I don’t get it. Zaitzev didn’t have a good game...

He looked better in the O zone sure. But he was awful to start this game.

Better as the game progressed. I’ll give him that.
- Santo_44

He got better as it went on, but usage changed a bit too. Was brutal on Sheary's goal though.

He plays better with a defensive minded partner though. Having said that, Gardiner does the heavy lifting breakout wise in that pairing.

I'm pro Gardiner though: people get fixated on the big glaring errors (which guys like Muzzin make too) and should probably watch a few out of market games once in a while.

He got better as it went on, but usage changed a bit too. Was brutal on Sheary's goal though.

He plays better with a defensive minded partner though. Having said that, Gardiner does the heavy lifting breakout wise in that pairing.

I'm pro Gardiner though: people get fixated on the big glaring errors (which guys like Muzzin make too) and should probably watch a few out of market games once in a while.
- gravyface

Yeah, that Z/Muzzin pairing is OK. I don’t think it’s getting the best out of Muzzin though....I’m fact it’s making him struggle a bit.

And I agree on Gards. He’s a top 3 D on this team and it’s not close right now.

That was purdy, but they filled in our top pairing all series long; Hainsey got murdered.
- gravyface

Muzz couldn't handle the Islanders for one game...he's gonna be a target vs Bruins for sure. Let's hope the added depth helps in the long run.
I thought Marincin was more aggressive last night - trying to attack the forwards at the blue line. He needs to keep that up every shift and show his partners they can trust him. Hard to believe, but I don't think he really knew how to play this game. If he finally gets it - it will make his and his partners life a whole lot easier.

I wonder what they do when Kadri's squash is better

I missed the game last night.

Are we Stanley Cup favourites, or do we need to fire Babcock and Dumbass, blow it up and start over?

I missed the game last night.

Are we Stanley Cup favourites, or do we need to fire Babcock and Dumbass, blow it up and start over?
- Atomic Wedgie

yes

I wonder what they do when Kadri's squash is better
- Zezel

Win games?

I missed the game last night.

Are we Stanley Cup favourites, or do we need to fire Babcock and Dumbass, blow it up and start over?
- Atomic Wedgie

Petan scored: best part was the delayed fist pump stare down afterwards.

ECHL was a non-factor for some reason; as was Matthews (save for a nice feed to Johnsson that he rang off the post).

Tavares and Marner looked pretty dominant; 3 points a piece.

Nice standing O for JT before the puck dropped.

Don Cherry thinks Zaitsev is a forward, called Ron stupid.

Kappy got into a fight, threw one haymaker then fell on top of him.

But yeah, totally blow it up.

Win games?
- AdamFrench

Heck of a 4th line center.

Win games?
- AdamFrench

Right on

Right on
- Zezel

Ennis and Petan will probably be out

Wow the central is (frank)ing embarrassing.

Ennis and Petan will probably be out
- Santo_44

OH GOD NO. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I'LL SEE YOU IN HELL MIKE BABCOCK!!!!!!

OH GOD NO. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I'LL SEE YOU IN HELL MIKE BABCOCK!!!!!!
- Zezel

Yeah, the Leafs will win 4 games in a row but then will lose to the 17th place team in the NHL and Babcock will have to be fired, Kadri traded and Gardiner exiled into space.

Ennis and Petan will probably be out
- Santo_44

It's going to be interesting because Nylander has looked so dominant last 20 games or so and looks even better up the middle where his speed and vision can take over a shift.

Having said that, I've been waiting for a fully-operational Death Star all season, so I hope our healthy playoff forward group looks like this:

Hyman Tavares Marner
Johnsson Matthews Nylander
Marleau Kadri Kapanen
Moore/Ennis Gauthier Brown

It's going to be interesting because Nylander has looked so dominant last 20 games or so and looks even better up the middle where his speed and vision can take over a shift.

Having said that, I've been waiting for a fully-operational Death Star all season, so I hope our healthy playoff forward group looks like this:

Hyman Tavares Marner
Johnsson Matthews Nylander
Marleau Kadri Kapanen
Moore/Ennis Gauthier Brown
- gravyface

One player who has meshed really well with Nylander at C is Marleau.

It’ll go back to normal but it’s nice to see he can play C.

And I like the lineup but I like Kap with Matthews and Willie with Kadri. Gives Boston a nightmare of choosing which line to put their only star line against.

I really hope the TBL get the Jackets or Pens.

Those two teams both scare me way more than any of the top 3 metro teams right now. TB would be in tough against both those teams.

Yeah, the Leafs will win 4 games in a row but then will lose to the 17th place team in the NHL and Babcock will have to be fired, Kadri traded and Gardiner exiled into space.
- Santo_44

At this point the only way to save the rebuild is to go back in time and stop Babcock from being hired.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-HuSNAWNEI
- Woderwick

Love how Marchand, after falling for no reason and trying to draw a penalty, goes crying to the ref like he should have called something there. Like, get (frank)ed. You already spent the majority of that series a man up.

I really hope the TBL get the Jackets or Pens.

Those two teams both scare me way more than any of the top 3 metro teams right now. TB would be in tough against both those teams.
- Santo_44

I don't know about the Blue Jackets. They haven't really impressed me. If they can actually get it going, then yeah. But I agree completely with Pittsburgh. They'd be a very hard matchup. Especially if Murry remembers how to goalie.

I missed the game last night.

Are we Stanley Cup favourites, or do we need to fire Babcock and Dumbass, blow it up and start over?
- Atomic Wedgie

We're a 4th place team that won't have home ice, figure that one out...

Love how Marchand, after falling for no reason and trying to draw a penalty, goes crying to the ref like he should have called something there. Like, get (frank)ed. You already spent the majority of that series a man up.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Bobby Ryan's dive for a penalty shot was worse. Kuch touches the top of his hip and his legs splay out like he got corkscrewed.

I don't know about the Blue Jackets. They haven't really impressed me. If they can actually get it going, then yeah. But I agree completely with Pittsburgh. They'd be a very hard matchup. Especially if Murry remembers how to goalie.
- GreatGigInTheSky

On paper they are great.

Playoffs are always different, most teams fire on all cylinders during the playoffs.

The NHL standings system is broken...I get that the NHL needs to make money and the way it is is the best case scenario for that.

But the seeding is not a true representation of how good a team is at all.

I only pay attention to ROW. The extra points and shootout wins are pure trash.

https://twitter.com/PR_NHL/status/1102038093937500160

Yup. Leafs suck. Fire Babcock.
- GreatGigInTheSky

You would never know it from this fanbase

One player who has meshed really well with Nylander at C is Marleau.

It’ll go back to normal but it’s nice to see he can play C.

And I like the lineup but I like Kap with Matthews and Willie with Kadri. Gives Boston a nightmare of choosing which line to put their only star line against.
- Santo_44

I'm not as worried about our forward group against that line: whether it's Matthews/Kadri/Tavares matched up against them, likely outcome is that they cancel each other out.

It's our D that worries me; Rielly-Hainsey does fill me with tons of confidence as a shutdown pair.