rumour has it he's still asleep on that ice to this day
- daeth

It’s true, I pooped on him.

When do classes start?
- Atomic Wedgie

That boat sailed many many many moons ago, I believe we’re close in age. Feck

(Matthews was actually really good in Game 1, Rask made some nice saves on him.) shhh...
- Steven_Seagull

Could easily have had 2 goals. I don’t understand why Leafs fans jump all over their players.

It's bad enough that Kadri has his hearing, but it's absolutely (frank)ing brutal that DoPS hasn't delivered their decision with just over two hours to puck drop in Game 3. It almost feels that they're waiting as close to game time to drop their bomb to impact the game psychologically for both sides.

Get on with it!
- As_I_See_It

you think whether he gets 5 or 7 games will changes the game psychologically for both teams?

It’s true, I pooped on him.
- Steven_Seagull

Could easily have had 2 goals. I don’t understand why Leafs fans jump all over their players.
- shack67

He was good in game 1, nobody really stood out in game 2 except *cough* Naz *cough*

Could easily have had 2 goals. I don’t understand why Leafs fans jump all over their players.
- shack67

The issue is similar to Nylander. If your not going to hit and wave your stick at guys you had best produce, otherwise your a waste. I appreciate that he's skating and getting back on d but a 4th line plug can do that.

He was good in game 1, nobody really stood his knee out in game 2 except *cough* Naz *cough*
- Garnie

agreed

I don't think anybody is going to advocate for unskilled toughness. But the challenge for the Leafs is to get bigger, stronger and tougher both physically and in character.

They got a guy named Engvall with the Marlies who has a good mix of size and skill. People have said Marchment, although his skill set seems rather limited for the NHL.

They gotta find somebody though. It's an undeniable missing piece.

Look at Tampa Bay right now. If the Leafs were firing on all offensive cylinders, they'd look like Tampa Bay. But it's not working in the playoffs versus a "tough / gritty" Columbus team.

Washington looks like they have a clear path to the Cup again with their mix of skill and size.
- JohnFergusonJr

The funny part about this comment is that without the big trades at the deadline for skill, Columbus would not be in the playoffs.

The issue is similar to Nylander. If your not going to hit and wave your stick at guys you had best produce, otherwise your a waste. I appreciate that he's skating and getting back on d but a 4th line plug can do that.
- aminnes

We have a few stick wavers

Could easily have had 2 goals. I don’t understand why Leafs fans jump all over their players.
- shack67

They’ve been programmed to be negative.

Leafs outshoot their opponent but lose - all that’s talked about is the loss.

Leafs win but are outshot - all that’s talked about is the shot total.

The funny part about this comment is that without the big trades at the deadline for skill, Columbus would not be in the playoffs.
- RogerRoeper

What was there record after the tdl?

I don't think anybody is going to advocate for unskilled toughness. But the challenge for the Leafs is to get bigger, stronger and tougher both physically and in character.

They got a guy named Engvall with the Marlies who has a good mix of size and skill. People have said Marchment, although his skill set seems rather limited for the NHL.

They gotta find somebody though. It's an undeniable missing piece.

Look at Tampa Bay right now. If the Leafs were firing on all offensive cylinders, they'd look like Tampa Bay. But it's not working in the playoffs versus a "tough / gritty" Columbus team.

Washington looks like they have a clear path to the Cup again with their mix of skill and size.
- JohnFergusonJr

Except (as Down Goes Brown points out) Tampa is the physical team.

3rd in penalties this year.

Columbus was 30th.

The issue is similar to Nylander. If your not going to hit and wave your stick at guys you had best produce, otherwise your a waste. I appreciate that he's skating and getting back on d but a 4th line plug can do that.
- aminnes

Nylander is very good along the boards...I know people are blind to that because they call him soft.

But it’s the playoffs and players step up their games. He’s going to have to as well and he didn’t in game 2.

Like I said we see a monster Willie tonight, I’ll take the heat if we don’t. I believe in his talent.

This is true.

It would be interesting to see what could be done with these line combos.

Hyman / Matthews / Marner
Johnsson / Tavares / Kapanen
Marleau / Nylander / Brown

We know Tavares and Marner work well together but we also know that Tavares has played with weaker wingers and still remained productive. Maybe Matthews needs a dose of Marner to get him going.
- JohnFergusonJr

Totally. Put Marner with him for a game. Coaches are stubborn though, Q wouldn’t play Kane and toews together either.

What was there record after the tdl?
- Garnie

and specially the last 3 weeks

Nylander.

A goal and an assist from him tonight.
- Santo_44

On our own net

Except (as Down Goes Brown points out) Tampa is the physical team.

3rd in penalties this year.

Columbus was 30th.
- Atomic Wedgie

lol yeah tampa was one of the more physical teams in the league

He was good in game 1, nobody really stood out in game 2 except *cough* Naz *cough*
- Garnie

Hyman I felt was the best Leaf.

Which should say something about everyone other than Matthews! But nope. Matthews, and only Matthews had a bad game...

The funny part about this comment is that without the big trades at the deadline for skill, Columbus would not be in the playoffs.
- RogerRoeper

Hence, balance is the key.

The funny part about this comment is that without the big trades at the deadline for skill, Columbus would not be in the playoffs.
- RogerRoeper

Maybe, maybe not.

But it doesn't diminish the point that they have both.

It's almost as if you have only toughness, you won't make the playoffs. If you have only skill, you'll make the playoffs but not succeed. But if you have the right mix of both, it goes a long way for playoff success.

you think whether he gets 5 or 7 games will changes the game psychologically for both teams?
- Symba.007

To some degree, yes.

It could be a big boost, maybe some relief or maybe now that it's reality. You don't think the Bruins would be pumped to have it be five games or the Leafs are relieved if it's lower than expected?

There's a huge psychological aspect to all sports.

Nylander is very good along the boards...I know people are blind to that because they call him soft.

But it’s the playoffs and players step up their games. He’s going to have to as well and he didn’t in game 2.

Like I said we see a monster Willie tonight, I’ll take the heat if we don’t. I believe in his talent.
- Santo_44

You called?

- daeth

We have a few stick wavers
- Garnie

Yup. Brown was hitting and getting in there. Kadri. Muzzin. Anyone else? Bueller? Bueller?