Sean Maloughney: The Maple Leafs Could Learn Lessons From the Oilers

Good read, and all valid points. Fortunately, for the first time in as long as I can remember, the Leafs have some cap flexibility and the pieces needed to improve at the TDL. Who knows what Leaf team shows up tomorrow night.

The Oilers have won 10 in a row and are still behind the Leafs in the standings.

The Oilers have won 10 in a row and are still behind the Leafs in the standings.
- Zezel

The Oilers have played 2 fewer games and are 3 points down. Edmonton also has 23 wins to Toronto's 21.

I agree the Leafs should trade for Ristolainen.

Interesting opinion. The Oilers steak has been impressive and it will likely continue for a few more games. However, it is foolish to tout any defensive core while the team is on a heater.

Direct comparables can be used to measure the effectiveness of the Oilers "absolutely superior" defensive structure against Toronto's "unbalanced" core. During the Oilers current streak, Toronto and Edmonton have each played against the same opponents on 4 occasions. (the Ducks, Kings, Senators and Sharks) Filtering-out EN goals, the Oilers allowed 5 goals during these games, while Toronto allowed 6. Impressive defensive numbers, with Edmonton better by a single goal. Uninspiring when consideration is given to the Oilers being on a heater, while Toronto is playing their third or fourth string goaltender.

Teams on heaters are never as good as they seem, likewise, cold teams are not as poor. The first half of the Oilers season perfectly reflects this adage.

The biggest reason for the Oilers horrendous start was that McDavid and Ekholm were both playing injured. On top of that, Woodcroft did a terrible job with line management. 3rd and 4th lines got so little playing time, how could they contribute? I'm sure lack of confidence and motivation seep in after that goes on for so long also.

The 10 game streak is great but definitely hasn't been perfect hockey. 2 or 3 times the Oilers were down going into the 3rd after less than inspiring play the first couple periods and had to battle back.

Nice to be back home to #keepthestreakalive. Leafs biggest problems right now are they don't have an identity and they can't raise their compete level for the big games. The quintessential great regular season team/bad playoff team.

Not to just rag on the Leafs. The Oiler teams of not too distant past have had similar issues of no identity and losing their confidence as soon as the other team takes the lead.

But at present the Oil are looking more like a Stanley Cup contender than the Leafs.

The Oilers have won 10 in a row and are still behind the Leafs in the standings.
- Zezel

Leafs have a whopping 13 regulation wins. Good for 13th in the Eastern Conference. They have Bettman to thank they’re still in the race.

Should be a good game tomorrow regardless. Good luck

Sean Maloughney: The Maple Leafs Could Learn Lessons From the Oilers
- freelancer

Usually when a non leafs fan writes a blog about the leafs and it says anything other than how the leafs are gods, they have the greatest players ever, they are the greatest franchise ever, and the only reason they ever lose is because they get screwed by the refs, the league, the sun and the moon, it brings out a lot of very offended leafs fans with the typical "your team sucks because they aren't the Leafs" comments.
But all you got was the likes of the Zezzel and Whipper to respond?
Sean. What has happened? A blog like the well written, factual and extremely objective one you just wrote used to get the thread blowing up with responses.

Interesting opinion. The Oilers steak has been impressive and it will likely continue for a few more games. However, it is foolish to tout any defensive core while the team is on a heater.

Direct comparables can be used to measure the effectiveness of the Oilers "absolutely superior" defensive structure against Toronto's "unbalanced" core. During the Oilers current streak, Toronto and Edmonton have each played against the same opponents on 4 occasions. (the Ducks, Kings, Senators and Sharks) Filtering-out EN goals, the Oilers allowed 5 goals during these games, while Toronto allowed 6. Impressive defensive numbers, with Edmonton better by a single goal. Uninspiring when consideration is given to the Oilers being on a heater, while Toronto is playing their third or fourth string goaltender.

Teams on heaters are never as good as they seem, likewise, cold teams are not as poor. The first half of the Oilers season perfectly reflects this adage.
- Jackie Daytona

Excellent post friend. I too was offended by the blog and it's use of the words " unbalanced " and "absolutely superior".
The 4 game sample size you have chosen to compare the two teams defensive play is well stated, free of "bias", and is "confirmation" of the validity of your point.
The defence of both teams are very similar, and without looking at the entire season I'm sure the GA for both teams only differs by 1. The Oilers defense is certainly not "absolutely superior" to the Leafs.
Oh wait it appears there is a slight variance between both teams GA. Only 17 though. That is still nowhere near the realm of "absolutely superior".
I will talk to Sean when we meet up for lunch on Friday. He is a reasonable guy and I'm sure he will print a retraction.

As a long suffering Leaf fan I will agree that the team lacks balance. No doubt the core 4 has talent but Shanny needs to spread some of that money to the defence and other forwards. I say Shanny because it seems like he has the final say over the GM. Maybe he was banking on a constantly rising Cap to help them out, but I think it’s safe to say the experiment doesn’t work. I’m sure they will overpay Marner again and throw in a NMC to boot. My only hope is Shanny gets fired and they use Tavares’s expiring contract money to spend on D.

Yarncock.

Therefore, Toronto > Edmonton.

That is all.

The Leafs always enjoy their home games in Alberta.

Morgan Rielly is a #1 defenseman but he defends through smart positioning and excellent stickwork. Ideally you would want to see him paired with a more shutdown partner... instead he gets T.J. Brodie, a top 4 defenseman I suppose because he logs a bunch of minutes. What he does with those minutes is up for debate.

Brodie at 5v5 in his 234 RS games with TOR is at 3.1 goals for compared to 1.6 goals against. So what he has done in those minutes is contribute to his team outscoring the opponent by a wide margin. He's showing decline this season, but to suggest Brodie has been some overpaid waste for Toronto is utter delusion. Especially on a team like Toronto with poor RD depth (sound familiar?).

Brodie at 5v5 in his 234 RS games with TOR is at 3.1 goals for compared to 1.6 goals against. So what he has done in those minutes is contribute to his team outscoring the opponent by a wide margin. He's showing decline this season, but to suggest Brodie has been some overpaid waste for Toronto is utter delusion. Especially on a team like Toronto with poor RD depth (sound familiar?).
- jfkst1

TJ brodie is the most overrated Dman since Kris Russell. Is he useless, No. Is he worth anything more than bottom pairing money? No.

Excellent post friend. I too was offended by the blog and it's use of the words " unbalanced " and "absolutely superior".
The 4 game sample size you have chosen to compare the two teams defensive play is well stated, free of "bias", and is "confirmation" of the validity of your point.
The defence of both teams are very similar, and without looking at the entire season I'm sure the GA for both teams only differs by 1. The Oilers defense is certainly not "absolutely superior" to the Leafs.
Oh wait it appears there is a slight variance between both teams GA. Only 17 though. That is still nowhere near the realm of "absolutely superior".
I will talk to Sean when we meet up for lunch on Friday. He is a reasonable guy and I'm sure he will print a retraction.
- ruttager17

I'm thinking donairs.