TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced they will not play Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightening to save everyone the trouble.

“I think we all know how this will end,” said Leafs Coach Sheldon Keefe at a press conference. “We owe it to our fans not to torture them with the false hopes that we’ll win tonight. We decided, as a team, that this game is really not worth it.”

Potential injuries during their inevitable last game of the season may affect players’ golf swings, warned the team’s doctor.

https://www.thebeaverton....ave-everyone-the-trouble/
- Rota's Rooter

Mitch Marner is a great player, but sometimes he makes the most baffling passes, like he is on Venus and his teammates are on Mars.

Or maybe the hockey fan could just retype that sentence since neither the NSA or Ogi have dropped by to let us know what limes and yonex are code for.
- HawkintheD

Yonex was a driver used by Phil Mickelson years ago lime goes with Tequila other than that IDK?

I know someone here thinks Matthews sucks, but damn he's having a good series.
- BetweenTheDots

No one here has ever posted that Matthews sucks, have they Dots! Your usual Hyperbole to try to make some point?

No one here has ever posted that Matthews sucks, have they Dots! Your usual Hyperbole to try to make some point?
- paulr

I'm waiting in the weeds to be misquoted.

I'm waiting in the weeds to be misquoted.
- powerenforcer

Had anyone said Matthews sucks, every single poster would have jumped all over it. No one ever posted that or anything like that. But Dots knows that!

Yonex was a driver used by Phil Mickelson years ago lime goes with Tequila other than that IDK?
- rpeters01

- Rota's Rooter

Maybe Yonex means coconut?

I'm waiting in the weeds to be misquoted.
- powerenforcer

Why would anyone want to misquote you? You've some of the most entertaining posts here.

I'm waiting in the weeds to be misquoted.
- powerenforcer

Wow what an ego

Wow what an ego
- BetweenTheDots

Pot …. Kettle …..

Watching both the Bolts and Leafs, such a stunning difference between them and the Hawks exiting the zone. Tape to tape passes, everyone moving on the rush, forwards back, etc.


Think it was a poor decision to start Talbot. No pressure there.
- Popsghostly

Yeah, but the coach probably had a pulse on if M-A Fleury needed a rest.

Retracing a bird in the had....and why I would rather be in the bush with 2023 lottery balls.

Conor Bedard's wrist shot already rates as one of the best in the game, including Shane Wright and most everyone. generates downforce by kicking out one leg behind him but can also shoot from compromised positions by generating the power through his wrists. He always pushes his hands in front of his body before winding up the shot, then violently pulls the top hand back.

The key for Bedard’s shot is the elbow of his top arm. Many players keep it tight to their bodies, even players considered great shooters. Instead, Bedard elevates his elbow parallel to his shoulder or above it. As a result, his shot doesn’t just have the traditional power source of downforce. The more elevated the elbow, the closer the puck is to his body, enabling him to drive his full weight through the shot. That elbow placement also holds the key for Bedard’s curl-and-drag wrister, the star of the show. As he pulls the puck closer to his body to change the angle of the shot, he elevates his elbow, putting him directly into that explosive shooting position. For the curl-and-drag wrister, he rarely shoots through the skates of defenders because it’s too risky. Instead, he prefers to skate at defenders off-centre, either to the inside or outside of their bodies, which limits the chances of shooting into their shins.


That’s not to mention his feet. He transfers his weight from his inside edges to the outside edge of his outside skate with insane speed. His speed and pace, deception — the crossovers, misleading eyes, dynamic puck positioning — keeps defenders and goaltenders guessing. He transitions into his outside leg shot faster than most players transition into their inside leg shot, the distinction here being that many players can transfer their momentum from crossovers or strides directly into their weight shift for the shot, while the outside leg shot requires a glide before firing. Given the puck-dominant nature of Bedard’s game, his off-puck scoring instincts don’t appear regularly. But don’t mistake a lack of volume for lack of ability. He has a knack for dipping off the radar before popping into the slot with perfect timing to deflect a shot or grab a rebound. While he’ll engage physically, he does the smart thing: Find space between defenders to extend the passing window and maximize his time with the puck.

When not hunting for point-blank chances, Bedard masterfully supports the play, builds speed under the puck, and constantly chooses the right route to get the puck back. As he climbs the levels of hockey, expect this part of his game to feature more regularly. It’s clear that he wants to play a give-and-go game.
I loved in the interview during the U-18s, when he was put together as Fantelli's winger, and he says, "Well, I just let him (Adam) control the pace and just wait for the puck..."
Even when not playing with the puck, when it comes his way, he is so quick to adance it, get it back and dish it again if he isn't in a good shooting area.

I just know no one is trading their pick and the plans to tank are being, well, maybe not planned, as much as rebuilding clubs with not over-spending to get better.

Years ago the Moody Blues recorded a song addressed to Maple Leaf players and fans:

"Breathe Deep the Gathering Gloom/ Watch Light Fade from Every Room/Another Day's Useless Energy Spent"

And I would wager a buck or two that the greatest Maple Leaf player ever, Dave Keon, who they tossed out like he was dirty bathwater, will be sitting in Florida tomorrow night cheering hard for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- RickJ

Tampa looked very tired towards the end there and Toronto was all over them for a large portion of the OT.

If Tampa can pot that 1st goal....we may see another epic collapse....0-8 in elimination games, haven't won a series since 99, possible major shakeup brewing....and they have Campbell vs an all world goalie.

That eastern conference is a meat grinder...where as....will anyone beat Colorado 2 times, let alone 3 or 4 before the cup final? Baring some major injuries I just don't see it.

Canadian media may not wear pants if they get another "battle for alberta" in round 2.

Yeah, but the coach probably had a pulse on if M-A Fleury needed a rest.
- wiz1901

that Minnesota coach looks like a love child of Anthony Hopkins and Victor Mateline (beverly hills cop)

No one here has ever posted that Matthews sucks, have they Dots! Your usual Hyperbole to try to make some point?
- paulr

Tell you what, when he was legitimately held for about 5 seconds in OT, he never once female doged or went palms up to the ref vs a lot of media and fans last night and today losing their minds over it.

I get some think Bettman is hell bent keeping the cup out of Canada, but if that was a lightning player getting held and it was called leafs fans would be detonating about how "it's OT"....I just accept the fact that unless you literally murder somebody, shoot the puck over the glass, roll out 8 guys (see Hawks vs Boston game 1..x 2) or tackle a guy on a breakaway (debatable)....they aren't calling it. Nor should they....let the players decide especially when somebody has a chance to be sent home.

Yeah, but the coach probably had a pulse on if M-A Fleury needed a rest.

Retracing a bird in the had....and why I would rather be in the bush with 2023 lottery balls.

Conor Bedard's wrist shot already rates as one of the best in the game, including Shane Wright and most everyone. generates downforce by kicking out one leg behind him but can also shoot from compromised positions by generating the power through his wrists. He always pushes his hands in front of his body before winding up the shot, then violently pulls the top hand back.

The key for Bedard’s shot is the elbow of his top arm. Many players keep it tight to their bodies, even players considered great shooters. Instead, Bedard elevates his elbow parallel to his shoulder or above it. As a result, his shot doesn’t just have the traditional power source of downforce. The more elevated the elbow, the closer the puck is to his body, enabling him to drive his full weight through the shot. That elbow placement also holds the key for Bedard’s curl-and-drag wrister, the star of the show. As he pulls the puck closer to his body to change the angle of the shot, he elevates his elbow, putting him directly into that explosive shooting position. For the curl-and-drag wrister, he rarely shoots through the skates of defenders because it’s too risky. Instead, he prefers to skate at defenders off-centre, either to the inside or outside of their bodies, which limits the chances of shooting into their shins.


That’s not to mention his feet. He transfers his weight from his inside edges to the outside edge of his outside skate with insane speed. His speed and pace, deception — the crossovers, misleading eyes, dynamic puck positioning — keeps defenders and goaltenders guessing. He transitions into his outside leg shot faster than most players transition into their inside leg shot, the distinction here being that many players can transfer their momentum from crossovers or strides directly into their weight shift for the shot, while the outside leg shot requires a glide before firing. Given the puck-dominant nature of Bedard’s game, his off-puck scoring instincts don’t appear regularly. But don’t mistake a lack of volume for lack of ability. He has a knack for dipping off the radar before popping into the slot with perfect timing to deflect a shot or grab a rebound. While he’ll engage physically, he does the smart thing: Find space between defenders to extend the passing window and maximize his time with the puck.

When not hunting for point-blank chances, Bedard masterfully supports the play, builds speed under the puck, and constantly chooses the right route to get the puck back. As he climbs the levels of hockey, expect this part of his game to feature more regularly. It’s clear that he wants to play a give-and-go game.
I loved in the interview during the U-18s, when he was put together as Fantelli's winger, and he says, "Well, I just let him (Adam) control the pace and just wait for the puck..."
Even when not playing with the puck, when it comes his way, he is so quick to adance it, get it back and dish it again if he isn't in a good shooting area.

I just know no one is trading their pick and the plans to tank are being, well, maybe not planned, as much as rebuilding clubs with not over-spending to get better.
- wiz1901

They could always have most of the roster the same and just keep Delia and Lankinen as the starters.

- Rota's Rooter

And drink it all up….

Tell you what, when he was legitimately held for about 5 seconds in OT, he never once female doged or went palms up to the ref vs a lot of media and fans last night and today losing their minds over it.

I get some think Bettman is hell bent keeping the cup out of Canada, but if that was a lightning player getting held and it was called leafs fans would be detonating about how "it's OT"....I just accept the fact that unless you literally murder somebody, shoot the puck over the glass, roll out 8 guys (see Hawks vs Boston game 1..x 2) or tackle a guy on a breakaway (debatable)....they aren't calling it. Nor should they....let the players decide especially when somebody has a chance to be sent home.
- SteveRain

I can't remember what playoff game it was, but a defender lifted the puck up out of his defensive zone and it hit the scoreboard. Why isn't that the same as shooting it into the net or crowd? That should be a DOG penalty too.

Tell you what, when he was legitimately held for about 5 seconds in OT, he never once female doged or went palms up to the ref vs a lot of media and fans last night and today losing their minds over it.

I get some think Bettman is hell bent keeping the cup out of Canada, but if that was a lightning player getting held and it was called leafs fans would be detonating about how "it's OT"....I just accept the fact that unless you literally murder somebody, shoot the puck over the glass, roll out 8 guys (see Hawks vs Boston game 1..x 2) or tackle a guy on a breakaway (debatable)....they aren't calling it. Nor should they....let the players decide especially when somebody has a chance to be sent home.
- SteveRain

Matthews is maturing, the last few playoffs he was almost invisible. This year he’s playing allot better. For the Leafs to win he needs to grab hold of the game and be the dominant player. Everyone knows I hate the leafs but I think (fear) if the leafs win tomorrow they’ll win the cup.

As for Canadians believing Bettman hates Canadian teams, every single team has fans believing Bettman hates their team. Of course the notion he is for or against any team is absurd, but fans will be fans.

Mitch Marner is a great player, but sometimes he makes the most baffling passes, like he is on Venus and his teammates are on Mars.
- LAHawk

It seems like he's trying to play faster than he actually can, if he slows it down just a hair he'll be more effective.

I can't remember what playoff game it was, but a defender lifted the puck up out of his defensive zone and it hit the scoreboard. Why isn't that the same as shooting it into the net or crowd? That should be a DOG penalty too.
- powerenforcer

I am not sure.....I guess if it's considered to be within the width of the playing surface there is no limit in regards to height in regards to a DOG?

Matthews is maturing, the last few playoffs he was almost invisible. This year he’s playing allot better. For the Leafs to win he needs to grab hold of the game and be the dominant player. Everyone knows I hate the leafs but I think (fear) if the leafs win tomorrow they’ll win the cup.

As for Canadians believing Bettman hates Canadian teams, every single team has fans believing Bettman hates their team. Of course the notion he is for or against any team is absurd, but fans will be fans.
- paulr

I agree on Matthews. I think he's found that next gear and is settling into the spotlight. He was been a factor each game this series. NOt sure on winning the cup. Colorado hasn't been tested but they have the horses to compete against the Leafs. That's assuming the Leafs can get by Florida or Washington and Carolina/Boston/NY Rangers/Pittsburgh winner....just feel the east is a meat grinder and whoever is left standing will have a taken a beating vs what likely Colorado has to face to get there.

I hear you on the Bettman thing. I never bought into that on a personal level. Never felt he had it out for the Hawks at any time. Blaming officials seems like a major cop out to me and when I see social media littered with it....I just wait to see what the players say afterwards, and again....kudos to matthews who wasn't going to be dragged into it saying "no comment" and then talking about leaving the past where it is, showing up and playing balls out. Too much noise in Toronto and other Canadian markets. That idiot reporter who constantly badgers Leon in Edmonton is another. I can see why some guys put some key canadian markets on their NTC lists......Game is hard enough playing and then to deal with that crap vs the cake walk media the Hawks have? Night and day.

Mitch Marner is a great player, but sometimes he makes the most baffling passes, like he is on Venus and his teammates are on Mars.
- LAHawk

Man I felt awful for Hagel for when he missed that open chance late in the 3rd...if it was partially blocked by the defender or not....he visibly wore it on the bench...had a few rough shifts after that.....missed some key breakout stretch out passes that led to icings against, had a few soft shifts....but he fought through Marner, causing Marner to drop his stick, and then just float to the crease on that Point winner.

Think it was Jones who was the color guy last night for turner, who said the leafs big guys were in beast mode...but for as much as the refs are being bashed...again that's a perfect time for Marner to go blast somebody where he likely won't be called because it's OT in an elimination game. Instead he floated....and cost the Leafs dearly.

He has some top notch skill.....They seem to be wearing down the Tampa back end coming in waves similar to when the Hawks would do that to teams like Calgary, Vancouver, LA, and others....88 is going to need his FU game tomorrow early on. Leafs are going to come out storming the castle. Should be a great game.

Man I felt awful for Hagel for when he missed that open chance late in the 3rd...if it was partially blocked by the defender or not....he visibly wore it on the bench...had a few rough shifts after that.....missed some key breakout stretch out passes that led to icings against, had a few soft shifts....but he fought through Marner, causing Marner to drop his stick, and then just float to the crease on that Point winner.

Think it was Jones who was the color guy last night for turner, who said the leafs big guys were in beast mode...but for as much as the refs are being bashed...again that's a perfect time for Marner to go blast somebody where he likely won't be called because it's OT in an elimination game. Instead he floated....and cost the Leafs dearly.

He has some top notch skill.....They seem to be wearing down the Tampa back end coming in waves similar to when the Hawks would do that to teams like Calgary, Vancouver, LA, and others....88 is going to need his FU game tomorrow early on. Leafs are going to come out storming the castle. Should be a great game.
- SteveRain

It sure looked on the replay from one angle it was

Already the refs are in for Pitt to win the game. Why wasn't the Penguin player called for a penalty when his helmet came off? He continued with the play. I thought a player had to leave the ice when his helmet came off (or is that just Murphy)?

Already the refs are in for Pitt to win the game. Why wasn't the Penguin player called for a penalty when his helmet came off? He continued with the play. I thought a player had to leave the ice when his helmet came off (or is that just Murphy)?
- powerenforcer

Yeah, why would the NHL want the biggest market in the league to succeed?