R1, G6: Bruins @ Maple Leafs - May 2nd, 8:00pm - SN, Fan 590

[ZBBM]

I've always thought that one of the dumbest cliches in sports is "Injuries are no excuse."  In fact, they are just about the only valid excuse.  Going to be hard to win this series without your best player (not to mention being without Nylander and McMann).

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1786059242123780247

Damn.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1786059242123780247

Damn.

Every beat writer got the group text and immediately tweeted accordingly.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1786059242123780247

Damn.

Every beat writer got the group text and immediately tweeted accordingly.

I mean that does happen but I think in this case he just told them all to their faces in a scrum.

 

[herman]

At this point, I am glad they are leaning into caution for the rest of his career, not just his President's/coach's job security.

 

[azzurri63]

I've been reading might be a concussion. Don't see it being ill he'd be playing. Sucks every year it's somebody not playing or 100%. Leafs need to get traffic in front of whoever is in net and shoot the puck. Look for rebounds, ugly goals whatever. Did it without 34 Tuesday no reason they can't do it again tonight. Just come out hard and keep it going.

 

[cabber24]

No doubt in my mind that if he could play he would! Someone is always winning a series after 5. Out of context, I am going to run with this stat: the winner of game 5 wins the series 79% of the time.

 

[Zee]

No doubt in my mind that if he could play he would! Someone is always winning a series after 5. Out of context, I am going to run with this stat: the winner of game 5 wins the series 79% of the time.

The other 21% of the time it's the Leafs.

 

[bustaheims]

I've been reading might be a concussion. Don't see it being ill he'd be playing. Sucks every year it's somebody not playing or 100%. Leafs need to get traffic in front of whoever is in net and shoot the puck. Look for rebounds, ugly goals whatever. Did it without 34 Tuesday no reason they can't do it again tonight. Just come out hard and keep it going.

If it was a concussion, he wouldn't have been cleared to play at all in game 4, nor would he likely be on the ice at all right now.

At this point, it's no longer an illness - might have been initially, though - but some sort of injury that is enough to take him out of the lineup.

 

[Zee]

I've been reading might be a concussion. Don't see it being ill he'd be playing. Sucks every year it's somebody not playing or 100%. Leafs need to get traffic in front of whoever is in net and shoot the puck. Look for rebounds, ugly goals whatever. Did it without 34 Tuesday no reason they can't do it again tonight. Just come out hard and keep it going.

If it was a concussion, he wouldn't have been cleared to play at all in game 4, nor would he likely be on the ice at all right now.

At this point, it's no longer an illness - might have been initially, though - but some sort of injury that is enough to take him out of the lineup.

Concussions can be weird though and sometimes they go undiagnosed which might have cleared him to play. We'll find out when the Leafs are out (whenever that may be)

 

[bustaheims]

Concussions can be weird though and sometimes they go undiagnosed which might have cleared him to play. We'll find out when the Leafs are out (whenever that may be)

He still wouldn't be out on the ice at all in the last couple days if it was a concussion. He'd be shut down completely until the symptoms were gone.

 

[louisstamos]

Is it possible it's Mono?  I remember Connor Timmins having that earlier this season.  Maybe he tried playing through it and it went horribly?

I mean, all we can do right now is speculate, which is frustrating but I also get it.

 

[YYZ]

My guess is back issues. 

 

[herman]

https://x.com/markhmasters/status/1786075898589941812
Look, I get what Eddie is trying to say, but Binnington being the most calm and nothing bothers him? lol. Lmao, even.

 

[bustaheims]

Look, I get what Eddie is trying to say, but Binnington being the most calm and nothing bothers him? lol. Lmao, even.

Haha. Yeah. Definitely not the case with Binnington. Not on the ice. Not off the ice, either, apparently.

 

[cabber24]

Look, I get what Eddie is trying to say, but Binnington being the most calm and nothing bothers him? lol. Lmao, even.

Haha. Yeah. Definitely not the case with Binnington. Not on the ice. Not off the ice, either, apparently.

Bing is a complete nut at times, thought Eddie's comments were hilarious.

 

[ZBBM]

No Matthews, not much chance.  Too bad, he had a fantastic season and made it through w/o problems ... until when it counts most.

 

[Bill_Berg]

It could still be an illness with Matthews, some illnesses aren't contagious or aren't contagious simply by being near other people.

Hope whatever it is he gets well quick, for the Buds and himself.

 

[Chris]

No Matthews, not much chance.  Too bad, he had a fantastic season and made it through w/o problems ... until when it counts most.

In the longer term (such as if the Leafs manage to win this series) I agree, no Matthews no chance. But for a few games - team seems to raise its level when he is out. If Marner and Nylander can continue to get back toward 100%, there is definitely a chance in this series. Bruins just aren't that good (Swayman aside).

That said - I thought they'd play a strong game 5 and they did. Have no idea what to expect tonight. Hopefully a repeat.

 

[Derk]

I am actually excited about tonight's game. Now that I am seeing it is at 8pm, I will sign any petition also - I don't mind staying up later, but I do get up early for work most days. I get having it late on a Saturday, but there really isn't any reason to do it during the week (except for the US obsession with "Prime Time").