Not a fan of pulling the goalie here.
- Fakepartofme

Gives the other team free shots at the empty net. Also, I wonder if 6 on 4 is any better. PP all season long are 5-4

I feel like somewhere along the way the league got galaxy-brain.

We only have ourselves to beat here, because this TBL team isn't really scaring me at all.

Game 3, let's goooooooooooo
- gravyface

+1

Leafs beat themselves tonight. They have a lot more to offer.

These refs are terrible…..realistically that wasn’t a penalty against Matthews.


I hate how much influence they can have on a game.
- bryant

It was already over, cue I'm only here to talk hockey to slither in like a bad smell

they absolutely try their hand at game management though. It just falls apart when there are calls they can't ignore, but do, and everybody's confused.

Just call it the same every game, call everything. They'll get it eventually. When clutch and grab 90s/00s came to an end, tons and tons of calls, but the players learned and the game got a lot better.

Call everything. They'll figure it out.
- gravyface

I’ve always said call everything. Players don’t get it idc. 20 pp’s a game til they do. Anything to make refs invisible.

His primary job isn’t scoring

They need tough players to step up against Tampa’s fourth line too
- Dozzer

This aged well

I'd like it if Tavares did something

Exactly.

The leafs are known as clean/soft team by every other team in the league. Somehow they end up with the most suspensions and stupid ass penalties called against them. It’s frustrating as hell.
- bryant

I predicted that having a couple guys who play with an edge would backfire on the Leafs. They are the anti-boston.

I'd like it if Tavares did something
- TheMussel

That would be neat

I'd like it if Tavares did something
- TheMussel

You’re damn right. Everyone I know hates him, and I’m always his defender, but there’s just no defending him lately. He’s invisible out there, honestly. For what he’s paid, anyway.

they absolutely try their hand at game management though. It just falls apart when there are calls they can't ignore, but do, and everybody's confused.

Just call it the same every game, call everything. They'll get it eventually. When clutch and grab 90s/00s came to an end, tons and tons of calls, but the players learned and the game got a lot better.

Call everything. They'll figure it out.
- gravyface

I think you're point how they try to game manage and then they HAVE to make some call and it just gets out of hand with it, cause now they have to make it up and etc.

Also, I feel the refs got played by Tampa tonight. I think Point and Perry both sold the penalties on Simmonds and the one on Bunting at the end also looked quite sold.

I predicted that having a couple guys who play with an edge would backfire on the Leafs. They are the anti-boston.
- Aetherial

I don't mind some Simmonds and Clifford to kind of keep those guys in check but Leafs need to play their game and skate away from some of the scrums. Don't give Perry the reaction he's looking for.

There isn’t enough good refs to go around. Bring back the 1 ref system.

I'd like it if Tavares did something
- TheMussel

Start off with JT is a solid HoF candidate even without a Cup. Great career. He’s good enough y play fit beat hockey in the planet (Team Canada) a couple times. But I would agree man - that’s a big problem for you guys. He’s absolutely invisible. Looks like he’s skating in sand, loses every puck battle.

Unfortunately that comes to bite ya when Tbay gets last change. They can focus up on one line and some offence from the 3rd. He’s been like that for a couple seasons. Still collects the pints in regular season but just isn’t impactful.

The whole point in having a player like Tavares was to have an almost impossible riches of offence down the middle and a 1-2 punch of it. Not working out really.

Until the weak attempt at a makeup-call, the penalties were 7-3 favouring Tampa.

At least 3 of those penalties were questionable at best and probably not a penalty 90% of the time in the playoffs. There were at least 3 close calls that were let go on the other side.

If they are going to call the rule book on the leafs it has to work both ways.

I don't mind some Simmonds and Clifford to kind of keep those guys in check but Leafs need to play their game and skate away from some of the scrums. Don't give Perry the reaction he's looking for.
- Aaron_85

How well has "turning the other cheek" worked out the last few years?

They are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

I don't mind some Simmonds and Clifford to kind of keep those guys in check but Leafs need to play their game and skate away from some of the scrums. Don't give Perry the reaction he's looking for.
- Aaron_85

^ agreed. Perry THRIVES on knowing he got under your skin, same as Marchand. You can’t ignore them poking at the goalie etc but you can ignore the bulk of the BS they pull.

Until the weak attempt at a makeup-call, the penalties were 7-3 favouring Tampa.

At least 3 of those penalties were questionable at best and probably not a penalty 90% of the time in the playoffs. There were at least 3 close calls that were let go on the other side.

If they are going to call the rule book on the leafs it has to work both ways.
- Aetherial

I hate complaining about the reffing.

The officiating was a (frank)ing farce tonight. It legit felt like they were just out to prove the crowd doesn't call the game, they do.

You’re damn right. Everyone I know hates him, and I’m always his defender, but there’s just no defending him lately. He’s invisible out there, honestly. For what he’s paid, anyway.
- bartsch

Tavares has done jack.

Rielly was pretty poor tonight I thought. Muzzin, Liljegren and Brodie all had stronger games.

Start off with JT is a solid HoF candidate even without a Cup. Great career. He’s good enough y play fit beat hockey in the planet (Team Canada) a couple times. But I would agree man - that’s a big problem for you guys. He’s absolutely invisible. Looks like he’s skating in sand, loses every puck battle.

Unfortunately that comes to bite ya when Tbay gets last change. They can focus up on one line and some offence from the 3rd. He’s been like that for a couple seasons. Still collects the pints in regular season but just isn’t impactful.

The whole point in having a player like Tavares was to have an almost impossible riches of offence down the middle and a 1-2 punch of it. Not working out really.
- Big23Questions

NYI got JT’s best years without PO success. Getting 11m per hasn’t worked out well. I did want my team to sign him but 9m was my want. Wasn’t realistic I know that but term was my big worry.

I'd like it if Tavares did something
- TheMussel

I haven't looked so honest question, how has he done as far as quality of competition and how he and his line are holding up against them. Getting caved in or breaking even?

McJesus just hit a guy (boarding). He gets 2 but the “victim” Pops up and give him 2 solid cross checks and gets nothing.

NHL Officiating - WTF?

McDavid just sent to the box for boarding

3 power play goals on 3 bad penalties. Leafs only have themselves to blame. And we lose the goalie battle.

I'd like it if Tavares did something
- TheMussel

Still a good player, but he’s No Kadri

I hate complaining about the reffing.

The officiating was a (frank)ing farce tonight. It legit felt like they were just out to prove the crowd doesn't call the game, they do.
- joel878

I'd just like to see stuff called both ways... and not a cheapie or two when the game is out of hand.