I too think tonight's game will be really close. Both teams will bring their A games tonight for sure
- RickJames77

the ice quality was hilariously bad though in boston.
if a team cannot assure minimal proper ice conditions for a playoff game, they should be awarded a loss.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised by the Bruins not preparing the ice to an optimal state, since worse ice conditions benefit the Bruins..

Except Marleau can play center, Petan can as well, think Ennis can too, and both Nylander and Marner have and can as well.
- Roadrunner75

Sure - who plays wing to the same level with those guys moved over to the middle? Petan? The smurf 4th line experiment was not a success. Marleau? What has inspired any sort of optimism about his ability since early March? They needed to get depth.

Shocker.

Maybe someone in the Leafs organization - a player, coach, management...anyone - should get fired up and actually say something aggressive about the refereeing, or the Bruins taking liberties running around without consequence, or anything that may inspire some life out of this roster.

Babcock should've dipped into his piggy bank and ripped the league for those zebras on Saturday night post game and taken a fine. Would've been the best $5K he could've spent.

But no - they'll take the high road right to another 1st round exit.
- Deeps27

Agreed. I said prior, Torts would have walked in check in hand slapped it down and said here is the fine money and launched. Cassidy, right or wrong, stuck up for his guy. Babs went in and..... did nothing?!?! What kind of statement does that send to your guys??? I was really surprised by that

Kadri shouldn't have gotten a penalty in the first period last game. That was all Debrusk.

Gauthier did absolutely nothing and received a roughing penalty somehow

Mean while, the Bruins could have easily recieved about 4 penalties by than and got ZERO.

Refs were absolutely brutal during that game. Worst officiating I've ever watched. Hands down.

No matter what happens I’m happy to see Leo and Martin gone.
- shack67

You'll get to see lots of them against Washington in the second round this year. But hey, small skilled roster that can't win a round.

Speaking in general terms and not team specific, you'd definitely be able to quantify whether this is true or not. I'd guess your assumption is accurate.
- RickJames77

Here. Note that obviously it's a very small sample size:

If you look at only Minor penalties and exclude Bench minor penalties as well on a team-by-team basis for those teams in the playoffs. You would expect to see some level of increase in the rates given the amped up nature of the playoffs.

Vegas averaged 3 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 7.7 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 4.7 from their expected average
Colorado averaged 3.4 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 6.5 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 3.1 from their expected average
San Jose averaged 3.1 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 6.3 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 3.2 from their expected average
Calgary averaged 3.2 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 5.5 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 2.3 from their expected average
Nashville averaged 3.2 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 5.5 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 2.3 from their expected average
Pittsburgh averaged 3 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 5.3 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 2.3 from their expected average
Winnipeg averaged 3.3 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 4.7 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 1.3 from their expected average
Dallas averaged 3.2 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 4.5 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 1.3 from their expected average
NY Islanders averaged 3 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 4.3 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 1.4 from their expected average
St. Louis averaged 3 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 3.7 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 0.7 from their expected average
Tampa Bay averaged 3.7 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 3.7 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 0 from their expected average
Washington averaged 3.4 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 3.5 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 0.1 from their expected average
Carolina averaged 3.3 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 3.5 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 0.2 from their expected average
Boston averaged 3.4 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 2.5 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of -0.9 from their expected average
Toronto averaged 2.5 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 2.5 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of 0 from their expected average
Columbus averaged 2.6 penalties per game in the season, and have averaged 2.3 penalties in the playoffs. A difference of -0.3 from their expected average

So while only Boston and Columbus are averaging less penalties per game in the playoffs compared to everyone else in the playoffs, you have to feel for Vegas a little bit.

Lots of questions for management to answer for if this goes sideways?
- walshyleafsfan

Absolutely.

It wasn’t that bad but it was retaliatory and a repeat offender. Crosby took a worse one to the chops in last years playoffs.
- shack67

The issue is it wasn't like a hit that came up high, he cross checked him in tha face and that's intent to injure. What else was he trying to do in that situation? He screwed the leafs as hes a good player and important to them. Selfish play, heat of the moment but still selfish

The issue is it wasn't like a hit that came up high, he cross checked him in tha face and that's intent to injure. What else was he trying to do in that situation? He screwed the leafs as hes a good player and important to them. Selfish play, heat of the moment but still selfish
- Upstate_isles

Yup agreed

Shocker.

Maybe someone in the Leafs organization - a player, coach, management...anyone - should get fired up and actually say something aggressive about the refereeing, or the Bruins taking liberties running around without consequence, or anything that may inspire some life out of this roster.

Babcock should've dipped into his piggy bank and ripped the league for those zebras on Saturday night post game and taken a fine. Would've been the best $5K he could've spent.

But no - they'll take the high road right to another 1st round exit.
- Deeps27

Shanny went to the hearing today. I'd imagine he would have a few things to say. He seems to be well respected in the league as well.

Well Big Bob thinks 5 is the floor here.

Be nice if it was only 5. Back for next series assuming there is a next series

Agreed. I said prior, Torts would have walked in check in hand slapped it down and said here is the fine money and launched. Cassidy, right or wrong, stuck up for his guy. Babs went in and..... did nothing?!?! What kind of statement does that send to your guys??? I was really surprised by that
- Roadrunner75

I wish they assumed the personality of LW playoff warrior Brendan Shanahan than buttoned up NY Fashion Week team executive Brendan Shanahan.

Shanny went to the hearing today. I'd imagine he would have a few things to say. He seems to be well respected in the league as well.
- walshyleafsfan

He did used to have that job. Burke, who also used to have that job, thought it was a 7-8 gamer, though.

Avery is a moron for even suggesting it honestly. If someone were to fight debrusk who would that even be? Muzzin? Not trolling but who are the sandpaper guys on the leafs I thought kadri was one but he cant seem to keep his composure
- Upstate_isles

Yes, you are.

Shanny went to the hearing today. I'd imagine he would have a few things to say. He seems to be well respected in the league as well.
- walshyleafsfan

Here's hoping.

The issue is it wasn't like a hit that came up high, he cross checked him in tha face and that's intent to injure. What else was he trying to do in that situation? He screwed the leafs as hes a good player and important to them. Selfish play, heat of the moment but still selfish
- Upstate_isles

This got a fine - he has a reputation too:

I have a blue house with blue windows.

Avery is a moron for even suggesting it honestly. If someone were to fight debrusk who would that even be? Muzzin? Not trolling but who are the sandpaper guys on the leafs I thought kadri was one but he cant seem to keep his composure
- Upstate_isles

There is really no one on the Leafs team that really can.

I'm not sure how many fights the Leafs had this year maybe 3 and one of the players was traded earlier this year.

Yes, you are.
- TrashPanda

Nah I'm literally asking who the sandpaper guys are, you traded twonaway and kadri is out. Muzzin seems like that kind of player but who else it like that?

He did used to have that job. Burke, who also used to have that job, thought it was a 7-8 gamer, though.
- Monkeypunk

Yeah not sure it's that long. Shanny can lose his poop and explain what is going on better than Burke IMO. We'll find out soon

This got a fine - he has a reputation too:


- Deeps27

Marchand is a piece of poop, I hate that guy along with gudas more than any players in the league

Agreed. I said prior, Torts would have walked in check in hand slapped it down and said here is the fine money and launched. Cassidy, right or wrong, stuck up for his guy. Babs went in and..... did nothing?!?! What kind of statement does that send to your guys??? I was really surprised by that
- Roadrunner75

Realistically what does that do for you, other than for us fans to sit there and think, "Hey, that's how *I* feel, too!".

Babcock needs to maintain a working relationship with the officials, and he also needs to impart on his young team that they are not going to get anywhere blaming the officials. Take responsibility for what you can control and control it. Good teams persevere or find ways to take inspiration from that adversity. It's not just a "catch phrase". It's said because it's true and it's a message that bears repeating over and over and over again.

I wish they assumed the personality of LW playoff warrior Brendan Shanahan than buttoned up NY Fashion Week team executive Brendan Shanahan.
- Deeps27

Think some have, but a lot havent. The fly by stuff kills me the most. Hit the bugger and take the puck, lets go, get engaged. Size doesn't matter. Moore hit Chara, and St. Louis and Theo Fleury were fearless.... hell even Ennis goes and hits and hits and hits.

I don't know what is up with the guys I really don't.


As far as Avery with Matthews should fight DeBrusk thing... honestly he wants to be the Captain, wouldn't be a bad idea and make a hell of a statement. Should he, probably not, but hell since when have guys done the safe, smart thing? Iginla comes to mind there, would fight and everyone goes NO NO NO. Any of them could step up anytime and do something, the question is will any of them?

Bruins get away with everything, always has been this way. Brandon Carlo's only play is corss check a guy in the back. Spot on about Babcock, the piggy bank lmao.
- ClaudeFather

Dubas should step in and pay that for him.

Nah I'm literally asking who the sandpaper guys are, you traded twonaway and kadri is out. Muzzin seems like that kind of player but who else it like that?
- Upstate_isles

No one. You already know the answer. The answer is "there is no one to fight DeBrusk with Kadri out", and even when Kadri had the chance to fight him cross-checked him in the face. So no one. Period. Happy?