We need to get over the small mistakes that have been killing us. For example, the winning goal yesterday boucing off Schenn's skate over the goalies shoulder. Or Phaneuf Triping at the oppositions blue line leave people on for a breakaway. The PK and PP have been much improved over the pass five or six games. I think if they can play smart for sixty mins they will win most games. IMo
Maple Leafs are better, but are they a playoff team?
- Thread starter cw
- Start date
Optimus Reimer
New member
I liked how the Leafs played against the Caps. They improved their in-your-face type of hockey that the Leafs need to play if they want to be considered a playoff threat. Now they just have to lower the shots on goal. I do see slow improvements with the PK and PP, so hopefully they can keep that up.
maplesyrup
New member
Still only 5 points separating 1st and 9th in the East. - Same for the West for that matter.
groundskeeper willie
New member
Floyd said:
The big concern for me is that the Leafs have played more games than a lot of other teams. Sure those teams have to win those games, but it kinda makes the 2nd place position a bit of an illusion.
Still though, at the beginning of the year I think everybody here would have been happy to be in the top eight at the quarter mark of the season, and to do it without Reimer would have been almost inconceivable to most, never mind all the other injuries.
As of this morning the Leafs have scored the 3rd highest amount of goals in the league (70), but they have also given up the 3rd most in the league (70).
When they are good they are great, but when they are bad they are awful. And so it continues.... IF they can keep tightening up the PK and IF they continue to get solid goaltending they will be just fine.
When they are good they are great, but when they are bad they are awful. And so it continues.... IF they can keep tightening up the PK and IF they continue to get solid goaltending they will be just fine.
Crucialness Key
New member
True, but at the moment we're one of 8 teams significantly above .500, then there's Ottawa/NJ just over .500, then the rest under .500. So even though 2nd place is a bit illusory (likely Boston/Buff will overtake) we are most certainly in the "playoff group" at present.groundskeeper willie said:
So as long as the bottom 5 teams stay there, and Ott runs out of gas, then we've just got to stay ahead of 1 other team to make the postseason. Seems achievable.
TheMightyOdin
New member
The fact that we are doing this well with such a young team makes me happy for the future.
Zee
Active member
Fanatic said:
It gets even better than that if we win a couple this week. Last year Leafs got their 13th win on Dec 26th, in game #34. If we win on Friday that's 13 wins in 23 games, leagues ahead of last year's pace. (At December 30 of last season Leafs record stood at 13-19-4 *yikes*)
Optimus Reimer
New member
Even though the Leafs have played the most games (22) it means that the other teams must win their games, and I really like the way the Leafs have been playing lately. Regardless scoring 7 against the Caps or the Bolts, and they were in the game against the Canes (they played the previous night). They are starting to play an in your face type of hockey. Last night for example, Stamkos was in front of the net digging for the puck, a d-man, not sure who it was, put him on his backside. The Leafs also gave up less than 30 SOG.
On the PP, a forward is going to the net...FINALLY!!!. When Kessel or anyone else shoots, it makes the job harder for the goalie to make the save. I also notice more agressiveness on the PK. If that continues, we will see an improvement in that stat. The biggest plus for the Leafs is they are using their speed more.
As long as the Leafs continue to play that type of hockey, they will not win every game, but they will not be a walkover anymore and they will be in the playoffs.
On the PP, a forward is going to the net...FINALLY!!!. When Kessel or anyone else shoots, it makes the job harder for the goalie to make the save. I also notice more agressiveness on the PK. If that continues, we will see an improvement in that stat. The biggest plus for the Leafs is they are using their speed more.
As long as the Leafs continue to play that type of hockey, they will not win every game, but they will not be a walkover anymore and they will be in the playoffs.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
It's always good to make teams have to win their games in hand.
Hopefully Boston actually loses again.
Hopefully Boston actually loses again.
Zee said:
I just crunched the numbers and you beat me to it!
Exactly what I was going to say: We came close to the playoffs last year even though we dug a big hole. This team is miles ahead of last year's team, and I think it really all turned a corner with the addition of Lupul and Reimer. Some may say that's revisionist but the team looked immediately different after the Beauchemin trade.
Zee
Active member
Bender said:
Yeah well we stunk from October-December last year. Then Reimer started playing in January and we took off. So while we're ahead of pace now, they have to keep playing well after Jan to make it, the post-Jan Leafs last season had a good record.
Just did the math, Leafs were 24-15-7 after Jan last season.
leafsjunkie
Member
Optimus Reimer said:
That was Franson and I loved seeing that!
leafsjunkie said:
Yes, it was. It was a mismatch of force. As Gary Roberts will tell you, Stamkos is a strong and very fit player. Franson should use his size advantage a little more than he does. If he did, Mike Komisarek might have a tough time getting back into the lineup.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
Zee said:
Last night was our 6th road win. Didn't get that until January 1st last season (courtesy Paul Hendrick's tweet).