Leafs @ Bruins - Oct. 22nd, 7:00pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[lc9]

Not a chance for them tonight.  Their legs were lead all the 3rd.  It royally pisses me off, this stupid schedule.

They looked this way last night.  The schedule excuse is so lame.  No matter how much rest they get they look the same every game.  They looked better tonight than last night.

 

[azzurri63]

Not a chance for them tonight.  Their legs were lead all the 3rd.  It royally pisses me off, this stupid schedule.

I?m pissed at the schedule to but in the end I don?t think it matters. Too many floaters who aren?t willing to go into the dirty areas. Team has so much more talent than most of the league but they get outworked most nights. Something needs to change. Dubas and company better do something quick because last year they?ve been a 500 team. How long does it take to figure out something is wrong.

 

[ZBBM]

Team needs a complete overhaul. Down 2 goals and no one wants to shoot the puck. 30 million for Nylander, Matthews and Marner for what? Never seen a softer team in my life.

We're missing 3 starters so it's hard to get a complete handle but I feel very confident in saying that the defense is not nearly good enough.

Sorry to harp on it but they would be much better with Sandin out there instead of Ceci.  And Barrie tonight .... Pee Yew.

 

[Chris]

Matthews + Marner = invisible.

They've looked very ordinary lately. Almost feel like I'm watching Kessel and JVR float around out there.

When Matthews is on, he's dynamite.  Other games he looks like a soap bubble.

Marner reminds me right now of Slump Marner of 2 years ago or whatever it was.

I kind of think players are aware of what Matthews is so good at - the stick lift/check where he steals pucks from behind. Seems like he's mostly missing on those now and it looks just like it used to look when Kessel/JVR were out there waving their sticks as opponents skated past them. I'd like to see him engage physically more rather than skating past players and hoping he guesses correctly which way they're going with the puck. As you note, when it works it looks great. But it's not working now.

Marner, not sure what is up with him. It doesn't look like he's doing anything different, just out of sync.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Matthews + Marner = invisible.

They've looked very ordinary lately. Almost feel like I'm watching Kessel and JVR float around out there.

Let's not get carried away lol. While Matthews hasn't been himself for a game or 2, Marner on the whole has been bad this year. His passing is off, his defensive play is off. The JT line struggled and now Matthews is too while Kappy is thriving away from him. Coincidence?
One thing I didn't like was putting Goat as the 3rd line centre. Just doesn't have the offensive touch to be a 3rd line guy. Made for easy line matchups for the Bruins. Oh well. Crappy schedule and the results was expected. On to the next.

 

[ZBBM]

Matthews + Marner = invisible.

They've looked very ordinary lately. Almost feel like I'm watching Kessel and JVR float around out there.

When Matthews is on, he's dynamite.  Other games he looks like a soap bubble.

Marner reminds me right now of Slump Marner of 2 years ago or whatever it was.

I kind of think players are aware of what Matthews is so good at - the stick lift/check where he steals pucks from behind. Seems like he's mostly missing on those now and it looks just like it used to look when Kessel/JVR were out there waving their sticks as opponents skated past them. I'd like to see him engage physically more rather than skating past players and hoping he guesses correctly which way they're going with the puck. As you note, when it works it looks great. But it's not working now.

Marner, not sure what is up with him. It doesn't look like he's doing anything different, just out of sync.

The only trouble is, when Matthews physically engages in close quarters he tends to get his shoulder run into and then it's buh-bye for 15 or 20 games.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Team needs a complete overhaul. Down 2 goals and no one wants to shoot the puck. 30 million for Nylander, Matthews and Marner for what? Never seen a softer team in my life.

We're missing 3 starters so it's hard to get a complete handle but I feel very confident in saying that the defense is not nearly good enough.

Sorry to harp on it but they would be much better with Sandin out there instead of Ceci.  And Barrie tonight .... Pee Yew.

Agree. Holl has been good as a #6. CC and Rielly are not a #1 pairing. Barrie was off tonight.
I'd like to see Babs out Mikheyev on the Matthews line. I don't think Johnsson has been good enough.

 

[Chris]

Matthews + Marner = invisible.

They've looked very ordinary lately. Almost feel like I'm watching Kessel and JVR float around out there.

When Matthews is on, he's dynamite.  Other games he looks like a soap bubble.

Marner reminds me right now of Slump Marner of 2 years ago or whatever it was.

I kind of think players are aware of what Matthews is so good at - the stick lift/check where he steals pucks from behind. Seems like he's mostly missing on those now and it looks just like it used to look when Kessel/JVR were out there waving their sticks as opponents skated past them. I'd like to see him engage physically more rather than skating past players and hoping he guesses correctly which way they're going with the puck. As you note, when it works it looks great. But it's not working now.

Marner, not sure what is up with him. It doesn't look like he's doing anything different, just out of sync.

The only trouble is, when Matthews physically engages in close quarters he tends to get his shoulder run into and then it's buh-bye for 15 or 20 games.

Well, he can do it without putting himself into vulnerable positions. Just get in there and engage with a guy in the corner so he doesn't essentially have a free out. Matthews and Nylander do that all the time, they just swoop in and turn away hoping the puck goes where they are.

I know they're all still pretty young and hopefully this aspect of their game grows but really, I'm not seeing much evidence of it.

 

[azzurri63]

Matthews + Marner = invisible.

They've looked very ordinary lately. Almost feel like I'm watching Kessel and JVR float around out there.

When Matthews is on, he's dynamite.  Other games he looks like a soap bubble.

Marner reminds me right now of Slump Marner of 2 years ago or whatever it was.

I kind of think players are aware of what Matthews is so good at - the stick lift/check where he steals pucks from behind. Seems like he's mostly missing on those now and it looks just like it used to look when Kessel/JVR were out there waving their sticks as opponents skated past them. I'd like to see him engage physically more rather than skating past players and hoping he guesses correctly which way they're going with the puck. As you note, when it works it looks great. But it's not working now.

Marner, not sure what is up with him. It doesn't look like he's doing anything different, just out of sync.

The only trouble is, when Matthews physically engages in close quarters he tends to get his shoulder run into and then it's buh-bye for 15 or 20 games.

Well, he can do it without putting himself into vulnerable positions. Just get in there and engage with a guy in the corner so he doesn't essentially have a free out. Matthews and Nylander do that all the time, they just swoop in and turn away hoping the puck goes where they are.

I know they're all still pretty young and hopefully this aspect of their game grows but really, I'm not seeing much evidence of it.

That ain?t going to happen. These guys are flat out soft and it?s not something you acquire. Either have grit or you don?t and I said it a million times that?s what?s lacking with this team. Ok to have some players like that but most of this team is like that. I?m the biggest critic of this team with the lack of hitting but it?s flat out frustrating. Like you said and I?ve say it constantly you don?t have to injure someone but ride them out and like you said get engaged. Teams don?t have any fear when they play us. When you hit other team is thinking that and that?s what causes turnovers and mistakes. Which we are good at constantly coughing the puck up.

 

[BrownRolo]

Really starting to turn on Matthews.

Marner has been horrible too but he is at least trying.

Matthews is just playing "Don't get hurt" hockey. Didn't he say this season his goal was to stay healthy? Apparently that means putting in no effort on the defensive end at all. Just floating around. Brutal.

Also Matthews and Marner always say how bad they want to play together but they sure don't seem to try any harder when they're on the same line. Time to end that. Spezza looks better than Matthews for godsakes!

 

[hockeyfan1]

Well, guess who?s talking:

[tweet]1186837356520837122[/tweet]

 

[L K]

20-5 penalty differential over the last 13 periods + 2 trips to OT.

All while playing a stretch of Minnesota, Boston x2, and Washington

It really is getting out of hand.

 

[caver]

Really starting to turn on Matthews.

Marner has been horrible too but he is at least trying.

Matthews is just playing "Don't get hurt" hockey. Didn't he say this season his goal was to stay healthy? Apparently that means putting in no effort on the defensive end at all. Just floating around. Brutal.

Also Matthews and Marner always say how bad they want to play together but they sure don't seem to try any harder when they're on the same line. Time to end that. Spezza looks better than Matthews for godsakes!

Both Matthews and Marner are scoring at a point a game pace...
they are far from horrible....

 

[Chris]

Really starting to turn on Matthews.

Marner has been horrible too but he is at least trying.

Matthews is just playing "Don't get hurt" hockey. Didn't he say this season his goal was to stay healthy? Apparently that means putting in no effort on the defensive end at all. Just floating around. Brutal.

Also Matthews and Marner always say how bad they want to play together but they sure don't seem to try any harder when they're on the same line. Time to end that. Spezza looks better than Matthews for godsakes!

Both Matthews and Marner are scoring at a point a game pace...
they are far from horrible....

They're not horrible but they're not playing like $10+ million franchise players either, not by a long stretch. Matthews has been largely invisible a lot of the time this season. Sure, when the pucks are flying into the net it's great but when the going gets tougher, Matthews has not been responding.

He's got a long way to go. At least he recognizes it, but less talk and more action would be nice.

 

[Highlander]

Beautiful move by Johnsson. I?ll count it in my heart.

Was nice.

I quite like Timashov.

You better enjoy him because he might not be here much longer if they send him down when Hyman comes back. I don't see him clearing waivers.

Timashov not going down, lots of options; Spezza, Petan, Ceci (LOL), Shore, Babcock.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Beautiful move by Johnsson. I?ll count it in my heart.

Was nice.

I quite like Timashov.

You better enjoy him because he might not be here much longer if they send him down when Hyman comes back. I don't see him clearing waivers.

Timashov not going down, lots of options; Spezza, Petan, Ceci (LOL), Shore, Babcock.

Haha Babs....#1 on my list.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Really starting to turn on Matthews.

Marner has been horrible too but he is at least trying.

Matthews is just playing "Don't get hurt" hockey. Didn't he say this season his goal was to stay healthy? Apparently that means putting in no effort on the defensive end at all. Just floating around. Brutal.

Also Matthews and Marner always say how bad they want to play together but they sure don't seem to try any harder when they're on the same line. Time to end that. Spezza looks better than Matthews for godsakes!

Both Matthews and Marner are scoring at a point a game pace...
they are far from horrible....

They're not horrible but they're not playing like $10+ million franchise players either, not by a long stretch. Matthews has been largely invisible a lot of the time this season. Sure, when the pucks are flying into the net it's great but when the going gets tougher, Matthews has not been responding.

He's got a long way to go. At least he recognizes it, but less talk and more action would be nice.

As much as Matthews has not been as dominant as we'd like this year, Marner has been far worse in my eyes. Don't know what's up with him but he's maybe had a few good games and the rest have been absolute crap. Maybe they just an adjustment period but Matthews has been worse since they put Mitch on his line. While they're both struggling now, I do think they will get their collective asses in gear soon.

 

[Chris]

Really starting to turn on Matthews.

Marner has been horrible too but he is at least trying.

Matthews is just playing "Don't get hurt" hockey. Didn't he say this season his goal was to stay healthy? Apparently that means putting in no effort on the defensive end at all. Just floating around. Brutal.

Also Matthews and Marner always say how bad they want to play together but they sure don't seem to try any harder when they're on the same line. Time to end that. Spezza looks better than Matthews for godsakes!

Both Matthews and Marner are scoring at a point a game pace...
they are far from horrible....

They're not horrible but they're not playing like $10+ million franchise players either, not by a long stretch. Matthews has been largely invisible a lot of the time this season. Sure, when the pucks are flying into the net it's great but when the going gets tougher, Matthews has not been responding.

He's got a long way to go. At least he recognizes it, but less talk and more action would be nice.

As much as Matthews has not been as dominant as we'd like this year, Marner has been far worse in my eyes. Don't know what's up with him but he's maybe had a few good games and the rest have been absolute crap. Maybe they just an adjustment period but Matthews has been worse since they put Mitch on his line. While they're both struggling now, I do think they will get their collective asses in gear soon.

Marner looks slower to me this year. Maybe he's being weighed down by all those dollar bills stuffed into his pockets. Weight of expectations? I don't know, they all seem to be mishandling the puck a lot this year too. Lots of standing around during power plays too.

I try not to be too concerned (remember what St Louis looked like for half of last year), as long as they make the playoffs anything can happen. But I would like to see some evidence of improvement, both in terms of effort and defensive zone play.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Really starting to turn on Matthews.

Marner has been horrible too but he is at least trying.

Matthews is just playing "Don't get hurt" hockey. Didn't he say this season his goal was to stay healthy? Apparently that means putting in no effort on the defensive end at all. Just floating around. Brutal.

Also Matthews and Marner always say how bad they want to play together but they sure don't seem to try any harder when they're on the same line. Time to end that. Spezza looks better than Matthews for godsakes!

Both Matthews and Marner are scoring at a point a game pace...
they are far from horrible....

They're not horrible but they're not playing like $10+ million franchise players either, not by a long stretch. Matthews has been largely invisible a lot of the time this season. Sure, when the pucks are flying into the net it's great but when the going gets tougher, Matthews has not been responding.

He's got a long way to go. At least he recognizes it, but less talk and more action would be nice.

As much as Matthews has not been as dominant as we'd like this year, Marner has been far worse in my eyes. Don't know what's up with him but he's maybe had a few good games and the rest have been absolute crap. Maybe they just an adjustment period but Matthews has been worse since they put Mitch on his line. While they're both struggling now, I do think they will get their collective asses in gear soon.

Marner looks slower to me this year. Maybe he's being weighed down by all those dollar bills stuffed into his pockets. Weight of expectations? I don't know, they all seem to be mishandling the puck a lot this year too. Lots of standing around during power plays too.

I try not to be too concerned (remember what St Louis looked like for half of last year), as long as they make the playoffs anything can happen. But I would like to see some evidence of improvement, both in terms of effort and defensive zone play.

The defensive effort may be lacking but I think the game plan is terrible. These guys aren't stupid so maybe the system is terrible. Hasn't improved since Babs took over....just saying.

 

[Bullfrog]

The defensive effort may be lacking but I think the game plan is terrible. These guys aren't stupid so maybe the system is terrible. Hasn't improved since Babs took over....just saying.

Fixed it for you. "Just saying" is a pet peeve of mine and probably the least useful phrase of all time.