Sam Hitchcock: Bolts Stomp Leafs

Sam Hitchcock: Bolts Stomp Leafs
- Sam Hitchcock

Good summary, slop fest for the leafs.

I was at this game (mom won free tix from her work raffle)

I think the only thing worse than watching the Leafs' play was how many kids are getting attention on the camera for doing the one same fornite dance.

I watched 20 minutes of the game. It was great like the Harlem globetrotters against the Torontoe generals... The bolts had the puck almost the entire time....

I watched 20 minutes of the game. It was great like the Harlem globetrotters against the Torontoe generals... The bolts had the puck almost the entire time....
- kaptaan

and gliding around with no effort..... the only player to seem to care was Ennis and Gauthier. They played 100X harder than anyone in the top 6.

and gliding around with no effort..... the only player to seem to care was Ennis and Gauthier. They played 100X harder than anyone in the top 6.
- BALUCHA

If what you say is true.....and that Top 6 will be eating up close to 50 million of the Cap hit going forward.....that is a sad commentary. Tampa is incredible though. They will be huge favorite to grab the Cup. Offence and goaltending as good or better than Leafs. Close though, especially when Anderson is on. He hides much of the Leaf defensive deficiencies. But team defence, blueline....Lightning miles ahead.
Tough, tough division. LEAFS may be top 5 in the league, but 3rd in their Division and likely out in round 1.
League should do something about playoff format. I will love a Bruin Leaf first round. But a shame Leafs probably out so early.

If what you say is true.....and that Top 6 will be eating up close to 50 million of the Cap hit going forward.....that is a sad commentary. Tampa is incredible though. They will be huge favorite to grab the Cup. Offence and goaltending as good or better than Leafs. Close though, especially when Anderson is on. He hides much of the Leaf defensive deficiencies. But team defence, blueline....Lightning miles ahead.
Tough, tough division. LEAFS may be top 5 in the league, but 3rd in their Division and likely out in round 1.
League should do something about playoff format. I will love a Bruin Leaf first round. But a shame Leafs probably out so early.
- hawk35

Is not a shame, and they could be top 5 in their conference, not league. Division rivalry will build intensity and emotion.

If what you say is true.....and that Top 6 will be eating up close to 50 million of the Cap hit going forward.....that is a sad commentary. Tampa is incredible though. They will be huge favorite to grab the Cup. Offence and goaltending as good or better than Leafs. Close though, especially when Anderson is on. He hides much of the Leaf defensive deficiencies. But team defence, blueline....Lightning miles ahead.
Tough, tough division. LEAFS may be top 5 in the league, but 3rd in their Division and likely out in round 1.
League should do something about playoff format. I will love a Bruin Leaf first round. But a shame Leafs probably out so early.
- hawk35

before I comment.......yes, I know my team sucks, yes I know we don't have our 1st rd pick, and yes I know our owner is awful...........I'm just getting that out of the way now as I assume that will be the replies to my post from leaf fans.

that being said, I don't think the leafs are a top 5 team in the league. they definitely have a top 5 offense, don't think anyone can deny the fire power they have....but overall, I'd EASILY have Tampa, Boston, Washington, SJ, Calgary, Vegas, and Winnipeg ahead of the Leafs....especially post TDL where other teams got a lot better, and the leafs didn't do much but add a guy who's probably a #4 dman. I'd put them in the 8-10 range with teams like the Isles, Blues (who are probably much higher if not for a ridiculously slow start), etc.

I also agree that they're likely in big trouble cap wise, especially given that most people say that Marner will get Matthews type money. their already pretty average D is going to get worse, and they'll likely lose 1-2 good forwards (ennis, kaapanen, johnsson, etc).

The short handed goal was crazy. How does that happen? Gourde turned around and saw only Reilly and Hedman and Paquette racing down the ice. Gourde was a kid in a candy store at that point while Reilly was left swimming on the ice.

What's this poop about a homophobic slur being used during the game?

Who said what?

What's this poop about a homophobic slur being used during the game?

Who said what?
- GalacticStone

Apparently Reilly called the ref a bundle of kindling and the mic caught it

I'd EASILY have Tampa, Boston, Washington, SJ, Calgary, Vegas, and Winnipeg ahead of the Leafs....especially post TDL where other teams got a lot better, and the leafs didn't do much but add a guy who's probably a #4 dman. I'd put them in the 8-10 range with teams like the Isles, Blues (who are probably much higher if not for a ridiculously slow start), etc.
- sensarmy_11

Not gonna say who's better or worse cause I've got my biases, but the leafs have done pretty well against the sharks, flames, caps, and even the jets. They typically don't do so hot against tampa and boston. Those two just have their number.

What's this poop about a homophobic slur being used during the game?

Who said what?
- GalacticStone

I think the debate is between whether he said f****t or someone yelled "rag it", something yelled out quite a bit in hockey games. Surprised this hasn't come up before

[quote=mgriffen]

tampa and boston are the only teams they have a losing record against this season, super ideal. They beat Boston in last years season series so maybe this years playoffs is different. who knows

Dubas never addressed the Leafs very weak defense and lack of toughness so now its coming back to haunt them.

It was a great night, Sam. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The short handed goal was crazy. How does that happen? Gourde turned around and saw only Reilly and Hedman and Paquette racing down the ice. Gourde was a kid in a candy store at that point while Reilly was left swimming on the ice.
- stammerman

What a disgrace, not the 1st bad line change of the year either.

Dubas never addressed the Leafs very weak defense and lack of toughness so now its coming back to haunt them.
- islansjet

2 of our 1/2 decent D are injured....after the TDL.

If they're back the Leafs will be fine.

And Dubas says at the trade deadline, no we don't need more depth on defence, no we don't need more depth,

[quote=mgriffen]

unless it's a divisional rival who you play on a fairly regular basis, I think it's hard to judge which team is better on 2 head to head games per year.......hell, the sens won both games against the Jets this year, but I know full well that Wpg is a FAAAARRRRRR better team than Ottawa.

I think, looking at the rosters, the teams I mentioned would all be favoured and "should win" a 7 game series against the Leafs.

Apparently Reilly called the ref a bundle of kindling and the mic caught it
- mgriffen

LOL. I've called the zebras worse than that.

[quote=sensarmy_11]

Meh, we match up well with Boston and Washington IMO.

TB is in another league at the moment, not too many teams match up to them...especially in the East.

[quote=Garnie]

I agree, I don't think anybody matches up with Tampa.......on paper and on the ice, probably the best team the league has seen in years.

as for the leafs.....I'm not suggesting any of those teams are light years ahead of the leafs, you guys obviously have a very strong team and I wouldn't be surprised if they won a series against them....I just don't think they would be the favorite based on rosters.

before I comment.......yes, I know my team sucks, yes I know we don't have our 1st rd pick, and yes I know our owner is awful...........I'm just getting that out of the way now as I assume that will be the replies to my post from leaf fans.

that being said, I don't think the leafs are a top 5 team in the league. they definitely have a top 5 offense, don't think anyone can deny the fire power they have....but overall, I'd EASILY have Tampa, Boston, Washington, SJ, Calgary, Vegas, and Winnipeg ahead of the Leafs....especially post TDL where other teams got a lot better, and the leafs didn't do much but add a guy who's probably a #4 dman. I'd put them in the 8-10 range with teams like the Isles, Blues (who are probably much higher if not for a ridiculously slow start), etc.

I also agree that they're likely in big trouble cap wise, especially given that most people say that Marner will get Matthews type money. their already pretty average D is going to get worse, and they'll likely lose 1-2 good forwards (ennis, kaapanen, johnsson, etc).
- sensarmy_11

I hate when you make a point and someone decides to jump on the condition of your team. Like it makes a difference to your opinion?

The Leafs will have cap issues next year, and they'll have to figure out what to do. Bridge deals, and certainly moving out Brown. The year following they have $11m back from Marleau & Horton, plus another projected 3-4m in cap increases. There is time to develop some prospects internally, and acquire D externally if required. Their core players are all 21, with the exception of Rielly who's 24.

Statistically, the Leafs are tied with the 2nd best winning percentage, and have the 5th best points percentage.

I wouldn't agree that Tampa, Boston, Washington, SJ, Calgary, Vegas, and Winnipeg are _easily_ ahead of the Leafs. Obviously Tampa is a ridiculously good and deep team; if they have any weakness it's probably that superfluous i in Vasilevskiy's name. There can't be an 'i' in team because they're all in his name. The rest of them are grouped together with their strengths and weaknesses. San Jose has awful goaltending. I think Washington is a one-trick pony. It's a good trick, but still. I do like Calgary and Winnipeg. Vegas is still a mixed bag. They're 13th in Point percentage. We all like Mark Stone, but Vegas' recent winning prowess since the acquisition has more to do with 5 games against non-playoff teams, and 2 against playoff teams (in which they are 1-1).

Boston has been hot, and they have experience. They are also playing very well, and that will likely normalize a bit (it seems to have in the last 3 games).

The Leafs meanwhile have been playing poorly. Even before the injuries to 2 top-4 guys. I'm cautiously optimistic they'll find their footing.

I don't know if you quibble over the phrase "top-5", but there are several top teams just beneath Tampa, and Toronto is one of them.

[quote=sensarmy_11]

Underdog, but not by much as the standings point out.

But we do need Gardiner/Dermott back or it won't be much of a series regardless of who we play.