Leafs @ Oilers - Jan. 30th, 7:00pm - SN, Fan 590

[CarltonTheBear]

@

7-2-0, 14 points | 3-6-0, 6 points

Projected Lines

Hyman-Matthews-Marner Nylander-Tavares-Mikheyev Vesey-Kerfoot-Simmonds Barabanov-Engvall-Spezza Rielly-Brodie Muzzin-Holl Lehtonen-Bogosian Andersen ​

RNH-McDavid-Puljujarvi Kahun-Draisaitl-Yamamoto Neal-Turris-Kassian Ennis-Shore-Archibald Nurse-Bear Jones-Larsson Koekkoek-Barrie Koskinen​

Scratches

Travis Dermott​

Alex Chiasson Kris Russell William Lagesson​

Taxi Squad

Joey Anderson Travis Boyd Adam Brooks Rasmus Sandin Joseph Woll​

Joakim Nygard Patrick Russell Jujhar Khaira Alan Quine Evan Bouchard Dylan Wells​

Game Notes

TOR
-Andersen (5-2-0, 2.87 GAA, .896 Sv%) will likely start for the Leafs
-Keefe continues to shuffle around the bottom of the line-up. Engvall and Lehtonen practiced with the regular group so it's expected Boyd and Dermott will sit in their place

EDM
-Koskinen (3-6-0, 3.50 GAA, .895 Sv%) will likely start for the Oilers
-If he does get the start it will be Koskinen's league leading 10th of the season. Edmonton is just one of two teams that have not used their back-up yet this season. Tampa is the the other but they've only played 5 games so far

Injuries

Jack Campbell - Lower Body - Injured Reserve Nicholas Robertson - Knee - Injured Reserve Joe Thornton - Rib - Injured Reserve​

Mike Smith - Undisclosed - Injured Reserve      Oscar Klefbom - Shoulder - Out for season​

Stream Options

BilaSport.net
Sportsurge.net
​

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/sunhornby/status/1355279128086409218

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/ineffectivemath/status/1355173508809166848
I like the split units and I really like that they mix in the stacked one once in awhile (or overflow into it) and have worked on more than two schemes. They have added more zone entry plays as well on top of the drop/double-drop pass. It is unpredictable and players swap positions by design to sow confusion and make space.

 

[ZBBM]

It took them long enough to figure out how to deploy all the talent on the PP but it sure is working finally like we all had hoped.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

https://twitter.com/ineffectivemath/status/1355173508809166848
I like the split units and I really like that they mix in the stacked one once in awhile (or overflow into it) and have worked on more than two schemes. They have added more zone entry plays as well on top of the drop/double-drop pass. It is unpredictable and players swap positions by design to sow confusion and make space.

Like we've all been saying. Their powerplay, when it's working, is moving and giving different looks. When it's not working, it's stagnant allowing aggressive penalty kills to attack.

 

[Zee]

It took them long enough to figure out how to deploy all the talent on the PP but it sure is working finally like we all had hoped.

Wonder how much the new assistant coaches are helping in this.

 

[Redleaf]

If you just look at the Leafs record so far this season one might assume they?re just rolling over teams, but I haven?t seen a single ?convincing? win yet.

They need to clamp down on the defence a little tighter and not get ahead of themselves based on their standings or we may see some overconfidence creep in and more losses because of it.

At least that?s what we?ve seen in previous years. Of course this group seems to be a little bit more mature so hopefully they can avoid that better .

 

[ZBBM]

It took them long enough to figure out how to deploy all the talent on the PP but it sure is working finally like we all had hoped.

Wonder how much the new assistant coaches are helping in this.

I assume they must be.  They brought in at least one guy before who was touted as being the fixer of the PP (Macfarlane?) but it kept re-stagnating.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

[Frank E]

It took them long enough to figure out how to deploy all the talent on the PP but it sure is working finally like we all had hoped.

Wonder how much the new assistant coaches are helping in this.

I assume they must be.  They brought in at least one guy before who was touted as being the fixer of the PP (Macfarlane?) but it kept re-stagnating.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

I think you're misremembering...the Leafs were 6th in the league in PP% in 19-20.

The Oilers were by far the best team in the league in 19-20 in PP%.

 

[Bender]

If you just look at the Leafs record so far this season one might assume they?re just rolling over teams, but I haven?t seen a single ?convincing? win yet.

They need to clamp down on the defence a little tighter and not get ahead of themselves based on their standings or we may see some overconfidence creep in and more losses because of it.

At least that?s what we?ve seen in previous years. Of course this group seems to be a little bit more mature so hopefully they can avoid that better .

Definitely need to tighten up a bit on the penalties and defense but you don't get any style points. The most important thing is winning, I don't really care how they do it or if they spank teams or if the eke out their wins. I think the idea that the Leafs should be an unstoppable juggernaught a la TBay needs to be put to bed.

 

[Kin]

I think you're misremembering...the Leafs were 6th in the league in PP% in 19-20.

If I'm using NHL.com correctly, always a crapshoot, the Leafs are 3rd in PP% in the league since Matthews joined the team.

 

[Frank E]

I think you're misremembering...the Leafs were 6th in the league in PP% in 19-20.

If I'm using NHL.com correctly, always a crapshoot, the Leafs are 3rd in PP% in the league since Matthews joined the team.

That's what I got too since 16-17.

The PP hasn't been an issue for this team, the issue over the past couple of years has been the PK.

They're sitting 15th this season, which is an improvement.

 

[Redleaf]

If you just look at the Leafs record so far this season one might assume they?re just rolling over teams, but I haven?t seen a single ?convincing? win yet.

They need to clamp down on the defence a little tighter and not get ahead of themselves based on their standings or we may see some overconfidence creep in and more losses because of it.

At least that?s what we?ve seen in previous years. Of course this group seems to be a little bit more mature so hopefully they can avoid that better .

Definitely need to tighten up a bit on the penalties and defense but you don't get any style points. The most important thing is winning, I don't really care how they do it or if they spank teams or if the eke out their wins. I think the idea that the Leafs should be an unstoppable juggernaught a la TBay needs to be put to bed.

Yeah. I?m just saying we?ve seen in the past how this team can allow overconfidence to get the better of them. When it happens you see the needle move from eking out wins to mounting loses . Happens quickly. Hopefully maturity level this season helps them deal with this better.

 

[Kin]

I really don't think I've seen this team done in by overconfidence. I've seen them get exposed as imperfect and defensively mediocre but that's just a reality they had to deal with because of personnel. Hopefully this year's group is a little better in that regard but as Bender says, this team isn't going to be an overwhelming juggernaut.

 

[L K]

I really don't think I've seen this team done in by overconfidence. I've seen them get exposed as imperfect and defensively mediocre but that's just a reality they had to deal with because of personnel. Hopefully this year's group is a little better in that regard but as Bender says, this team isn't going to be an overwhelming juggernaut.

We have also seen them have some stretches of play that absolutely were dominant for more than a few shifts.  I really haven?t come away from many games not thinking we were the better team.  Really only the Ottawa loss was the only game where they truly looked flat and even then it was a game where better goaltending from Freddy keeps them in that game.

 

[ZBBM]

I think you're misremembering...the Leafs were 6th in the league in PP% in 19-20.

If I'm using NHL.com correctly, always a crapshoot, the Leafs are 3rd in PP% in the league since Matthews joined the team.

That's what I got too since 16-17.

The PP hasn't been an issue for this team, the issue over the past couple of years has been the PK.

They're sitting 15th this season, which is an improvement.

Thanks fellas.  Selective memory is a dangerous thing. It can grade into full blown delusions.

Now if you'll excuse me I've got to go check my QAnon feed.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

[Arn]

I really don't think I've seen this team done in by overconfidence. I've seen them get exposed as imperfect and defensively mediocre but that's just a reality they had to deal with because of personnel. Hopefully this year's group is a little better in that regard but as Bender says, this team isn't going to be an overwhelming juggernaut.

We have also seen them have some stretches of play that absolutely were dominant for more than a few shifts.  I really haven?t come away from many games not thinking we were the better team.  Really only the Ottawa loss was the only game where they truly looked flat and even then it was a game where better goaltending from Freddy keeps them in that game.

I would much rather have them not being a regular season juggernaut and having to work out ways to win in tight games where maybe certain lines aren?t firing so that when it comes to playoffs they?ve more experience and adaptability.

 

[Frank E]

I really don't think I've seen this team done in by overconfidence. I've seen them get exposed as imperfect and defensively mediocre but that's just a reality they had to deal with because of personnel. Hopefully this year's group is a little better in that regard but as Bender says, this team isn't going to be an overwhelming juggernaut.

We have also seen them have some stretches of play that absolutely were dominant for more than a few shifts.  I really haven?t come away from many games not thinking we were the better team.  Really only the Ottawa loss was the only game where they truly looked flat and even then it was a game where better goaltending from Freddy keeps them in that game.

I would much rather have them not being a regular season juggernaut and having to work out ways to win in tight games where maybe certain lines aren?t firing so that when it comes to playoffs they?ve more experience and adaptability.

This is kind of where I'm at Arn, I'd like to see them be a little less high and low to a more even curve in terms of P%.

Eking out these skinny 4-3 victories might get them more used to having to play a more complete game until the final buzzer, but I'd sure rather them be able to limit opponents to low 2's in goals against per game.

So far this season, they're goals for per game is at 3.33, which is good for 9th in the league.  Goals against is 2.78, which is a mediocre 16th in the league.  PDO is 14th best in the league.

 

[Highlander]

Usually not one to point the finger at the referee's at all, but the last 3-4 games the officiating has been worse than minor league, calling non slashes constantly.  This has led to at least a goal against a game the last three outings.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Their 5 on 5 play is definite concern. The teams in the north division aren't exactly NHL juggernauts, and if not for powerplay unsustainable success, the leafs are probably looking at a losing record.