Maple Leafs 2018 - 19

[tribunus]

Opponents have figured out how to stop the PP. It's become very predictable. They pounce on Matthews giving him no shot. They pounce on Tavaras and Kadri and take away passing lane to Matthews when Marner has the puck. Reilly will never shoot. Either pass left or right. They need to set up the play Marner to Tavaras down low pass to Kadri in slot for shot.

Bang on. Reilly and Gardiner can't shoot for shit so it's pretty much setting down low and look for the snipe.

Yeah it's been a couple of weak offensive showings of late but Dubas better not cave to that little snot Nylander. Tough it out and get him on the team's terms.

 

[smuddan]

It never fails to amaze me how some fans can be so reactive after every win or loss. When they win they're the power house and champions of the world. When they lose they're bums and everybody seems to think he knows how to coach better than Babcock.

 

[chuckertmg]

has the parade been cancelled?

When they win they're the power house and champions of the world. When they lose they're bums and everybody seems to think he knows how to coach better than Babcock.

It's only October 21st so they're probably still overwhelming Stanley Cup Favourites for the moment, but I think Vegas oddsmakers moved up the over/under on Babcock being fired to April 8th, 2019. Remember this is Toronto, after all....

 

[superstar_88]

Leafs had the same start last year. Scoring like wild fire first few games then trouble once teams figured out how to counter Leafs. Leafs are not a board team so teams will play the board game once in the Leafs zone. Leafs are losing more of the puck battles along the boards in both zones.

 

[chuckertmg]

They lack discipline. Can't play defense. They can't depend on Anderson. Babcock has lost the dressing room.
Time for a rebuild. Start over. Trade Matthews and Tavares and see what draft picks/prospects we can get.

I'd like to be a fly on the wall in contract negotiations next July.
We'll see how the season plays out but an objective observer would note that the Leafs have had a relatively soft schedule to start the season and the team is 29th in the league for goals against.

For all the media circus around Auston Matthews scoring spree, what an analytics guy would see is that he's at -2 over 9 games.
Tavares, Marner and Hyman had the lowest Corsi scores on the team last night, Marner being at the bottom below 32%.

If these trends continue an analytics-based G.M. is not going to want to reward numbers like this with $10 million contracts, regardless of what their agents say they're worth.

 

[mynameisearl11]

In the early going,it doesn't seem like a good pairing between Dermott and Ozhiganov. Both are around... minus 5. Dermott is pressing I think so it's wise that I heard he maybe sitting out next game. Hansey is the highest plus/minus player on the Leafs at +7. Leivo is bringing Kadri game down as he is carrying a -5 and Kad is -7. Good grief. LOL

 

[superstar_88]

Kadri is obviously a shooter and needs a set up man. 30 plus goals last 2 seasons says so. Lievo is not it. Marner was a good match for Kadri. He wasn't doing anything last year as well with Komarov until Marner got him going. Maybe they need a guy like Bracco to play with Kadri

 

[glamphotographer]

OH NO! The Leafs lost 2 in a row! No need to panic. It's a long season. The Leafs will now go 79-3-0.

 

[mynameisearl11]

The Wings connection. Steve Y. should come in and work for the Leafs. He still can pass so that Kadri could score his first goal.

 

[glamphotographer]

The Wings connection. Steve Y. should come in and work for the Leafs. He still can pass so that Kadri could score his first goal.

You were saying....

 

[superstar_88]

They'll need to beat the Jets on Sat otherwise it'll be a wash.

 

[smuddan]

Except for about 5 minutes early in the thirds, the Leafs were the better team, surprisingly I must say. The Jets looked flat and I expect a much feisty effort from them on Saturday.

So often we've seen this Leaf team getting hammed in when trying to protect a lead, and more often than not they'd fail. Maybe it's because this team lacks the defensive strength to sit back and defend. When they try to play safe they allow the other team to control the play and force them into errors. Babcock talks about keeping the foot on the pedal and I guess they have to learn how to do that without taking unnecessary chances.

 

[mynameisearl11]

Watching the Colorado combo of MacKinnon and Landeskog last night against TB,I am yearning for the day that Nylander back on the wing with Matthews. Nylander can skate and shoot just like Landeskog! I have a hunch that Nylander will be back with the Leafs before Halloween.

 

[superstar_88]

Except for about 5 minutes early in the thirds, the Leafs were the better team, surprisingly I must say. The Jets looked flat and I expect a much feisty effort from them on Saturday.

So often we've seen this Leaf team getting hammed in when trying to protect a lead, and more often than not they'd fail. Maybe it's because this team lacks the defensive strength to sit back and defend. When they try to play safe they allow the other team to control the play and force them into errors. Babcock talks about keeping the foot on the pedal and I guess they have to learn how to do that without taking unnecessary chances.

Well, when you have possession of the puck the other team doesn't so it all makes sense.

 

[chuckertmg]

They'll need to beat the Jets on Sat otherwise it'll be a wash.

The Jets looked flat and they’ll be a tired group on Saturday.

The Leafs on Saturday will be playing their 2nd game in 8 days;
the Jets will be playing their 4th game in 6 days, including a road game Friday night.
I predict the Jets will be gassed by the third period.

 

[superstar_88]

Then if Leafs lose it won't be a wash but rather a huge disappointment. But they'll be missing Hainsey and Dermott. Their D will be Rielly, Gardiner, Z, Oz, Marincin, Holl. 3 of them weren't in the NHL last year. That is scary.

 

[shack]

a hunch that Nylander will be back with the Leafs before Halloween.

What date is it this year?

 

[superstar_88]

It's a shame Babs will not play Marner with Kadri. Matthews can drive a line. Tavaras has shown in NYI he can drive a line and make his linemates better. Marner can also drive a line. He helped Bozak and JVR get hefty contracts. He helped Kadri get to 30 goals.

 

[saxon]

Matthews leaves with what looks like a bad shoulder injury. If he’s out a significant amount of time it might get Nylander the contract he wants.

 

[smuddan]

Credit to the Leafs for the come back and Marner and Kadri stepping up. The Jets were obviously gassed by the third having played last night, but I thought the Leafs outplayed them before Matthews went out. They just didn't capitalize their chances.

The troubling thing was how both Matthews and Taraves were roughed up but no other Leaf player would come to defend their two best players. Right now the Leafs must be the softest team in the league and that is free invitation for opposing players to take shots at their best players. If this keeps up I would not be surprised to see more injuries like the one Matthews has.