Leafs @ Coyotes - Thursday November 21, 2019 - 21:00 EST - Sportsnet Ontario

[dappleganger]

I thought that was the best game the Leafs played this season.

 

[Bullfrog]

.. I also liked that a few times Keefe had Matthews come out first on the forward lien change so he was out with Tavares once or twice until the full change happened.

That's the part I noticed, too. Mikeyhev played on three different lines at times due to line changes. Loosening that up will be great. I'm looking forward to a time where it's not automatic that Gauthier is on the ice after a PP or a goal.

 

[L K]

So it?s disappointing that the team basically had it in them all along but held themselves back either tactically or emotionally due to the coach.

Steve Dangle theorized that losing DJ Smith from the room, while maybe a tactical positive, was a relational minus. He was a genial buffer between the team and Babcock. You can see in Ottawa how much his players want to work for him.

It's a fair point, although a lot of what plagued the Leafs over the first 20+ games also dragged through the final 40 games of last season so it's not entirely a DJ Smith issue.

 

[Strangelove]

This wasn?t really a different ?system? than what Babcock used in previous years. The main difference was the restraining collars were off and players were told to just play comfortable. Minor adjustments like prioritize maintaining possession and getting aggressive and creative with skill replaced dump it safe and don?t screw up.

We still need to work on maintaining our focus and effort when the going gets tough and space is taken away and staying aggressive on separating/retrieving pucks when we don?t have it.

Babcock was obsessed with puck separation/retrieval because he preached dump and chase. It doesn't matter as much when the team stresses puck possession.

This is not a "minor adjustment" but a fundamental change in philosophy that Babcock failed to make in many stubborn years as coach.

 

[ZBBM]

https://twitter.com/urheilucom/status/1197729309525454848

My Finnish is rusty so I trucked on over to Google translate:

Babcock's dog house has been destroyed and Tyson Barrie thanks. First goal in the Leafs and the skate goes lightly when it comes to responsibility. Beautiful cage. #NHLfi

Looks like theirs is, too.

 

[ZBBM]

I'm not sorry Babcock is gone but the pile-on out there is a bit over the top.  I would assume professionals would want to play hard and well no matter if they are buds with boss or not.

 

[Highlander]

So it?s disappointing that the team basically had it in them all along but held themselves back either tactically or emotionally due to the coach.

Steve Dangle theorized that losing DJ Smith from the room, while maybe a tactical positive, was a relational minus. He was a genial buffer between the team and Babcock. You can see in Ottawa how much his players want to work for him.

Makes perfect sense. DJ is a big personality.  Hakstol looks like an Undertaker to be quite frank, nice to see him crack a small grin at the end of the game.

 

[Highlander]

They do look like they're trying to swarm the puck a lot more. That was a very impressive kill. Really liking Engvall.

Yes. Like Engvall. I can see him sticking.

How about 3rd line Centre, he needs more playing time with skilled wingers. 

 

[Zee]

I had my eye on Engvall from the few Marlies games I went to, I always thought he had promise and could potentially be an NHLer, it was strange that he wasn't mentioned all that much when talking about potential call-ups.  I sort of forgot about him this season and lo and behold, here he is.

 

[herman]

This wasn?t really a different ?system? than what Babcock used in previous years. The main difference was the restraining collars were off and players were told to just play comfortable. Minor adjustments like prioritize maintaining possession and getting aggressive and creative with skill replaced dump it safe and don?t screw up.

We still need to work on maintaining our focus and effort when the going gets tough and space is taken away and staying aggressive on separating/retrieving pucks when we don?t have it.

Babcock was obsessed with puck separation/retrieval because he preached dump and chase. It doesn't matter as much when the team stresses puck possession.

This is not a "minor adjustment" but a fundamental change in philosophy that Babcock failed to make in many stubborn years as coach.

It?s certainly more important when dumping a lot, but also still very important even when aiming to maintain possession. Dubas and Keefe both stressed this aspect of the game: breaking opponents? wills with puck-retrieval pressure.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/urheilucom/status/1197729309525454848

My Finnish is rusty so I trucked on over to Google translate:

Babcock's dog house has been destroyed and Tyson Barrie thanks. First goal in the Leafs and the skate goes lightly when it comes to responsibility. Beautiful cage. #NHLfi

Looks like theirs is, too.

haha I shared it because it had the good angle on the Barrie goal. Solid Finnish analysis

 

[Guilt Trip]

.. I also liked that a few times Keefe had Matthews come out first on the forward lien change so he was out with Tavares once or twice until the full change happened.

That's the part I noticed, too. Mikeyhev played on three different lines at times due to line changes. Loosening that up will be great. I'm looking forward to a time where it's not automatic that Gauthier is on the ice after a PP or a goal.

Def noticed that Matthews' line was out right after an icing. Mikheyev can play on any line IMO. He's smart defensively, has great speed and is creative offensively. I have a feeling he will be a fixture on one of the top 2 lines by season's end.

 

[Chris]

Mikheyev has really impressed me all year, except for that stretch when he regressed a bit (but to fair, the whole team did). He rarely makes mistakes, seems to know where to be and where the puck should go. Definitely earned his 2 assists last night, covering for Muzzin at the point on the first goal (and then passing to Barrie and rotating to cover for him), then threw the puck at the net for a rebound on the Matthews goal. Plus many other times when he just made good plays.

Matthews definitely had more fire in his game last night which was good to see. If he gives that kind of effort on a consistent basis this team will be in good shape.

Engval looked better last night. I commented recently that I didn't think he looked anywhere near NHL ready in the preseason games I saw, and his first game was a bit rough but much better last night.

Can't wait to see the new PP and looking forward to seeing if the modifications to the dzone structure can cut down the high danger chances against.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/ineffectivemath/status/1197975489014571008

The blobs are back, baby!

 

[Highlander]

Mikheyev has really impressed me all year, except for that stretch when he regressed a bit (but to fair, the whole team did). He rarely makes mistakes, seems to know where to be and where the puck should go. Definitely earned his 2 assists last night, covering for Muzzin at the point on the first goal (and then passing to Barrie and rotating to cover for him), then threw the puck at the net for a rebound on the Matthews goal. Plus many other times when he just made good plays.

Matthews definitely had more fire in his game last night which was good to see. If he gives that kind of effort on a consistent basis this team will be in good shape.

Engval looked better last night. I commented recently that I didn't think he looked anywhere near NHL ready in the preseason games I saw, and his first game was a bit rough but much better last night.

Can't wait to see the new PP and looking forward to seeing if the modifications to the dzone structure can cut down the high danger chances against.

Everyone looked rough the last 6 games before AZ

 

[Guilt Trip]

They do look like they're trying to swarm the puck a lot more. That was a very impressive kill. Really liking Engvall.

Yes. Like Engvall. I can see him sticking.

How about 3rd line Centre, he needs more playing time with skilled wingers. 

I think Kerfoot has the inside track for the 3rd line centre but I think he'd have zero issue replacing Goat, but his cap hit is higher.