Lightning @ Leafs - Jan. 2nd, 7:00pm - SNO, Fan 590

[ZBBM]

Losing on only an awkward faux-pas (that Kunitz made a great play on), and a bad line change, and running into a very hot goalie against the top team in the league is a plus in my books. Didn't get steamrolled, and got a good close look at what we could be playing like. Tampa's defense corps is not much stronger than ours (other than Hedman being world-class, and Stralman being really solid in his middle-man minutes).

I think you may have just refuted yourself. 

 

[rdowdall]

Losing on only an awkward faux-pas (that Kunitz made a great play on), and a bad line change, and running into a very hot goalie against the top team in the league is a plus in my books. Didn't get steamrolled, and got a good close look at what we could be playing like. Tampa's defense corps is not much stronger than ours (other than Hedman being world-class, and Stralman being really solid in his middle-man minutes).

I think you may have just refuted yourself.

I have to say, Reilly was really strong tonight.  Also, I kinda liked Gardiner's drunken monkey skating style tonight.

 

[disco]

Happy New Year.

 

[lamajama]

I thought the 4th line was all right.  It was when they, or any line for that matter was paired with Polak et al.  That was the issue. Marincin was tried and wasn't the answer. Carrick isn't the answer either so let's try more Marlies or make a deal. 

Unfortunately Polak is in Babcock's penthouse suite right now.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The way Marner was flying out there, the only thing missing was a cape. 

 

[rdowdall]

The way Marner was flying out there, the only thing missing was a cape. 

And maybe a goal or two.

 

[L K]

Just once I would like to see the Leafs try Marner-Matthews-Nylander when they are down in a late game situation.  Just play Marner-Matthews-Nylander and Marleau-Kadri-JVR if you are trying to score late.

 

[ZBBM]

Just once I would like to see the Leafs try Marner-Matthews-Nylander when they are down in a late game situation.  Just play Marner-Matthews-Nylander and Marleau-Kadri-JVR if you are trying to score late.

Me too.  But maybe Babcock is saving all that for when the games really count for something.

 

[Strangelove]

Just once I would like to see the Leafs try Marner-Matthews-Nylander when they are down in a late game situation.  Just play Marner-Matthews-Nylander and Marleau-Kadri-JVR if you are trying to score late.

Me too.  But maybe Babcock is saving all that for when the games really count for something.

Nope I'm pretty sure he just really likes Hymen and Komarov.

 

[Andy007]

I don't know, I just can't understand what Komarov does/has done to get PP time. He's a 4th liner. And why on earth is Bozak on the ice with the Leafs net empty? He blew a strong scoring chance/setup by making an absolutely atrocious pass to the blueline that missed the D and went into Toronto's zone. He can be truly horrible sometimes.

Late in the 3rd, down by two, we should be seeing Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Kadri, JVR, Marleau non-stop. Heck, I'd put out Brown then Kapanen and then Leivo before I put on Hyman (near 20 mins ice time??!!), Komorav or Bozak. 

 

[princedpw]

Just once I would like to see the Leafs try Marner-Matthews-Nylander when they are down in a late game situation.  Just play Marner-Matthews-Nylander and Marleau-Kadri-JVR if you are trying to score late.

That would be fun.  As would

Marleau-Matthews-Nylander
JVR-Kadri-Marner

for handedness.

 

[Highlander]

How did the Goat play last night. I saw a few minutes of the first period and he seemed to make few good plays. Is he an upgrade over Moore?

 

[herman]

How did the Goat play last night. I saw a few minutes of the first period and he seemed to make few good plays. Is he an upgrade over Moore?

One game is not enough to gauge properly; by that time Moore will be gone anyway. Gauthier looked a bit faster than his first few go arounds and to my eye more confident carrying and handling the puck.

Soshnikov - Gauthier - Leivo would be a handsome (and cheap) 4th line that could chip in offense (and a pretty great 1st line on the Marlies).

Potential next year lines using only internal options that I wouldn't be afraid to roll out right now.

Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Marleau - Kadri - Brown
Johnsson - Nylander - Kapanen
Martin - Gauthier - Leivo
Aaltonen, Soshnikov

There's a chance JvR comes back (based on what everyone on the team has said about him), so ideally that bumps Martin, but we all know that ain't happening and Andreas Johnsson/Miro Aaltonen will be on the Marlies.

 

[herman]

https://theathletic.com/202082/2018/01/03/bourne-on-mitch-marners-great-game-terrible-stats-and-where-game-by-game-numbers-tell-untruths/

This is the stuff.

 

[Highlander]

How did the Goat play last night. I saw a few minutes of the first period and he seemed to make few good plays. Is he an upgrade over Moore?

One game is not enough to gauge properly; by that time Moore will be gone anyway. Gauthier looked a bit faster than his first few go arounds and to my eye more confident carrying and handling the puck.

Soshnikov - Gauthier - Leivo would be a handsome (and cheap) 4th line that could chip in offense (and a pretty great 1st line on the Marlies).

Potential next year lines using only internal options that I wouldn't be afraid to roll out right now.

Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Marleau - Kadri - Brown
Johnsson - Nylander - Kapanen
Martin - Gauthier - Leivo
Aaltonen, Soshnikov

There's a chance JvR comes back (based on what everyone on the team has said about him), so ideally that bumps Martin, but we all know that ain't happening and Andreas Johnsson/Miro Aaltonen will be on the Marlies.

Thanks Herman, the overall jist I get is that Fredo has improved speed and is more confident with the puck. With his wingspan he may just fit in. What I love about the Leafs, they are no longer giving up on potential (if they see it) and work to improve what someone is capable of.  Obviously for Fredo to go in the 1st means someone saw his raw potential to develop into a positive piece of the puzzle.  If our Goat can play 4th line and help the team then he is another example of where this organization is going.
In the old days he would already have been tossed on the roadside or traded for nothing.