Leafs need to be more violent. Make the penalties worth it at least

Leafs contracted one of the most highly regarded and sought after sports psychologists after the Montreal meltdown to focus on "killer instinct". Not exactly a resounding success in a game where they could have taken a series stranglehold.
- fifty__missions

Like it or not there's gonna be these moments. They're playing the two time cup champs, if there was zero 'killer instinct' they'd have a period left before they were swept.

Like it or not there's gonna be these moments. They're playing the two time cup champs, if there was zero 'killer instinct' they'd have a period left before they were swept.
- joel878

This is not a "moment", but a complete no-show. Basically twice in four games.

Toronto is fully capable of winning the second period and getting back in this game.
- bobbyisno1

Well this aged well.

It is cute that you think Tampa has much to do with this at all.

Sure, it would be legit to see Tampa out-playing them and winning. What the Leafs put out of the ice tonight has nothing to do with Tampa. They did the same thing 3 games in a row against a horrible team last year.
- Aetherial

I've watched almost every game this year before and after Point's injury. He's been missing that top gear for months. This is literally the first game I have seen it since before the surgery. I'm sure the Leafs pooping the bed is helping, but from a Tampa perspective, it's nice to see him looking like his old self.

Credit to the Leafs for smothering him up until this game, but he didn't look like this against any team during any game. Maybe I'm wrong and the Leafs put the stranglehold back on next game. Will be interesting to see.

This is not a "moment", but a complete no-show. Basically twice in four games.
- fifty__missions

Imagine that, perspective I guess. Because I guess that means the two time cup champs have that same problem? You can't have it both ways.

This is not a "moment", but a complete no-show. Basically twice in four games.
- fifty__missions

Yup

I'm talking about the longstanding repeated pattern of this hockey team.
- fifty__missions

That's fine ...I'm talking about this group. You consider age and evolution and their real 'go time' started last year. They failed ...bad. They know it. Fix it this year.

Fact is if they beat the champs (TB is the best team in hockey) it changes everything. If not then change is coming.

Well this aged well.
- bobbyisno1

Leafs fight this game.

Smaug is dead

Leafs fight this game.


- Drapz

Lol

Imagine that, perspective I guess. Because I guess that means the two time cup champs have that same problem? You can't have it both ways.
- joel878

They were in game 3.

They were in game 3.
- fifty__missions

So basically what you're saying is that it does happen to good teams? It's pathetic and embarrassing, but I wouldn't say expecting a team to go 16 wins to a cup without a stinker is anything close to realistic.

That's fine ...I'm talking about this group. You consider age and evolution and their real 'go time' started last year. They failed ...bad. They know it. Fix it this year.

Fact is if they beat the champs (TB is the best team in hockey) it changes everything. If not then change is coming.
- The Law

You can't say the playoff history before last year is irrelevant. Too many guys been here for repeated no shows and meltdowns.

It like you can see into the future.
- vancity787

It?

Referring to yourself as a clown in the third person. Good job.

So basically what you're saying is that it does happen to good teams? It's pathetic and embarrassing, but I wouldn't say expecting a team to go 16 wins to a cup without a stinker is anything close to realistic.
- joel878

I'm saying look at the longstanding pattern of this hockey team. I would have been ok with a hard fought loss tonight. This is a joke, and just basically...leafy.

I'm saying look at the longstanding pattern of this hockey team. I would have been ok with a hard fought loss tonight. This is a joke, and just basically...leafy.
- fifty__missions

Yup its horrible.
But they have 3 games to change that....
Or take a step towards changing that

You can't say the playoff history before last year is irrelevant. Too many guys been here for repeated no shows and meltdowns.
- fifty__missions

Whoa ...not irrelevant ...just realistic about what to expect from 20/21 yr olds.

Not too many Crosby's out there.

McDavid/Draisatl ...McKinnon ...Barkov/Huberdeau ...etc... taken all these guys a bit to get there ...if they do.

My point is that losses to veteran Caps/Bruins teams in 17-19 were totally expected. Should have been good learning experiences ...hopefully were.

They were the favs against the Jackets and Habs and (frank)ed up.

This is it's a coin flip against the champs. I like their chances in a game 7 if they get it there.

I'm saying look at the longstanding pattern of this hockey team. I would have been ok with a hard fought loss tonight. This is a joke, and just basically...leafy.
- fifty__missions

They dominated one game, and won another. The previous game they came out soft they stormed in the third and made a game of it in the end. You have 3 of 4 games that are the exact opposite of leafy longstanding pattern losses and the 4th isn't over.

But like I said, perspective is everything. If you want to make this your moon is hitting the earth moment I'm not gonna stand in your way.

Whoa ...not irrelevant ...just realistic about what to expect from 20/21 yr olds.

Not too many Crosby's out there.

McDavid/Draisatl ...McKinnon ...Barkov/Huberdeau ...etc... taken all these guys a bit to get there ...if they do.

My point is that losses to veteran Caps/Bruins teams in 17-19 were totally expected. Should have been good learning experiences ...hopefully were.

They were the favs against the Jackets and Habs and (frank)ed up.

This is it's a coin flip against the champs. I like their chances in a game 7 if they get it there.
- The Law

^ good take.

Whoa ...not irrelevant ...just realistic about what to expect from 20/21 yr olds.

Not too many Crosby's out there.

McDavid/Draisatl ...McKinnon ...Barkov/Huberdeau ...etc... taken all these guys a bit to get there ...if they do.

My point is that losses to veteran Caps/Bruins teams in 17-19 were totally expected. Should have been good learning experiences ...hopefully were.

They were the favs against the Jackets and Habs and (frank)ed up.

This is it's a coin flip against the champs. I like their chances in a game 7 if they get it there.
- The Law

Really?? Still playing the "these guys are just a bunch of kids" card?

😬

no shutout for Tampa tonight

They dominated one game, and won another. The previous game they came out soft they stormed in the third and made a game of it in the end. You have 3 of 4 games that are the exact opposite of leafy longstanding pattern losses and the 4th isn't over.

But like I said, perspective is everything. If you want to make this your moon is hitting the earth moment I'm not gonna stand in your way.
- joel878

^ another interesting take. I agree what we have seen in this series so far is nothing like past Leaf playoff series / performances. They are battling same as Tampa - a split in Tampa is good by me, I’d have preferred a less terrible score here tonight but it’s going to be 2 games to 2 and we are heading home. I mean did anyone really think this would be less than a 6 or 7 game series?

Nylander!!

Really?? Still playing the "these guys are just a bunch of kids" card?

😬
- fifty__missions

Go back and re-read that. I said they were kids in 17-19. That expired against the Jackets.

How old is MacKinnon? McDavid? Barkov? Draisatl? Huberdeau?