Same as that jockey that tried to win the Kentucky Derby on a donkey. That donkey put in an honest effort every day, but ultimately wilted under the fact he was a donkey trying to compete against thoroughbreds.
- Deeps27

Sure.

Except it's a poor analogy. The Leafs are not equivalent to a donkey. They are also elite, but to your analogy they are being distracted by the horse in the next lane nipping at them. If they let that distract them, they will lose. If they ignore that and do what they were made to do, they have a chance of winning.

What did Willy do to yours?
- AdamFrench

in my family we tend to like people that put in an effort and honestly care about winning.
willie is the exact opposite of that.

Yeah, knuckle-dragging Martin looked terrible playing 14 minutes of shutdown hockey against Sidney Crosby yesterday. 14. Minutes. They are up 3-0.

I've been saying for 2 months here - it's not fighters I want. I played junior against Joe Thornton. There is no way in hell anyone wants to fight that guy - even today. He was a killer who could also pot 6 points a game on you. Grit and intangibles and the ability to push-back is not exclusive to fighting.

And I realize that Joe Thornton's don't grow on trees. Ryan Kesler type. Hell - Brad Marchand. (just examples)
- Deeps27

This is strange, as I seem to recall that Brock Nelson's line was matching up against Crosby.

Sure.

Except it's a poor analogy. The Leafs are not equivalent to a donkey. They are also elite, but to your analogy they are being distracted by the horse in the next lane nipping at them. If they let that distract them, they will lose. If they ignore that and do what they were made to do, they have a chance of winning.
- Monkeypunk

Not really; the thoroughbred would get his clock cleaned if he was asked to plow a field all day like a donkey can.

The analogy is that you can't have a team built to run and win on a track then ask them to be successful getting down and dirty in the field plowing.

You can have a few race horses, but you need to mix in a few donkeys to do the heavy lifting when needed.

Trust me - I'm 100% right here.

in my family we tend to like people that put in an effort and honestly care about winning.
willie is the exact opposite of that.
- MaximusAurelius

This is strange, as I seem to recall that Brock Nelson's line was matching up against Crosby.
- AdamFrench

14+ minutes of ice for Martin. I didn't watch all the game and someone on 1050 said he was matched against Crosby. Malkin. Whatever. He's been very effective playing meaningful minutes for a team up 3-0.

This is strange, as I seem to recall that Brock Nelson's line was matching up against Crosby.
- AdamFrench

Games 1 and 2 the Martin cizikas clutterbuck line faced the Crosby line. Game 3 Sullivan tried to get them away and got the Nelson bailey kuhnackle line

in my family we tend to like people that put in an effort and honestly care about winning.
willie is the exact opposite of that.
- MaximusAurelius

Willie leads the team in scoring with 2 goals and an assist.

Games 1 and 2 the Martin cizikas clutterbuck line faced the Crosby line. Game 3 Sullivan tried to get them away and got the Nelson bailey kuhnackle line
- Upstate_isles

Ty Koolaidman

Willie leads the team in scoring with 2 goals and an assist.
- AdamFrench

Is that counting goal and assist on our own net?

Games 1 and 2 the Martin cizikas clutterbuck line faced the Crosby line. Game 3 Sullivan tried to get them away and got the Nelson bailey kuhnackle line
- Upstate_isles

Fine. But he played over 14 minutes yesterday, right? Not just a face puncher is the point.

Willie leads the team in scoring with 2 goals and an assist.
- AdamFrench

possibly your weakest pushback ever

I figure if he dies, the league won't make us pay....
- Atomic Wedgie

better suspend Kadri 10 more games just in case

So there it is Nylander at center and Ennis drawing on on fourth line wing. Doesn't look too bad at all.

Debrusk will be running around again tonight, poking knees out and elbowing faces

Ty Koolaidman
- AdamFrench

Anytime

Fine. But he played over 14 minutes yesterday, right? Not just a face puncher is the point.
- Deeps27

Honestly that line doesn't have a point but they may be the most important line on the team, they always change momentum and play in the other teams zone. They hot hard and softer and do so cleanly. Malkin also seems to hate komorov and that alone is taking him off his game

Damn.

Fluto Shinzawa in the Athletic rips Matthews a new one.

"For the second straight year, Matthews is on pace to contribute little aside from frustration."

He's not wrong.

Damn.

Fluto Shinzawa in the Athletic rips Matthews a new one.

"For the second straight year, Matthews is on pace to contribute little aside from frustration."

He's not wrong.
- Atomic Wedgie

Hopefully that changes tonight, I hope he plays with more emotion. He is better when he is angry and motivated.

Hopefully that changes tonight, I hope he plays with more emotion. He is better when he is angry and motivated.
- Archaic

THAT is the problem... how do we piss him off and get him in that mode?

THAT is the problem... how do we piss him off and get him in that mode?
- Roadrunner75

We need to pressure Epic Games to ban his Fortnite account.

Damn.

Fluto Shinzawa in the Athletic rips Matthews a new one.

"For the second straight year, Matthews is on pace to contribute little aside from frustration."

He's not wrong.
- Atomic Wedgie

Never heard of him



(Matthews)

Damn.

Fluto Shinzawa in the Athletic rips Matthews a new one.

"For the second straight year, Matthews is on pace to contribute little aside from frustration."

He's not wrong.
- Atomic Wedgie

I feel like he's skating pretty well so far. Looks to me like he's got Chris Sale disease ...his fastball has been mediocre at best. Softies to the chest.

No excuses tonight. Babs will put Tavares on Bergeron so the other lines need to have big nights.

And if it's a tight game in the 3rd and I see Gauthier on the ice at all I'll be the guy on tv throwing my babsocks onto the ice. (frank), shorten the bench!

So there it is Nylander at center and Ennis drawing on on fourth line wing. Doesn't look too bad at all.
- Roadrunner75

Marleau and Brown, where offence will go to die.

I feel like he's skating pretty well so far. Looks to me like he's got Chris Sale disease ...his fastball has been mediocre at best. Softies to the chest.

No excuses tonight. Babs will put Tavares on Bergeron so the other lines need to have big nights.

And if it's a tight game in the 3rd and I see Gauthier on the ice at all I'll be the guy on tv throwing my babsocks onto the ice. (frank), shorten the bench!
- The Law

When he's at his best, there's this thing you see when he gets the puck. I don't know quite how to describe it. It's just a shoulder dip and shimmy. . . you just see he's confident with the puck, and he knows he's going to beat you. It was back for a few weeks until maybe 5 games ago. When he's got that, he's among the best in the league. I want that Matthews back. When that Matthews is playing, no one asks if Marner is better.