Bruins @ Leafs - Apr. 19th, 7:00pm - CBC, TSN 1050

[Captain Canuck]

Like I said at that start of the playoffs, the only way I'll be disappointed is if we get blown out in the 1st round.  Going out in 5 would qualify.

You shouldn't be disappointed though. Boston is a really good team. They are better than Washington was last year. Its a learning experience for the core and for management as well. A great regular season doesn't mean anything. The team still needs to stay the course with the rebuild.

Well said.  Still, those first 2 games were really deflating.

It is what it is tho. We all know the weak link is our D and Boston exposed it. Well exploited it lol

To the Leafs' D's credit, they played much better at home.  But upgrades are definitely in order, and I expect at least one forward we would rather not see traded is going to have to go to make it happen.

Yep, the silver lining is that management HAS to address the blueline in the off-season. Unfortunately, this will mean moving someone out we would rather not see go....but you have to give something to get something.

 

[Kin]

I'm not even going to say Rask is better

Oh, well, then allow me.

 

[ZBBM]

To the Leafs' D's credit, they played much better at home.  But upgrades are definitely in order, and I expect at least one forward we would rather not see traded is going to have to go to make it happen.

I'm not so sure that's going to be necessary - and, if Dubas does indeed take the helm, I don't think it'll happen. More ice time for Dermott, an upgrade on Polak (like, possibly, Liljagren) and a little less ice for Zaitsev (who I think would benefit from having less responsibility - I feel like he's be a lot better as more of a ~18 minute a night guy than a ~22 minute a night guy) combined with some better defensive play and support from the forwards could go a long way.

To me, that still leaves them short a real top-pairing guy.  I think Rielly and Gardiner have been very good most nights, but if they are our 2 best defensemen I just don't see a contender there.  Doughty's rather brutally frank remark a few months ago was right.

 

[bustaheims]

To me, that still leaves them short a real top-pairing guy.  I think Rielly and Gardiner have been very good most nights, but if they are our 2 best defensemen I just don't see a contender there.  Doughty's rather brutally frank remark a few months ago was right.

Maybe, but the type of guy who is a clear upgrade isn't going to be available for the Leafs - even for the types of pieces they might be willing to part with. They don't get moved unless they're at the end of their contracts and their teams are basically going nowhere (and they're not being moved to the other team's biggest rival).

 

[Kin]

Maybe, but the type of guy who is a clear upgrade isn't going to be available for the Leafs - even for the types of pieces they might be willing to part with.

I don't think the Leafs need to improve so much on the blueline as they need to diversify. Their left side guys are all too similar, their right side guys are all too similarly mediocre.

 

[puckinthehead]

Leafs management knew going into the playoffs this year the team wasn't quite ready for a real shot at the prize. That was pretty clear when they didn't make any big deals going into it. Sticking with the plan, perhaps a few solid pick ups or call ups next season and then the season after that going all in for a shot. At least thats what it feels like the plan is to me. Im of the opinion that in 2 years time this squad could be a real powerhouse with a genuine shot at winning the cup. This year was just about gaining a little more experience.

I think you summed it up. Fans tend to forget that the Leafs were ahead of development expectations. It was entertaining for now, but I also totally trust management to continue making the right moves. "Don't get distracted by shiny things"

 

[bustaheims]

I don't think the Leafs need to improve so much on the blueline as they need to diversify. Their left side guys are all too similar, their right side guys are all too similarly mediocre.

That's a fair point. They need better options. And, honestly, watching the team, one of their biggest issues defensively is still that the forwards aren't helping enough - they're still forcing their teammates to make long passes instead of providing easy outs. It's a big part of what has been causing the defensive zone giveaways.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Leafs management knew going into the playoffs this year the team wasn't quite ready for a real shot at the prize. That was pretty clear when they didn't make any big deals going into it. Sticking with the plan, perhaps a few solid pick ups or call ups next season and then the season after that going all in for a shot. At least thats what it feels like the plan is to me. Im of the opinion that in 2 years time this squad could be a real powerhouse with a genuine shot at winning the cup. This year was just about gaining a little more experience.

I think you summed it up. Fans tend to forget that the Leafs were ahead of development expectations. It was entertaining for now, but I also totally trust management to continue making the right moves. "Don't get distracted by shiny things"

Agreed. Anyway we're not out yet. Win Saturday and go from there.

 

[Bender]

Like I said at that start of the playoffs, the only way I'll be disappointed is if we get blown out in the 1st round.  Going out in 5 would qualify.

Even more frustrating since, after the 1st period of game 2, I feel like the Leafs have been the better team by a fair margin. They're just not finishing, and the Bruins are taking advantage of their mistakes.

Right but I mean, the best team is the one that capitalizes on their chances. You have to hand it to Boston, they know how to expose our God awful D.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I don't think the Leafs need to improve so much on the blueline as they need to diversify. Their left side guys are all too similar, their right side guys are all too similarly mediocre.

That's a fair point. They need better options. And, honestly, watching the team, one of their biggest issues defensively is still that the forwards aren't helping enough - they're still forcing their teammates to make long passes instead of providing easy outs. It's a big part of what has been causing the defensive zone giveaways.

That's the Leafs style tho. They love the stretch pass

 

[Bender]

Like I said at that start of the playoffs, the only way I'll be disappointed is if we get blown out in the 1st round.  Going out in 5 would qualify.

You shouldn't be disappointed though. Boston is a really good team. They are better than Washington was last year. Its a learning experience for the core and for management as well. A great regular season doesn't mean anything. The team still needs to stay the course with the rebuild.

Absolutely. Disappointed we may lose the series but Boston is a very good team. We're in the 2nd year of the rebuild. I think expectations are a li'l to high in Leaf land.

I think everyone would be happier if the first two games weren't blowouts and our team badly exposed defensively. If we took Boston to 6 like we did Wash I'd be a lot happier.

 

[puckinthehead]

Leafs management knew going into the playoffs this year the team wasn't quite ready for a real shot at the prize. That was pretty clear when they didn't make any big deals going into it. Sticking with the plan, perhaps a few solid pick ups or call ups next season and then the season after that going all in for a shot. At least thats what it feels like the plan is to me. Im of the opinion that in 2 years time this squad could be a real powerhouse with a genuine shot at winning the cup. This year was just about gaining a little more experience.

I think you summed it up. Fans tend to forget that the Leafs were ahead of development expectations. It was entertaining for now, but I also totally trust management to continue making the right moves. "Don't get distracted by shiny things"

Agreed. Anyway we're not out yet. Win Saturday and go from there.

True, can't give up yet. One last run, let's see what Kadri brings. Nothing to lose now.

 

[bustaheims]

That's the Leafs style tho. They love the stretch pass

And it doesn't work super well against good teams. So, you know, they probably need to fix that. They can still incorporate the stretch pass while being more defensively responsible and providing better support to their blue liners. These things aren't mutually exclusive. Part of the learning curve is finding that balance. Until they do, they're not going to win many playoff series.

 

[Guilt Trip]

At left they battled back and played a lot better at home. We're close... Just not there yet. Let's see if they can crank it up and bring it back home for game 6

 

[Bender]

I don't think the Leafs need to improve so much on the blueline as they need to diversify. Their left side guys are all too similar, their right side guys are all too similarly mediocre.

That's a fair point. They need better options. And, honestly, watching the team, one of their biggest issues defensively is still that the forwards aren't helping enough - they're still forcing their teammates to make long passes instead of providing easy outs. It's a big part of what has been causing the defensive zone giveaways.

But is this not partially a systems/coaching problem? I mean at this point I think I could play a 2 on 1 better than most of the Leafs D.

 

[Guilt Trip]

That's the Leafs style tho. They love the stretch pass

And it doesn't work super well against good teams. So, you know, they probably need to fix that. They can still incorporate the stretch pass while being more defensively responsible and providing better support to their blue liners. These things aren't mutually exclusive. Part of the learning curve is finding that balance. Until they do, they're not going to win many playoff series.

And that's what they still need to learn. It's all part of a process

 

[Strangelove]

On another note, I managed to grab some free tickets to the game tonight.

I believe the Leafs have lost the last 5 or 6 games I attended. I'm going to commit the gambler's fallacy and assume that means they're due for a win.

If you ever... Never tell us again about scoring free tickets.  You and Pleks scored tonight in the loss!

Antropov is officially retired.

They couldn?t bury their chances and Matthews was coasting. Frustrating game.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I don't think the Leafs need to improve so much on the blueline as they need to diversify. Their left side guys are all too similar, their right side guys are all too similarly mediocre.

That's a fair point. They need better options. And, honestly, watching the team, one of their biggest issues defensively is still that the forwards aren't helping enough - they're still forcing their teammates to make long passes instead of providing easy outs. It's a big part of what has been causing the defensive zone giveaways.

But is this not partially a systems/coaching problem? I mean at this point I think I could play a 2 on 1 better than most of the Leafs D.

I said it earlier. They all play the 2 on 1s the same. Has to be a coaching decision. D man has to stop the pass.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

I'm not even going to say Rask is better

Oh, well, then allow me.

Ya given the choice between Andersen and Rask, I'm taking Rask, who I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone, was a Toronto Maple Leaf at one point, who was traded away for Andrew Raycroft.  True story. 

 

[Kin]

But is this not partially a systems/coaching problem? I mean at this point I think I could play a 2 on 1 better than most of the Leafs D.

How many NHL defensemen do you think there are who haven't been taught the textbook way to play 2 on 1's?