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.
- mjones242

He made a good play on the second Willy goal…I’m not sure what the defence was doing but if not for the second line yesterday it would have been even uglier.

embarrassing (with sound from Frenchy)

https://twitter.com/i/status/1523529525232996355

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.
- mjones242

He looks dog tired all the time. He does all the grunt ass work, especially when playing with Nylander who is a perimeter player. He does not have the speed to generate on his own, and no one really ever feeds him the puck in scoring positions. There will be some very very tough questions asked if the series ends in a loss with L2 playing this way. Let's hope they can break out somehow.

embarrassing (with sound from Frenchy)

https://twitter.com/i/status/1523529525232996355
- Symba007

That's as quick and shifty he's been all series..

embarrassing (with sound from Frenchy)

https://twitter.com/i/status/1523529525232996355
- Symba007

if biebs sk8ed he would be pencil neck female dog marner🤦‍♂️

He looks dog tired all the time. He does all the grunt ass work, especially when playing with Nylander who is a perimeter player. He does not have the speed to generate on his own, and no one really ever feeds him the puck in scoring positions. There will be some very very tough questions asked if the series ends in a loss with L2 playing this way. Let's hope they can break out somehow.
- fifty__missions

https://twitter.com/spitt...tatus/1523493904405786625

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

trotz is a top 3 coach, easily. If the Leafs get trotz, they're next years favourite imo.

trotz is a top 3 coach, easily. If the Leafs get trotz, they're next years favourite imo.
- prock

Tough for Willie to score 30 sitting on the bench.

trotz is a top 3 coach, easily. If the Leafs get trotz, they're next years favourite imo.
- prock

These guys will quit on Trotz so fast 😂

Credit to TBL for figuring out the Danault strategy MTL employed on AM34 last year.
- mjones242

Are Kuch/Stamkos and Marner/Matthews trading times not giving a poop or is each team adjusting while failing and succeeding on a game by game basis against two of the best duos in the NHL? I will take the 2nd one

These guys will quit on Trotz so fast 😂
- PlatosRepucklic

Agree

4 of those players have been on some bad teams.
Mackinnon era has seen him get past the 1st round 2-3 times. So a litle different no?

Leafs have an opportunity to change their narrative. Win the next 2 of 3.
- Fakepartofme

No, these blue coloured glasses work both ways. People are either too hot or too cold.

Mackinnon - won his first playoff series in year 6.

Matthews - this is year 6.

I'm not defending the Leafs last two playoffs (or the loss last night) ...I'm just pointing out the facts that add a little perspective to the sky is falling narrative.

Huberdeau's in his 10th season. Barkov his 8th. Draisatl and McDavid their 7th. Zero playoff wins for any of them to date.

He made a good play on the second Willy goal…I’m not sure what the defence was doing but if not for the second line yesterday it would have been even uglier.
- TurdFergeson

JT and Nylander don't really compliment each other.

They both trade really good games but it never seems like they are in synch. Its why I wanted them to add a 2LW

their top 9 is still elite in every way but it would be nice to have some consistency from the 2nd line. You just never know what you will get

embarrassing (with sound from Frenchy)

https://twitter.com/i/status/1523529525232996355
- Symba007

It's fun how things look when you run them in super slow motion.

He looks dog tired all the time. He does all the grunt ass work, especially when playing with Nylander who is a perimeter player. He does not have the speed to generate on his own, and no one really ever feeds him the puck in scoring positions. There will be some very very tough questions asked if the series ends in a loss with L2 playing this way. Let's hope they can break out somehow.
- fifty__missions

Good call. Tavares is definitely a grinder but if he had someone who could help do a lot of the heavy work on the line, you'd think that would help.

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

Spezza out?

Are Kuch/Stamkos and Marner/Matthews trading times not giving a poop or is each team adjusting while failing and succeeding on a game by game basis against two of the best duos in the NHL? I will take the 2nd one
- Santo_44

Yeah, I certainly don't buy into the AM34/Mitch don't give a poop narrative.

Yeah, I certainly don't buy into the AM34/Mitch don't give a poop narrative.
- mjones242

Give credit to Tampa, they are not 2x defending champions for nothing.

Well that sure did suck.

Yeah, I certainly don't buy into the AM34/Mitch don't give a poop narrative.
- mjones242

If they were unstoppable the series would be 4-0 right now.

The only team dominating is the Avs and they are playing the worst team in the playoffs without their starter.

Bruins stars were non existent the 1st 2 games and the last 2 they have been unstoppable.

It is the ebbs and flows. Whoever has more highs wins the series but to look to expect all highs in this series is ridiculous. It is 2 really good teams.

Well that sure did suck.
- Atomic Wedgie

nobody said it would be easy, let's see what the Leafs have, this is the time to show they learned from the past few playoffs years and show their fans they have that next gear...

Give credit to Tampa, they are not 2x defending champions for nothing.
- Symba007

At this point, I have zero expectations. Gotta rinse the brain from the previous pooptastrophe and hope for a different effort in Game 5.

nobody said it would be easy, let's see what the Leafs have, this is the time to show they learned from the past few playoffs years and show their fans they have that next gear...
- Symba007

Somebody said it would be easy

If they were unstoppable the series would be 4-0 right now.

The only team dominating is the Avs and they are playing the worst team in the playoffs without their starter.

Bruins stars were non existent the 1st 2 games and the last 2 they have been unstoppable.

It is the ebbs and flows. Whoever has more highs wins the series but to look to expect all highs in this series is ridiculous. It is 2 really good teams.
- Santo_44

A lot of series are tied at 2 games a piece.. Leafs should be fine, I hope.. They do need a strong performance and a win tomorrow night.. Game 5 is a must win game

At this point, I have zero expectations. Gotta rinse the brain from the previous pooptastrophe and hope for a different effort in Game 5.
- mjones242

Agreed... A win in game 5 and we're back in the drivers seat. .

Oilers, Wild and Canes are all tied at 2, I don't think are jumping off any 'ledges'