Penguins @ Leafs - Nov. 14th, 7:30pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[bustaheims]

I wonder about how much the amount of time the Leafs had on the PP last night influenced our perception of their overall play in the game. For the most part, they had great zone time on their PPs, so, it's certainly easy for us to conflate that with having been successful in keeping the puck in during all situations. At even strength, I feel like Pittsburgh was probably the better team by a fair margin.

 

[hockeyfan1]

I wonder about how much the amount of time the Leafs had on the PP last night influenced our perception of their overall play in the game. For the most part, they had great zone time on their PPs, so, it's certainly easy for us to conflate that with having been successful in keeping the puck in during all situations. At even strength, I feel like Pittsburgh was probably the better team by a fair margin.

Success on the power play doesn't automatically translate into a team having had a great game overall,  One can be successful on the power play and have played their worst game of the year overall, and still win on the merits of their power play alone.

In this case, the Leafs, knowing their history in playing against Pittsburgh, should have connected on the power play given the chances they had.  Again, while the effort was there even though they came up zilch on the pp, their overall effort fell just short of victory.

If Fleury was in net for Pittsburgh, would it have made any difference?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I wonder about how much the amount of time the Leafs had on the PP last night influenced our perception of their overall play in the game. For the most part, they had great zone time on their PPs, so, it's certainly easy for us to conflate that with having been successful in keeping the puck in during all situations. At even strength, I feel like Pittsburgh was probably the better team by a fair margin.

Pittsburgh was probably 2 to 1 zone time at even strength last night.

 

[Highlander]

Not as bad as it could have been, you can see the Leafs acutally playing a system now.
The problem is the Penguin system is worked by a more talented hockey team.  I mean they have the two best centres in the league on one team, thats kind of hard to beat and they are very well coached this year over the past seasons.
Still not a horrible effort and probably a learning experience. Hope they can smash the Buffalo Blunt Blades tonight

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

and they have no plan whatsoever on the PP.

Seems a little unfair for a PP that was 4th in the league going into last night and has been pretty consistently among the top units in the league the last few seasons.

 

[Tigger]

I enjoyed that game, the Leafs played decently again, deserved at least a loser point. From Kessel's reaction after scoring his second goal last game I think he's got an injury somewhere in that trigger arm, not sure what but it looked like he was favouring it some. Plus, in the interview after you could see he had a full black nail on his left hand too. Probably not a huge issue but nice to see he's playing through it.

 

[freer]

Kessel seemed to be playing his off wing a fair bit on the PP, and wasn't having much luck sniping from there. Is that his normal spot?

Welcome to the site! Glad you've chosen to watch Leafs games! It will be the start of a lifelong passion I hope.  Yes, Phil Kessel almost solely plays his off wing on the PP.  Again, welcome!

Somebuddy is in a pissy mood.

I thought they played ok. I wished someone would just hit Depuis, every damn game he is left wide open. and he has become a leaf killer.

 

[bustaheims]

Pittsburgh was probably 2 to 1 zone time at even strength last night.

Yeah, that's what I figured. They hardly played Pittsburgh tight. Bernier had a good game and the Leafs spent 20% of the game on the PP. That certainly helps the perception of their performance.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Kessel seemed to be playing his off wing a fair bit on the PP, and wasn't having much luck sniping from there. Is that his normal spot?

Welcome to the site! Glad you've chosen to watch Leafs games! It will be the start of a lifelong passion I hope.  Yes, Phil Kessel almost solely plays his off wing on the PP.  Again, welcome!

Somebuddy is in a pissy mood.

In no way is that pissy