Only one goalie? Have we passed the trade deadline?
- Leafsmart

It's a fair point - because it is a significant concern. Again, we might have some wiggle room now, but even if we could spend up to 1.5m on a backup, who is there? As the season progresses, and salary room opens up, we might find some more space - but from February 1 onwards there are 4 back-to-backs. After the TDL there are 2. We have 14 back-to-back games this season and have played 6 of them. If they really do want to load manage Freddy, that's at least 8 more starts over the 14 b2b games.

For instance, even if you took away the optics of his past, I doubt Pittsburgh feels the need to move DeSmith; he's a great insurance policy available for them in case Jarry or Murray get hurt. I suspect most NHL teams would view a decent 3rd tier goalie playing in the AHL that way.

Jesus, Engvall is 6'5"? How much of that is neck?
- gravyface

About 6'1

Enqvall looked great. Seriously, just give our 6th and 7th round picks to the guy who's been picking the johnsons, gunnarsons, stralmans. Or just always pick a swede
- mykokes

His stride is super awk, but man he can cover a lot of ground. I had no idea he was 6'5" though. Is he physical at all with the Marlies?

- lumlums

Its beautiful

Don't worry, Dubas will talk him down to 10.6 on shorter term.
- Aetherial

Its beautiful
- senstroll

Oh yeah. Gotta help Freddie out a little and decrease that bright spot in front of our own net, but it's nice to see the difference between last night and the rest of the season.

Is Leafs Nation happy this morning?

His stride is super awk, but man he can cover a lot of ground. I had no idea he was 6'5" though. Is he physical at all with the Marlies?
- gravyface

He does skate funny, like he’s riding a bike without a seat. He played well last night for sure....I’m hoping we look this good against top teams too...then I’ll cream.

Its beautiful
- senstroll

Isnt this how most teams look against the Yotes...they’ve been riding a lucky goalie.

-James Tanner

Babcock when dermott came back (plays great first couple games, then gets 8mins for no reason in like the 3rd game)

He's got to earn his ice time, earn the trust of his coaches. Play the right way.

Babcock 2 weeks before hyman is back:

OMG I can't wait for hyman to come back. My balls are going to explode.

Can't understand why the players gave up on the guy. He basically undermined the talent on this team. To be successful you need the buyin from the core. If you burry the core how you gonna get buy in?
- burn

Babcock had this issue always. It was my concern when he came here. He plays favourites and steps away from his own beliefs (like earning your spot) for certain players. I'm sure it doesnt help keep the players on your side.

Enqvall looked great. Seriously, just give our 6th and 7th round picks to the guy who's been picking the johnsons, gunnarsons, stralmans. Or just always pick a swede
- mykokes

It's been dozens of Swede gems going in the late round for 'decades'. Always lots of late developers in Sweden

All Scandinavians knows that everything grows a bit slower here - but tastes better!

Oh yeah. Gotta help Freddie out a little and decrease that bright spot in front of our own net, but it's nice to see the difference between last night and the rest of the season.
- lumlums

They will always have defensive lapses - I think the system they'll want to implement is basically what we saw yesterday - a rotating 5 man attack with retained puck possession whenever possible. Playing that way isn't without risk. Not to mention they are just not that big. They're going to struggle against strong cycle teams, and the D are going to have to start to box guys out/away around the net. While I'm still riding the high of how they played yesterday, realistically I don't know if these guys have the skillset to do the latter.

It's been dozens of Swede gems going in the late round for 'decades'. Always lots of late developers in Sweden

All Scandinavians knows that everything grows a bit slower here - but tastes better!
- 21peter

If you'd stop using bloody Allen keys it wouldn't take so long.

They will always have defensive lapses - I think the system they'll want to implement is basically what we saw yesterday - a rotating 5 man attack with retained puck possession whenever possible. Playing that way isn't without risk. Not to mention they are just not that big. They're going to struggle against strong cycle teams, and the D are going to have to start to box guys out/away around the net. While I'm still riding the high of how they played yesterday, realistically I don't know if these guys have the skillset to do the latter.
- Monkeypunk

Give Keefe a few practices, I think we’ll be fine. I’m not getting too excited after beating a team like the Yotes. But it’s sure nice to see them using each other a lot more and not dumping it in...actual possession of the puck. We look like Team Russia at times 🥳

If you'd stop using bloody Allen keys it wouldn't take so long.
- Monkeypunk

His stride is super awk, but man he can cover a lot of ground. I had no idea he was 6'5" though. Is he physical at all with the Marlies?
- gravyface

Good enough to score a shorthanded goal his first game.

If you'd stop using bloody Allen keys it wouldn't take so long.
- Monkeypunk

Tormented by IKEA?

Good enough to score a shorthanded goal his first game.
- mykokes

2nd game? Maybe 3rd? I can’t remember

Give Keefe a few practices, I think we’ll be fine. I’m not getting too excited after beating a team like the Yotes. But it’s sure nice to see them using each other a lot more and not dumping it in...actual possession of the puck. We look like Team Russia at times 🥳
- Garnie

I'm cautiously optimistic, but outwardly giddy. So it's a good day for my family for the first time since October. I was starting to wonder if I wasn't going to have to buy Maple Leaf branded Prozac. "When alcohol can't numb the pain of being a fan."

There were some moments in the preseason that I'd noticed Matthews doing that in particular - retaining puck possession on the line change instead of dumping it in, and I was really hoping to see that as the season started, but it went away in game 1.

I don't know how well that plays out against an aggressive forecheck, but with the right positioning, I suppose it can help to take advantage of the forecheck.

We'll see!

2nd game? Maybe 3rd? I can’t remember
- Garnie

Nit picker

Nit picker
- bobbyisno1

Sorry

I'm cautiously optimistic, but outwardly giddy. So it's a good day for my family for the first time since October. I was starting to wonder if I wasn't going to have to buy Maple Leaf branded Prozac. "When alcohol can't numb the pain of being a fan."

There were some moments in the preseason that I'd noticed Matthews doing that in particular - retaining puck possession on the line change instead of dumping it in, and I was really hoping to see that as the season started, but it went away in game 1.

I don't know how well that plays out against an aggressive forecheck, but with the right positioning, I suppose it can help to take advantage of the forecheck.

We'll see!
- Monkeypunk

We looked like a team from a couple years ago, not sure why we all of a sudden changed this year or maybe we were just playing a weaker team but I hope we go on a 10 game win streak....makes the beer taste better. 🤪

Some of the post game quotes from the players
Not really sugar coating things.

Go Leafs!

Wait, are they going to give Lord Stanley's mug to the Presidents trophy winner?
- lumlums

lmfaooooooooo 🤣

Some of the post game quotes from the players
Not really sugar coating things.

Go Leafs!
- senstroll

Yeah not super-impressed by that.

It makes it sound like they are taking ZERO responsibility.

It will also look pretty stupid if they fall back into their old lazy, confused, don't give a poop ways.