R1, G4: Leafs @ Lighting - May 8th, 7:30pm - CBC, Fan 590

[Bill_Berg]

With a cooler head today than during the game, hockey is a game full of luck. I mean Tampa outplayed us to start, but not to some crazy degree. They got lucky on a couple of goals, we got unlucky on our shots. Matthews hit a post and I saw pucks sail by Vasilevskiy and not into the net. Not saying we deserved to win, but you can play the game the Leafs did and win 3-2 or lose 7-3, ditto Tampa's effort.

I also remember the movie where the Leafs lost by scores of 6-3, 6-2, and 7-3 all in one series yet still won in 7. Other than Nashville, you can't count any team out of any series.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I think most people would have said before the series that they'd be happy with a 2-2 tied series after 4 games. Best of 3 left now with two home games. I'm not too bummed out about the actual score of game 4, but seeing Matthews and Marner pretty much get shut down in both road games wasn't very fun.

 

[Zee]

I also remember the movie where the Leafs lost by scores of 6-3, 6-2, and 7-3 all in one series yet still won in 7. Other than Nashville, you can't count any team out of any series.

1993 was a long time ago man.

 

[Bill_Berg]

I also remember the movie where the Leafs lost by scores of 6-3, 6-2, and 7-3 all in one series yet still won in 7. Other than Nashville, you can't count any team out of any series.

1993 was a long time ago man.

So was 2013, but I still hear about that one often.

 

[L K]

The Leafs have still outscored Tampa 16 to 14.  Toronto is outscoring Tampa at even strength 9-7.

On special teams both teams are a net +3.  Tampa has 4 5on4 goals and 1 5on3.  The Leafs have 2 5on4 goals and 1 5on3 + 2 4on5 shorthanded goals.

Both teams have 2 empty net goals.

Tampa has 25 PP opportunities to the Leafs 18.  What I don't love is how the penalties break down.

Game 1 - Leafs have 6 PPs to 5.  Tampa had a 5 to 4 advantage until they gooned it up in the 3rd period.
Game 2 - Tampa has 7 PPs to the Leafs 4.  One penalty was a 6 men fully in the play too many-men call.
Game 3 - Toronto has 5 PPs to the Lightning's 3.  Two of Tampa's penalties were puck over the glass.
Game 4 - Tampa has 8 PPs to the Leafs 3.  One of the Leafs powerplays was a 34 second powerplay.  One of the Leafs penalties was puck over the glass.

So Tampa has taken 3 non-infraction penalties (too many men/puck over glass) and Toronto has taken one.  So Tampa has drawn 9 more on-ice infractions (hooks, holds, trips, crosschecks, roughing,etc).  9 more infractions than the Leafs.  That's some bullshit.

 

[Guilt Trip]

The Leafs have still outscored Tampa 16 to 14.  Toronto is outscoring Tampa at even strength 9-7.

On special teams both teams are a net +3.  Tampa has 4 5on4 goals and 1 5on3.  The Leafs have 2 5on4 goals and 1 5on3 + 2 4on5 shorthanded goals.

Both teams have 2 empty net goals.

Tampa has 25 PP opportunities to the Leafs 18.  What I don't love is how the penalties break down.

Game 1 - Leafs have 6 PPs to 5.  Tampa had a 5 to 4 advantage until they gooned it up in the 3rd period.
Game 2 - Tampa has 7 PPs to the Leafs 4.  One penalty was a 6 men fully in the play too many-men call.
Game 3 - Toronto has 5 PPs to the Lightning's 3.  Two of Tampa's penalties were puck over the glass.
Game 4 - Tampa has 8 PPs to the Leafs 3.  One of the Leafs powerplays was a 34 second powerplay.  One of the Leafs penalties was puck over the glass.

So Tampa has taken 3 non-infraction penalties (too many men/puck over glass) and Toronto has taken one.  So Tampa has drawn 9 more on-ice infractions (hooks, holds, trips, crosschecks, roughing,etc).  9 more infractions than the Leafs.  That's some bull#$#%.

Absolutely agree.

 

[L K]

More context:

Washington leads Florida 2-1:  4-2, 1-5, 6-1
Carolina/Boston tied 2-2: 5-1, 5-2, 2-4, 2-5
Pittsburgh leads NY 2-1: 4-3, 2-5, 7-4
Minnestoa/St. Louis tied 2-2: 0-4, 6-2, 5-1, 2-5
Dallas leads Calgary 2-1: 0-1, 2-0, 4-2
Edmonton/LA tied 2-2: 3-4, 6-0, 8-2, 0-4

I'm not including the Colorado series because that is the only series that is completely lopsided but of the 6 other series.

Wins by 1 goal: 3
Wins by 2 goals: 4
Wins by 3 goals: 5
Wins by 4+ goals: 9

The Leafs series 5-0 win, 5-2 win.  5-3 loss and 7-3 loss.  Lopsided scores are happening in every series.

The first period in particular the Leafs were simply not good.  Jack was bad though.  2 of Tampa's goals were empty net goals.  I think it's fair to expect a save on Goal 1 and especially Goal 5 from Jack.  Even the 3-0 Maroon goal.  He was allowed to walk in all alone and the defense did absolutely nothing to help Campbell out but Campbell probably should have been more aggressive and tried to take the cross crease opportunity away.  Maroon never really showed shot on that drive to the net and I think there was an opportunity for Campbell to go for a poke check on the play.  Not a goal I'm going to hang on Campbell though.

Vasilevskiy hasn't really been giving up awful goals but the only game the Leafs truly got "blown out" in was a game where their goaltending was also subpar.  Jack can and has been better in this series.  When he's on his game the Leafs have been the better team.  If Campbell regroups tomorrow night the Leafs have no reason they don't go back to Tampa up 3-2.

 

[Zee]

I also remember the movie where the Leafs lost by scores of 6-3, 6-2, and 7-3 all in one series yet still won in 7. Other than Nashville, you can't count any team out of any series.

1993 was a long time ago man.

So was 2013, but I still hear about that one often.

Sure, but given the lack of playoff success in the last 18 years, it's normal for people to point it out until they break through.

 

[Courtnall]

Lol, ya this year is different and this team is different. Like common, did you not see our captain single handedly take over the game? Ya, me neither. Have you not seen how dominant our 22M+ line has been? Ya me neither other than game 1. Like seriously, our goalie is the next coming of the wall.
Ya, same leaf?s, same result. Less heartache this year, because this is expected!

 

[Bill_Berg]

I also remember the movie where the Leafs lost by scores of 6-3, 6-2, and 7-3 all in one series yet still won in 7. Other than Nashville, you can't count any team out of any series.

1993 was a long time ago man.

So was 2013, but I still hear about that one often.

Sure, but given the lack of playoff success in the last 18 years, it's normal for people to point it out until they break through.

Sure it's normal. Just doesn't mean much in relation to this series.

 

[Joe S.]

You know what?s cool, when you tap out of a shit game early enough it?s like it never happened. And you can go on with your day.

On to the next one. And other than Colorado, who seem to be the only team to actually draw a weaker opponent, it seems to me every series is 2-1 or 2-2. But you know, leafs are chokers.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/JhanHky/status/1523650332261158912

 

[ZBBM]

So is this Han guy going to be our coach next year?

 

[ZBBM]

I think most people would have said before the series that they'd be happy with a 2-2 tied series after 4 games. Best of 3 left now with two home games. I'm not too bummed out about the actual score of game 4, but seeing Matthews and Marner pretty much get shut down in both road games wasn't very fun.

Which is why it was important to get home ice advantage.

Also, I would point out that TB's top stars haven't exactly lit it up either.

 

[herman]

So is this Han guy going to be our coach next year?

Why would anyone want this job lol

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So is this Han guy going to be our coach next year?

Why would anyone want this job lol

Bruce does :'(

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1523468085302235136

This is why I said long ago you don't win a Stanley Cup with players like this and Willy isn't the only one. Absolutely unacceptable. Also I don't want to hear about the 2 goals he scored in a game that was out of reach and TB playing to finish the game and easing up.

Obviously I'm biased, but I'm going to say the same thing for just about anybody on the team in this position.

He's the last forward on a line change, so his priority is to force the play deep so his teammates get time and space to change and for reinforcements to arrive. He was clearly out of gas but put in his last push to get stick on the puck and negate an icing off an unsupported attack pass.

Willy (clearly) gave up first touch, and it looked terrible to people who already dislike him, but then he almost steals the puck from a confused Cernak and could have sprung an incoming Matthews. Getting in on the puck slightly first to get pasted in a 5-0 game is honestly less useful than 'looking like you're trying'.

 

[bustaheims]

Willy (clearly) gave up first touch, and it looked terrible to people who already dislike him, but then he almost steals the puck from a confused Cernak and could have sprung an incoming Matthews. Getting in on the puck slightly first to get pasted in a 5-0 game is honestly less useful than 'looking like you're trying'.

Exactly. As long as you achieve the desired results - which, in this case, is cause enough pressure to allow your teammates to complete a line change - than the how is much less important. Quite frankly, if you can do it in a way that comes with a low risk of injury, that's the smart way to go. Conserve energy, don't unnecessarily put yourself at risk, as long as you get the job done. That's all that matters.

 

[Bill_Berg]

F-context, boys!

 

[Zee]

I also remember the movie where the Leafs lost by scores of 6-3, 6-2, and 7-3 all in one series yet still won in 7. Other than Nashville, you can't count any team out of any series.

1993 was a long time ago man.

So was 2013, but I still hear about that one often.

Sure, but given the lack of playoff success in the last 18 years, it's normal for people to point it out until they break through.

Sure it's normal. Just doesn't mean much in relation to this series.

Sure every series is different, but surely the last few years or so mean more than 93 since a lot of the same core are in place playing the game.  I still think Leafs can win this series, but they have to show up next game and prove it.