I only saw the third, but it seemed to me both teams could've gotten a few more goals, you know, before the two EN goals. It could've gone either way imo.
I can't comment on the first two periods though.

I'm not sure if I'm more surprised the Leafs got shutout, or that they kept a team to only 1 goal before pulling their goalie.
- Thecakeisalie

Drives me nuts when Sully pulls the Pens goalie in a 1 game goal more than 90 seconds out. They usually surrender an en goal then have even scored after that - making it a 1 goal game again. 1 goal, they should just throw their PP team 1 out there with 1 defender rather than basically open their net up!

Yes close game but still not scoring should open up some coaching questions for Babcock. It's not as if the Pens are a defensive powerhouse.

If the refs were women, would you still cry about it?
- Unholy_Goalie

Drives me nuts when Sully pulls the Pens goalie in a 1 game goal more than 90 seconds out. They usually surrender an en goal then have even scored after that - making it a 1 goal game again. 1 goal, they should just throw their PP team 1 out there with 1 defender rather than basically open their net up!

Yes close game but still not scoring should open up some coaching questions for Babcock. It's not as if the Pens are a defensive powerhouse.
- Aussiepenguin

Leafs got some good chances, got a goal that shouldn’t have been waved off, and kinda got shafted by the refs.

I think there will be some talk about showing up early in the game... but even then, the Leafs were pretty close on shot attepmts in the first, Pittsburgh just blocked a bunch.

Leafs got some good chances, got a goal that shouldn’t have been waved off, and kinda got shafted by the refs.

I think there will be some talk about showing up early in the game... but even then, the Leafs were pretty close on shot attepmts in the first, Pittsburgh just blocked a bunch.
- Feeling Glucky?

Yup - 38 shots on goal, Murray standing on his head, a good goal not given and a 4 minute high stick not called on what was essentially a 1-0 game with the two ENGs - a different day and this could easily been at least a point... maybe two in regulation.

Yup - 38 shots on goal, Murray standing on his head, a good goal not given and a 4 minute high stick not called on what was essentially a 1-0 game with the two ENGs - a different day and this could easily been at least a point... maybe two in regulation.
- lumlums

To me, it also seemed like the Leafs had ZERO puck control and that Pittsburgh did a great job at giving the Leafs ZERO space when they did have the puck.



On to St. Louis. GLG

To me, it also seemed like the Leafs had ZERO puck control and that Pittsburgh did a great job at giving the Leafs ZERO space when they did have the puck.



On to St. Louis. GLG
- .HOHO.

Leafs had some insane chances.

I felt like the Leafs actually played well defensively. They still got trapped a few times, but they were making much smarter passes to get out/up the ice.

Coaches are pulling goalies earlier and earlier. The math says 8 minutes for a 1 goal deficit is actually ideal... not that anyone is going to do that.
- Feeling Glucky?

I think being down 1 goal, the math says between 2.5 and 3 mins to pull the goalie.
Right about then the Leafs did.

Leafs could have used a skilled forward who could gain entry to the Pens zone last night. Maybe time to think about trading a D for one

Leafs could have used a skilled forward who could gain entry to the Pens zone last night. Maybe time to think about trading a D for one
- senstroll

If only we had a guy like Parayko that we could trade for a guy like Nylander!

DAMN

I think being down 1 goal, the math says between 2.5 and 3 mins to pull the goalie.
Right about then the Leafs did.
- senstroll

I think issue with that was 15 seconds before the empty net goal, leafs had the delayed offside and had to tag up. Pitts has the puck and could clear it then jam up the neutral zone.

If your gonna pull the goalie with 2:30-3 mins remaining you should do it when you have the puck in their end and have sustained pressure.

Not a bad game all around, Leafs had many chances to score. All good. They were not going to win 81.

Is it just me or has Marner seemed a lot less prominent the last couple games. I am not really seeing that same dynamic play. Could it be that Babcock has reigned the guys in to play more defense?

Also, Marleau seems to have lost a step this year. I am hoping it is just the normal veteran off to a slow start, and maybe pacing himself a bit. If not, I hope they can find a way to do something about the last year of that contract.

Dermott was the best Leaf player last night.

Matthews needs Nylander if/when he comes back. Kapanen has done well filling in, but tonight showed that you can shut down Matthews and I am not sure Kapanen, and a low-energy Marleau are enough.

It hasn't helped that Tavares and Kadri seem a little snakebit lately.

I think issue with that was 15 seconds before the empty net goal, leafs had the delayed offside and had to tag up. Pitts has the puck and could clear it then jam up the neutral zone.

If your gonna pull the goalie with 2:30-3 mins remaining you should do it when you have the puck in their end and have sustained pressure.
- bryant

Agreed, not good to do it your end when they have the puck.

Leafs could have used a skilled forward who could gain entry to the Pens zone last night. Maybe time to think about trading a D for one
- senstroll

YES!

We should trade Nylander for a Dman, then when we have an extra Dman, we should trade a Dman for a skilled forward!!

I think issue with that was 15 seconds before the empty net goal, leafs had the delayed offside and had to tag up. Pitts has the puck and could clear it then jam up the neutral zone.

If your gonna pull the goalie with 2:30-3 mins remaining you should do it when you have the puck in their end and have sustained pressure.
- bryant

iirc, after the goalie pull they immediately got the puck back and had a few chances

Not a bad game all around, Leafs had many chances to score. All good. They were not going to win 81.
- bixll

Thanks Uggy!

I think being down 1 goal, the math says between 2.5 and 3 mins to pull the goalie.
Right about then the Leafs did.
- senstroll

I think on average, teams score every every 11 minutes of ozone time, but in 6-on-5 situations it drops to 1 per 7, and given you need to establish the zone, that pushes the time to 8 minutes.


I read it briefly and a little while back so I may be wrong

Thanks Uggy!



- .HOHO.

I did not deserve that...

Morning to you too.

1967
Aki Berg
Stickgate
Waffles
We won a f'n lottery
Peter Horachek
Blow it up



Reality check boys. The Leafs got out worked last night. Plain and simple. Babs will have them ready to go on Saturday... you need to eat humble pie every once and a while to stay motivated!

PS I was at a meeting at the MasterCard Center on Wednesday and spent some time watching the Marlies practice. I still wish Babs would give Borgman a chance! Kid did okay in my books and I wish we had a guy with his edge...

YES!

We should trade Nylander for a Dman, then when we have an extra Dman, we should trade a Dman for a skilled forward!!
- Aetherial

Aetherial for GM!

I was going to say something about blaming the refs & being an offensive juggernaut- but i won't.

If that was a playoff type game, what do you guys have to change? Not scoring a single goal really should open up some questions. Or it was a bad game & move on? I'm not hearing Toronto played badly though.
- Aussiepenguin

You just did say something.

At least have the balls to admit you are trolling. There is nothing more pathetic than a piece of poop like you that constantly trolls and then cries about being "bullied on the internet."

Nothing about this garbage from you warrants a serious response.

Aetherial for GM!
- .HOHO.

Senstroll, UG, and I are going to form a GM triumvirate. We will base our decisions solely on advanced stats, irrational dislike of certain players, and pathological need to argue and disagree with everyone about everything. That way we will all be able to contribute.

1967
Aki Berg
Stickgate
Waffles
We won a f'n lottery
Peter Horachek
Blow it up



Reality check boys. The Leafs got out worked last night. Plain and simple. Babs will have them ready to go on Saturday... you need to eat humble pie every once and a while to stay motivated!

PS I was at a meeting at the MasterCard Center on Wednesday and spent some time watching the Marlies practice. I still wish Babs would give Borgman a chance! Kid did okay in my books and I wish we had a guy with his edge...
- Hockey_Reverend

Saturday is a concern also... another good team off to a poopty start should come in fired up and desperate.

Saturday is a concern also... another good team off to a poopty start should come in fired up and desperate.
- Aetherial

Yep, Leafs better be ready to go or else...

You just did say something.

At least have the balls to admit you are trolling. There is nothing more pathetic than a piece of poop like you that constantly trolls and then cries about being "bullied on the internet."

Nothing about this garbage from you warrants a serious response.
- Aetherial

Ahem... *cough cough UGGY cough cough*