Leafs @ Capitals - Jan. 3rd, 7:00pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[herman]

My stream cut out. Which leaf was standing in no mans land in front of the net waving at the pass to ovi?

Kadri. He was filling in for the defenseman who was caught up ice by the blue line for some reason.

If Komarov didn't commit to making a hit, he would have been able to ride him wide. Kadri would've been able to track the pass angle.

 

[azzurri63]

Whether we deserved to win this one or not absolutely astounding how many points we've blown away this year. I know we've probably won some we didn't deserve but crazy how many we gave away. This team is no better defensively than the Wilson, Carlyle debacles. I understand we have a young team but something needs to change cuz without the puck it ain't working.

 

[McGarnagle]

My stream cut out. Which leaf was standing in no mans land in front of the net waving at the pass to ovi?

Kadri. He was filling in for the defenseman who was caught up ice by the blue line for some reason.

If Komarov didn't commit to making a hit, he would have been able to ride him wide. Kadri would've been able to track the pass angle.

Ah. Well, that's 3 on 3 for you. Pretty easy to get an odd man situation.

It'd be pretty fun if they just committed to playing 5 minutes of 3 on 3, and not make it sudden death.

 

[Kin]

Kadri. He was filling in for the defenseman who was caught up ice by the blue line for some reason.

If Komarov didn't commit to making a hit, he would have been able to ride him wide. Kadri would've been able to track the pass angle.

It really was a goal where all three guys made bad defensive plays/decisions.

 

[azzurri63]

Good coverage boys. Why does Babcock keep throwing Komarov out there in OT. His man that got away and and Kadri lost out there as well.

Komarov on that OT goal is a pretty good example of how grit and hitting your opponents isn't really a catch-all for a team's defensive issues.

I'm not saying you have to paste someone every minute of the game. Plus 3 on 3 you have to have a different mindset. Completely different game in OT.

 

[McGarnagle]

Ah, nothing a #1 and #2 defenseman added to the team can't fix.

 

[azzurri63]

Ah, nothing a #1 and #2 defenseman added to the team can't fix.

I agree and as much as I like Reilly he's not it.

 

[McGarnagle]

Actually, I'd consider Gardiner a legit #2 at this point. So we just need that "grows on trees" Doughty clone to eat 25 mins.

 

[rdowdall]

Ah, nothing a #1 and #2 defenseman added to the team can't fix.

Agreed.  This team currently reminds me a lot of the Sundin teams that would make the playoffs.  Lots of firepower up front, but they were really missing that stud defenceman on the backend.  I hope this team doesn't end up in the same situation as the Islanders, where they sort of waffle between no mans land and the playoffs. 

 

[McGarnagle]

Agreed.  This team currently reminds me a lot of the Sundin teams that would make the playoffs.  Lots of firepower up front, but they were really missing that stud defenceman on the backend.

What, you weren't a Drake Berehowsky fan?

 

[bustaheims]

Ah, nothing a #1 and #2 defenseman added to the team can't fix.

Another top pairing defenceman is definitely a major need. Improvements to less prominent areas of the lineup are also necessary. A lot of the other issues can be fixed through experience/learning.

 

[gunnar36]

Fourth straight game blowing a multi-goal lead. Sign of a young, inconsistent, inexperienced team.

Agreed, although Bozak's terrible defensive play cost them 2 goals

 

[gunnar36]

The kind of defenceman the Leafs need would be a Chara in his prime.  Someone who can play the important minutes to close out games. They don't seem to have that long reach guy back there that can poke pucks out of harms way and shut down the opposition.

 

[rdowdall]

Agreed.  This team currently reminds me a lot of the Sundin teams that would make the playoffs.  Lots of firepower up front, but they were really missing that stud defenceman on the backend.

What, you weren't a Drake Berehowsky fan?

I had high hopes for Cory Cross.

 

[Bender]

Whether we deserved to win this one or not absolutely astounding how many points we've blown away this year. I know we've probably won some we didn't deserve but crazy how many we gave away. This team is no better defensively than the Wilson, Carlyle debacles. I understand we have a young team but something needs to change cuz without the puck it ain't working.

Sometimes I wonder about you. Look up how many points we are up on last year. No team is perfect but I get the sense that unless they close out every game you're left unhappy.

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[princedpw]

I will take what I can get. I'm happy that we have a team full of amazing rookies doing amazing things.  Wins and losses matter a little less right now to me.

 

[ZBBM]

Ah, nothing a #1 and #2 defenseman added to the team can't fix.

I agree and as much as I like Reilly he's not it.

This is true.  And I'm not sure Gardiner is really a #2. 

 

[Kin]

I'm not saying you have to paste someone every minute of the game. Plus 3 on 3 you have to have a different mindset. Completely different game in OT.

Not really. Komorov was playing the guy with the puck and hit him, if he'd knocked him down or knocked him off the puck it'd have been a good play. The problem is knocking people down is hard and is, on measure, a riskier thing than simply trying to play the puck carrier with stick work and positioning. Carlson maintained possession, made the pass and game over.

All of that is as fundamentally true in OT as it is during regulation.

 

[azzurri63]

I'm not saying you have to paste someone every minute of the game. Plus 3 on 3 you have to have a different mindset. Completely different game in OT.

Not really. Komorov was playing the guy with the puck and hit him, if he'd knocked him down or knocked him off the puck it'd have been a good play. The problem is knocking people down is hard and is, on measure, a riskier thing than simply trying to play the puck carrier with stick work and positioning. Carlson maintained possession, made the pass and game over.

All of that is as fundamentally true in OT as it is during regulation.

No its not the same. Think about it. There is so much open ice in OT so if you miss a hit like Komarov did there isnt much support. Little different 5 on 5.

 

[azzurri63]

Whether we deserved to win this one or not absolutely astounding how many points we've blown away this year. I know we've probably won some we didn't deserve but crazy how many we gave away. This team is no better defensively than the Wilson, Carlyle debacles. I understand we have a young team but something needs to change cuz without the puck it ain't working.

Sometimes I wonder about you. Look up how many points we are up on last year. No team is perfect but I get the sense that unless they close out every game you're left unhappy.

I'm not an idiot. I know where we are in the standings. I know how our rookies are doing. I'm happier than most about this team don't get me wrong. Doing much better than I thought. Rebuild is ahead of schedule. I get that and I love a lot of the rookies. But are you watching every game. When you continually blow 2 or 3 goal leads and always in the 3rd period somethings wrong. Something needs to change or be addressed. I'm not 100 percent sure what the problem is but Babcock needs to address it. Hell he played with Nylander and call it whatever you want but everyone should be held accountable. Lot of these guys are too soft without the puck some I can understand I don't expect Marner to throw his weight around but to be honest with you not many on this team that do. hell it's great and exciting how this team is with the puck but defence is what wins you games. Is it going to come probably but we've seen this over and over again with Leaf teams. The defensive side that is. Have they held on or comback to salvage games hell yes but it's frustrating watching them blow 2-3 goal leads and we are only 1/2 way through the season.

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