The Gardiner problem, shows the need for a #1 D-man.
I didn't see the game, but Boyle, like any player, probably needs a few games to get familiar with the Leafs systems. His FO% will come back to where it was with Tampa.
Toronto Maple Leafs - 2016/17 Season
- Thread starter GameBoy27
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The Gardiner problem, shows the need for a #1 D-man.
I didn't see the game, but Boyle, like any player, probably needs a few games to get familiar with the Leafs systems. His FO% will come back to where it was with Tampa.
The Maple Leafs could use another good defenceman.
Jake is the best of the lot the team has at this time.
Leafs have the number 1 power play but 6 on 5 is a different animal. There is no room to set up. It's just all out fight for the puck and jam. Perhaps that's the weakness. Finesse players don't do well in ram and jam 6 on 5.
3 on 3 is a game of trading chances and Leafs are bad on the face off so they give up the first chance after each face off and sometimes 1 chance is all it takes cause those are premium chances.
On shootouts Babcock is trying to lean on the rookies to give them the experience rather than the vets and the rookies look tentative. Anderson is more big and he's on when he's positionally sound but shootout relies more on quickness and he ain't as quick.
Against 6 attackers well you can probably point to Leafs pair on defense. Again it's ram and jam when it's 6 on 5 and Defense don't do well under those circumstances. Who really on defense can stop the ram and jam?
Leafs are a terribly young team. A Team with 6-7 rookies (1/3 of the team) that could make the playoffs which the NHL has never seen, so lay off.
Shark 3 Leafs 1 .... Leafs give up two goals in the closing minutes, lose a point at least.
Kings 3 Leafs 2 .... Leafs give up two in the third, early but still the third. they did at least salvage a point.
"It's a heart ache, nothing but a heart ache". But it will get better which is how I, and I suspect Leafs Nation, are dealing with this. GO Leafs GO !
Leafs at Ducks tonight. Could use a win.
Kings 3 Leafs 2 .... Leafs give up two in the third, early but still the third. they did at least salvage a point.
"It's a heart ache, nothing but a heart ache". But it will get better which is how I, and I suspect Leafs Nation, are dealing with this. GO Leafs GO !
Leafs at Ducks tonight. Could use a win.
Just one?
Thought they might try to find one or more before the deadline, but, if any were available the price must have been too high. I am sure all the GM's are aware what the Leafs main weakness is and they were looking for one or more of the rookie starters. See what is out there in UFAs this summer.
You know the hockey gods hate you when a wild shot hits your defenseman in the face and the puck falls into your net.
Quote Originally Posted by dirkd101 View Post
The Gardiner problem, shows the need for a #1 D-man.
The Gardiner problem, shows the need for a #1 D-man.
Essentially you're saying the same thing, I think, but I'd also argue that overall Zaitsev has been the best Leafs d. He's the only difference on defence between this year and last year's team which finished last. So it shouldn't be surprising to anyone that the defence still remains one of the worse in the league.
Leafs gonna need 94-96 pts to get in the playoffs. Have to win 11 or 12 out of 17 remaining games. Boston and Ottawa are playing well, Leafs won't catch them. They have to try to get past the Islanders.
A clutch win by the Leafs against the despised Flyers. Shoshnikov should get time on the pp, is wrister is heavy and accurate, it gives goalies fits.
Gerry Bettman is doing is Stan and Ollie routine with the State of Arizona. Why not, no other State has used tax money to pay for professional sports stadiums than Arizona, but his case isn't strong. He should have fixed the entry draft so that the Cayotes got the No. 1, as it is they are certain to move.
Gerry Bettman is doing is Stan and Ollie routine with the State of Arizona. Why not, no other State has used tax money to pay for professional sports stadiums than Arizona, but his case isn't strong. He should have fixed the entry draft so that the Cayotes got the No. 1, as it is they are certain to move.
I've always believed that the wrist shot is the better of the two shots during 5 v. 5 as it's faster to get off and it's not a telegraphed move. Sakic and Clarke being two of the best with this shot in recent times. The slap shot does have it's place though, from the point is best, well placed, good for tipping, sometimes they have eyes or they make defenders cringe in fear. One of the best for these being Weber from the point and for one timers, in a set up on the PP, I'd go with Ovie and Stamkos.
So for Marner, Nylander and Matthews, they are going with their best shot. Why not after all? They have good accuracy with it, they get it off quickly and every player needs their go to shot. The one that cashes the cheques.
Matthews has the quick release, Nylander shots darts, Marner is Minnasota Fats but Shoshnikov has a Duane Ward wrister.
Neuvirth was ducking for cover when he hit the crossbar.
Neuvirth was ducking for cover when he hit the crossbar.
I recall somebody making a few posts regarding Matthews and how he should use the slapper more.
Slapshots are part of a by gone era. The days of Guy LeFleur coming down the wing and blasting it past the goalie top shelf are gone. Today's NHL players are bigger and faster, they close the gap on each other fast, so there is less time to wind up for a slapper. If you have great release like Matthews then wrist shots are your deadliest weapons. OV and Stamkos are part of dying breed.
Bettman should have fixed two drafts, Toronto to get McDavid and Arizona to get Matthews.
