When I say nothing from 91 this is what I'm speaking of...


Tavares is still looking for his first goal or point at five-on-five in the series.

That is not a 11 mil player...I don't give a Rats Apoutine what else he's doing.. digging pucks out or winning some F/O's .. he doesn't ramp it up Leafers lose..simple as that. Come on JT get it together...

I don't recall the 4th goal being terrible? Maybe I blocked it out of my mind.

Clifford or Simmonds in (not both) to maybe allow the Leafs to start off with some physicality or just to change the line up as what we saw in game 4 was ineffective. I supposed change could just be to reshuffle what you had in game 4 like Bunting back to L1 etc.
- Cush29

I'd like to see Clifford in cause he's a little faster on the forecheck and would hopefully bring some positive energy.

I’m scared

When I say nothing from 91 this is what I'm speaking of...


Tavares is still looking for his first goal or point at five-on-five in the series.

That is not a 11 mil player...I don't give a Rats Apoutine what else he's doing.. digging pucks out or winning some F/O's .. he doesn't ramp it up Leafers lose..simple as that. Come on JT get it together...
- dozerD10

It's amplified even more when you see those numbers from the top line against the Cirelli line. First line getting shut down, nothing much from the 2nd line. Tough to win in the playoffs like that. Hopefully once they get back on home ice they can get some better matchups and turn things around

Went through his glove I believe.
- bobbyisno1

That is absolutely what it did... If he was in Vegas it would've been magic trick of the year candidate.

Yes it was a frustrating loss but to be clear this is what you said "The top line continues to struggle to find a way to solve the playoff puzzle".

Sure read to me like a statement that the top line has struggled in all 4 games (as I understood the term playoff puzzle to include past playoffs and these ones so far vs a single game or 2 of 4 this year) but if you didn't mean it that way all good.

3 game series indeed but neither team has had a good back to back performance nor a bad back to back performance.

If that keeps up the Leafs should win, if the Leafs can put together 2 great games in a row they should win and I don't want to consider any otheralternatives!
- Cush29

Yeah, my original statement was intended to be more of a general evaluation of the top lines struggling to be consistent.

The top line had an outstanding 1st game but looked absolutely ineffective last night. The inconsistency has been apparent - while you can't expect every shft/every game to be dominating, I think they're still struggling to find a way to translate consistent regular season success to the post-season.

The 2nd line's lack of results speak for themselves.

The key, I think, will be for Jack Campbell to put in a couple of good performances and the top 2 lines finding their mojo, causing TBL defense fits.

Hoping that Vasilevskiy doesn't find his Vezina form here on out as he's been less than stellar this series.

When I say nothing from 91 this is what I'm speaking of...


Tavares is still looking for his first goal or point at five-on-five in the series.

That is not a 11 mil player...I don't give a Rats Apoutine what else he's doing.. digging pucks out or winning some F/O's .. he doesn't ramp it up Leafers lose..simple as that. Come on JT get it together...
- dozerD10

Not sure what's going on with Snake. He's ostensibly a ppg player that has looked like a shell of his former self this playoff.

Willie hasn't been particular good either. Hopefully showing up in the 3rd period last night is a foreshadowing of events to come...

I swear I keep hearing Frankie faintly singing in the background somewhere. Where is that coming from?

Not sure what's going on with Snake. He's ostensibly a ppg player that has looked like a shell of his former self this playoff.

Willie hasn't been particular good either. Hopefully showing up in the 3rd period last night is a foreshadowing of events to come...
- mjones242

I'm not so sure about garbage time goals portending some kind of breakthrough performance... Love Willy when he's engaged he's a nightmare...

There was a lot of stink from him last night to go with those 2 markers.

I'm not so sure about garbage time goals portending some kind of breakthrough performance... Love Willy when he's engaged he's a nightmare...

There was a lot of stink from him last night to go with those 2 markers.

- dozerD10

Yeah, I tend to agree. When you're down 5-0 going into the 3rd period all pretenses of playing a two-way game goes out the window as you try to crank the offence at all cost.

Just kind of hoping it gives Nylander a bit more of an appetite. Willie of last year's playoffs would be a fun add to this squad.

Not sure what's going on with Snake. He's ostensibly a ppg player that has looked like a shell of his former self this playoff.

Willie hasn't been particular good either. Hopefully showing up in the 3rd period last night is a foreshadowing of events to come...
- mjones242

it's weird because he's one of the most consistent players int he NHL. Ice time, garbage linemates, just didn't matter, he'd score roughly in the point per game regision, year after year.

AM/MM were pretty invisible the 2 games in TB, so whatever they were able to do has worked. If the Leafs cant get them going at home, its goodnight Leafs
- senstroll

Yep, and when Engvall doesn’t play well neither does line 3.

Line 2 has yet to dress for a game I believe.

Bunting is useless on line 4, has zero defense in him.

Bunts AM MM
Mikey JT Nylander
Kerf Kampf Kase ( or swap Mikey and Kase )
Engvall Blackwell Spezza

Put Engvall up once we get a lead, line 4 needs someone who can carry the puck down the ice.

I’m scared
- .HOHO.

Well when Keefe gets fired after leafs lose in the first round again they’ll bring in Trotz.

Yep, and when Engvall doesn’t play well neither does line 3.

Line 2 has yet to dress for a game I believe.

Bunting is useless on line 4, has zero defense in him.

Bunts AM MM
Mikey JT Nylander
Kerf Kampf Kase ( or swap Mikey and Kase )
Engvall Blackwell Spezza

Put Engvall up once we get a lead, line 4 needs someone who can carry the puck down the ice.
- Garnie

id put clifford and/or Simmonds back in for gm5. why not.

if Leafs don't make it out of the first round, is Trotz the next Leafs coach?

if Leafs don't make it out of the first round, is Trotz the next Leafs coach?
- Symba007

if the leafs wither away again like last season against the habs, go up 2-1 and then give away the series, I think you have to really look at Keefe, he has had chances..does he adjust enough when the other team does? 2 games in TB where AM looks lost and pretty much useless, you have to figure something out as the coach

if Leafs don't make it out of the first round, is Trotz the next Leafs coach?
- Symba007

Yes please.

It won't matter though. It is getting to the point where you can't ignore what is happening with the penalty calling and supplementary discipline. It has been going on for years now.

id put clifford and/or Simmonds back in for gm5. why not.
- senstroll

We were just wondering why we had so many pims and those are 2 of the main reasons 🤣

if the leafs wither away again like last season against the habs, go up 2-1 and then give away the series, I think you have to really look at Keefe, he has had chances..does he adjust enough when the other team does? 2 games in TB where AM looks lost and pretty much useless, you have to figure something out as the coach
- senstroll

It is Marner's fault.

This is ridiculous of course. Let's face it, as awesome as he is, Matthews is prone to not bothering to show up.

He either starts giving a poop, or the season is done in 2 games.

We were just wondering why we had so many pims and those are 2 of the main reasons 🤣
- Garnie

they didnt play the last 2 and 3 games. still lots of penalties

Lubeskin leads the team, he has been pretty bad imo. id also look at sitting him and go with Lily

That Holl got caved in

Yes please.

It won't matter though. It is getting to the point where you can't ignore what is happening with the penalty calling and supplementary discipline. It has been going on for years now.
- Aetherial

Mathews wouldn’t let the leafs hire Trotz. His offence would go way down. No more trophies.

We were just wondering why we had so many pims and those are 2 of the main reasons 🤣
- Garnie

not really

The phenomenon of the Leafs being among the least penalized teams playing against a heavily penalized team... and then getting the shafted in the playoffs is not new.

I know how weak it is to complain about penalties but this is getting ridiculous.

it's weird because he's one of the most consistent players int he NHL. Ice time, garbage linemates, just didn't matter, he'd score roughly in the point per game regision, year after year.
- prock

The only thing I can think of is that he's having a hard time keeping up with the relentless pace. Or, I suppose, maybe he's got a nagging injury? 🤷

Who knows. Would be nice if our star 2C could actually go out and make the Bolts worry about our secondary scoring line.

It is Marner's fault.

This is ridiculous of course. Let's face it, as awesome as he is, Matthews is prone to not bothering to show up.

He either starts giving a poop, or the season is done in 2 games.
- Aetherial

Credit to TBL for figuring out the Danault strategy MTL employed on AM34 last year.