Rangers @ Leafs - Oct. 22nd, 7:00pm - TSN4

[Arn]

Bob is apparently sat at +3.6 goals saved above average.

From what I’ve seen he’s conceded quite a lot of goals that have been tipped/screened etc. I don’t think he’s let any absolute sitnkers in (or certainly any more than normal or that have been particularly egregious).

I don’t think he’s been amazing, but I don’t think he’s been bad. And he does have a shaky defence in front of him.

Whether he was worth the cost and the loss of Woll and/or Hildeby I think will only become apparent if/when the Leafs make the playoffs and he proves to be a difference maker there.

 

[herman]

I think Bob is just pacing himself for the long season and the playoffs to come. He’s doing enough to keep them in every game. And the reason it’s always 3 goals in is because of the disorganization in front of him.
—
It’s only one game, but what a huge showing for John Chayka’s offseason work on one scoresheet, eh?

Duhaime, MacEwen, Blueger, Paul, Marchenko, and even Bobrovsky putting in big supporting efforts for the win

 

[L K]

I took my son to this one. Unbelievable game. Sloppy at times but I really do think this is a good team.

It is feeling like there is an it factor that is back in the organization where the team is capable of ramping up. The blueline needs to be addressed at some point but I think the centre depth is fine if we look at Tavares as more of a 2/3 guy instead of outright 2C.

Paul isn't really what you would call a high end 2C but I think this is redundant if he's playing with line drivers like Nylander/Marchenko

 

[herman]

Key difference in the structure was the breakout play. They were more connected (forwards tracked back deeper) and they had a little blueline bump off the wall that the Rangers could not, or simply did not bother to stop. Resulted in generating speed through the NZ for rush chances or establishing cycles down low more regularly, easing the defensive burden.

 

[cw]

Key difference in the structure was the breakout play. They were more connected (forwards tracked back deeper) and they had a little blueline bump off the wall that the Rangers could not, or simply did not bother to stop. Resulted in generating speed through the NZ for rush chances or establishing cycles down low more regularly, easing the defensive burden.

Had the game on but missed a bunch. Buried in work.
That was great to read. It was part of what I felt ailed their even strength - just like it was in Pat Quinn's years.
Half the roster is new. New coaching & system. Short preseason. They're going to need 20 games before they shake this all out.
Back end is missing some meat but the bigger problem defensively has been the forwards in my opinion. To see that they're coming back for shorter outlets and adjusting to improve is big, encouraging news if they keep it up..

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2113669697929633840

 

[4EVRLEAFAN]

I did not care for the Bobrovsky signing. Still don't. Don't care to debate it. He seems like a good, quiet guy and I've enjoyed watching him. Only stated as a foundation for my remarks.

1st and 3rd goals were tips

2nd goal he was kind of run into and the puck rebounded out and got smacked home. You can't very well expect rebound control when the goalie got run into.

The only goal that was questionable in my mind was the last one. It was a long shot. Bob was weaving left and right to see around players in front of him. He eventually picked up the shot too late. To some extent, he suffered from a screen. If he had seen more of the shot, he would have stopped it.
There was nothing there blatantly bad in my opinion.

That is kind of how I feel about his season so far.
No softies that I can recall. A number he had no chance on. And a few we might debate but none really bad that I can recall.
The bigger problem defensively are the skaters in my opinion.

Ok, I'll chill for a while, I just remember when he was a beast, in the 2023 playoffs we pelted him with 53 shots in one game and we lost, that Bob would 3 shutouts by now..LOL

 

[cw]

Ok, I'll chill for a while, I just remember when he was a beast, in the 2023 playoffs we pelted him with 53 shots in one game and we lost, that Bob would 3 shutouts by now..LOL

You're fine. Don't sweat that.
Goalies tend to decline in reaction time and save%, etc in their 30s - often b4 35. They can hit a wall and suddenly drastically drop off.
That is part of the reason I wasn't keen along with his cap hit.
Very risky contract
Belfour had lost some of his speed when he came to the Leafs but he'd improved his reads and angles. With good positioning, the puck hit him more.
Inside 20 feet, the puck can be past the goalie before their reaction time - it either hits him or it doesn't.
So we might get some good positioning benefit from Bobrovsky's experience

Ignoring his contract, he's our starting goalie. I'll be cheering for him no matter what.