Location: Malkin wants to be The Man, ON Joined: 02.01.2016
Apr 1 @ 10:06 AM ET
The forwards seem to be so much improved defensively under Keefe that it's generating a bit of a smoke screen for some of the glaring holes on the Blueline.
Rielly is looking generally lost a lot of the time he's on the ice. He generally was never a defensive stalwart by any stretch, but he looks like he's completely forgotten how to play positional hockey. It's like watching kids soccer with him lately. Dermott has also regressed massively from a baseline that was never great to begin with.
That would be 66% of their left side that opposing coaches are going to absolutely (frank)ing harvest on come playoff time if its not shored up and the forwards can't make up the difference. 🤦🏻‍♂️ - joel878
Rielly makes bad pinches. He needs to pick his spots more. Holl has been solid but he needs to play within his limitations. He'll pretend he's Paul Coffey once in awhile skating with the puck and it doesn't usually end well. Just keep it simple. Get the puck to the forwards and let them skate with it. Use your size and clear the front of the net and out muscle players in the corners. Do what you're good at.
Location: I'm excited to see that Joined: 08.28.2010
Apr 1 @ 10:06 AM ET
It may be something as simple as guys know they need to be more defensively responsible with Campbell in net.
I'm also willing to give Freddie an awful lot of slack right now, because he was clearly injured and played through it for the good of the team - he probably lost $1M a year on his next contract.
But at the end of the day, you have to go with what is working. That's Campbell in net right now.
And I love the criticism that you can't win a Stanley Cup with Campbell, because he doesn't have enough experience. Binnington and Dryden say hello. - Atomic Wedgie
Location: I would never let my children play hockey. The risk of getting drafted by Edmonton is too high", ON Joined: 08.11.2011
Apr 1 @ 10:14 AM ET
The good of the team - bobbyisno1
if he was injured during the slump he was in, then it was definitely not for the good of the team.. Hutch would've been a better option than an injured Freddy.. They would have adjusted their game plan, defend more and wait for their offensive chances..
Location: Living rent free... in your head, ON Joined: 09.20.2010
Apr 1 @ 10:17 AM ET
Your take is fair enough, mine is that I was saying Freddy was letting in softees in every game he played and was being outplayed by opposing goalies. My impression is that you and others were saying something like it's bad defense not the goalie's fault. - winsix
Some goals you could point to defense, however, some were all om freddy.
Hes been subpar for sure, not sure if the lingering injury had/has anything to do with it.
Either way, i dont care whos in net, I just wanna get past the 1st round...even if it comes with asterisk of these current divisions
Location: Henry Hudson's Fairchild 24 South Porcupine Joined: 04.03.2016
Apr 1 @ 10:19 AM ET
Some goals you could point to defense, however, some were all om freddy.
Hes been subpar for sure, not sure if the lingering injury had/has anything to do with it.
Either way, i dont care whos in net, I just wanna get past the 1st round...even if it comes with asterisk of these current divisions - Fakepartofme
if he was injured during the slump he was in, then it was definitely not for the good of the team.. Hutch would've been a better option than an injured Freddy.. They would have adjusted their game plan, defend more and wait for their offensive chances.. - PatC80
I’m guessing it’s a “lower body” injury where a mental therapist is needed. How many pucks can be deflected in before you just completely give up.
Location: Living rent free... in your head, ON Joined: 09.20.2010
Apr 1 @ 10:20 AM ET
Agree - it's pretty hard to argue with 7-0 as well. I thought Campbell played really well, calm and steady. Galchenyuk looks pretty good so far, huge improvement over Vesey. - winsix
Le soup has looked le good.
He just needs to be healthy on a consistent basis
Location: This world is just a veil and the face you wear is not your own., ON Joined: 07.06.2007
Apr 1 @ 10:27 AM ET
The Leafs are definitely much better defensively and it's not just the defensemen. They smother their opponents now taking away time and space. Forcing them to get rid of the puck sooner then they want to which results in more turnovers.
At times they'll back off for some reason and become complacent which results in defensive breakdowns. The Leafs players need to be confident enough to stick with their game plan. It's almost as if they don't really believe they're good at being defensively responsible. But they are. Don't let your opponent off the hook. Keep shoving it down their throats. - gergeswillems
Yep, they were clearly the better team last night and I think they played with confidence.
Doubt there is much serious action at the TDL. A dman if the price is right and a backup goalie. What is interesting to me is that most on here think there is a real opportunity or "easy route" to the semi finals in this division. Nothing could be further from the truth. Montreal in the first round is scary for several reasons. Short series with an excellent Goalie, a tough defense first team, something the Leafs experienced with CBJ last year. I would rather face the Jets or Oilers in the first round to be honest. - winsix
So those are two dramatically different things.
I think there's a "real opportunity" but I don't think there's an "easy route". Oilers, Habs and Jets are all good and will be great battles. I'd say "most" thank the same.
which is hurting more now that I'm learning to play.
