Just so my opinion is public record, Marleau plays next season. He is never asked to waive, or made a healthy scratch. If he wants to play they find a way to make it fit.
- Blazed

That would be very bad for the Leafs.

Read something that said Babcock will be giving Sparks 8 of the next 15 starts.

That's a pretty good idea.

But not having home ice against the Bruins is going to suck.

Man donanto is ripping it up.....could be a trade that comes back to bite the Bruins.

I never saw Coyle as anything more than a 3rd like scoring power forward.

Donato 11 points in 9 games

Coyle 0 points in 6 games

I'm looking forward to the playoffs this season more than most years. Whoever you want to credit for it, the parity that exists amongst the leagues upper echelon of teams is pretty remarkable for any sport. There are at least a half dozen teams with a legitimate shot. If the Leafs are said to lack grit, I think the same can be said for Tampa. Does that open the door for Washington to slide back in? Boston? Nashville? Winnipeg? There will be some darn good teams getting knocked out in the first round. Goaltending, as usual come playoff time, could be key. Have your starter rested

Man donanto is ripping it up.....could be a trade that comes back to bite the Bruins.

I never saw Coyle as anything more than a 3rd like scoring power forward.

Donato 11 points in 9 games

Coyle 0 points in 6 games
- Santo_44

But he's a vet and a big body people saying ooooo Boston got coyle look out. Yeah who cares.

Bruins 15-0-3 since all star break but how many of those have they had to scramble late to try it?

But he's a vet and a big body people saying ooooo Boston got coyle look out. Yeah who cares.
- burn

And Backes in an inforcer role apparently. That guy could only ever fight lightweights and non-combatants, even when there was fighting in the league, so basically you're a 4th line plug/healthy scratch? Cool.

Bruins 15-0-3 since all star break but how many of those have they had to scramble late to try it?
- burn

A win is a win. They've been lights out lately, and they also just beat the crap out of Tampa. First round will be tough, but hoping for a better outcome this year.

And Backes in an inforcer role apparently. That guy could only ever fight lightweights and non-combatants, even when there was fighting in the league, so basically you're a 4th line plug/healthy scratch? Cool.
- gravyface

Didn't kadri handle that goof a couple times

Columbus Everywhere the Duchene touches, the playoffs do not go

And Backes in an inforcer role apparently. That guy could only ever fight lightweights and non-combatants, even when there was fighting in the league, so basically you're a 4th line plug/healthy scratch? Cool.
- gravyface

He's a goddamn idiot. He's already had a few concussions, and now he's putting his post-hockey life in jeopardy just to stay relevant? He's made his money and should just retire.

What a (frank)ing chode.

A win is a win. They've been lights out lately, and they also just beat the crap out of Tampa. First round will be tough, but hoping for a better outcome this year.
- winsix

I'm thinking with more experience and Tavares and muzzin the leafs should be better than last year. And hopefully Andersen is healthy and kadri is playing all series.should mean they are better than last year where they were winning game 7 in the 3rd period.

Columbus Everywhere the Duchene touches, the playoffs do not go
- AdamFrench

I'm thinking with more experience and Tavares and muzzin the leafs should be better than last year. And hopefully Andersen is healthy and kadri is playing all series.should mean they are better than last year where they were winning game 7 in the 3rd period.
- burn

It's going to be a good series again, for sure.

Bruins were hot last year too leading into the playoffs, so I'm not really concerned about what they're doing now in March.

Basically everything had to go wrong with the Leafs for them to beat us in the 3rd period of game 7: no Kadri, Andersen playing brutal, Matthews and Nylander line filled in by Bergeron's line, etc.

Tavares' line can go up against Bergeron's line, if that matchup is available, but so could Matthews with Johnsson and Nylander.

Babs could even sneak Nylander between Ennis and Moore and cause some real damage.

Hyman Tavares Marner
Johnsson Matthews Kapanen
Marleau Kadri Brown
Moore Nylander Ennis

He's a goddamn idiot. He's already had a few concussions, and now he's putting his post-hockey life in jeopardy just to stay relevant? He's made his money and should just retire.

What a (frank)ing chode.
- lumlums

too many athletes have a problem quitting - wants to stay on the scene - the fear of becoming an average Joe...

It's going to be a good series again, for sure.

Bruins were hot last year too leading into the playoffs, so I'm not really concerned about what they're doing now in March.

Basically everything had to go wrong with the Leafs for them to beat us in the 3rd period of game 7: no Kadri, Andersen playing brutal, Matthews and Nylander line filled in by Bergeron's line, etc.

Tavares' line can go up against Bergeron's line, if that matchup is available, but so could Matthews with Johnsson and Nylander.

Babs could even sneak Nylander between Ennis and Moore and cause some real damage.

Hyman Tavares Marner
Johnsson Matthews Kapanen
Marleau Kadri Brown
Moore Nylander Ennis
- gravyface

And Andersen is playing on another level this season. Leafs have the edge in net which is huge.

It's going to be a good series again, for sure.

Bruins were hot last year too leading into the playoffs, so I'm not really concerned about what they're doing now in March.

Basically everything had to go wrong with the Leafs for them to beat us in the 3rd period of game 7: no Kadri, Andersen playing brutal, Matthews and Nylander line filled in by Bergeron's line, etc.

Tavares' line can go up against Bergeron's line, if that matchup is available, but so could Matthews with Johnsson and Nylander.

Babs could even sneak Nylander between Ennis and Moore and cause some real damage.

Hyman Tavares Marner
Johnsson Matthews Kapanen
Marleau Kadri Brown
Moore Nylander Ennis
- gravyface

I'm not a Nylander fan at all, but you can hardly do any damage while playing 8-11 minutes a night.

in my view, it would be best to load up first two lines (ideally get Kadri with Matthews and Kapanen) and then play Nylander with Marleau and Moore/Johnsson.
4th line Johnsson/Moore - Goat - Ennis

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Kadri - Matthews - Kapanen
Marleau - Nylander - Moore/Johnsson
Moore/Johnsson - puzzleman - Ennis

I'm not a Nylander fan at all, but you can hardly do any damage while playing 8-11 minutes a night.

in my view, it would be best to load up first two lines (ideally get Kadri with Matthews and Kapanen) and then play Nylander with Marleau and Moore/Johnsson.
4th line Johnsson/Moore - Goat - Ennis

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Kadri - Matthews - Kapanen
Marleau - Nylander - Moore/Johnsson
Moore/Johnsson - puzzleman - Ennis
- plantheparade

Why would you play Kadri out of position and Nylander less when there's lots of evidence that Nylander with Matthews is an excellent pairing...?

Johnsson - Matthews - Nylander
Hyman - JT - Marner
Marleau - Kadri - Kapanen
Moore - Goat - Ennis

You have 2 first lines, a third that is better than most seconds, and a fourth that can skate circles around pretty much any other fourth line in the league.

I'm not a Nylander fan at all, but you can hardly do any damage while playing 8-11 minutes a night.

in my view, it would be best to load up first two lines (ideally get Kadri with Matthews and Kapanen) and then play Nylander with Marleau and Moore/Johnsson.
4th line Johnsson/Moore - Goat - Ennis

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Kadri - Matthews - Kapanen
Marleau - Nylander - Moore/Johnsson
Moore/Johnsson - puzzleman - Ennis
- plantheparade

when Kadri returns, they should (in my opinion) Nylander back with Matthews... in an attempt to get both of those two going again.

Tavares Hyman Marner
Matthews Johnsson Nylander
Kadri Marleau Kapanen
Goat Smurf1 Moore

when Kadri returns, they should (in my opinion) Nylander back with Matthews... in an attempt to get both of those two going again.

Tavares Hyman Marner
Matthews Johnsson Nylander
Kadri Marleau Kapanen
Goat Smurf1 Moore
- BorjeFan4Ever

This guy gets it

too many athletes have a problem quitting - wants to stay on the scene - the fear of becoming an average Joe...
- 21peter

to be fair to Backes, in what universe is he going to earn anything close to 5M$ a year doing ANYTHING else?

I grew up with Ballard as owner. I always have issues understanding why people are so miserable with a 4th overall team.
- RogerRoeper

Says the guy who bashes the coach every day for his terrible results?

I'm not a Nylander fan at all, but you can hardly do any damage while playing 8-11 minutes a night.

in my view, it would be best to load up first two lines (ideally get Kadri with Matthews and Kapanen) and then play Nylander with Marleau and Moore/Johnsson.
4th line Johnsson/Moore - Goat - Ennis

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Kadri - Matthews - Kapanen
Marleau - Nylander - Moore/Johnsson
Moore/Johnsson - puzzleman - Ennis
- plantheparade

Johnsson won't be on the 4th line.

8-11 is plenty enough time to score a critical goal or just own the OZ and wear them down. I don't think that we'll see a 5'9" line again though; need Gauthier in there to win draws and run interference.

One thing is for certain is that Babcock is a matchup fiend. He'll be putting lines through the blender if he's not getting results. But that's why we have one of the better forward groups in the NHL.

I don't see Kadri, a natural center, playing on the wing any time soon; that doesn't really make sense.

Columbus Everywhere the Duchene touches, the playoffs do not go
- AdamFrench

At Least they have .....*checks notes ...2 picks in the 2019 draft

a 3rd and a 7th that is not even thier own.

Why would you play Kadri out of position and Nylander less when there's lots of evidence that Nylander with Matthews is an excellent pairing...?

Johnsson - Matthews - Nylander
Hyman - JT - Marner
Marleau - Kadri - Kapanen
Moore - Goat - Ennis

You have 2 first lines, a third that is better than most seconds, and a fourth that can skate circles around pretty much any other fourth line in the league.
- lumlums

Because playoff hockey isn't regular season hockey.
Because I like Kapanen more than Nylander on that 2nd line with Matthews in a matchup with Bruins.
Because I think Nylander can do greater damage as a 3rd line C (vs. Bruins 3rd line) than as a RW with Matthews.
Because Kadri is a guy that thrives well when playing more minutes.
Because Kadri-Matthews-Kapanen is a better matchup for the Bergeron line than Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander. Boston has last line change in at least 2 home games, so that's something to take into account - matchup would not matter that much since both those lines could play the Bergeron line without problems. I wouldn't want to see Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander against Bergeron line.

I'd give both "first lines" similar TOI, and then the 3rd line still ok TOI, and 4th line much less. Babcock tends to play his top players heavily in playoffs (for example relying heavily on top4 D man, other 2 D-men not playing that much).