The Hockey Thread

[MC74]

Need to talk about the temper tantrum that was shown on the Leafs bench tonight. Sometimes, you see that from teams before they rally back like Pittsburgh did during their cup runs in 2016-2017, but not the case here. Judging by their body language, it's as if the team feels deep down they don't have what it takes to win.

 

[MC74]

We finally got a goal.

 

[Jon]

We finally got a goal.

 

[MC74]

No clapping until this team ties the game.

 

[Jon]

No clapping until this team ties the game.

So no clapping. Got it.

Love Taveras yelling about that penalty when it's about as clear as Nylander could have made it lol.

 

[Jon]

Another ticky tack call against the Bruins... surprise surprise lol.

Dude already on his knees and DeBrisk didn't touch him... Ref right there.

 

[Jon]

Oh, it's on Pastrnak not DeBrusk. Forgiven.

 

[MC74]

Not that it mattered, Leafs can't score to save their lives. -__-

 

[Crystal]

So...yeah...let's go Dallas!

 

[MC74]

In order for us to win this one, we now have to push it to game 7. So what's the problem with that might you ask? We play what is always undisputedly the worst game of the series in game 7.

 

[Jon]

In order for us to win this one, we now have to push it to game 7. So what's the problem with that might you ask? We play what is always undisputedly the worst game of the series in game 7.

Gotta get through game 5 first.

 

[MC74]

Gotta get through game 5 first.

I don't see the Leafs winning the series at this juncture. Especially not when the team's offense is all dried up and we got player like Reaves out there on the ice.

 

[canadaguy]

Man if I wanted to hear someone keep complaining about refs I'd watch the game with my dad.


Can you institute a rule you can only do that once a day?

 

[Jon]

Man if I wanted to hear someone keep complaining about refs I'd watch the game with my dad.


Can you institute a rule you can only do that once a day?

Sure, met my quota for the week then. Consider them permanently crap in my mind. I shant speak of them again

 

[canadaguy]

Sure, met my quota for the week then. Consider them permanently crap in my mind. I shant speak of them again

Sorry man it's just a pet peeve of mine lol.


Especially when that team is winning

 

[Crystal]

...maybe I should just add this:

 

[MC74]

There were a couple of calls that were iffy. The most notable one being the Pasta one where Benoit tripped up on his own. But again, non-factor as our PP is impotent, lol.

They're what now? 1/14, I believe?

 

[Fire Queen]

canes had a chance to put the isles away but blew it in double overtime. shades of the backbreaking loss to florida last year but hey still three games to put them away

 

[Jon]

Can the Lightning please come back and beat the stupid ass Panthers? Please?

 

[MC74]

Hoping the Jets of Winterpeg can tie their series against Colorado today.

 

[MC74]

Boston appears to be getting another lucky break. Leafs are adjusting their lines to Matthews' absence. They're preparing to go without him in game 5.

 

[rktaker]

Rangers swept the capitals and get a nice break before facing probably the Hurricanes

 

[Fire Queen]

an unstoppable force (the rangers folding like a house of cards every postseason) is about to meet an immovable object (the canes folding like a house of cards every postseason)

can’t wait!

 

[Jon]

Boston appears to be getting another lucky break. Leafs are adjusting their lines to Matthews' absence. They're preparing to go without him in game 5.

Did they say what happened? I didn't hear other than he missed the 3rd period last game.

 

[MC74]

Did they say what happened? I didn't hear other than he missed the 3rd period last game.

Nope, but speculated to be an injury.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

Typical hockey playoffs... it must be bad, after they are eliminated they will probably tell us he has broken ribs or something awful that he played through.

I think they should stick with Swayman and I was one of the people advocating to try the rotation. Everyone around me is saying to go back to Ullmark to keep the rotation going since we are up 3-1.

Do they not remember what happened up 3-1 in the first round last year? Let the Leafs show they can beat Swayman before changing anything.

Just get to the second round please. I thought the Bruins were going to be average since they are in cap jail, but a first round win would be more than I expected and welcome!

 

[Jon]

Typical hockey playoffs... it must be bad, after they are eliminated they will probably tell us he has broken ribs or something awful that he played through.

I think they should stick with Swayman and I was one of the people advocating to try the rotation. Everyone around me is saying to go back to Ullmark to keep the rotation going since we are up 3-1.

Do they not remember what happened up 3-1 in the first round last year? Let the Leafs show they can beat Swayman before rotating.

I doubt they move off Swayman for at least the rest of this series. He's in Toronto's head.

When they face Florida? They'll probably switch it up again. Fuck the Panthers.

 

[MC74]

Brodie is back to riding the pine and Keefe is rolling with the same lines. Not a fucking response. He knows he's done, but why? You're down 3-1. If you're gonna go out, go out with a bang, not a whimper.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

I doubt they move off Swayman for at least the rest of this series. He's in Toronto's head.

Marchand, too. He's getting them to take bad penalties and you know, he's killing them from all 200 ft. I'm not surprised, but impressed with how well he has taken the leadership reigns. The team feels tougher or more like they have a chip on their shoulder this year after failing as the favorite last year. The young 4th line has been full of energy, too. It's a fun team.

Coyle has been awesome as C1, too. Bergeron's style but without the scoring. He's holding his own. His possession game is so good.

Defense is worrying, though. McAvoy is solid and you can put anyone with him but after that it gets iffy. Lindholm still gets pushed around, pairing him with Carlo helps stabalize that line. Shattenkirk should only be on the ice on the power play. He is atrocious in his own end.

 

[Jon]

Marchand, too. He's getting them to take bad penalties and you know, he's killing them from all 200 ft. I'm not surprised, but impressed with how well he has taken the leadership reigns.

Me too. I had my hesitations. Thought maybe McAvoy would be a better captain, but Marchy has taken to it. Good for him. He's come a long way since 2011 and the rat role he exclusively played.

Coyle has been awesome as C1, too.

Meh, he's more the C2 in my eyes. Zacha has been much better imo. Coyle has been a fine compliment to Marchand and DeBrusk's two-way play... but he gets beaten a LOT on draws. I miss having a C you can throw out and win a critical draw from.

 

[MC74]

I expected the Bruins to take a step back with Bergeron & Krejčí retired. Losing your top 2 centers can be devastating for any team, but the Bruins managed to remain competitive despite that. Marchand also seems to have taken the captaincy with stride. Might not be a big fan of him, but he's definitely proven why he's earned the "C". Dude's a locker room leader, he has that ability to rally a team.

As for the Leafs, I don't know what to say other than if they lose this series, this could perhaps be the last time we see this core together. MLSE has a new CEO, you know the discussion in the offseason with Shanahan is going to be "You have all this skill, all these players making $11M and no playoff success to show for it.". I think there's a great likelihood Keefe gets fired. Shanahan himself might get canned if MLSE feels they've had enough.

 

[MC74]

Matthews isn't playing tonight after all. Shit.

 

[MC74]

YES! Early goal from Toronto. 1-0 TML.

 

[Jon]

YES! Early goal from Toronto. 1-0 TML.

I suspect this goes 7 knowing Boston lol

 

[Jon]

Clearly the lethargy is going to be the entire period. Careless icings, terrible face-offs, Swayman having to keep them in it.

 

[MC74]

I suspect this goes 7 knowing Boston lol

If there's a game Boston needs to win, it's this one. You have to take advantage of Matthews being out.

 

[Jon]

I would argue that the voices from last year start haunting them if they don't. They can't beat Florida anyway, but be nice to get there without stupidity like this.

 

[MC74]

I would argue that the voices from last year start haunting them if they don't. They can't beat Florida anyway, but be nice to get there without stupidity like this.

Boston looking off their game in the early going. Leafs NEED to take advantage of it. Don't give them any chance of getting back in this. Also, don't do anything stupid that would wake them up.

 

[Jon]

At this point, they need to SURVIVE the period and hopefully come out a different team in the 2nd. Otherwise, it may be over before then.

 

[MC74]

The last thing the Leafs need to do is antagonize Boston or take dumb penalties. One trip to the sin bin could easily lead to a Bruins PP goal.

 

[Jon]

The last thing the Leafs need to do is antagonize Boston or take dumb penalties. One trip to the sin bin could easily lead to a Bruins PP goal.

Yeah, the Bruins inability to win faceoffs is gonna do them in. Their best faceoff guy is scratched and no one else is sniffing 50%. And Toronto has a new goalie in tonight and they aren't able to generate an ounce of offense to test him. Just as poor a start as it could be... and exactly what I expected lol.

 

[MC74]

Yeah, the Bruins inability to win faceoffs is gonna do them in. Their best faceoff guy is scratched and no one else is sniffing 50%. And Toronto has a new goalie in tonight and they aren't able to generate an ounce of offense to test him. Just as poor a start as it could be... and exactly what I expected lol.

I'm a tad nervous about Joseph Woll myself. Ever since he came back from an ankle injury, he's struggled.

 

[MC74]

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

 

[Jon]

And those are why they just need to shoot. Frederick is really impressing me this series.

 

[MC74]

Yup, and now the Leafs have given Boston the opportunity to rally back. To quote Bob from Reboot, this is bad. This is very bad.

 

[Jon]

Lol, I'm sorry, you're really going to call a penalty like that when he's clearing the net? Seriously? That shit happens 50 times a game....

 

[MC74]

1/15 on the PP. Jesus Toronto, you gotta fucking score on that.

 

[Jon]

I don't understand the Bruins. Their face off percentage is worse than the Leafs PP

 

[MC74]

I don't understand the Bruins. Their face off percentage is worse than the Leafs PP

Don Sweeney: Centres are overrated.

 

[Jon]

Don Sweeney: Centres are overrated.

lol, they have them. They've just been terrible.

I know the Leafs are good on face offs, but you'd expect at least 40% for the Bruins. This is atrocious at like 5%