You make it sound so simple.This may sound like something contradictory to what I’ve been saying about playoff hockey, that you have to play great defence to win, but with the makeup of this team being substantially more talented in offence over defence, they may have a better chance of beating CBJ if they just play to their strength by pushing hard on offence and just trade chances.
Too often I’ve seen them get into trouble by playing tentatively and allow the other team to force the play on them. The worse happens when they try to sit back because they don’t have the defence that can shut down the other team and that’s how they allowed CBJ to come back from a 3 goal deficit. When they decided to go all in on offence and with a bit of luck, they were able to come back from a 3 goal deficit.
Momentum seems to dictate the outcome of the game In this series and the best way for the Leafs to grab momentum is to force issues on the other end so to minimize the pressure on their own end. If they can do that consistently through out the game, I like their chances better. That’s playing to their strength, I think.
You don't think when they were down 1 nothing they were not pushing for offense?
You don't think when they were down 2 nothing they were not pushing for offense?
You think they were only pushing for offense when it was 3 nothing?
Leafs play a possession game. That is their defense. Hence why the 4th line is playing more. They don't score but they keep the puck in the offensive zone.
CBJ play the trap game. That's how they scored their 3rd goal when Foligno stripped the puck from Rielly. You don't think Leafs were pushing for offense there?
You didn't see the 3rd game when CBJ mounted a comeback. Players were thinking offense allowing unnecessary odd man rushes coming back the other way resulting in goals. I can still see Dubois skating up ice with Kapanen chasing him after Dermott pinched trying to keep the puck in for offense.
CBJ is coached to stop the best offensive teams in the league. You forget they took out TB in 4 straight last year? TB the best offensive team in the league at the time. You think CBJ will change their style and trade odd man rushes with the Leafs?
Bottom line is each team has their style of play. It's up to which team plays to their strength better. Which team plays more cohesively. You've already seen when Leafs play their best. It's a very controlled game. Not reckless. They play with speed. Cohesively as a team making good passes to bring the puck up ice and make plays in the offensive zone.
Last edited: