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Forums :: Blog World :: Mike Augello: Leafs split in Sunshine State with lackluster loss to Panthers
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mjones242
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Pretentious Beer Snob, ON
Joined: 06.22.2015

Jan 19 @ 11:01 AM ET
Joking aside,

Something is wrong with Matthews. He doesn't look the same out there as he did to start the last 2 seasons. This isn't a guy doing all the same stuff and hitting a bunch of goal posts. Every aspect of his game is not what we have seen before.

We have all seen him, when he is on his game, he can be the most complete 2 way player in the league. He is just not that guy right now.

Talking to a friend, who would have reason to know some stuff, there are a couple thoughts out there. The whole Babcock thing, and Marner playing with Tavares thing is an issue. and/or he is also injured.

He looks like he is playing injured. That shot is nothing like what we saw earlier this season.

- Aetherial

Completely agree. He just doesn't seem as dominant and has been fighting the puck quite a bit lately. Only 1 goal in the past 12 games and he just looks... off.

Maybe it's time to give him some regular shifts with Marner to try to drag him out of his mini-slump?
Woderwick
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: David Clarkson's Water Bottle, ON
Joined: 02.12.2013

Jan 19 @ 11:04 AM ET
Leafs have to get their poop together...top to bottom and everything in between.

That is all.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Jan 19 @ 11:28 AM ET
I had the same thought yesterday. Tampa lets the Leafs skate and doesn't present too much of a physical challenge.

The Leafs don't win many puck battles and are pretty soft top to bottom. The only noteable hits I saw thrown last night were by Kapanen.

- Aetherial


They struggle against physical teams this year, but they haven't in the past, mostly because they'd skate through it and end up getting a lot of calls, along with a potent PP.

This year, PP has been poo-poo and they're getting the fewest calls against in the league, so the opposition feels they can play a bit grittier/dirtier and get away with it.

I'm almost starting to question Babcock and the incessant line changes: for guys who haven't really played together all that much outside of a few (like Matthews and Nylander and at this point, Marner and Tavares), the rest is just a big huge blender.

Compare that to teams like BOS with Marchand and Pasta, Ovi and Backstrom, Kucherov and Stamkos, guys who have played together for years. Only Matthews and Nylander have something even close to that kind of familiarity and not really on the PP at all so far this year.
Leafcup
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Aurora, ON
Joined: 06.16.2016

Jan 19 @ 11:28 AM ET
Sorry but I am putting last nights loss mostly on Babcock....it's his job to get these guys going which is has been unable to do.....do not understand why he refuses to put Marner with Matthews sometimes to get Matthews going more...he puts almost everyone else with him with not a lot of luck...
Fakepartofme
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Living rent free... in your head, ON
Joined: 09.20.2010

Jan 19 @ 11:41 AM ET
So did they beat the lowly Panthers? Or was it yet again another low effort lackluster game?
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Jan 19 @ 11:43 AM ET
Sorry but I am putting last nights loss mostly on Babcock....it's his job to get these guys going which is has been unable to do.....do not understand why he refuses to put Marner with Matthews sometimes to get Matthews going more...he puts almost everyone else with him with not a lot of luck...
- Leafcup


He did actually sneak them out there together after a PK; he's done that a few times.

I just want him to stick with some lines and let them work it out for themselves.

Ironically it's the D pairings that could use more tweaking IMO: Dermott up on the right side with Rielly, Hainsey down with Oz.

Hainsey could be effective playing Polak minutes (< 16) and mentoring Oz.
iTOLDu
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: MI
Joined: 10.26.2011

Jan 19 @ 11:45 AM ET
Leafs can’t play against physical teams, especially teams that have defenseman who take the body. Everyone cries when you say you need to add some toughness but it’s the reason why they can’t beat teams like Boston and Florida. Not saying goons. I’m saying half skilled/hard guys-a Kreider or Jenner would be an example of what leafs need. Maybe even Simmonds. Very unlikely they get someone like those guys. Until then they will be a first or second round exit team for years to come. Oh and our second pairing d sucks ass.
Fakepartofme
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Living rent free... in your head, ON
Joined: 09.20.2010

Jan 19 @ 11:59 AM ET
They struggle against physical teams this year, but they haven't in the past, mostly because they'd skate through it and end up getting a lot of calls, along with a potent PP.

This year, PP has been poo-poo and they're getting the fewest calls against in the league, so the opposition feels they can play a bit grittier/dirtier and get away with it.

I'm almost starting to question Babcock and the incessant line changes: for guys who haven't really played together all that much outside of a few (like Matthews and Nylander and at this point, Marner and Tavares), the rest is just a big huge blender.

Compare that to teams like BOS with Marchand and Pasta, Ovi and Backstrom, Kucherov and Stamkos, guys who have played together for years. Only Matthews and Nylander have something even close to that kind of familiarity and not really on the PP at all so far this year.

- gravyface

In the past we had somewhat more physical guys.
This year, this team is soft and lacks effort.
Not good signs come playoff time.
I question babs as well.
mjones242
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Pretentious Beer Snob, ON
Joined: 06.22.2015

Jan 19 @ 12:14 PM ET
So what exactly counts as a statistical "hit"? I was sure that Marner would be awarded one last night when he threw a nice hit in the defensive zone as the last man back. Granted, it was more of a "butt check" but I was perplexed to see it wasn't awarded a precious "hit" stat.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Jan 19 @ 12:19 PM ET
In the past we had somewhat more physical guys.
This year, this team is soft and lacks effort.
Not good signs come playoff time.
I question babs as well.

- Fakepartofme


Martin was a non-factor because he barely played.

Komarov and Kadri both tried to out-nasty each other some times, so it was a good pairing to have.

Hyman plays with jam, but he's not really edgy, Brown: I'd almost rather have Moore in for him at this point.

So yeah, bunch of real nice kids out there.

I just don't get it: it's a contact sport, how do you not want to just plow dudes sometimes? Matthews could be Keith Primeau out there if he wanted to be, even 10% of the time. Get in on the forecheck with that speed and size and lay someone out.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Jan 19 @ 12:21 PM ET
Leafs can’t play against physical teams, especially teams that have defenseman who take the body. Everyone cries when you say you need to add some toughness but it’s the reason why they can’t beat teams like Boston and Florida. Not saying goons. I’m saying half skilled/hard guys-a Kreider or Jenner would be an example of what leafs need. Maybe even Simmonds. Very unlikely they get someone like those guys. Until then they will be a first or second round exit team for years to come. Oh and our second pairing d sucks ass.
- iTOLDu


I love Simmonds, but he's on the decline and he'll cost a ton.

Can we take away their Playstations or XBoxes or phones or whatever so they're really pissed to start the game?
david22
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 04.15.2008

Jan 19 @ 12:25 PM ET
So what exactly counts as a statistical "hit"? I was sure that Marner would be awarded one last night when he threw a nice hit in the defensive zone as the last man back. Granted, it was more of a "butt check" but I was perplexed to see it wasn't awarded a precious "hit" stat.
- mjones242


As I recall there's no set defination. And it's decided by the home team's group that measures this.
Mount Albert
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Mount Albert, ON
Joined: 12.11.2008

Jan 19 @ 12:29 PM ET
He’s been playing scared since the Trouba
hit.

- daws44

More like the Kronwall jam into the boards !!
iTOLDu
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: MI
Joined: 10.26.2011

Jan 19 @ 12:29 PM ET
I love Simmonds, but he's on the decline and he'll cost a ton.

Can we take away their Playstations or XBoxes or phones or whatever so they're really pissed to start the game?

- gravyface


I meant anyone like them. Whether it’s through draft or trade. Time for Babcock and Dubas to step up. The forecheck is week, PP now non-existent, and not sure we have the right mix of players. All skill, zero grit. 90/10 is probably a fine mix.
Leafcup
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Aurora, ON
Joined: 06.16.2016

Jan 19 @ 12:50 PM ET
Completely agree. He just doesn't seem as dominant and has been fighting the puck quite a bit lately. Only 1 goal in the past 12 games and he just looks... off.

Maybe it's time to give him some regular shifts with Marner to try to drag him out of his mini-slump?

- mjones242


Matthews needs to play with Marner for a bit until he gets going...above that...we know what this team is capable of and what they have done so getting these guys going more frequently is Babcock's job and for 6 mil a year he should get on the ball and not always just saying this guy needs to do this and that guy needs to do that....just get them going somehow...that's what he is paid to do....quit blaming the players all the time...instead of putting Nylander on the 4 th line just put him with Marner and Mathews for a bit...certainly won't hurt
lumlums
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: ON
Joined: 06.25.2011

Jan 19 @ 12:57 PM ET
This is kinda cool: https://twitter.com/A_Kal...tatus/1086640644074946560
lumlums
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: ON
Joined: 06.25.2011

Jan 19 @ 1:04 PM ET


mjones242
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Pretentious Beer Snob, ON
Joined: 06.22.2015

Jan 19 @ 1:20 PM ET
This is kinda cool: https://twitter.com/A_Kal...tatus/1086640644074946560
- lumlums

@zimms87 the KHL has taken the skills competition to a whole new level this year

bobbyisno1
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I'm excited to see that
Joined: 08.28.2010

Jan 19 @ 1:29 PM ET
They struggle against physical teams this year, but they haven't in the past, mostly because they'd skate through it and end up getting a lot of calls, along with a potent PP.

This year, PP has been poo-poo and they're getting the fewest calls against in the league, so the opposition feels they can play a bit grittier/dirtier and get away with it.

I'm almost starting to question Babcock and the incessant line changes: for guys who haven't really played together all that much outside of a few (like Matthews and Nylander and at this point, Marner and Tavares), the rest is just a big huge blender.

Compare that to teams like BOS with Marchand and Pasta, Ovi and Backstrom, Kucherov and Stamkos, guys who have played together for years. Only Matthews and Nylander have something even close to that kind of familiarity and not really on the PP at all so far this year.

- gravyface

They had the second least power plays last year, but only 1 last night was ridiculous.
UsernameUnknown
Seattle Kraken
Location: Gotta' Catch Em All!
Joined: 03.25.2013

Jan 19 @ 1:30 PM ET
This is kinda cool: https://twitter.com/A_Kal...tatus/1086640644074946560
- lumlums


I could have sworn I've seen Lundqvist play the guitar intro of Sweet Child O' Mine on Letterman or Kimmel one time.
Hyman writes children's books, too.
And Gardiner can recite every colour of the rainbow in perfect order.

It's crazy to think some of these guys have talents outside of hockey.
mjones242
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Pretentious Beer Snob, ON
Joined: 06.22.2015

Jan 19 @ 1:36 PM ET
I could have sworn I've seen Lundqvist play the guitar intro of Sweet Child O' Mine on Letterman or Kimmel one time.
Hyman writes children's books, too.
And Gardiner can recite every colour of the rainbow in perfect order.

It's crazy to think some of these guys have talents outside of hockey.

- UsernameUnknown

Only problem with that particular super power is that he's doing it during plays.
TrashPanda
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Your Green Bin, ON
Joined: 03.29.2018

Jan 19 @ 1:48 PM ET



- lumlums


Everyone needs a hobby!
dmnted
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Space for Rent
Joined: 08.30.2006

Jan 19 @ 1:56 PM ET
where's plantheparade with Nylander critic from last night game?



Aetherial
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Has anyone discussed the standings today?
Joined: 06.30.2006

Jan 19 @ 2:18 PM ET
I could have sworn I've seen Lundqvist play the guitar intro of Sweet Child O' Mine on Letterman or Kimmel one time.
Hyman writes children's books, too.
And Gardiner can recite every colour of the rainbow in perfect order.

It's crazy to think some of these guys have talents outside of hockey.

- UsernameUnknown


That's the post of the day.

I think that is my new location.

Zezel
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: God Leafs Satan The Oneness, ON
Joined: 02.28.2011

Jan 19 @ 2:31 PM ET
Losing to Florida gives me a pain in my (frank)ing ballbag, and in the taintular area.
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