Leafs @ Sabres - Dec. 4th, 7:30pm - TSN4, Fan 590

[ZBBM]

Is it too early to classify that Matthews OT goal as vintage Matthews?

https://twitter.com/scottcwheeler/status/1070160005125603328

It isn't.

Seemed to catch our latest call up off guard though:
https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/1070159782630252544

I like Ozhiganov's reaction best:

(Turns to Hainsey) "This is nice fun Rons!"

(after get a friendshove from Dazzled Dermott)

 

[Andy007]

Very entertaining game. Loved seeing all of that Blue and White in the arena too.

Old man, gripe alert

Can't wait until next game when Hyman plays net, because that is the natural progression for a player who plays everything in all situations. Jeez, taking defensive zone faceoffs as well as PP time now? What am I missing with this guy? And Hainsey on 1st PK as well as 4 on 4 situations? 4th line taking multiple defensive zone faceoffs? Is Babcock trying to make these games harder to build character?

End of old man gripe


Anyway great win against a very strong opponent. Can't wait to see this team with Nylander on it.

 

[dappleganger]

I'm still thinking about that Matthews shot.

 

[cabber24]

I'm still thinking about that Matthews shot.

First time in a long time I literally jumped off the couch and yelled. Wife two stories above me texts me "Leafs win?".

 

[Zee]

I'm still thinking about that Matthews shot.

First time in a long time I literally jumped off the couch and yelled. Wife two stories above me texts me "Leafs win?".

I know it was only a regular season game in Buffalo, but given the history of the Leafs losing lots in that city, it was pretty sweet.  Watching with my 2 oldest daughters and we all jumped up off the couch and started hugging after that goal.  Great family bonding time 

 

[Bender]

I'm still thinking about that Matthews shot.

First time in a long time I literally jumped off the couch and yelled. Wife two stories above me texts me "Leafs win?".

I screamed when Matthews scored the winner. 2 seconds left, I mean it doesn't get any more clutch than that. My girlfriend thought I was dying.

 

[herman]

Very entertaining game. Loved seeing all of that Blue and White in the arena too.

Old man, gripe alert

Can't wait until next game when Hyman plays net, because that is the natural progression for a player who plays everything in all situations. Jeez, taking defensive zone faceoffs as well as PP time now? What am I missing with this guy? And Hainsey on 1st PK as well as 4 on 4 situations? 4th line taking multiple defensive zone faceoffs? Is Babcock trying to make these games harder to build character?

End of old man gripe


Anyway great win against a very strong opponent. Can't wait to see this team with Nylander on it.

• The 4th line had been pretty reliable for the most part up until this game. Taking DZ starts and finishing their shifts in the OZ is something they've been doing well this season.
• Hyman has been taking strongside PK draws this year and he's actually been doing well enough. He won a clean draw a couple of games ago at Tavares' behest that resulted in a nice goal.
• Lindholm had a bit of a rough game.
• Usually it's easier for a forward to play wing, but in Gauthier's case, it's actually the opposite as his instincts are to be the high forward in defensive posture above the puck, not F1/2 on the forecheck. Plus he's still slow.
• This is what happens when you let go of Leivo.

 

[Zee]

Very entertaining game. Loved seeing all of that Blue and White in the arena too.

Old man, gripe alert

Can't wait until next game when Hyman plays net, because that is the natural progression for a player who plays everything in all situations. Jeez, taking defensive zone faceoffs as well as PP time now? What am I missing with this guy? And Hainsey on 1st PK as well as 4 on 4 situations? 4th line taking multiple defensive zone faceoffs? Is Babcock trying to make these games harder to build character?

End of old man gripe


Anyway great win against a very strong opponent. Can't wait to see this team with Nylander on it.

• The 4th line had been pretty reliable for the most part up until this game. Taking DZ starts and finishing their shifts in the OZ is something they've been doing well this season.
• Hyman has been taking strongside PK draws this year and he's actually been doing well enough. He won a clean draw a couple of games ago at Tavares' behest that resulted in a nice goal.
• Lindholm had a bit of a rough game.
• Usually it's easier for a forward to play wing, but in Gauthier's case, it's actually the opposite as his instincts are to be the high forward in defensive posture above the puck, not F1/2 on the forecheck. Plus he's still slow.
• This is what happens when you let go of Leivo.

You hate to see a coach get burned with the exact same situation in a game TWICE.  Like after the first time the Eichel line dominated Gauthier on a D-zone faceoff you would think that given the choice Babcock might not try that again, but man, it's there again and results in the 2nd goal against.

 

[Andy007]

Very entertaining game. Loved seeing all of that Blue and White in the arena too.

Old man, gripe alert

Can't wait until next game when Hyman plays net, because that is the natural progression for a player who plays everything in all situations. Jeez, taking defensive zone faceoffs as well as PP time now? What am I missing with this guy? And Hainsey on 1st PK as well as 4 on 4 situations? 4th line taking multiple defensive zone faceoffs? Is Babcock trying to make these games harder to build character?

End of old man gripe


Anyway great win against a very strong opponent. Can't wait to see this team with Nylander on it.

• The 4th line had been pretty reliable for the most part up until this game. Taking DZ starts and finishing their shifts in the OZ is something they've been doing well this season.
• Hyman has been taking strongside PK draws this year and he's actually been doing well enough. He won a clean draw a couple of games ago at Tavares' behest that resulted in a nice goal.
• Lindholm had a bit of a rough game.
• Usually it's easier for a forward to play wing, but in Gauthier's case, it's actually the opposite as his instincts are to be the high forward in defensive posture above the puck, not F1/2 on the forecheck. Plus he's still slow.
• This is what happens when you let go of Leivo.

You hate to see a coach get burned with the exact same situation in a game TWICE.  Like after the first time the Eichel line dominated Gauthier on a D-zone faceoff you would think that given the choice Babcock might not try that again, but man, it's there again and results in the 2nd goal against.

Not only that, on the 2nd goal they had 2 centres (Gauthier, Lindholm) lined up with Hyman and Hyman, the only non-centre, took the draw. Lindholm is sitting nicely above 50% on draws too. Inexplicable imo.

 

[Andy007]

Very entertaining game. Loved seeing all of that Blue and White in the arena too.

Old man, gripe alert

Can't wait until next game when Hyman plays net, because that is the natural progression for a player who plays everything in all situations. Jeez, taking defensive zone faceoffs as well as PP time now? What am I missing with this guy? And Hainsey on 1st PK as well as 4 on 4 situations? 4th line taking multiple defensive zone faceoffs? Is Babcock trying to make these games harder to build character?

End of old man gripe


Anyway great win against a very strong opponent. Can't wait to see this team with Nylander on it.

• The 4th line had been pretty reliable for the most part up until this game. Taking DZ starts and finishing their shifts in the OZ is something they've been doing well this season.
• Hyman has been taking strongside PK draws this year and he's actually been doing well enough. He won a clean draw a couple of games ago at Tavares' behest that resulted in a nice goal.
• Lindholm had a bit of a rough game.
• Usually it's easier for a forward to play wing, but in Gauthier's case, it's actually the opposite as his instincts are to be the high forward in defensive posture above the puck, not F1/2 on the forecheck. Plus he's still slow.
• This is what happens when you let go of Leivo.

They aren't on the PK though. Babcock can use ANY line he wants. Instead, he lets the 4th line faceoff against Jack freaking Eichel's line. Hyman was 1 for 6 last night on faceoffs and under 50% on the year. I'm not sure one clean faceoff PK win against Colombus is enough to let him start taking more draws. That should be a near-last resort.

 

[Bullfrog]

My reaction to the goal was basically the same as Dermott's. Though sadly, I was alone in my living room. Well, my cat and dog were there, but they didn't seem too interested.

 

[herman]

You hate to see a coach get burned with the exact same situation in a game TWICE.  Like after the first time the Eichel line dominated Gauthier on a D-zone faceoff you would think that given the choice Babcock might not try that again, but man, it's there again and results in the 2nd goal against.

Not only that, on the 2nd goal they had 2 centres (Gauthier, Lindholm) lined up with Hyman and Hyman, the only non-centre, took the draw. Lindholm is sitting nicely above 50% on draws too. Inexplicable imo.

4th line is there to give the top lines a break, so obviously they're going over the boards for a reason. Home ice advantage let Housley put the top line out for the OZ draw.

The explanation for Hyman over Lindholm or Gauthier is that it was a strong side draw (wasn't it?). Also Gauthier is bad at draws.

 

[ZBBM]

My reaction to the goal was basically the same as Dermott's. Though sadly, I was alone in my living room. Well, my cat and dog were there, but they didn't seem too interested.

Mine was a variation on that: kind of an insane chortle of disbelief and happiness.

 

[Zee]

You hate to see a coach get burned with the exact same situation in a game TWICE.  Like after the first time the Eichel line dominated Gauthier on a D-zone faceoff you would think that given the choice Babcock might not try that again, but man, it's there again and results in the 2nd goal against.

Not only that, on the 2nd goal they had 2 centres (Gauthier, Lindholm) lined up with Hyman and Hyman, the only non-centre, took the draw. Lindholm is sitting nicely above 50% on draws too. Inexplicable imo.

4th line is there to give the top lines a break, so obviously they're going over the boards for a reason. Home ice advantage let Housley put the top line out for the OZ draw.

The explanation for Hyman over Lindholm or Gauthier is that it was a strong side draw (wasn't it?). Also Gauthier is bad at draws.

Yeah I get it, but there's no icing on the play and 3 other lines to choose from, surely one of the 3 would have sufficient rest to take the dzone draw.

In part of in-game adjustment the coach had to see which lines were playing well in the game and it was pretty obvious that Gauthier's line didn't really have if after that first goal against.  Use Tavares or Kadri and be fine with it.

 

[ZBBM]

Just for fun I looked at the Buffalo News' coverage of the game.  Sabres player quotes and the beat writers both converged on the "moral victory" storyline.

 

[Zee]

Just for fun I looked at the Buffalo News' coverage of the game.  Sabres player quotes and the beat writers both converged on the "moral victory" storyline.

I remember the moral victories as Leafs fans way back.  ;D

 

[Stronger Than All]

My reaction was almost disbelief.  I didn't think there was enough time and space.  I also thought it was a low shot at first in the corner.  Didn't see it at all.

I know from the flintor picture everyone was watching Dermott, did anyone notice Sparks reaction?

 

[Zee]

My reaction was almost disbelief.  I didn't think there was enough time and space.  I also thought it was a low shot at first in the corner.  Didn't see it at all.

I know from the flintor picture everyone was watching Dermott, did anyone notice Sparks reaction?

;D ;D Thanks for pointing that out, I had to search for him way off in the distance.  That look heavenward was priceless.

 

[KGB]

Just for fun I looked at the Buffalo News' coverage of the game.  Sabres player quotes and the beat writers both converged on the "moral victory" storyline.

The national anthem of that town (and I live in WNY).  I still sting over the '99 series.  I still seethe when I think of how, during that era, and for years to follow, the Sabres seemingly morphed into the Red Army team each time they played the Leafs.  Every time we beat their sorry asses, my blood runs warm for days. 

 

[Frank E]

My reaction was almost disbelief.  I didn't think there was enough time and space.  I also thought it was a low shot at first in the corner.  Didn't see it at all.

I know from the flintor picture everyone was watching Dermott, did anyone notice Sparks reaction?

;D ;D Thanks for pointing that out, I had to search for him way off in the distance.  That look heavenward was priceless.

I think he's probably looking at the time clock to make sure it wasn't at 0:00.