Apparently a 'big game' by Freddy - but he still looked weak on all 3 Phi goals...

Positive note is that at least Nylander is taking his defensive responsibilities more seriously

This blog has been taken over by people who do just that. The two points we got last night is irrelevant.
- shack67

What a shootout ta-boot.

What a shootout ta-boot.
- dmnted

Yeah especially showing the fan reactions. Hilarious

Nylander criticism deserved after last night.

But Marner has made us face palm in his own end plenty of times this season. If you are going to hate on Nylander, Marner deserves it as well.
- Santo_44

deflect deflect deflect.

whether Marner has a good or bad game - what does that have to do with Hairlander... who plays with Matthews?

that's correct - nothing

i) did Marner killing penalties last night not particularly effectively cause little Willy to fly by about 6-7 times in the game?
ii) did Marner not making a great pass on the powerplay cause Willy to skate slowly - like he always does - back to the bench - leading to a too many men on the ice penality?
iii) or is it Babcock to blame because WIlly finally got his ass sat down?

or maybe blame Johnsson, 'cause Willy has to cover up for him defensively?

Marner at 11M playing like a $6M player vs Nylander at $7M playing like a $4M player...

I don’t know which is worse.

It may actually be Marner, as his contract will squeeze the team more in the future.

I like Dubas’ moves in general but those 2 contracts are just not defendable.

deflect deflect deflect.

whether Marner has a good or bad game - what does that have to do with Hairlander... who plays with Matthews?

that's correct - nothing

i) did Marner killing penalties last night not particularly effectively cause little Willy to fly by about 6-7 times in the game?
ii) did Marner not making a great pass on the powerplay cause Willy to skate slowly - like he always does - back to the bench - leading to a too many men on the ice penality?
iii) or is it Babcock to blame because WIlly finally got his ass sat down?

or maybe blame Johnsson, 'cause Willy has to cover up for him defensively?
- BorjeFan4Ever

While most of us are watching the game you’re watching one player. That’s why you notice every single detail of his game. Back in the day Orr haters would do the same thing. Just so they could point out all of his mistakes.
Seems like a waste of time and you’re also missing a pretty exciting game. But to each his own.

Marner at 11M playing like a $6M player vs Nylander at $7M playing like a $4M player...

I don’t know which is worse.

It may actually be Marner, as his contract will squeeze the team more in the future.

I like Dubas’ moves in general but those 2 contracts are just not defendable.
- gamerdoc

You don’t judge the merits of those contracts after one month of play. Relax and give them some time.

Apparently a 'big game' by Freddy - but he still looked weak on all 3 Phi goals...

Positive note is that at least Nylander is taking his defensive responsibilities more seriously
- MaximusAurelius

First goal took a ridiculous double redirect. No way that's on Freddy. Second goal should never have gone in and I still don't really understand how it did. Third goal also took a stupid bounce and went to a spot that he couldn't stop it.

Nylander criticism deserved after last night.

But Marner has made us face palm in his own end plenty of times this season. If you are going to hate on Nylander, Marner deserves it as well.
- Santo_44

criticism deserved after last night.

but don't pay attention to that... look at what so and so did or didn't do.

I'm genuinely curious.. what leads someone to want to defend a guy to such an extent?

While most of us are watching the game you’re watching one player. That’s why you notice every single detail of his game. Back in the day Orr haters would do the same thing. Just so they could point out all of his mistakes.
Seems like a waste of time and you’re also missing a pretty exciting game. But to each his own.
- shack67

not at all... actually enjoyed a good chunk of the game last night...

but definitely difficult to not notice some of Nylander's "lack of intensity"... not so much mistakes, generally you have to be trying to do something to make mistakes... skating passed someone and waiving your stick limp-wristed at them isn't a mistake per se...

its just a waste of good ice.

I'm sure there's many details of his game that I don't notice. But what I do notice most is that he creates nothing.

Apparently a 'big game' by Freddy - but he still looked weak on all 3 Phi goals...

Positive note is that at least Nylander is taking his defensive responsibilities more seriously
- MaximusAurelius

using Nylander and "defensive responsibilities" in a single sentence is poor use of the english language.

second goal was on Freddy, not much he could do about #1 and #3

deflect deflect deflect.

whether Marner has a good or bad game - what does that have to do with Hairlander... who plays with Matthews?

that's correct - nothing

i) did Marner killing penalties last night not particularly effectively cause little Willy to fly by about 6-7 times in the game?
ii) did Marner not making a great pass on the powerplay cause Willy to skate slowly - like he always does - back to the bench - leading to a too many men on the ice penality?
iii) or is it Babcock to blame because WIlly finally got his ass sat down?

or maybe blame Johnsson, 'cause Willy has to cover up for him defensively?
- BorjeFan4Ever

What does it have to do? It should be nothing.

But there are a few guys who think Marner can do no wrong.

I’ve seen people comment on it plenty of times, there have been multiple gasps that Marner has had this season that Nylander would of gotten touched for.

I’m simply just pointing that out.

Nylander (frank)ed up on that play, well deserved criticism and benching for it.

I’d like the same to happen to Marner next time and maybe that was a sign Babs had enough. It was just one shift, but it’ll be more next time for whoever.

criticism deserved after last night.

but don't pay attention to that... look at what so and so did or didn't do.

I'm genuinely curious.. what leads someone to want to defend a guy to such an extent?
- BorjeFan4Ever

I’m not defending his play last night.

But too many on here(and by too many I mean 3-4 of you) are way too hard on the guy.

It’s just baffling how much hate he gets when he’s paid 7 million and Marner gets 4 more million PER season and gets no hate from the same 3-4 guys.

Neither deserves hate, criticism for their play so far for sure...both will turn it around. JT is the glue for this team...that’s one thing I have noticed.

There is a reason he’s the C.

Perhaps some.
- Fakepartofme

When is Hyman back? A bunch of players need to pick up their game but I’m not going to panic until I see a full team. Having two dominant lines will help a lot.

This blog has been taken over by people who do just that. The two points we got last night is irrelevant.
- shack67

I’m happy for the 2 😬😬😬

Apparently a 'big game' by Freddy - but he still looked weak on all 3 Phi goals...

Positive note is that at least Nylander is taking his defensive responsibilities more seriously
- MaximusAurelius

So he looked weak on a goal that was tipped them off a shin pad and in?

You can’t be that hockey dunce?

So he looked weak on a goal that was tipped them off a shin pad and in?

You can’t be that hockey dunce?
- Garnie

One thing I miss about JVR.

Everyone loses the puck after it pin balls through the ice except JVR. He’s so good at that in front of the net.

I’m happy for the 2 😬😬😬
- Garnie

Ditto - and there are lots of positives. Ceci has been much better than expected. Shootout was great, Freddy was superb. Jim Hughson was his usual biased bag of poop - called a save when Leafs tied it up - was great to see him squirm. Matthews was excellent all night. On the negative side Willie needs to stop being a puck hog. Either pass the (frank)ing puck or shoot it at the net, sick of him skating around for 10-15 seconds then coughing it up.

When is Hyman back? A bunch of players need to pick up their game but I’m not going to panic until I see a full team. Having two dominant lines will help a lot.
- Canada Cup

Week or so I think.

You don’t judge the merits of those contracts after one month of play. Relax and give them some time.
- shack67

I don’t know. Marner should be fine as long as he plays with an elite finisher. But he doesn’t seem to be able to drive a line, which is expected at 11M per... and I don’t know he will ever be able to drive a line by himself.

Last year may be close to his ceiling... and he needs either Tavares or Matthews to stay there. With slowly aging Tavares.. Marner needs to carry more and more burden to carry that line in the coming years. Not sure.

Then there is his defensive game... which will hopefully improve.

I don’t know. Marner should be fine as long as he plays with an elite finisher. But he doesn’t seem to be able to drive a line, which is expected at 11M per... and I don’t know he will ever be able to drive a line by himself.

Last year may be close to his ceiling... and he needs either Tavares or Matthews to stay there.

Then there is his defensive game... which will hopefully improve.
- gamerdoc

Luckily him and JT have some pretty great chemistry.

JT is signed for another 6 years and so is Marner.

One thing I miss about JVR.

Everyone loses the puck after it pin balls through the ice except JVR. He’s so good at that in front of the net.
- Santo_44

Too much money though, I’d rather AJ and Kap now...but JVR did have a few fun years for sure.

Ditto - and there are lots of positives. Ceci has been much better than expected. Shootout was great, Freddy was superb. Jim Hughson was his usual biased bag of poop - called a save when Leafs tied it up - was great to see him squirm. Matthews was excellent all night. On the negative side Willie needs to stop being a puck hog. Either pass the (frank)ing puck or shoot it at the net, sick of him skating around for 10-15 seconds then coughing it up.
- winsix

I was out at a friends drinking, so I didn’t really watch real hard...tried to watch it again at 1:30Am ( drunk ) that didn’t pan out either. Maybe tonight I’ll rewatch it.

Robertson goal yesterday and 2 more already today (still the first period).

19 goals, 9 assists, 28 points in 16 games.

https://ontariohockeyleag...players/7662/game_by_game

Ditto - and there are lots of positives. Ceci has been much better than expected. Shootout was great, Freddy was superb. Jim Hughson was his usual biased bag of poop - called a save when Leafs tied it up - was great to see him squirm. Matthews was excellent all night. On the negative side Willie needs to stop being a puck hog. Either pass the (frank)ing puck or shoot it at the net, sick of him skating around for 10-15 seconds then coughing it up.
- winsix

In just watches the recap so didnt see a lot of his saves.
On all three goals his positioning was questionable though.