No doubt that Matthews and Marner need to be offensive catalysts... Just need the 2nd line to produce..

I can't figure out what it is with them in the playoffs.. It's like the core 4 can't all play at a high level at the same time..


I am hoping that this is Tavares' breakout game of the series
- PatC80

The other thing, really, is that the power play has been terrible. They are 3/18 and Tampa is 5/23. They've had some good looks and good plays, but if Tampa is going to key on Matthews, then it's up to Matthews to make himself a more diverse weapon. Marner can look off to Matthews and shoot, while Matthews drives the net, with JT there - it creates deflections, screens, and rebound opportunities - where Marner doesn't score. The same power play just needs to add another dimension to make it effective. It's not like Nylander doesn't have a great shot on his own.

No doubt that Matthews and Marner need to be offensive catalysts... Just need the 2nd line to produce..

I can't figure out what it is with them in the playoffs.. It's like the core 4 can't all play at a high level at the same time..


I am hoping that this is Tavares' breakout game of the series
- PatC80

A heavy dose of line matching tonight. Matthews line plus Rielly will jump the boards every time Cerelli/Point take a rest.

Marner has been the best player in this series. His stats are despite his PK time.
- Drapz

It comes down to Campbell.. How he responds after being pulled.. This season he hasn't faired well the next start after being pulled from a game..

Campbell needs to come up big

Marner has been the best player in this series. His stats are despite his PK time.
- Drapz

This is definitely stats material, because the eye test having trouble with this for sure...! I would probably play it safe and say Mickey-Giraffe...

The other thing, really, is that the power play has been terrible. They are 3/18 and Tampa is 5/23. They've had some good looks and good plays, but if Tampa is going to key on Matthews, then it's up to Matthews to make himself a more diverse weapon. Marner can look off to Matthews and shoot, while Matthews drives the net, with JT there - it creates deflections, screens, and rebound opportunities - where Marner doesn't score. The same power play just needs to add another dimension to make it effective. It's not like Nylander doesn't have a great shot on his own.
- Monkeypunk

Special teams have been a factor so far.. Leafs can't take so many dumb penalties again..
It's not Nylander or Matthews though.. To me, it's still Rielly, he is not a threat to shoot, he's always looking to pass it off.. Need someone at the point that is a threat to shoot

It comes down to Campbell.. How he responds after being pulled.. This season he hasn't faired well the next start after being pulled from a game..

Campbell needs to come up big
- PatC80

Getting pulled is irrelevant IMO. How he responds to letting in a bunch of goals probably more important

Special teams have been a factor so far.. Leafs can't take so many dumb penalties again..
It's not Nylander or Matthews though.. To me, it's still Rielly, he is not a threat to shoot, he's always looking to pass it off.. Need someone at the point that is a threat to shoot
- PatC80

Wasn't that guy supposed to be Sandin?

Will he get a shot? (pun intended)

to be fair to Matthews and Marner, they both have 6 points in 4 games so far.. It's the second line that has been non-existant.

We need more from the JT Line.. Nylander's got to be better too
- PatC80

I don't know what it is with Willie. When you put him on the top line with AM and MM, one would think they'd be unstoppable . Never seems to be that way,

He's looked more energized on the 3rd line. Where he is tonight.

Fingers crossed it works

Wasn't that guy supposed to be Sandin?

Will he get a shot? (pun intended)
- Scabeh

Maybe Gio? It hasn't been good has it? Tampa PK unit is shadowing Matthews and Marner because Rielly can't shoot

I don't know what it is with Willie. When you put him on the top line with AM and MM, one would think they'd be unstoppable . Never seems to be that way,

He's looked more energized on the 3rd line. Where he is tonight.

Fingers crossed it works
- Leafsmart

I hope so

This is definitely stats material, because the eye test having trouble with this for sure...! I would probably play it safe and say Mickey-Giraffe...
- 21peter

Add to that:
Muzz, because of the very low expectations - and to play it to Dozzer's liking a +6.
2 goal and 1 apple in 4 games is outstanding for a dead guy

Wasn't that guy supposed to be Sandin?

Will he get a shot? (pun intended)
- Scabeh

Keefe said he hasn’t been able to get the practice time to get dumped into the series

Special teams have been a factor so far.. Leafs can't take so many dumb penalties again..
It's not Nylander or Matthews though.. To me, it's still Rielly, he is not a threat to shoot, he's always looking to pass it off.. Need someone at the point that is a threat to shoot
- PatC80

Every time Rielly does shoot I wish he passed. It's either straight into someone's stomach or 2-3 feet off the net.

Winner tonight wins the series IMO. These guys better come out with a much better effort tonight. If they lose and play well I can live with that. I think.

No Simmonds and Clifford? We need some beef in the lineup…. Kind of surprised after last game there are no changes… I thought Simmonds was great, and ya Clifford got thrown out, but that hit got the crowd fire up!

I would take Kase and Spezza out. Kase is okay, but was injured and now seems a step behind?

Holl? Lololol. Look out for more grenades tossed up the boards…

Totally agree with the Matthews and Marner criticism. I know they are facing Hedman, but they have to battle harder. Last two games they look like they are back to previous playoffs form. Reality is if they aren’t our best players we wont win this series.

Tonight is the series boys…

LETS GO!!!!

Let's just poop cocks down Tampa's throat tonight and Thursday

Add to that:
Muzz, because of the very low expectations - and to play it to Dozzer's liking a +6.
2 goal and 1 apple in 4 games is outstanding for a dead guy
- 21peter

Yup, he's been great.

Winner tonight wins the series IMO. These guys better come out with a much better effort tonight. If they lose and play well I can live with that. I think.
- PlatosRepucklic

No more excuses for this team.
Win the series.

Let's just poop cocks down Tampa's throat tonight and Thursday
- Aaron_85

Who poops cocks????

Add to that:
Muzz, because of the very low expectations - and to play it to Dozzer's liking a +6.
2 goal and 1 apple in 4 games is outstanding for a dead guy
- 21peter

Muzz is worth it for his persona

Winner tonight wins the series IMO. These guys better come out with a much better effort tonight. If they lose and play well I can live with that. I think.
- PlatosRepucklic

But you need to win 4.

No more excuses for this team.
Win the series.
- Fakepartofme

I mean I get it. They need to step up at some point and show they can win in the playoffs. But this isn't Columbus or Montreal. Back to back Champs are a different animal. Series was basically a coin flip from the beginning. I hope they play their asses off and win it.

Sportsnet @Sportsnet30m
"Unbelievable, he's been a great player for us all year. He doesn't get the love he deserves." Mitch Marner talks about Justin Holl's impact on the @MapleLeafs. #StanleyCup
-------


oh boy

He's drunk??

Winner tonight wins the series IMO. These guys better come out with a much better effort tonight. If they lose and play well I can live with that. I think.
- PlatosRepucklic

Worst this about game 4 was that it was over in the first 10 mins. I was pumped all day and excited for a good game, and it was over before I finished a slice of pizza.

Worst this about game 4 was that it was over in the first 10 mins. I was pumped all day and excited for a good game, and it was over before I finished a slice of pizza.
- bryant

Agreed. So disheartening so quickly