Just an aside... LA county DA Gas"Con" won't file felony charges for the attack on Chapelle .. This is why this clown is getting recalled. Criminal loving POS that he is.

Back to regularly scheduled Leaf'r talk..

Don't get overwhelmed by the 1st 10 minute rush on Friday.. play your game and skate skate skate..

JT and Willy step both your games up... Leaf'rs are tied in the series and neither of you have done squat...

Soup you are gonna have to be straight nails Friday... You can do it boss.
- dozerD10

To be fair JT has 5 shots an assist and Nylander was half ill in game 1 and still has 8 shots total.

The leafs PP needs to get rolling along better and that’s on more players than just those two.

Tavares has 2 guys humping him every time he gets the puck.

To be fair JT has 5 shots an assist and Nylander was half ill in game 1 and still has 8 shots total.

The leafs PP needs to get rolling along better and that’s on more players than just those two.
- Dozzer

I could be wrong but I think JT assist was on PP.. 5x5 he's been ghost.. and since he doesn't PK his minutes are even more essential to be productive.

Game 3 should be telling on both squads.

Tavares has 2 guys humping him every time he gets the puck.
- Drapz

I don't even know what to say to this..

Speaking of undisciplined, Marchand and Forbort both fined by NHL for stick swinging incidents last night.
- BINGO!

So the message being sent is that a many-times prior offender is now immune from suspension?

Imagine if Marchand was a Leaf. At least 5 game suspension.

I could be wrong but I think JT assist was on PP.. 5x5 he's been ghost.. and since he doesn't PK his minutes are even more essential to be productive.

Game 3 should be telling on both squads.
- dozerD10

He’s been working the boards and trying to get passes out to his linemates beautifully tho… he’s been doing the chores that won’t always add up the offensive numbers because he’s a true captain who knows his personal stats aren’t as important as doing what’s necessary to get his linemates going. The last two games they were primarily Mikheyev and Kerfoot who aren’t the most physical guys so JT took on what those two couldn’t.

However I do like the change Keefe was trying last night. Flipped Kerfoot down to C the third line with Nylander and Engvall (considering the success Kerfoot and Nylander had last year), bumped Kampf down to C the 4th line and put Blackwell over to the left wing, and had Kase up on JT’s wing. Flip Simmonds out for Spezza on the RW and I think that will turn out positive.

Hate to say it but due to the refs calling the game like they are (12 PP’s for TB and 10 for Toronto-not nearly as biased as some leaf fans are complaining about today tbh) it makes the idea of having rough and tough guys like Simmonds and Clifford in the lineup kind of useless.

blackwell?
- senstroll

(frank) him. He's insignificant as far as I can tell.

Tavares has 2 guys humping him every time he gets the puck.
- Drapz

McDonagh especially he's getting away with plenty, "the HockeyWriters" had an article on the 10 dirtiest players in the NHL - and I couldn't disagree too much with the list

1) Tom Wilson
2) Brad Marchand
3) Brendan Lemieux
4) Ryan Reaves
5) Matthew Tkachuk
6) Nazem Kadri
7) Radko Gudas
8) Antoine Roussel
9) Corey Perry
10) Eric Cernak

Honorable mentions Ovechkin, Doughty and Kucherov

That's 3 of the dirtiest players in the NHL playing for Tampa, not one Leaf on the list, not even mentioning Maroon, yet somehow by some miracle Leafs are being called for more penalties and the only suspension.

McDonagh especially he's getting away with plenty, "the HockeyWriters" had an article on the 10 dirtiest players in the NHL - and I couldn't disagree too much with the list

1) Tom Wilson
2) Brad Marchand
3) Brendan Lemieux
4) Ryan Reaves
5) Matthew Tkachuk
6) Nazem Kadri
7) Radko Gudas
8) Antoine Roussel
9) Corey Perry
10) Eric Cernak

Honorable mentions Ovechkin, Doughty and Kucherov

That's 3 of the dirtiest players in the NHL playing for Tampa, not one Leaf on the list, not even mentioning Maroon, yet somehow by some miracle Leafs are being called for more penalties and the only suspension.
- winsix

They’ve only got 2 more penalties. It’s not that big of a deal.

The one on Lyubushkin was BS, I’ll openly agree to that but otherwise the other 6 were fairly reasonable last night. Bunting should have drawn a penalty but the refs know he’s been caught and fined due to him diving so unless it’s 100% clear he won’t draw penalties as much in the postseason.

So even with those two things happening that would mean both teams would of had 11 PPs so far. That’s how close they are. The leafs had 6 PPs in game 1 so fans really shouldn’t complain too much about having 7 PKs in game 2. It’s become rather obvious the refs will be calling a lot of poop and while the refs do miss calls they miss them for both teams.

He’s been working the boards and trying to get passes out to his linemates beautifully tho… he’s been doing the chores that won’t always add up the offensive numbers because he’s a true captain who knows his personal stats aren’t as important as doing what’s necessary to get his linemates going. The last two games they were primarily Mikheyev and Kerfoot who aren’t the most physical guys so JT took on what those two couldn’t.

However I do like the change Keefe was trying last night. Flipped Kerfoot down to C the third line with Nylander and Engvall (considering the success Kerfoot and Nylander had last year), bumped Kampf down to C the 4th line and put Blackwell over to the left wing, and had Kase up on JT’s wing. Flip Simmonds out for Spezza on the RW and I think that will turn out positive.

Hate to say it but due to the refs calling the game like they are (12 PP’s for TB and 10 for Toronto-not nearly as biased as some leaf fans are complaining about today tbh) it makes the idea of having rough and tough guys like Simmonds and Clifford in the lineup kind of useless.
- Dozzer

Keefe’s decision re JT is whether to load up offensively with Willie. Mik just doesn’t give him anything in terms of playmaking or shooting. If he does that there’s a potential defensive liability especially when Cooper has last change and we can expect to see Stamkos out against them.

Is Willie-JT-Kerfoot ok defensively?

McDonagh especially he's getting away with plenty, "the HockeyWriters" had an article on the 10 dirtiest players in the NHL - and I couldn't disagree too much with the list

1) Tom Wilson
2) Brad Marchand
3) Brendan Lemieux
4) Ryan Reaves
5) Matthew Tkachuk
6) Nazem Kadri
7) Radko Gudas
8) Antoine Roussel
9) Corey Perry
10) Eric Cernak

Honorable mentions Ovechkin, Doughty and Kucherov

That's 3 of the dirtiest players in the NHL playing for Tampa, not one Leaf on the list, not even mentioning Maroon, yet somehow by some miracle Leafs are being called for more penalties and the only suspension.
- winsix

Hooking and holding aren’t penalties of being dirty, they are penalties that are called because guys are out of position.

The issue is t the refs. The issue is that we capitalized on one of the 10 power plays. The issue is that in game 1 we shut dow their PP and created momentum. In game 2 we didn’t.

I could be wrong but I think JT assist was on PP.. 5x5 he's been ghost.. and since he doesn't PK his minutes are even more essential to be productive.

Game 3 should be telling on both squads.
- dozerD10

Jt has has two guys on him alot of the time.
He digs pucks out, gets dirty and has had a few good chances

Keefe’s decision re JT is whether to load up offensively with Willie. Mik just doesn’t give him anything in terms of playmaking or shooting. If he does that there’s a potential defensive liability especially when Cooper has last change and we can expect to see Stamkos out against them.

Is Willie-JT-Kerfoot ok defensively?
- Canada Cup

That’s why adding Kase will actually help that line imo

I would like this tbh:

Bunting Matthews Marner
Mikheyev JT Kase
Nylander Kerfoot Engvall
Blackwell Kampf Spezza

We’ll see tho… I’m curious how Keefe will move forward with his line combinations

That’s why adding Kase will actually help that line imo

I would like this tbh:

Bunting Matthews Marner
Mikheyev JT Kase
Nylander Kerfoot Engvall
Blackwell Kampf Spezza

We’ll see tho… I’m curious how Keefe will move forward with his line combinations
- Dozzer

Kase has too much of the Jason Blakes to me so for me he's the shooter on a line with Kampf who's solid and Kerfoot who is the utility guy down low.

Willy can be a good playmaker if he has someone to make a play with, that's why I think it should be:

Micheyev, JT, Nylander on the 2nd line.

Micheyev can dig down low and skate defensively to cover up for JT's slowness and Willy's lack of D prowess.

Blackwell has done nothing. And if we don't have at least one guy with balls like Simmonds or Clifford, Campbell will be out by game 4.

Bunting, Matthews, Marner
Micheyev, JT, Nylander
Kerfoot, Kampf, Kase
Engvall, Spezza, Simmonds

Engvall gives Spezza a break from skating too much, digs down low for Spezza to dispense and Simmonds to get in Vasi's face....and do it a lot more than he has. A lot more.

Jt has has two guys on him alot of the time.
He digs pucks out, gets dirty and has had a few good chances
- Fakepartofme

If you put Micheyev and Nylander with JT and they start scoring, then maybe JT won't have two guys on him.

Not a JT fan, he needs to do MORE for $11m. He's so slow and lethargic looking out there but he can be effective 3 games out of 5. Time for those 3 games IMHO.

That’s why adding Kase will actually help that line imo

I would like this tbh:

Bunting Matthews Marner
Mikheyev JT Kase
Nylander Kerfoot Engvall
Blackwell Kampf Spezza

We’ll see tho… I’m curious how Keefe will move forward with his line combinations
- Dozzer

I’m pretty sure Clifford plays. Keefe has said that the fourth line is at its best when he’s on it.

Kase has too much of the Jason Blakes to me so for me he's the shooter on a line with Kampf who's solid and Kerfoot who is the utility guy down low.

Willy can be a good playmaker if he has someone to make a play with, that's why I think it should be:

Micheyev, JT, Nylander on the 2nd line.

Micheyev can dig down low and skate defensively to cover up for JT's slowness and Willy's lack of D prowess.

Blackwell has done nothing. And if we don't have at least one guy with balls like Simmonds or Clifford, Campbell will be out by game 4.

Bunting, Matthews, Marner
Micheyev, JT, Nylander
Kerfoot, Kampf, Kase
Engvall, Spezza, Simmonds

Engvall gives Spezza a break from skating too much, digs down low for Spezza to dispense and Simmonds to get in Vasi's face....and do it a lot more than he has. A lot more.
- underhill14

Engvall has been far too good to be dropped to the fourth line.

And I hate to say it but Nylander and JT played like poop together this season hence why Willie has been on the third line for a few weeks now. They actually both picked up their games once they got split up at even strength and the brutal +/- stats got notably better once they weren’t on the same line.

And like I said, playing Simmonds or Clifford is a poor choice considering how the refs are calling penalties in this series.

If you put Micheyev and Nylander with JT and they start scoring, then maybe JT won't have two guys on him.

Not a JT fan, he needs to do MORE for $11m. He's so slow and lethargic looking out there but he can be effective 3 games out of 5. Time for those 3 games IMHO.
- underhill14

Bolded: won’t happen… JT and Nylander were terrible this year at even strength

I’m pretty sure Clifford plays. Keefe has said that the fourth line is at its best when he’s on it.
- Canada Cup

To be clear I’m not saying you’re wrong I just personally hope that Keefe realizes the refs are calling penalties like crazy so a player like him is a poor choice

To be clear I’m not saying you’re wrong I just personally hope that Keefe realizes the refs are calling penalties like crazy so a player like him is a poor choice
- Dozzer

I'm bet that one of Clifford / Simmonds will be in the line up for game 3 and based on Keefe's comments about Clifford and Simmonds bone head penalty last game and the fact he played in games 1 & 2 I would lean towards Clifford. I can't see both being in, but Keefe has to get Spezza into the line up.

I'm bet that one of Clifford / Simmonds will be in the line up for game 3 and based on Keefe's comments about Clifford and Simmonds bone head penalty last game and the fact he played in games 1 & 2 I would lean towards Clifford. I can't see both being in, but Keefe has to get Spezza into the line up.
- Cush29

Well if he insists playing someone who will get penalized like crazy I hope he cuts out Blackwell and plays Clifford so Spezza can come in on the RW. Altho I’d still prefer if neither Clifford or Simmonds are in the game.

Clifford got suspended for an absolutely terrible and illegal hit and Simmonds took a couple bad penalties. Both of them have been brutal.

Well if he insists playing someone who will get penalized like crazy I hope he cuts out Blackwell and plays Clifford so Spezza can come in on the RW. Altho I’d still prefer if neither Clifford or Simmonds are in the game.

Clifford got suspended for an absolutely terrible and illegal hit and Simmonds took a couple bad penalties. Both of them have been brutal.
- Dozzer

I'll give Clifford a chance only because he doesn't usually make a bad hit like that.

I'll give Clifford a chance only because he doesn't usually make a bad hit like that.
- Aaron_85

Then Blackwell will be sat or over on the RW while Spezza remains out.

Not sure if I like that.

Then Blackwell will be sat or over on the RW while Spezza remains out.

Not sure if I like that.
- Dozzer

I agree Clifford will get in and (hopefully) be smarter and play tough but nothing like his bad hit in game 1. Oddly enough the hit he threw right before the one that cost him a game was great and had he just left it at that he'd have been fine.

I think the crowd reacting so loudly to the 1st hit maybe prompted the brain cramp and the "oh that was good, they liked that DO IT AGAIN" thoughts overrode the "Don't do that, you can't hit him from behind" thoughts for a moment and then it was too late.

I would sit Blackwell over Spezza - Blackwell has not been an offensive threat at all and Spezza is just that and likely very motivated after watching 2 games from the press box.

I also feel that Spezza has proven he can and will push back, get nasty and drop the gloves if he needs to and I haven't seen much or any of that from Blackwell in games 1 or 2.

Time to give Spezza a shot.

#releasethevintageoldmanpower

I'm bet that one of Clifford / Simmonds will be in the line up for game 3 and based on Keefe's comments about Clifford and Simmonds bone head penalty last game and the fact he played in games 1 & 2 I would lean towards Clifford. I can't see both being in, but Keefe has to get Spezza into the line up.
- Cush29

I honestly don't see a great deal of value in either Simmonds or Clifford, but because Tampa has only big d-men and are a generally dirty team, I would pick Clifford over Blackwell. I would add Spezza over Simmonds because he has superior skill. There will be one issue with Simmonds out of the lineup though and I doubt that Pooper lets it go. One of the apes on Tampa will start a fight with a skll player on the Leafs. I will also put the over/under on times Tampa runs into Campbell at 3