My view is Toronto gets one more year to use the banner, "they are a young team," before the criticism and scrutiny begins. Could say it for sure last year. This season, they brought in Patrick Marleau to give the team a veteran presence. But lost to what I think is a better team. Toronto needs a better backup to Frederik Andersen, one that will challenge him for playing time, and a real solid, physical defensive defenseman. Auston Mathews had a lousy series. Despite all this, they went into the third period of Game 7 with a one-goal lead. Experience, home ice advantage and a better overall team drove the win for Boston.
- airjan23
I agree Jan, on the Leafs needs for a better backup goalie & top defensive d'man, making many wonder why they didn't pursue McDonagh heavily at the deadline, (along with the Bruins, "for now"). Babcock then may have pulled the non sharp Andersen after Krug's early tying (4-4), 3rd period, non screened goal from just inside the blue line, when Andersen was positioned slightly too far to the right in his crease. DeBrusk's GWG, despite in close, was on a slow five hole shot, after an outside move around Jake Gardiner, who also had a bad game in blaming "most" of the loss on himself. At least Marleau scored 2 goals giving the Leafs an early 2-1 lead just over 6:00 into the game, despite Matthews again struggling himself to produce, or at least test Rask more, who wasn't much better than Andersen, with his 20 Saves on only 24 S.O.G. faced (.833 Save%).
Andersen struggled from the start movement wise, as on Heinen's 1st period goal. He also lucked out that 1st in reaching back with his glove in time, after a puck had gotten through him & rolled slowly to the goal line. But he didn't make both enough big, & also some routine saves when it mattered most in Game 7, in stopping only 29 of 35 S.O.G. (.829 Save%). At least he lead them with his earlier well play to a Game 7 in Boston, with Boston maybe wondering now why they didn't heavily pursue McDonagh, in having to face the team that acquired him, and that has the home ice advantage with 4 more days rest, and 2 less games played as well.
