I like Hyman but McDavid raises these guys up to stupid levels that will never happen again without him.
- shack67

Exactly.

One shot for every fan they have on hockeybuzz
- daeth

*shots fired*

Gettin' a read on Keefe.

After 34 gives us the lead. Marner, Kampf, Eddie and McCabe barely left the ice. Those are the guys he trusts most to defend.

Boosh didn't play the last 6-7 mins. Brodie sighting?
- The Law

No thank you on Boosh out Brodie in.

Basically both teams are going with a pair of 5v5 matchups ..

Mathews line plus Rielly and Boosh vs. Coyle line plus Lindholm and Carlo
and
JT's line plus Benoit and McCabe vs. Pasta's line plus McAvoy and Grizzlychick
the rest is all scrubs v. scrubs.

If 88's back, and healthy, I think I put him with JT and MM and see if you can shut Pasta down by making him play in his own zone more.
- The Law

Pastrnak is not killing us 5v5 the way it is. The problem for Boston was always going to be the bottom six that includes Nylander. I wanna see that.

Where’s my buddy, G Stonie this morning?
Well done!
We’re 1-0.

Who wants to go into the Islanders’ thread and inform them John Tavares scored a clutch goal tonight?
- Atomic Wedgie

Once the leafs move onto the 2nd round and the isles are eliminated.
For sure.

Nice to see the oilers take it to the lowly kings.

Pastrnak is not killing us 5v5 the way it is. The problem for Boston was always going to be the bottom six that includes Nylander. I wanna see that.
- fifty__missions

Ya, I think you see a bit of both. Maybe spread them to start and when/if needed load up JT's line.

Where’s my buddy, G Stonie this morning?
Well done!
We’re 1-0.
- Woderwick

I thought we agreed to kill him?!z?!?

Solid performance from Samsonov and the rest of the team

Leafs played a near perfect playoff game. I could really see this going to 5 games only if Boston doesn't show up.


I wonder where the guys sucking the bruins Richard after Saturday are tonight?

- Aaron_85

learning to suck their own richard

Do we dare tinker with the lines?

I feel like we've just been beating ourselves, as I don't get a sense of the Bs hemming us in for long stretches of time. They're just patiently waiting for us to make a major mistake or take a dumb penalty.

Honestly, if we went back to playing "vintage" Leafs style, i.e. puck pursuit, possession, and did not engage after the whistle at all, we could probably keep the PP/PK a wash, where our 5v5 advantage in the series should be enough.

If anything… and by anything I mean a big anything… cut out Holmberg and replace him with Dewar (he played C for Minnesota). Drop Knies back down to the 4th line winger job and toss McMann back on JT’s wing.

That’s about all I can see being done if anything.
- Dozzer

That works if they have confidence in Dewar as a centre. Willie replaces Nickie is move one and either plays on a beefed up 2nd line or in the 3rd with stints on the second when they need a push. If Holmberg stays on the 3rd when Bobby comes back either Knies moves to the 4th and Dewar sits or McMann replaces Knies.

Do we dare tinker with the lines?

I feel like we've just been beating ourselves, as I don't get a sense of the Bs hemming us in for long stretches of time. They're just patiently waiting for us to make a major mistake or take a dumb penalty.

Honestly, if we went back to playing "vintage" Leafs style, i.e. puck pursuit, possession, and did not engage after the whistle at all, we could probably keep the PP/PK a wash, where our 5v5 advantage in the series should be enough.
- gravyface

I don’t think you tinker with the forward lines but if better players are ready you find a way to get them in.

Nailed it ..


The Law
Toronto Maple Leafs

Joined: 01.29.2008

Yesterday @ 12:16 PM ET

......


Keeping a back injury quiet makes sense too. If he gets back in you know the Bruins are going to chase him around and finish checks.

I keep the lineup the same too. Home teams are 6-0 ...Leafs are fine. Leafs win 3-2 tonight if they bring the same intensity and structure, stay away from dumb penalties, get another save from Sammy, and the big boys need to finish.

It was a 2-1 game at 5v5. Flip that around and don't (frank) up on special teams.
- The Law

yeah well Kampf was this close to blowing this up

Wednesday night man !!!

Leafs and Jays win, good night for the sportsing

I said yesterday Matthews was due for a solid playoffs performance. He did just that yesterday.

Kudos to him and the Leafs.

Oh and Samsonov was very good yesterday too.

I thought we agreed to kill him?!z?!?
- Atomic Wedgie

Skalapy went to a birthday party instead.
Can’t count on anyone.

So we had to compromise.
It’s still an option though.

That works if they have confidence in Dewar as a centre. Willie replaces Nickie is move one and either plays on a beefed up 2nd line or in the 3rd with stints on the second when they need a push. If Holmberg stays on the 3rd when Bobby comes back either Knies moves to the 4th and Dewar sits or McMann replaces Knies.
- Canada Cup

I get what you’re saying but I won’t lie I’m no fan of JT with Marner and Nylander as his wingers… sure JT would do the front of the net work but who works the boards between the other 2? Sadly… neither of them.

As for Dewar I know he can play C just fine but under Keefe’s game plan? There’s the unknown.. the question I wonder about anyways.

Basically it’s this in my head once everyone is healthy

Nylander gets in no matter what.

So it’s Robertson, Holmberg, or McMann… pick one and Robertson would be the least likely.

I can see it looking like this

Bertuzzi Matthews Domi (that line was solid last night)
? JT Marner (? = Knies or McMann)
Jarnkrok ? Nylander (? = Holmberg or Dewar)
? Kampf Reaves (? = Dewar or Knies)

Basically rolls it down to how they get McMann into the lineup if he’s truly ready.

That being said it’s my opinion so it also has even higher odds of me being completely incorrect lol

Do we dare tinker with the lines?

I feel like we've just been beating ourselves, as I don't get a sense of the Bs hemming us in for long stretches of time. They're just patiently waiting for us to make a major mistake or take a dumb penalty.

Honestly, if we went back to playing "vintage" Leafs style, i.e. puck pursuit, possession, and did not engage after the whistle at all, we could probably keep the PP/PK a wash, where our 5v5 advantage in the series should be enough.
- gravyface

Gonna have to tinker a bit if willie is back. Maybe he just drops on the 2nd line with jt and marner

I like Hyman but McDavid raises these guys up to stupid levels that will never happen again without him.
- shack67

While i do agree with overall sentiment, its not easy to pot 50 goals. Hyman still has to have the talent to bury them. Mcd may set some up on a tee for him, but there is still talent there.

Road split is good
Matthews is the GLOAT
Samsonov with a real solid bounce back.

Still missing Marner and Nylander

looking at the 5v5 stats in the 2 games so far, its very lopsided. in the leafs favor.
HD stands out 25-13 65.79%

doesnt feel that way. but nice to see

Weird…. There are no trolls around today. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Road split is good
Matthews is the GLOAT
Samsonov with a real solid bounce back.

Still missing Marner and Nylander
- PlatosRepucklic

Well Nylander is injured but he'll clutch when he comes back.

Marner needs to step up. Even slowmo Tavares is showing more.