Leafs @ Oilers - Jan. 28th, 10:00pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[BrownRolo]

Gotta say it was a little weird not seeing Tavares get sent out on that last shift to finish the game. Matthews went out with Kerfoot and Mikheyev (Hyman and Marner had just killed a penalty). It all worked out, but with the game on the line you'd think the captain would get the tap on the shoulder. Especially since he's much better at face-off's than Kerfoot, and Kerfoot of course had a rather interesting game.

Maybe I'm just reading into things too much, but combined with him starting the season as more of a sheltered line and Spezza being used as a PK FOGO guy instead of him I'm starting to wonder why Keefe seems a little opposed to using him in defensive situations.

Tavares is pretty bad defensively. I trust Matthews more than Tavares at this point.

 

[cabber24]

Gotta say it was a little weird not seeing Tavares get sent out on that last shift to finish the game. Matthews went out with Kerfoot and Mikheyev (Hyman and Marner had just killed a penalty). It all worked out, but with the game on the line you'd think the captain would get the tap on the shoulder. Especially since he's much better at face-off's than Kerfoot, and Kerfoot of course had a rather interesting game.

Maybe I'm just reading into things too much, but combined with him starting the season as more of a sheltered line and Spezza being used as a PK FOGO guy instead of him I'm starting to wonder why Keefe seems a little opposed to using him in defensive situations.

I liked it, this is how we get Matthews to the next level. Matthews was probably pumped to get tapped to get out there for the end of the game. He did win that last faceoff with 2 seconds left... not the one before that though.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Gotta say it was a little weird not seeing Tavares get sent out on that last shift to finish the game. Matthews went out with Kerfoot and Mikheyev (Hyman and Marner had just killed a penalty). It all worked out, but with the game on the line you'd think the captain would get the tap on the shoulder. Especially since he's much better at face-off's than Kerfoot, and Kerfoot of course had a rather interesting game.

Maybe I'm just reading into things too much, but combined with him starting the season as more of a sheltered line and Spezza being used as a PK FOGO guy instead of him I'm starting to wonder why Keefe seems a little opposed to using him in defensive situations.

I think Keefe is going with who he believes will get the job done.
JT's line as a whole hasn't been that good defensively. Adding Mikheyev has made them a lot better.
Mikheyev is our best defensive forward and our best PKer. He's grown leaps and bounds over last year. I was a little surprised at Kerfoot but he's actually our 3rd best PK forward behind Spezza. Considering he's going up against the #2 line for the opposition most nights he's done a better job then JT defensively. Matthews is also better defensively than JT so it's easy now, to see why Keefe put those 3 together. I think he has some good options moving forward trying to hold a lead.

 

[ZBBM]

I should be happy with a win, but the game was so badly officiated, it was really hard to enjoy watching.

I felt that way too last night, but this AM I go to thinking about Matthews GWG.  That was an incredible shot, perfectly placed, the goalie had no idea where he was going to go, and of course the catapult release.  All the year we spent watching the Jeff Farkases of the world ... I have to keep telling myself, Savor this while you can.

 

[ZBBM]

Gotta say it was a little weird not seeing Tavares get sent out on that last shift to finish the game. Matthews went out with Kerfoot and Mikheyev (Hyman and Marner had just killed a penalty). It all worked out, but with the game on the line you'd think the captain would get the tap on the shoulder. Especially since he's much better at face-off's than Kerfoot, and Kerfoot of course had a rather interesting game.

Maybe I'm just reading into things too much, but combined with him starting the season as more of a sheltered line and Spezza being used as a PK FOGO guy instead of him I'm starting to wonder why Keefe seems a little opposed to using him in defensive situations.

I liked it, this is how we get Matthews to the next level. Matthews was probably pumped to get tapped to get out there for the end of the game. He did win that last faceoff with 2 seconds left... not the one before that though.

What was Tavares' FO% last night?  Every time I noticed him on a draw in the OZ, he was cleaning the other guy out.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I liked it, this is how we get Matthews to the next level. Matthews was probably pumped to get tapped to get out there for the end of the game. He did win that last faceoff with 2 seconds left... not the one before that though.

Oh I'm all for Matthews getting that assignment, I was surprised that Tavares didn't go out in Kerfoot's place. Both because Tavares would have been a much better secondary face-off option and because I don't particularly think Kerfoot (who I generally do like) is a better shutdown option at that stage of the game. And just generally because he's our $11mil captain.

I'm pretty skeptical about these claims that Tavares is bad defensively, I really don't think that's the case. He's always been an above average defensive player.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Gotta say it was a little weird not seeing Tavares get sent out on that last shift to finish the game. Matthews went out with Kerfoot and Mikheyev (Hyman and Marner had just killed a penalty). It all worked out, but with the game on the line you'd think the captain would get the tap on the shoulder. Especially since he's much better at face-off's than Kerfoot, and Kerfoot of course had a rather interesting game.

Maybe I'm just reading into things too much, but combined with him starting the season as more of a sheltered line and Spezza being used as a PK FOGO guy instead of him I'm starting to wonder why Keefe seems a little opposed to using him in defensive situations.

I liked it, this is how we get Matthews to the next level. Matthews was probably pumped to get tapped to get out there for the end of the game. He did win that last faceoff with 2 seconds left... not the one before that though.

What was Tavares' FO% last night?  Every time I noticed him on a draw in the OZ, he was cleaning the other guy out.

He was good last night at 57%. Spezza was 63%, Matthews 54%, Kerfoot 27%. It's funny because both he and Matthews are under 50% in the D zone for the year. Spezza is the beast in the D zone at 66% and 65% overall.
One thing looking at stats, Hyman cannot be taking faceoffs shorthanded. So far he's at 28% while short and even worse at 20% in the D zone.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I liked it, this is how we get Matthews to the next level. Matthews was probably pumped to get tapped to get out there for the end of the game. He did win that last faceoff with 2 seconds left... not the one before that though.

Oh I'm all for Matthews getting that assignment, I was surprised that Tavares didn't go out in Kerfoot's place. Both because Tavares would have been a much better secondary face-off option and because I don't particularly think Kerfoot (who I generally do like) is a better shutdown option at that stage of the game. And just generally because he's our $11mil captain.

I'm pretty skeptical about these claims that Tavares is bad defensively, I really don't think that's the case. He's always been an above average defensive player.

Kerfoot was arguably the best defensive centreman last night and has been better then JT in the D zone so far this year. That's not a knock on JT. I guess Keefe went with what he thought was the best option.
Spezza would have been the best option to take the draw.

 

[cabber24]

I liked it, this is how we get Matthews to the next level. Matthews was probably pumped to get tapped to get out there for the end of the game. He did win that last faceoff with 2 seconds left... not the one before that though.

Oh I'm all for Matthews getting that assignment, I was surprised that Tavares didn't go out in Kerfoot's place. Both because Tavares would have been a much better secondary face-off option and because I don't particularly think Kerfoot (who I generally do like) is a better shutdown option at that stage of the game. And just generally because he's our $11mil captain.

I'm pretty skeptical about these claims that Tavares is bad defensively, I really don't think that's the case. He's always been an above average defensive player.

Kerfoot was arguably the best defensive centreman last night and has been better then JT in the D zone so far this year. That's not a knock on JT. I guess Keefe went with what he thought was the best option.
Spezza would have been the best option to take the draw.

I like Kerfoot's execution so far in his shutdown roll. I love the Draper/Pahlsson type shutdown centre.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I liked it, this is how we get Matthews to the next level. Matthews was probably pumped to get tapped to get out there for the end of the game. He did win that last faceoff with 2 seconds left... not the one before that though.

Oh I'm all for Matthews getting that assignment, I was surprised that Tavares didn't go out in Kerfoot's place. Both because Tavares would have been a much better secondary face-off option and because I don't particularly think Kerfoot (who I generally do like) is a better shutdown option at that stage of the game. And just generally because he's our $11mil captain.

I'm pretty skeptical about these claims that Tavares is bad defensively, I really don't think that's the case. He's always been an above average defensive player.

Kerfoot was arguably the best defensive centreman last night and has been better then JT in the D zone so far this year. That's not a knock on JT. I guess Keefe went with what he thought was the best option.
Spezza would have been the best option to take the draw.

I like Kerfoot's execution so far in his shutdown roll. I love the Draper/Pahlsson type shutdown centre.

I agree, he's improving and seems to be liking his role.

 

[dappleganger]

Everywhere I look Simmonds goal is listed as even-strength, and the Leafs power play as 1-4 instead of 2-4. It was clearly a power play marker. What am I missing here?

 

[Guilt Trip]

Everywhere I look Simmonds goal is listed as even-strength, and the Leafs power play as 1-4 instead of 2-4. It was clearly a power play marker. What am I missing here?

NHL.com has it down as 2 for 4 with Simmonds goal marked correctly.

 

[Zee]

Everywhere I look Simmonds goal is listed as even-strength, and the Leafs power play as 1-4 instead of 2-4. It was clearly a power play marker. What am I missing here?

NHL site has Leafs at 2/4 last night in PP

 

[Highlander]

I didn't see the game but it looks like a rerun of several previous games with horrible officiating and a pretty bad Kerfoot

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I like Kerfoot's execution so far in his shutdown roll. I love the Draper/Pahlsson type shutdown centre.

I agree, he's improving and seems to be liking his role.

Feels worth pointing out that Kerfoot isn't really playing in that shutdown role since the Thornton injury caused our lines to get shuffled.

I'm really not trying to crap on Kerfoot here, but I think playing a week-ish with Hyman has probably created some wrong conclusions. He hasn't turned into some top notch shutdown C. Hyman was always the Draper/Pahlsson type player when that line was together, as evidence by the fact that when he left that line their assignments dropped. Kerfoot's value is in his versatility. When he's playing with a shutdown guy like Hyman he can compliment him well defensively. When he's playing on a scoring line with guys like Tavares and Nylander he can compliment them well offensively. He's a good jack of all trades player. That's a great guy to have, especially in a line-up like ours.

 

[dappleganger]

Everywhere I look Simmonds goal is listed as even-strength, and the Leafs power play as 1-4 instead of 2-4. It was clearly a power play marker. What am I missing here?

NHL.com has it down as 2 for 4 with Simmonds goal marked correctly.

Gheez, I checked there this morning.  :-\

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I like Kerfoot's execution so far in his shutdown roll. I love the Draper/Pahlsson type shutdown centre.

I agree, he's improving and seems to be liking his role.

Feels worth pointing out that Kerfoot isn't really playing in that shutdown role since the Thornton injury caused our lines to get shuffled.

I'm really not trying to crap on Kerfoot here, but I think playing a couple of weeks with Hyman has probably created some wrong conclusions. He hasn't turned into some top notch shutdown C. Hyman was always the Draper/Pahlsson type player when that line was together, as evidence by the fact that when he left that line their assignments dropped. Kerfoot's value is in his versatility. When he's playing with a shutdown guy like Hyman he can compliment him well defensively. When he's playing on a scoring line with guys like Tavares and Nylander he can compliment them well offensively. He's a good jack of all trades player. That's a great guy to have, especially in a line-up like ours.

Hyman is a play driver. He's nothing fancy. He's not going to end up on highlight reels. But he drives the play. Mikheyev is similar. Kapanen was sort of there as well, cut didn't have the smarts.

I've discussed this value added player at length with other coaches in my 20 years of coaching. Several coaches want all skill. They say you take the best players. End of story. I don't agree. I think you take the mesh of players to create the best team. If I end up with 9(or in NHL's case, 12) fancy players with no one to drive the momentum, I'm going to lose games when my top players are off just slightly. It's the old "lunch pail player" mentality. The stars need them. Someone needs to get them the puck.

It's actually why I don't think Tavares has ever reached his full potential numbers wise. He's a goal scorer and a lunch pail player in one. Theoretically, if he spent less time digging and more time being open for high quality chances, he'd score more goals....If someone got him the puck. The problem with Tavares is it's in his system to outwork and out hustle the opposing team. If you beat that out of him, he'd probably lose his effectiveness. He's a play driver. One of the best ones in the NHL.

 

[Redleaf]

I like Kerfoot's execution so far in his shutdown roll. I love the Draper/Pahlsson type shutdown centre.

I agree, he's improving and seems to be liking his role.

Feels worth pointing out that Kerfoot isn't really playing in that shutdown role since the Thornton injury caused our lines to get shuffled.

I'm really not trying to crap on Kerfoot here, but I think playing a couple of weeks with Hyman has probably created some wrong conclusions. He hasn't turned into some top notch shutdown C. Hyman was always the Draper/Pahlsson type player when that line was together, as evidence by the fact that when he left that line their assignments dropped. Kerfoot's value is in his versatility. When he's playing with a shutdown guy like Hyman he can compliment him well defensively. When he's playing on a scoring line with guys like Tavares and Nylander he can compliment them well offensively. He's a good jack of all trades player. That's a great guy to have, especially in a line-up like ours.

Hyman is a play driver. He's nothing fancy. He's not going to end up on highlight reels. But he drives the play. Mikheyev is similar. Kapanen was sort of there as well, cut didn't have the smarts.

I've discussed this value added player at length with other coaches in my 20 years of coaching. Several coaches want all skill. They say you take the best players. End of story. I don't agree. I think you take the mesh of players to create the best team. If I end up with 9(or in NHL's case, 12) fancy players with no one to drive the momentum, I'm going to lose games when my top players are off just slightly. It's the old "lunch pail player" mentality. The stars need them. Someone needs to get them the puck.

It's actually why I don't think Tavares has ever reached his full potential numbers wise. He's a goal scorer and a lunch pail player in one. Theoretically, if he spent less time digging and more time being open for high quality chances, he'd score more goals....If someone got him the puck. The problem with Tavares is it's in his system to outwork and out hustle the opposing team. If you beat that out of him, he'd probably lose his effectiveness. He's a play driver. One of the best ones in the NHL.

I couldn't agree more with everything you've said here. As for Hyman. I think he's the most underrated Leaf and by a fair margin.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I like Kerfoot's execution so far in his shutdown roll. I love the Draper/Pahlsson type shutdown centre.

I agree, he's improving and seems to be liking his role.

Feels worth pointing out that Kerfoot isn't really playing in that shutdown role since the Thornton injury caused our lines to get shuffled.

I'm really not trying to crap on Kerfoot here, but I think playing a couple of weeks with Hyman has probably created some wrong conclusions. He hasn't turned into some top notch shutdown C. Hyman was always the Draper/Pahlsson type player when that line was together, as evidence by the fact that when he left that line their assignments dropped. Kerfoot's value is in his versatility. When he's playing with a shutdown guy like Hyman he can compliment him well defensively. When he's playing on a scoring line with guys like Tavares and Nylander he can compliment them well offensively. He's a good jack of all trades player. That's a great guy to have, especially in a line-up like ours.

Hyman is a play driver. He's nothing fancy. He's not going to end up on highlight reels. But he drives the play. Mikheyev is similar. Kapanen was sort of there as well, cut didn't have the smarts.

I've discussed this value added player at length with other coaches in my 20 years of coaching. Several coaches want all skill. They say you take the best players. End of story. I don't agree. I think you take the mesh of players to create the best team. If I end up with 9(or in NHL's case, 12) fancy players with no one to drive the momentum, I'm going to lose games when my top players are off just slightly. It's the old "lunch pail player" mentality. The stars need them. Someone needs to get them the puck.

It's actually why I don't think Tavares has ever reached his full potential numbers wise. He's a goal scorer and a lunch pail player in one. Theoretically, if he spent less time digging and more time being open for high quality chances, he'd score more goals....If someone got him the puck. The problem with Tavares is it's in his system to outwork and out hustle the opposing team. If you beat that out of him, he'd probably lose his effectiveness. He's a play driver. One of the best ones in the NHL.

I couldn't agree more with everything you've said here. As for Hyman. I think he's the most underrated Leaf and by a fair margin.

I have a soft spot for the play drivers in hockey. They're usually the coach's favourites. My daughter is a prototypical play driver. Has smarts, and skill but would rather rub people out and win battles in the corner. Her numbers hurt because of it. Her teams benefit because of it.

The thing with these type of players is they very rarely let you down. You know what you're getting 99% of the time. It isn't pretty but it works.