Leafs @ Canadiens - Apr. 12th, 7:00pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[Chris]

Regarding Robertson...I'd like to see him get the shifts with Matthews that Thornton has been getting. Tough to get a read on him at this point. He covers a lot of ice but doesn't seem to be accomplish much. That's probably what happens when you only play a few 4th line shifts per game with ineffective linemates.

 

[herman]

I agree a lot with Chris and OTH on the PP; the current issues are static attackers both on entry and after the set up, which makes it way too easy to defend.

I don't mind the double/drop pass entry; I just don't like how they execute it.

I don't care for net front presence if he's just going to stand still in front of the net; I'd rather that player pop in and out of the slot on either side of the play or sweep across the goalie's eyes. Otherwise, it's an easy cover or ignore and one less man on the advantage.

I don't care for Marner and Rielly shots; they don't keep anybody honest.

What I would do:
1) Pass it to William: he'll get you the entry, he'll make the seam passes, he'll fire a dangerous shot, whatever the situation warrants

2) Keep Matthews on as a semi-static attacker (Ovi style) for both shifts, closer to the bench side on the second shift; I know he's a good carrier on entry, but we have like 3-4 others for that, and none of them can do 100% what he does shooting. this gets the defense already itching to close off Matthews further away from the puck carrier.

3) Put Marner behind the net: super creative passer, super muffin of a shot but decent quick hands in tight? perfect place to cause havoc.


4) Two distinct attack plays per unit:
PP1 Rielly / Marner - Tavares - Matthews / Net Guy
Plinko Panic: Marner on the strong side funnels puck into the slot, Tavares/NetGuy either bounce it around or just cram it in; rebounds to Matthews to mop up
BTN Panic: Marner rolls behind the net and now has Tavares on the middle/RHW, Matthews on the L-circle and net guy on the back post to make plays to; Matthews and Tavares can rotate for fun or slide down to support Marner

PP2: Brodie / Matthews - Nylander - Spezza / Foligno
Attack Umbrella: Nylander QBs from either side, depending on which side Matthews is going to be waiting, Spezza as back up QB and one-timer option, Foligno as mop up
Attack Run: Matthews/Spezza and Nylander play catch and synchronize attack runs from the tops of the circles for a catch and release/one-timer; Spezza and Foligno make space in the middle for seam plays and rebound finish

 

[Guilt Trip]

Well, it's good to see Robertson back.  He's got a helluva motor but his size is a problem I fear.

He needs to play higher up the roster to be effective. If they try to fourth line groom him, I feel it may be detrimental. I think that he'd be better suited playing top line minutes in the AHL than playing 4th line minutes in the NHL.

Agree, he needs to be on line 1 or 2. Leafs can put Hyman or Mikheyev back on the 3rd and leave Gally and Robertson up top. I'd also be tempted to leave him there when Willy comes back. I would also try him on the PP.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Run it with these lines

PP1
Matthews Marner
Foligno Hyman
Rielly(or Dermott if you want to go that way)
Put Matthews and Rielly on the walls with Marner at the top running the show. Matthews and Rielly are your shooters. Foligno and Hyman are your net presence/puck retrievers.

Agree with a lot of what you wrote even though I didn't quote it all but disagree with Rielly being a shooter. He's not a shooter. You need a guy like Willy, Robertson, Spezza,Tavares or Muzz as a threat to shoot. Rielly isn't a threat and it's hurting the PP.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Run it with these lines

PP1
Matthews Marner
Foligno Hyman
Rielly(or Dermott if you want to go that way)
Put Matthews and Rielly on the walls with Marner at the top running the show. Matthews and Rielly are your shooters. Foligno and Hyman are your net presence/puck retrievers.

Agree with a lot of what you wrote even though I didn't quote it all but disagree with Rielly being a shooter. He's not a shooter. You need a guy like Willy, Robertson, Spezza,Tavares or Muzz as a threat to shoot. Rielly isn't a threat and it's hurting the PP.

Rielly has a half decent shot. And if you put him on the wall, it may be pretty effective. I was sticking with the split powerplay time, hence no Tavares, Spezza or Nylander and my main point was trying to get Rielly off the top of the umbrella. Rielly is the biggest threat the Leafs have from the back end. The current format isn't working, but a defenseman, one on one, would rather face any of our other defense over Rielly.

Now, if you want to try 5 forwards on the PP, go for it. A few teams work it in from time to time. I'd then put right hand Nylander on the Left Side and left handed Matthews on the right side. I'd continue to let Marner be the top of the umbrella though. He has the best vision on the team.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Run it with these lines

PP1
Matthews Marner
Foligno Hyman
Rielly(or Dermott if you want to go that way)
Put Matthews and Rielly on the walls with Marner at the top running the show. Matthews and Rielly are your shooters. Foligno and Hyman are your net presence/puck retrievers.

Agree with a lot of what you wrote even though I didn't quote it all but disagree with Rielly being a shooter. He's not a shooter. You need a guy like Willy, Robertson, Spezza,Tavares or Muzz as a threat to shoot. Rielly isn't a threat and it's hurting the PP.

Rielly has a half decent shot. And if you put him on the wall, it may be pretty effective. I was sticking with the split powerplay time, hence no Tavares, Spezza or Nylander and my main point was trying to get Rielly off the top of the umbrella. Rielly is the biggest threat the Leafs have from the back end. The current format isn't working, but a defenseman, one on one, would rather face any of our other defense over Rielly.

Now, if you want to try 5 forwards on the PP, go for it. A few teams work it in from time to time. I'd then put right hand Nylander on the Left Side and left handed Matthews on the right side. I'd continue to let Marner be the top of the umbrella though. He has the best vision on the team.

I would go with the 5 forward option and agree with your set up. You need a threat from both sides.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I also agree though, that the powerplay is stagnant and needs to start moving their feet.

 

[Highlander]

I also agree though, that the powerplay is stagnant and needs to start moving their feet.

Agreed, what happened to the flying circus that we had earlier in the year?

 

[Guilt Trip]

I also agree though, that the powerplay is stagnant and needs to start moving their feet.

Agreed, what happened to the flying circus that we had earlier in the year?

They tend to do that 5v5.

 

[Bullfrog]

Well, it's good to see Robertson back.  He's got a helluva motor but his size is a problem I fear.

He needs to play higher up the roster to be effective. If they try to fourth line groom him, I feel it may be detrimental. I think that he'd be better suited playing top line minutes in the AHL than playing 4th line minutes in the NHL.

Perhaps, but he's only 12 years old. So I'm not sure him on the fourth line is "fourth line grooming him". It's giving a kid a chance to experience life in the NHL.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/mike_p_johnson/status/1382133709596409861