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

[Kin]

You suppose if something happens enough it no longer becomes a question of effort or design but an actual structural issue with the make-up of the team?

 

[herman]

Gotta learn how to keep pressing through the lead. Not there yet.

 

[ZBBM]

You suppose if something happens enough it no longer becomes a question of effort or design but an actual structural issue with the make-up of the team?

Something that, in fact, tells you that this ain't no playoff team yet.

 

[azzurri63]

Good offensive exciting team but horrible defensively.

 

[Kin]

Gotta learn how to keep pressing through the lead. Not there yet.

Nobody can press for 60 minutes. At some point you have to be able to play well in your own zone when the other team has the puck.

 

[azzurri63]

You suppose if something happens enough it no longer becomes a question of effort or design but an actual structural issue with the make-up of the team?

Something that, in fact, tells you that this ain't no playoff team yet.

I know I sound pessimistic a lot of the time but been saying that since game one. You can have all the offence in the world but if you don't have some grit along with some toughness you ain't going anywhere. Said it a hundred times this team is too soft. Think that is the job for Lou, Hunter and company. Try to fill in some spots with exactly that.

 

[herman]

Gotta learn how to keep pressing through the lead. Not there yet.

Nobody can press for 60 minutes. At some point you have to be able to play well in your own zone when the other team has the puck.

Yeah, that'd be by attacking the puck aggressively, instead of conservatively trying to minimize risk and just take it past the blue line.

It's Score Effects. Mentally trying to be too perfect and dropping one of the other balls that was fine before.

 

[Kin]

I know I sound pessimistic a lot of the time but been saying that since game one. You can have all the offence in the world but if you don't have some grit along with some toughness you ain't going anywhere. Said it a hundred times this team is too soft. Think that is the job for Lou, Hunter and company. Try to fill in some spots with exactly that.

Yeah, the people who have disagreed with you have done so on the basis of disagreeing that it's "grit" or "toughness" that the team specifically lacks, not that the team is perfectly constructed.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

MARNER

 

[herman]

MARNER

Shootout practice ftw

 

[ZBBM]

Marner knows how to exploit the 5 hole.

 

[disco]

Mr. Marner couldn't be prouder!

 

[ZBBM]

You suppose if something happens enough it no longer becomes a question of effort or design but an actual structural issue with the make-up of the team?

Something that, in fact, tells you that this ain't no playoff team yet.

I know I sound pessimistic a lot of the time but been saying that since game one. You can have all the offence in the world but if you don't have some grit along with some toughness you ain't going anywhere. Said it a hundred times this team is too soft. Think that is the job for Lou, Hunter and company. Try to fill in some spots with exactly that.

Well, I'd say they need capable defense more than grit.  Martin is, Polak is, now Gauthier is.

Also, when Andersen isn't playing like a Vez all of a sudden you've got 5-4 games aplenty.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Can we just skip right to OT this time?

 

[ZBBM]

Yes.  Our defense.  Work needed.

 

[Arn]

Nice work clearing Carrick from the front of the net by Bozak there...

 

[azzurri63]

That's exactly what I mean by soft and it happens a lot with this team. Take the guy out. How do you stand in front of an opposing goalie whacking at the puck untouched. Not just the D men either forwards who don't lay a hand on anybody. Horrible.

 

[Kin]

That goal was also kind of evidence about what I'm talking about with the "Can't sit back on the lead" stuff being awfully reductive. The JVR line was wiped because they'd spent the shift in the opposing end. Then Washington countered and the backcheck sucked because, again, they were wiped.

If the other team is even moderately talented they're going to get their chances. The answer to them isn't "just possess the puck more".

 

[KW Sluggo]

Damn!

Matthews is in a slump!

 

[Kin]

That's exactly what I mean by soft and it happens a lot with this team. Take the guy out. How do you stand in front of an opposing goalie whacking at the puck untouched. Not just the D men either forwards who don't lay a hand on anybody. Horrible.

The forwards on that play were gassed. Your plan to stop that goal is for forwards at the end of a shift to roar across the ice and steamroll the opponents. Hockey doesn't work like that.