I felt totally fine, to be honest.

I knew everyone around me was vaxxed.

I knew I was vaxxed, and so were my kids.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to adhere to the protocols, but I'm not going to live in fear of it.
- Atomic Wedgie

I'm not living in fear of it per say, I'm just recognizing that COVID is still floating around and there is no magic bullet pill or treatment yet if you get it. I have elderly parents whom I have to be around and care for on a semi-regular basis. I'm actually not worried about me getting it but even though they are double vaccinated it concerns me still that if one of them were to get it how it may impact them.

For example my father in law is diabetic, has COPD and had a triple by-pass this year - not worth the risk to me as much as the ticket prices are uber appealing to me.

That shesterkin.... pretty good young goalie. There was a time Russia couldnt produce a good goalie at all. Now they have arguably most of the best in the world. Shesterkin (not yet but he can get there). Vasy. Askarov on the way. Khudobin aint too shabby either. Serbob too i guess.
- prock

Yup.

It used to be Canada pumping out elite goaltenders one after the other.

Now who's taking over for team Canada when Price calls it quits or becomes too old to perform at a high level?

Carter Hart?

But, my question still remains valid.

The Leaf attack is superb. The offensive game produces spectacular possession numbers. Fancy stats and our own eyes tell us that the Leafs should have won that game.

If the Leafs have a significant weakness it is on defence and in the nets.

I am interested in having someone explain to me how the Leafs will transition to playoff style hockey where games are often decided by the best goaltending performance.

You can look at last night's game and say the Leafs were great on the attack. You can also say that despite a dominant performance they still lost. Is there something that needs to be fixed?
- spatso

7

That shesterkin.... pretty good young goalie. There was a time Russia couldnt produce a good goalie at all. Now they have arguably most of the best in the world. Shesterkin (not yet but he can get there). Vasy. Askarov on the way. Khudobin aint too shabby either. Serbob too i guess.
- prock

Samsonov decent as well.

"He (Mike Babcock) tried to healthy scratched me in the outdoor game in Wrigley Field against Chicago because he knew it was my hometown. Just things that were so unnecessary.
Kenny Holland and Jim Nill for three days argued with him. So what Babs ended up doing was he suited up 7 D for the first time ever, first and last time. He suited up 7 D, put Anders Lilja in the lineup. And played me opening shift and then didn’t play me another shift the rest of the game. That was his way of, you know, showing Kenny and now Jim Nill, he’s not going to be told what to do.

Again, and you know it’s funny. I’m sitting there. Second period and my two sons were about 40 feet, you know, sittin on the boards and they’re looking at me going, what’s going on?
And I look at them. I tip my glass like you know my cup, to get me a beer. So my two boys were handing me beers the whole game. And then McCrimmon tried to get me to go out there with a minute left to kill a penalty, I said not a chance."

Source: Chris Chelios on the Spittin Chiclets Podcast.


I wouldn't say Dubas needed his own coach as much as he just needed to get some distance from this ego maniac. Zero chance a young GM can do his thing with this guy behind the bench.

But, my question still remains valid.

The Leaf attack is superb. The offensive game produces spectacular possession numbers. Fancy stats and our own eyes tell us that the Leafs should have won that game.

If the Leafs have a significant weakness it is on defence and in the nets.

I am interested in having someone explain to me how the Leafs will transition to playoff style hockey where games are often decided by the best goaltending performance.

You can look at last night's game and say the Leafs were great on the attack. You can also say that despite a dominant performance they still lost. Is there something that needs to be fixed?
- spatso

The problem with posting stuff like this is that you look like an idiot if you don't fact check first. A simple check of stats and facts will tell you the team, so far, is among the leaders in lowest goals against per game.

Then again you're the same div who spewed bollox how the Leafs made a mistake drafting Matthew's over Laine. So coming across as an idiot seems more of a natural outcome for you.

"He (Mike Babcock) tried to healthy scratched me in the outdoor game in Wrigley Field against Chicago because he knew it was my hometown. Just things that were so unnecessary.
Kenny Holland and Jim Nill for three days argued with him. So what Babs ended up doing was he suited up 7 D for the first time ever, first and last time. He suited up 7 D, put Anders Lilja in the lineup. And played me opening shift and then didn’t play me another shift the rest of the game. That was his way of, you know, showing Kenny and now Jim Nill, he’s not going to be told what to do.

Again, and you know it’s funny. I’m sitting there. Second period and my two sons were about 40 feet, you know, sittin on the boards and they’re looking at me going, what’s going on?
And I look at them. I tip my glass like you know my cup, to get me a beer. So my two boys were handing me beers the whole game. And then McCrimmon tried to get me to go out there with a minute left to kill a penalty, I said not a chance."

Source: Chris Chelios on the Spittin Chiclets Podcast.


I wouldn't say Dubas needed his own coach as much as he just needed to get some distance from this ego maniac. Zero chance a young GM can do his thing with this guy behind the bench.
- joel878

I remember that story.

Babcock is an bumhole.

Remember when Mike Modano was 1 game away from playing 1500 in the NHL and he decided to bench him claiming he wanted to ice the best possible roster in a meaningless game since Detroit was already making the playoffs?

What a douche. You guys are better off with Keefe.

You guys are tools. He has ONE less point than Marner. Maybe you are all focusing on the wrong dude!?!?!?

Bottom line, that was a great (frank)ing hockey game. That's how they should always play the game.

Leafs got robbed by the Rangers tender, plain and simple. He had a killer game.

Almost everyone on the Leafs looked aggressive and played a great game. Campbell smoked it again except for the L.

Marner played a great game and Matthews was on fire. Didn't happen for either of them but at least I'm giving Small Nuts Mitchie credit.

Ritchie was good but you could tell he was still trying to work out Matthews and where he was going...but once that shakes out, I like him on the top line. How much more talent without balls needs to be on the first line???

Bunting is perfect.

The only player that sucked was Engvall...as usual. Yes Garnie, he's does one thing per shift and if you expect a second thing, forget about it.

But great game all around. Cheers female genitalias.
- Barb34

Line 3 fell apart without him and line 4 dominated. You have some really weird takes.

I remember that story.

Babcock is an bumhole.

Remember when Mike Modano was 1 game away from playing 1500 in the NHL and he decided to bench him claiming he wanted to ice the best possible roster in a meaningless game since Detroit was already making the playoffs?

What a douche. You guys are better off with Keefe.
- Scabeh

Benching Spezza in home opener against the Sens

I remember that story.

Babcock is an bumhole.

Remember when Mike Modano was 1 game away from playing 1500 in the NHL and he decided to bench him claiming he wanted to ice the best possible roster in a meaningless game since Detroit was already making the playoffs?

What a douche. You guys are better off with Keefe.
- Scabeh

That story is slightly tweaked to make it easier to tell. Modano was at 1496 with 4 games left in the season, and he sat him him the next game, and then played him in the final 3 - but it guaranteed he wouldn't reach 1500 all the same.

There's a reason Babcock isn't coaching in the NHL. If you don't play nice with the GMs, the GMs will stop hiring you. He had that job on ESPN or NBC one of the networks for a bit - and you'd imagine that would have reminded other GMs he was around and out there and interested . . .

You guys are franked. He was dead tired could barely skate but stayed on because Matthews sauntered (was also dead tired) I the bench just before Nylander could. It was a brutal change when Nylander went. The guy waited forever to jump on .
- jribout

I’m just 1 guy, better to stay on the ice tired then give up a free breakaway I think. Didn’t cost us until after the face off so no biggie, just say’n 🤷🏻‍♂️

Line 3 fell apart without him and line 4 dominated. You have some really weird takes.
- Garnie

The third line was great. Had almost 60% of the shots when they were on the ice and started every face off except 3 in their own end. 4th line was stronger with Engvall there, so the new setup kind of works.

Line 3 fell apart without him and line 4 dominated. You have some really weird takes.
- Garnie

I like Engvall, but yesterday wasn't one of his better games. I thought Simmonds had a great game (and I will always be on record as saying that I think he's done and was a wasted signing) - he was on everything and engaged. He's what made the 4th line go. Engvall made smart plays with the puck - moving it to smart areas of the ice, contributing in cycles, but he wasn't overly noticeable in terms of getting to where he needed to be. He was a bit too on-the-perimeter I think.

If we're picking on the team, the guy who has to step up is Kerfoot. He is struggling to solidify a role and failing so far at each opportunity. If Ritchie flames out in the top-6 (4 games, I'd give him some rope), then perhaps LW with Tavares and Nylander would work out for Kefoot, because IMO he's running out of options.

I like what Kase brings as well, but he was pretty meh yesterday. His skating is good, and again he gives good effort, but he's not making a lot happen on his own.

The only other guy I'd like to see pick up his play is Muzzin. He's off to a slow start - and it shows in his reaction time. He's been getting to pucks, but the time it's taking him to move the puck is noticeably slower and it's leading to turnovers.

The third line was great. Had almost 60% of the shots when they were on the ice and started every face off except 3 in their own end. 4th line was stronger with Engvall there, so the new setup kind of works.
- Canada Cup

Shot attempts Kerf was 35%
Kampf 50 Kase 45%

Pretty good 4 line game but line 3 went from the best stats to the worst in most categories.

GLG

I like Engvall, but yesterday wasn't one of his better games. I thought Simmonds had a great game (and I will always be on record as saying that I think he's done and was a wasted signing) - he was on everything and engaged. He's what made the 4th line go. Engvall made smart plays with the puck - moving it to smart areas of the ice, contributing in cycles, but he wasn't overly noticeable in terms of getting to where he needed to be. He was a bit too on-the-perimeter I think.

If we're picking on the team, the guy who has to step up is Kerfoot. He is struggling to solidify a role and failing so far at each opportunity. If Ritchie flames out in the top-6 (4 games, I'd give him some rope), then perhaps LW with Tavares and Nylander would work out for Kefoot, because IMO he's running out of options.

I like what Kase brings as well, but he was pretty meh yesterday. His skating is good, and again he gives good effort, but he's not making a lot happen on his own.

The only other guy I'd like to see pick up his play is Muzzin. He's off to a slow start - and it shows in his reaction time. He's been getting to pucks, but the time it's taking him to move the puck is noticeably slower and it's leading to turnovers.
- Monkeypunk

I agree with all of this, I felt like Muzzin was improved last night so at least he's trending in the right direction.

I like Engvall, but yesterday wasn't one of his better games. I thought Simmonds had a great game (and I will always be on record as saying that I think he's done and was a wasted signing) - he was on everything and engaged. He's what made the 4th line go. Engvall made smart plays with the puck - moving it to smart areas of the ice, contributing in cycles, but he wasn't overly noticeable in terms of getting to where he needed to be. He was a bit too on-the-perimeter I think.

If we're picking on the team, the guy who has to step up is Kerfoot. He is struggling to solidify a role and failing so far at each opportunity. If Ritchie flames out in the top-6 (4 games, I'd give him some rope), then perhaps LW with Tavares and Nylander would work out for Kefoot, because IMO he's running out of options.

I like what Kase brings as well, but he was pretty meh yesterday. His skating is good, and again he gives good effort, but he's not making a lot happen on his own.

The only other guy I'd like to see pick up his play is Muzzin. He's off to a slow start - and it shows in his reaction time. He's been getting to pucks, but the time it's taking him to move the puck is noticeably slower and it's leading to turnovers.
- Monkeypunk

Muzz takes a lot of hits…7 last night and most aren’t small bumps.

Engvall drew a penalty and lead that line imo. Spezz and Simmonds both played well too.

Engvall > Kerfoot

The giraffe creates a lot of havoc with his speed and his long reach, creates turnover…not sure what else we want for 1.2

I’d slide him on the left wing higher up before Kerf and Ritchie in his small sample.

Just my opinion. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I agree with all of this, I felt like Muzzin was improved last night so at least he's trending in the right direction.
- joel878

He took a bit of cheap shot in the first from Reaves but was decent. Leafs dominated in the second period but only scored once. You have to bury you chances in overtime, Leafs had at least 3 great scoring chances in OT, unfortunately the Leafs $11M players did not finish, the Rangers only $11M player did.

Muzz takes a lot of hits…7 last night and most aren’t small bumps.

Engvall drew a penalty and lead that line imo. Spezz and Simmonds both played well too.

Engvall > Kerfoot

The giraffe creates a lot of havoc with his speed and his long reach, creates turnover…not sure what else we want for 1.2

I’d slide him on the left wing higher up before Kerf and Ritchie in his small sample.

Just my opinion. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- Garnie

I thought Kerfoot was good last night

(As were most Leafs)

I thought Kerfoot was good last night

(As were most Leafs)
- mr.sir

He was ok, but line 3 wasn’t as good with him there.

I thought Kerfoot was good last night

(As were most Leafs)
- mr.sir

Last nights game the Leafs looked like an elite team. They had the puck, they created chances, they limited chances against. They did it all.

Everything except win.

Muzz takes a lot of hits…7 last night and most aren’t small bumps.

Engvall drew a penalty and lead that line imo. Spezz and Simmonds both played well too.

Engvall > Kerfoot

The giraffe creates a lot of havoc with his speed and his long reach, creates turnover…not sure what else we want for 1.2

I’d slide him on the left wing higher up before Kerf and Ritchie in his small sample.

Just my opinion. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- Garnie

Doubt very much that Ritchie gets moved out of the top six. He was brought in to make sure Matthews and Marner are mugged less than they have been in the past (Something that Engvall is not capable of) . Ritchie also has a way better shot than Engvall. For Engvall to move into the top six, he would need to replace Bunting, and that's not too likely - Kerfoot is on the third (checking line) Checking is not the giraffe's strong suit. I know he's 6'5" (about 24" of neck) but he hits as if he was Cole Caufield's size. If he doesn't change that, he won't find work on the fourth line.

Muzz takes a lot of hits…7 last night and most aren’t small bumps.

Engvall drew a penalty and lead that line imo. Spezz and Simmonds both played well too.

Engvall > Kerfoot

The giraffe creates a lot of havoc with his speed and his long reach, creates turnover…not sure what else we want for 1.2

I’d slide him on the left wing higher up before Kerf and Ritchie in his small sample.

Just my opinion. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- Garnie

I didn't mention Spezza, but he is always awesome. I am honestly shocked at how amazing he has been - and just because he's on a minimum contract. He's a respected leader, a veteran, and plays a lot smarter than I honestly thought he did.

There's no right opinion here - they'd have to experience it and play it and prove it out - I'm probably of the opinion that Engvall does a lot of smart things with the puck and away from the puck - but I don't think he's physically engaged enough nor is he offensively motivated enough, which might be a problem for any top-6 role. I find a lot of Engvall's game revolves around "doing the right thing" - so he's a positive play driver, but almost marginally so. Like in that bottom-6 role, your job is just to not get scored on and pinch in when you can . . . and he exemplifies that, rather than exceeds it.

But to your point, if they gave him a look again, there would certainly be worse options.

Last nights game the Leafs looked like an elite team. They had the puck, they created chances, they limited chances against. They did it all.

Everything except win.
- Leafs43

if i was to put my blue glasses on, it was Matthews' first game back and he probably nets one or two in those situations once he shakes the rust off

if i was to put my blue glasses on, it was Matthews' first game back and he probably nets one or two in those situations once he shakes the rust off
- TheMussel

Agree, that missed empty netter in OT was painful

I didn't mention Spezza, but he is always awesome. I am honestly shocked at how amazing he has been - and just because he's on a minimum contract. He's a respected leader, a veteran, and plays a lot smarter than I honestly thought he did.

There's no right opinion here - they'd have to experience it and play it and prove it out - I'm probably of the opinion that Engvall does a lot of smart things with the puck and away from the puck - but I don't think he's physically engaged enough nor is he offensively motivated enough, which might be a problem for any top-6 role. I find a lot of Engvall's game revolves around "doing the right thing" - so he's a positive play driver, but almost marginally so. Like in that bottom-6 role, your job is just to not get scored on and pinch in when you can . . . and he exemplifies that, rather than exceeds it.

But to your point, if they gave him a look again, there would certainly be worse options.
- Monkeypunk

I get it, I think he has to tread lightly as to not get pims in fear of demotion. But I still think he brings more then a lot of people give him credit for.

4 pretty good lines last night.

I guess Engvall eats popcorn when Mikey comes back, not what I’d do but probably what will happen. 🤷🏻‍♂️