Lightning @ Maple Leafs - Dec. 20th, 7:00pm - TSN4, Fan 590
- Thread starter CarltonTheBear
- Start date
Willy fully earned that
Guilt Trip
Active member
Leafs played an outstanding game. I think maybe their best. Gotta also give credit to Murray who was very solid in a tough game for a goalie. Excellent win.
herman
Well-known member
herman said:
https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2022/12/21/sheldon-keefe-post-game-leafs-4-vs-lightning-1/
I was in the middle of commenting about what a vote of confidence it was to see the coach send out Nylander in the final minutes to protect a lead knowing it'd be an empty-net scenario (i.e. heavy DZ), but he just went out and skated it home. He probably deserved a goal or two earlier in the game, so this was nice (for my Tim's app picks).
https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1605390787079942144
Nice to see the Kampf line rewarded as well in a situation that suited their strengths (DZ breakout and transition) while mitigating their weaknesses (no one to block the middle of the net).
azzurri63
Active member
Unfortunately missed this one except for the 3rd as I was on the road. Horrible weather and freezing weather here in BC. Rewound and watch some highlights. Son and I couldn't believe the shots on goal late in the second. Outstanding effort but little nervy when the Bolts made it 2-1. Hopefully the start of another run.
herman
Well-known member
https://twitter.com/LeafsJelly/status/1605398333471657985
This was really nice for the little details. Tavares makes an excellent read to break up Nick Paul's space from his blindspot and Jarnkrok gives it a bump to the open lane on the left wall. Nylander baits Hedman into trying to close him off with a crossover to the middle before hitting the jets once Hedman started turning his feet, and then switched to one-handed carry on the outside to put a lot of body and legs between the puck and the backcheck.
https://twitter.com/LeafsJelly/status/1605382098990157825
This one demonstrates a bit of why Bunting is more than a grinder-pest: unlike our other bottom six guys who have a similar grit and grind, Bunting also has an idea of where he wants to place the shot instead of just trying to the hit (the middle of) the net. No-look fadeaway on-timer against the grain into the blocker corner, the hardest part for a goalie to move to.
This was really nice for the little details. Tavares makes an excellent read to break up Nick Paul's space from his blindspot and Jarnkrok gives it a bump to the open lane on the left wall. Nylander baits Hedman into trying to close him off with a crossover to the middle before hitting the jets once Hedman started turning his feet, and then switched to one-handed carry on the outside to put a lot of body and legs between the puck and the backcheck.
https://twitter.com/LeafsJelly/status/1605382098990157825
This one demonstrates a bit of why Bunting is more than a grinder-pest: unlike our other bottom six guys who have a similar grit and grind, Bunting also has an idea of where he wants to place the shot instead of just trying to the hit (the middle of) the net. No-look fadeaway on-timer against the grain into the blocker corner, the hardest part for a goalie to move to.
ZBBM
Active member
herman said:
Kind of buried in there is the unspoken subtext: when he says that they kept trying to make something out of nothing, what he's saying (though he doesn't seem to want to give the Leafs credit) is that they were being given nothing.
I could only catch about half the game but the parts I saw they looked real tight on D.
herman
Well-known member
I can't speak for Cooper's motivations, but that's just how he talks after games; it's almost never crediting the other team, but more what his team did or didn't do. I would probably do the same in his shoes. Players have to believe they can impact the game and have control through their efforts and structure. Sure, opponents can make great plays, but the player's job is to either prevent the possibility of great plays impacting the scoresheet, or to produce their own great plays given the situation through skill and gumption and collaboration. Given how many times they've hit the finals by ramping up their play at the right time of the season or series, hard to argue with his process here.
We as fans should recognize that luck plays a role in the results (someone scored a goal by firing it Ceci-wide but into the jock of a blocking skater, bounced off the ice and over the goalie), but players need to focus on their process and intention somewhat agnostic to the results when luck occurs -- i.e. good players make their own luck.
We as fans should recognize that luck plays a role in the results (someone scored a goal by firing it Ceci-wide but into the jock of a blocking skater, bounced off the ice and over the goalie), but players need to focus on their process and intention somewhat agnostic to the results when luck occurs -- i.e. good players make their own luck.
ZBBM
Active member
What I and I guess LK/Bill Berg are reacting to is Cooper's insinuation that somehow Toronto is a sirensong town where virulent young males will be led astray by ... whatever. Which is no doubt true as far as it goes, but it also goes for practically every other city in the NHL. Just a strange thing to say.
