Ottawa Senators team at the ACC, for that is what we called it back then. 

The Leafs were decimated by injuries, including one to their captain Mats Sundin <pause for dramatic effect>.  Those upstart Senators came out flying and won that game 5-0.  A dwindling Shayne Corson led the forwards in ice time that night with 21:11 played, while a young Tomas Kaberle played 26:09.  This was to be the year that the Senators would finally beat the hated Maple Leafs from Toronto.

But never fear children, for the Leafs battled back in game two with a triple overtime win and on the backs of a totally ripped Gary Roberts, and a semi-buff Alyn (I like "y"'s) McCauley, they prevailed in that series in 7 games......

Actually, come to think of it, the only thing that is really comparable between those is a similar score in game 1.  Lets see here....checking....checking...no they lost that one....nope....didn't even make the playoffs that year....

Oh, I got one. 

I would like to draw on history for a moment if I could, so scootch children...scootch.  WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE SCOOTCHING?

The year was 1993.  A third seeded Toronto Maple Leafs team was lining up against a 2nd seeded Detriot Red Winds team at the Joe Louis Arena, for game one for a series that saw the Leafs in the playoffs after a substantial change in fortunes over the year.

The Red Wings, powered by some guy called Steve (I also like "y"'s) Yzerman, the Red Wings would storm out to a 2-0 series lead on the backs of 6-3 and 6-2 wins.  The series was coming back to Maple Leaf Gardens, which was what we called it at the time, with little hope of extending the series. 

That is all the Leafs would need though, is a little hope.  Driven by a rejuvenated Wendel Clark, fueled by a glorious mullet wearing Doug Gilmour, and backstopped by a young french Canadian goalie called Felix Potvin, the Leafs, our Leafs, would overpower the Red Wings in 7 games, capped by a remote throwing inducing moment where Nikolai Borchevsky, the little Russian that could (at least while he had a spleen) scored in overtime to propel the Leafs to the second round. 

So do not give up hope children.  Wear your jersey's proud for there is a history with those jerseys that says this thing is not over yet.

Unless of course the Bruins play every game like they did that first one, which if that is the case, this thing is over in 4.  At that point, give up hope and cheer for the Raptors. 

 

[cabber24]

I guess, in Babcock's defence, Bergeron's 82% CF would suggest that it really wouldn't have mattered who he matched up against on that face-off. I really don't know how they're going to stop that line.

Hope they put everything they have in to game one?

I know it was a bad game.  I would like to draw on history for a moment if I could, so scootch children...scootch.  What have I told you about the scootching?

The year was 2002.  A second seeded Toronto Maple Leafs team was lining up against a 7th seeded Ottawa Senators team at the ACC, for that is what we called it back then. 

The Leafs were decimated by injuries, including one to their captain Mats Sundin <pause for dramatic effect>.  Those upstart Senators came out flying and won that game 5-0.  A dwindling Shayne Corson led the forwards in ice time that night with 21:11 played, while a young Tomas Kaberle played 26:09.  This was to be the year that the Senators would finally beat the hated Maple Leafs from Toronto.

But never fear children, for the Leafs battled back in game two with a triple overtime win and on the backs of a totally ripped Gary Roberts, and a semi-buff Alyn (I like "y"'s) McCauley, they prevailed in that series in 7 games......

Actually, come to think of it, the only thing that is really comparable between those is a similar score in game 1.  Lets see here....checking....checking...no they lost that one....nope....didn't even make the playoffs that year....

Oh, I got one. 

I would like to draw on history for a moment if I could, so scootch children...scootch.  WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE SCOOTCHING?

The year was 1993.  A third seeded Toronto Maple Leafs team was lining up against a 2nd seeded Detriot Red Winds team at the Joe Louis Arena, for game one for a series that saw the Leafs in the playoffs after a substantial change in fortunes over the year.

The Red Wings, powered by some guy called Steve (I also like "y"'s) Yzerman, the Red Wings would storm out to a 2-0 series lead on the backs of 6-3 and 6-2 wins.  The series was coming back to Maple Leaf Gardens, which was what we called it at the time, with little hope of extending the series. 

That is all the Leafs would need though, is a little hope.  Driven by a rejuvenated Wendel Clark, fueled by a glorious mullet wearing Doug Gilmour, and backstopped by a young french Canadian goalie called Felix Potvin, the Leafs, our Leafs, would overpower the Red Wings in 7 games, capped by a remote throwing inducing moment where Nikolai Borchevsky, the little Russian that could (at least while he had a spleen) scored in overtime to propel the Leafs to the second round. 

So do not give up hope children.  Wear your jersey's proud for there is a history with those jerseys that says this thing is not over yet.

Unless of course the Bruins play every game like they did that first one, which if that is the case, this thing is over in 4.  At that point, give up hope and cheer for the Raptors.

Thank you daddy. I can now sleep well tonight.

 

[Highlander]

Sadly, I missed the game. I'm assuming I should open my head and start feasting on my brains?

Yes served up with Chianti and some Flava Beans

 

[ZBBM]

As stated, Plekanec hasn't gotten the job done 5 on 5.  Lots of criticism of Komarov, but I think he played better than Plekanec last night.  19 better pick it up starting now or that trade will go down as the biggest waste of a 2nd rounder ever.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

As stated, Plekanec hasn't gotten the job done 5 on 5.  Lots of criticism of Komarov, but I think he played better than Plekanec last night.  19 better pick it up starting now or that trade will go down as the biggest waste of a 2nd rounder ever.

Yanic Perreault says "bonjour".

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

As stated, Plekanec hasn't gotten the job done 5 on 5.  Lots of criticism of Komarov, but I think he played better than Plekanec last night.  19 better pick it up starting now or that trade will go down as the biggest waste of a 2nd rounder ever.

In no way has Plekanec showed he's a better option than Moore.  None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

 

[cabber24]

As stated, Plekanec hasn't gotten the job done 5 on 5.  Lots of criticism of Komarov, but I think he played better than Plekanec last night.  19 better pick it up starting now or that trade will go down as the biggest waste of a 2nd rounder ever.

In no way has Plekanec showed he's a better option than Moore.  None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

Yup, his body language, his play, what he says, he had zero interest leaving MTL. If I was Babcock I would ask him if he wants to play. I wouldn't be surprised if he said no.

 

[Zee]

As stated, Plekanec hasn't gotten the job done 5 on 5.  Lots of criticism of Komarov, but I think he played better than Plekanec last night.  19 better pick it up starting now or that trade will go down as the biggest waste of a 2nd rounder ever.

In no way has Plekanec showed he's a better option than Moore.  None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

100% correct.  Plekanec has done nothing, meanwhile Moore has played 50 games this season and fared pretty well all things considered (Matt Martin was stapled to his line for long stretches).  Bring back Moore, give him Johnsson and Kapanen and let's see what happens.

 

[bustaheims]

As stated, Plekanec hasn't gotten the job done 5 on 5.  Lots of criticism of Komarov, but I think he played better than Plekanec last night.  19 better pick it up starting now or that trade will go down as the biggest waste of a 2nd rounder ever.

Yanic Perreault says "bonjour".

Ugh. Roman Josi. The worst.

 

[Oracle]

Anyone defending Kadri's hit is off their rocker.

Can't argue with that, I haven't even seen my rocker in decades. That little jump at the end could just as well have been Kadri avoiding the head and going into the boards. Kadri wanted to paste him for sure, but when Wingel went down Kadri clipped his numbers and hit the boards. It's a non-issue.

 

[Oracle]

Now you're inside Kadri's head. He may have moved to avoid the head, the video evidence would support that claim just as well. The vast majority of his energy went into the boards as he tried to avoid Wingel's head but clipped him on the numbers, is just as plausible a narrative.

Do you realize that hitting someone "in the numbers" is considered one of the worst things you can do in hockey? You're not helping your argument.

So how many games do you figure Chara will get for the hit on Marner?

 

[Bullfrog]

Now you're inside Kadri's head. He may have moved to avoid the head, the video evidence would support that claim just as well. The vast majority of his energy went into the boards as he tried to avoid Wingel's head but clipped him on the numbers, is just as plausible a narrative.

Do you realize that hitting someone "in the numbers" is considered one of the worst things you can do in hockey? You're not helping your argument.

So how many games do you figure Chara will get for the hit on Marner?

5, at least.

 

[Oracle]

Now you're inside Kadri's head. He may have moved to avoid the head, the video evidence would support that claim just as well. The vast majority of his energy went into the boards as he tried to avoid Wingel's head but clipped him on the numbers, is just as plausible a narrative.

Do you realize that hitting someone "in the numbers" is considered one of the worst things you can do in hockey? You're not helping your argument.

So how many games do you figure Chara will get for the hit on Marner?

5, at least.

 

[mr grieves]

Excluding the last period, when the wheels came off, I think this one was pretty much done after 2 -- Bruins were better at 5v5 and figured out how to neutralize the top PP unit, and the Leafs' penalty kill, which the Athletic's Dom noted had some pretty suspect underlying numbers, stalled out.

Don't think it'll be a short series, but they sure looked out-coached tonight.

I don't know if you can draw any conclusions from this.  The B's hardly neutralized the PP.  The last 2 looked very good.  The PK obviously fell flat, but again it wasn't like they got steamrolled.

The teams were even for more than half and then BOS got a fortunate bounce for the 2-1 PP go-ahead.  The 3rd goal was the disaster.

The Leafs PP went 0/3. I'd call that neutralizing it. Marner/JvR and Nylander/Matthews were pretty ineffective, and the good looks PP1 got (esp in the 2nd?) were undone by the mediocre talent they put on that unit. And yes, the Leafs' fourth line on against Boston's top line was a disaster. I'm sure the major determining factor was the Leafs' top lines not being on last night, but, in addition to that, they got beat on the margins (special teams, etc.).

As I said, I'm not really drawing any strong conclusions. I don't think the series is over or that the Leafs can't adjust.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/984837272871800832

Isn't someone getting paid like $80k a year just to provide these replays? How is this acceptable?

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/984837272871800832

Isn't someone getting paid like $80k a year just to provide these replays? How is this acceptable?

Not the first time this has happened this season either. 

 

[iwas11in67]

Every time I predicted the score, this season, they lost(you can go back to the GDT) so I stopped and they had a great season. So I'm not going to predict any score just going to say:

GO LEAFS GO!!!

I approve of this irrational superstition

I accept full responsibility for the loss. I shouldn't even post in GDTs

 

[pmrules]

https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/984837272871800832

Isn't someone getting paid like $80k a year just to provide these replays? How is this acceptable?

Watching it live,I yelled "offside" at my TV before the goal even went in...the TV folks were talking about the wrong player going offside.  It was definitely worth a challenge.

Devils advocate - Get it wrong and Boston is likely up 2-0...

 

[bustaheims]

Watching it live,I yelled "offside" at my TV before the goal even went in...the TV folks were talking about the wrong player going offside.  It was definitely worth a challenge.

Devils advocate - Get it wrong and Boston is likely up 2-0...

Frustrating that they didn't have the right replay, but, given the circumstances, it becomes more of a late in the game type challenge. With that much hockey left, it's not worth the risk of falling behind by two. With a few minutes left? Risk it to preserve the tie/keep it close.