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

[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.

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.

Some players may care about the last two playoff failures, guys who were on those teams. But Matthews doesn't get bothered by 2013, and Bunting doesn't give a poop about 2021.

 

[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.

Some players may care about the last two playoff failures, guys who were on those teams. But Matthews doesn't get bothered by 2013, and Bunting doesn't give a poop about 2021.

They just have some baggage to get rid of.  If they can find a way to win this series I think they make a long run with the monkey off their back.  I hope they can do it

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/MikeKellyNHL/status/1523684980609544193

 

[azzurri63]

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'.

Think most of you are missing my whole point. Whether he was gassed or not it is what it is. My concern is this isn?t an isolated incident with Willy. It?s his game. Shy away from contact and give up on plays to avoid being hit. Bottom line it?s a recipe for disaster. He?s not the only one and until that changes or you bring in players that are willing to give that extra which is needed in the playoffs this team won?t win anything. Never seen so many soft players on a team. Get pushed around and for the most part just take it. Show some emotion, pushback, punch back don?t let them the opposition push you around. Hagel playing tough against Engvall and Tavares and no response. Pathetic.

 

[Courtnall]

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.

I actually laughed out loud upon reading this.
But you know, history proves leaf?s are chokers. But this year will be different, I?m telling ya??.

 

[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.

I actually laughed out loud upon reading this.
But you know, history proves leaf?s are chokers. But this year will be different, I?m telling ya??.

Ok.

 

[Zee]

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.

I actually laughed out loud upon reading this.
But you know, history proves leaf?s are chokers. But this year will be different, I?m telling ya??.

Ok.

Lee-bo is a real ray of sunshine.

 

[rdowdall]

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'.

Think most of you are missing my whole point. Whether he was gassed or not it is what it is. My concern is this isn?t an isolated incident with Willy. It?s his game. Shy away from contact and give up on plays to avoid being hit. Bottom line it?s a recipe for disaster. He?s not the only one and until that changes or you bring in players that are willing to give that extra which is needed in the playoffs this team won?t win anything. Never seen so many soft players on a team. Get pushed at round and for the most part take it. Show some emotion, pushback, punch back don?t let them the opposition push you around. Hagel playing tough against Engvall and Tavares and no response. Pathetic.

I actually think it's the opposite.  I think when the playoffs start, Marner, Matthews, Tavares, Nylander actually become more concerned about that stuff and the team, in general, becomes more concerned about that stuff, and then they start playing differently than what they did during the regular season.  They were the least penalized team in the regular season, and now they are taking  5 penalties or more a game.  It's not just reffing.  They are trying to play a different style, than what their skill set is.  If they stick to the game plan, play their style, which is based around speed and puck possession, and stop worrying about looking tough, I think they can win this series.  If they start running around looking to hit people so that everyone thinks that they are tough, they are going to lose. 

Nylander may not engage in hitting, but I've seen him take the puck to the dirty areas and fight off hits along the wall when he has the puck.  He's not Wendel Clark.  He's not going to drop the gloves and fight someone.  John Tavares is not Doug Gilmour.  They need to play the way they will be successful, which means they have to stop worrying about how Tampa is going to play and just come out and dictate the game. 

Last night's game was lost in the first 10 minutes.  It had nothing to do with getting hit or being physically intimidated.  They failed to execute on their passing and got hemmed in their own zone where the ultra-talented team they are playing was able to capitalize on their chances and put the game out of reach quickly.

If you want to point to a mental fortitude that they need to develop, then I would be on board with them being able to reset quickly after a team has come out and taken it to them for the first couple of minutes.  In the current scenario, if the goalie they have in the net doesn't make the saves to weather the storm, then the Leafs can't get straightened out quick enough before the game is out of reach.

So punching people and slashing at people is wasted energy with the stars on the Leafs, because it would just put the game out of reach further, and it may actually lead to a suspension or an injury, which the Leafs don't want.

They have the pieces on the team to push back so it doesn't need to come from Matthews, Marner, Tavares, and Nylander.  The fact that they are taking it is good enough for me.  For me, they just need to be prepared to execute from the opening faceoff.

 

[Redleaf]

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.

I actually laughed out loud upon reading this.
But you know, history proves leaf?s are chokers. But this year will be different, I?m telling ya??.

Ok.

Lee-bo is a real ray of sunshine.

I love how the vultures come out early and start picking apart a team still very much alive in this series. In fact are tied at 2 games a piece .
Like go ahead and predict a loss if you must but wait until the series is over before you start moving in on a corpse you intend to tear apart regardless of the outcome.

 

[Frank E]

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.

I actually laughed out loud upon reading this.
But you know, history proves leaf?s are chokers. But this year will be different, I?m telling ya??.

Ok.

Lee-bo is a real ray of sunshine.

I love how the vultures come out early and start picking apart a team still very much alive in this series. In fact are tied at 2 games a piece .
Like go ahead and predict a loss if you must but wait until the series is over before you start moving in on a corpse you intend to tear apart regardless of the outcome.

It's a psychological win-win type of mindset.  It's mostly common in those that place a high priority in how they feel about cheering for a winning team but having no real control of the result.

If the Leafs lose, those of the opinion that they're fundamentally flawed can consider themselves in the right, and that makes them feel good.  If they win, they enjoy the win as much, if not more, than those that are more confident in the matchup.  It's because then they can revel in that the Leafs overcame the odds that they didn't think were in their favour given the preconceived flaws of the team.  Everybody can cheer for an underdog outplaying their flaws and winning!

So really, it's more about a protecting themselves against their own placing too much personal investment in the results of a game that they a) don't care to understand the actual statistical odds of, and b) can't control.

It's a little unusual, but consider the Lee-bo's of the world as superfans with little understanding of the real odds.  They really do cheer for the team, but they're just a little more sensitive to losses than the average Frank.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Damn, who hacked Frank's account and wrote something smart?

 

[Frank E]

Damn, who hacked Frank's account and wrote something smart?

I was of the opinion that the hammer boys were sticking together.

I was mistaken...I guess the Ancaster stigma remains.

 

[Bill_Berg]

Emotional walls. I like it.  How can I get started?

 

[Frank E]

Emotional walls. I like it.  How can I get started?

I read your sadness.  I sympathize. 

Take your time.  This is a journey, my friend.  Let's break down these walls, but together. 

That's all for today, please forward your monthly payment.

 

[herman]

Emotional walls. I like it.  How can I get started?

https://www.wikihow.com/Cope-when-Your-Favorite-Sports-Team-Loses

 

[Zee]

Emotional walls. I like it.  How can I get started?

https://www.wikihow.com/Cope-when-Your-Favorite-Sports-Team-Loses

I take exception with one of their helpful tips

"Remember the good times. While losses hurt, no team loses all the time.  To get over a big defeat, think about your team?s good times. Remember great comebacks, championships, or even just all those crushing game 7 losses"

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I was furious during the game, I think the manner of the loss was most upsetting.

With time comes perspective, they're still capable of winning, hold home ice advantage etc.

I just don't believe they'll do it, they've given no reason to believe they will.

I've won national titles in my life, I've never come across a winning team that has laid down the way the Leafs did in game 4.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Zee]

I was furious during the game, I think the manner of the loss was most upsetting.

With time comes perspective, they're still capable of winning, hold home ice advantage etc.

I just don't believe they'll do it, they've given no reason to believe they will.

I've won national titles in my life, I've never come across a winning team that has laid down the way the Leafs did in game 4.

I hope I'm wrong.

I don't get furious anymore, done with that. It's a game at the end of the day, if I'm to live out my days seeing constant taunting of the Leafs until I'm dead so be it, I can't change the outcome.  That said I'd be super pumped if they ever win lol

 

[ZBBM]

I was furious during the game, I think the manner of the loss was most upsetting.

With time comes perspective, they're still capable of winning, hold home ice advantage etc.

I just don't believe they'll do it, they've given no reason to believe they will.

I've won national titles in my life, I've never come across a winning team that has laid down the way the Leafs did in game 4.

I hope I'm wrong.

I don't get furious anymore, done with that. It's a game at the end of the day, if I'm to live out my days seeing constant taunting of the Leafs until I'm dead so be it, I can't change the outcome.  That said I'd be super pumped if they ever win lol

I feel for all of you who get taunted. 

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I was furious during the game, I think the manner of the loss was most upsetting.

With time comes perspective, they're still capable of winning, hold home ice advantage etc.

I just don't believe they'll do it, they've given no reason to believe they will.

I've won national titles in my life, I've never come across a winning team that has laid down the way the Leafs did in game 4.

I hope I'm wrong.

I don't get furious anymore, done with that. It's a game at the end of the day, if I'm to live out my days seeing constant taunting of the Leafs until I'm dead so be it, I can't change the outcome.  That said I'd be super pumped if they ever win lol

Congrats on being a more evolved human.

I lost my dad to Covid, he loved the Leafs.

He was very old school.

He taught us that while you'll lose in life, the manner in which you lose matters.

You never accept it, you rage against the dying of the light.

Over and over we've seen this core roll over and accept defeat, I can't be okay with that, it produces an almost allergic reaction in me.

I hope they figure it out, but the core seems deeply flawed to me.