R1, G1: Bruins vs. Maple Leafs - Apr. 19th, 8:00pm - SN, TSN 1050

[Bullfrog]

My take-aways:

- Marner's great. I'd trade him for a goalie.
- Reaves is terrible.
- Domi needs to slow down his brain.
- The whole team needs to breathe; stay the hell out of the penalty box.
- Matthews is awesome. He'll score.

- Please God let Nylander get back.

 

[herman]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2024/04/21/game-in-10-maple-leafs-bruins-game-1/

They didn?t gain enough speed through the neutral zone and actively slowed down instead of driving the net off the rush. On one play in the second period, Marner held the puck along the wall, and Tavares streaked through the middle of the ice with a chance for an odd-man rush. Instead of Marner racing down the ice with speed to put the Bruins on their heels, he slowed up and tried to saucer a puck past Matt Grzelcyk, who easily batted the puck down and moved it back up ice.

Marner has time to rectify this (even though I was done with him like 2 years ago). Want to make 11+? Drive a line in the playoffs without Matthews carrying.

 

[Bender]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2024/04/21/game-in-10-maple-leafs-bruins-game-1/

They didn?t gain enough speed through the neutral zone and actively slowed down instead of driving the net off the rush. On one play in the second period, Marner held the puck along the wall, and Tavares streaked through the middle of the ice with a chance for an odd-man rush. Instead of Marner racing down the ice with speed to put the Bruins on their heels, he slowed up and tried to saucer a puck past Matt Grzelcyk, who easily batted the puck down and moved it back up ice.

Marner has time to rectify this (even though I was done with him like 2 years ago). Want to make 11+? Drive a line in the playoffs without Matthews carrying.

He just galaxy brains when the chips are down. He's been doing this most of his pro career.

 

[Peter D.]

The PP looks dynamic when Nylander is pencilled in.  Swap him out for Jarnkrok and it looks run-of-the-mill.  What an awful option and decision.  Park Bertuzzi's ass in front of the net instead. 

 

[Guilt Trip]

Galaxy braining like a lot of Leafs fans lol. Leafs made costly errors but they didn't play that bad overall. They need to clean up those unforced errors/penalties and they need better goaltending. Swayman made the saves, Sammy made some, but not enough.
Now not blaming refs but they let a lot of interference go on Boston. Bert got knocked to the ground on a dump in and wtf was MacAvoy doing holding Holmberg on the PK...just blatant crap that needs to be called.The calls on Benoit and McCabe were so soft compared.
Anyway on to GM2. Let's see what they can do and hopefully 88 and 74 are back.

 

[dappleganger]

My Take-aways:

- Hopefully the Leafs learned from this game.

- Edmundson was playing like a complete wild-man. I think his quotient for being behind the Bruins net has been reached for the series.

- The Leafs did not play with discipline. Don't get involved with the Bruins after the whistle. The Bruins are going to try and muck it up. Just turn around and go to the face-off dot. 

- Dewar showed some real strength and toughness.

- Sammy didn't look great. He'll need to be better.

 

[Guilt Trip]

The PP looks dynamic when Nylander is pencilled in.  Swap him out for Jarnkrok and it looks run-of-the-mill.  What an awful option and decision.  Park Bertuzzi's ass in front of the net instead.

I think the staff used Jarnkrok because he's a right shot like Willy. Using Domi or Bert and your only right shot threat us Marner.
I'd still like to see Bert in front as well. JT is great for the tips but he doesn't create the chaos Bert does. Have JT in the high slot or below the goal line guy maybe.

 

[Peter D.]

I think the staff used Jarnkrok because he's a right shot like Willy. Using Domi or Bert and your only right shot threat us Marner.
I'd still like to see Bert in front as well. JT is great for the tips but he doesn't create the chaos Bert does. Have JT in the high slot or below the goal line guy maybe.

While I agree his right shot is likely why he is used, he looks lost and out of place out there.  The Bruins know they are telegraphing the PP through Matthews, and they were cheating as such.  Putting Bertuzzi in front not only screens Swayman, but it could open a few more possibilities like a Marner shot/pass or trying to get Rielly to fluff one through.

The PP is too predictable.  With the talent at its disposal, I expect Oilers-like success.

 

[Zee]

If Leafs don't get it done again, this core is pretty much screwed. They all have NMCs, Marner won't want to waive it so they risk re-signing him to another ridiculous contract or lose him for nothing. Back in 2016 this was supposed to be the beginning of dominance for the Leafs as the young stars grew and matured and instead they still look like shell shocked rookies when the games get tough.

Again they can still turn this around but if they don't, it's game over for this core.  The time for excuses is over.

 

[Chris]

If Leafs don't get it done again, this core is pretty much screwed. They all have NMCs, Marner won't want to waive it so they risk re-signing him to another ridiculous contract or lose him for nothing. Back in 2016 this was supposed to be the beginning of dominance for the Leafs as the young stars grew and matured and instead they still look like shell shocked rookies when the games get tough.

Again they can still turn this around but if they don't, it's game over for this core.  The time for excuses is over.

If Marner doesn't pick up his game a lot, I'd be OK with letting him walk. He and JT coming off the books would open up a TON of money that could be used to improve the team where it is really needed. If you figure that young players like Knies, Robertson, eventually Cowan and Minten (maybe include McMann though he isn't so young really) continue to get better that's a decent set of fowards to go along with Matthews and Nylander. What is really needed is defense and goaltending.

Of course, this could all be premature as there are at least 3 games left to play. But last night certainly didn't do much to suggest this group is really evolving in a positive direction.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I think the staff used Jarnkrok because he's a right shot like Willy. Using Domi or Bert and your only right shot threat us Marner.
I'd still like to see Bert in front as well. JT is great for the tips but he doesn't create the chaos Bert does. Have JT in the high slot or below the goal line guy maybe.

While I agree his right shot is likely why he is used, he looks lost and out of place out there.  The Bruins know they are telegraphing the PP through Matthews, and they were cheating as such.  Putting Bertuzzi in front not only screens Swayman, but it could open a few more possibilities like a Marner shot/pass or trying to get Rielly to fluff one through.

The PP is too predictable.  With the talent at its disposal, I expect Oilers-like success.

I completely agree with you. The PP actually worked best when Bert was on it and JT wasn't.  They also had Liljegren on the point and he will shoot it. With Willy out I would even try Robertson out there in the high slot like Reinhart because of his shot.  Let's see if they make adjustments because like all teams they're cheating to Matthews.

 

[Guilt Trip]

If Leafs don't get it done again, this core is pretty much screwed. They all have NMCs, Marner won't want to waive it so they risk re-signing him to another ridiculous contract or lose him for nothing. Back in 2016 this was supposed to be the beginning of dominance for the Leafs as the young stars grew and matured and instead they still look like shell shocked rookies when the games get tough.

Again they can still turn this around but if they don't, it's game over for this core.  The time for excuses is over.

If Marner doesn't pick up his game a lot, I'd be OK with letting him walk. He and JT coming off the books would open up a TON of money that could be used to improve the team where it is really needed. If you figure that young players like Knies, Robertson, eventually Cowan and Minten (maybe include McMann though he isn't so young really) continue to get better that's a decent set of fowards to go along with Matthews and Nylander. What is really needed is defense and goaltending.

Of course, this could all be premature as there are at least 3 games left to play. But last night certainly didn't do much to suggest this group is really evolving in a positive direction.

You don't let players like Marner walk. If the plan isn't to re-sign him, you find a way to trade him. Like you mentioned though, let's see how it goes here.

 

[Zee]

If Leafs don't get it done again, this core is pretty much screwed. They all have NMCs, Marner won't want to waive it so they risk re-signing him to another ridiculous contract or lose him for nothing. Back in 2016 this was supposed to be the beginning of dominance for the Leafs as the young stars grew and matured and instead they still look like shell shocked rookies when the games get tough.

Again they can still turn this around but if they don't, it's game over for this core.  The time for excuses is over.

If Marner doesn't pick up his game a lot, I'd be OK with letting him walk. He and JT coming off the books would open up a TON of money that could be used to improve the team where it is really needed. If you figure that young players like Knies, Robertson, eventually Cowan and Minten (maybe include McMann though he isn't so young really) continue to get better that's a decent set of fowards to go along with Matthews and Nylander. What is really needed is defense and goaltending.

Of course, this could all be premature as there are at least 3 games left to play. But last night certainly didn't do much to suggest this group is really evolving in a positive direction.

You don't let players like Marner walk. If the plan isn't to re-sign him, you find a way to trade him. Like you mentioned though, let's see how it goes here.

Way ahead of ourselves right now but it's not just 1 game here, this is 7-8 years of frustration watching the same players do the same things when it counts most. I agree if it comes down to it you want to trade Marner but given that he holds the cards with the NMC, it might be a really difficult trade to make

 

[Guilt Trip]

While the past matters, now matters more. Let's hope they can all get it going

 

[azzurri63]

If Leafs don't get it done again, this core is pretty much screwed. They all have NMCs, Marner won't want to waive it so they risk re-signing him to another ridiculous contract or lose him for nothing. Back in 2016 this was supposed to be the beginning of dominance for the Leafs as the young stars grew and matured and instead they still look like shell shocked rookies when the games get tough.

Again they can still turn this around but if they don't, it's game over for this core.  The time for excuses is over.

If Marner doesn't pick up his game a lot, I'd be OK with letting him walk. He and JT coming off the books would open up a TON of money that could be used to improve the team where it is really needed. If you figure that young players like Knies, Robertson, eventually Cowan and Minten (maybe include McMann though he isn't so young really) continue to get better that's a decent set of fowards to go along with Matthews and Nylander. What is really needed is defense and goaltending.

Of course, this could all be premature as there are at least 3 games left to play. But last night certainly didn't do much to suggest this group is really evolving in a positive direction.

You don't let players like Marner walk. If the plan isn't to re-sign him, you find a way to trade him. Like you mentioned though, let's see how it goes here.

Way ahead of ourselves right now but it's not just 1 game here, this is 7-8 years of frustration watching the same players do the same things when it counts most. I agree if it comes down to it you want to trade Marner but given that he holds the cards with the NMC, it might be a really difficult trade to make

Ya it's actually hilarious how the players hold all the chips. Getting top dollars, bonuses, money up front and plus hold the cards as far as being dealt. Nobody is going anywhere I don't think which is frustrating. You're absolutely right this has been ongoing for years. They haven't figured it out till now nor has management. These guys can't handle adversity and playoff hockey. Don't know how much more management has to see to finally figure it out. Core 4 have not one ounce of toughness in them and never will.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Core 4 have not one ounce of toughness in them and never will.

Thats not true. Tavares and Matthews don't do the glove in the face or fight but neither has an issue going to the dirty areas.

 

[Chris]

Obviously you try to trade him (Marner) but if you can't make it work for whatever reason, then yes it is OK to walk away.

If things go really badly this round (Leafs lose in 4 or 5) then probably the first thing is get rid of Keefe and see if someone else can push this group a little further. In that case you don't rush to re-sign Marner, let him play out next season and see where things are.

I'm not writing them off, it was only one game and I think the score made it look worse than it was. But there are _huge_ problems especially on the backend and the Leaf forwards need to start earning those big salaries by putting the puck in the net.

 

[Arn]

Obviously you try to trade him (Marner) but if you can't make it work for whatever reason, then yes it is OK to walk away.

If things go really badly this round (Leafs lose in 4 or 5) then probably the first thing is get rid of Keefe and see if someone else can push this group a little further. In that case you don't rush to re-sign Marner, let him play out next season and see where things are.

It?s a kind of addition by subtraction. Yes you don?t get assets in the form of players back, but you do get cap space so?

I?m with you on the rest. Tbh unless the Leafs make the conference finals I could see Keefe being under threat just because he isn?t Terliving?s guy as much as anything.

Long way to go yet in this series though.

 

[herman]

Going to start a rumour it?s a willy injury.

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1782177913770586266

Per the sources, he is said to have woken up with an issue that needed attention Thursday morning and remained ?pretty stiff? when the series got underway more than 48 hours later. There?s no evidence Nylander even came to TD Garden on game day as he wasn?t spotted walking off either of the team buses in the morning or late afternoon.

Was ?pretty stiff? for way more than 4 hrs?

 

[Chris]

It?s a kind of addition by subtraction. Yes you don?t get assets in the form of players back, but you do get cap space so?

Right...is it better to spend $11 or $12 million on a single guy who underperforms in the playoffs (especially in those critical game 7's), or spread the wealth and get two $5-6 million guys. Say you could snap your fingers and replace Marner with Verhaeghe and Jared McCann (or Zach Hyman, or an equivalent defender, or dependable goalie). Team would have less "top end" offensive talent but would be deeper and probably a tougher opponent. Not easy to do, especially if you have to do it through free agency, but there are certainly paths where it could make sense.

The other option is to re-sign Marner and then use the Tavares money to do the same thing. Then you basically sink or swim with the core-3 and hope they figure it out before it's too late.

Probably premature to be talking about this stuff after 1 playoff game so I'll put it on the back burner for now.