In other news, the Russian government just resigned.

No, I'm not kidding.
- Atomic Wedgie

Meh, just the prime minister.
Its ok, they still have a president

I think you're right. They can force themselves to work. Will they? What is the catalyst to get them going? Guys like Clark or Gilmour could almost will the team under them. Who is that guy? Where is that collective will?

Under Babcock what had us all so angry was the obvious lack of effort. The obvious unwillingness to take a hit and make a play. The unwillingness to play through any type of adversity.

With Keefe as the coach the opposition hasn't stopped hitting the Leafs or being adversarial, but the Leafs have stepped up as required for the most part.

If you watch the start of both the Florida and Edmonton games recently, you can almost see - right from the get go - the Leafs didn't have it. They were slower to the puck. They weren't working as hard. I think they expected to win.

This team can certainly beat Boston, or anyone. A lot of teams can beat them, too, obviously - but the point we'd agree on is that they need to earn it, not expect it.
- Monkeypunk

Having a visit from Salming once in a while in the locker room might do wonders...

You can thank Babcock for putting the team in a huge hole for the first 23 games.
- Steven_Seagull

And breaking team records the two previous years.

I dont get it, Vegas is really good.

oh well, I am over it
- senstroll

Losing to Buffalo was the last straw

I commented that I have concerns that the Leafs haven't bought in to the system entirely yet. When things get comfortable, they get lazier. I do believe that good teams that know how to apply repeatable success don't do that. I have no evidence or anything. It's just one of those things you believe because sports pundits and other leaders around these games are always saying it.

That said, winners get their ass handed to them, too.

The Washington Capitals won the cup in 2018. They lost to the Penguins 7-4 on February 2, 2018. They lost to the Blackhawks 7-1 13 days later.

In 2017, the Penguins lost to the Blue Jackets 7-1, and then lost 3 in a row a week later just after New year's. For the most part, they were close in most of their games, though.

In 2016, the Penguins worst loss was 6-2; most of their losses were by a goal. That team was in it to win it.

I think the keys are . . .Are they trending the right way at the right time? Are they getting better? I'm partially optimistic, because I like that Freddy may be getting his slump out of the way and we can roll on from there.
- Monkeypunk

Really good post - I am also optimistic, the Florida loss was particularly tough, and watching the Habs celebrate a shootout win against the Sens as if they had won the cup - led me to believe that is should be expected that the Leafs dominate NJ regardless of injuries. I particularly enjoyed Engvall asserting himself with both speed and when he gave Zajac the business when he gave Freddie an extra poke. That has been sorely lacking in the last few years.

Losing to Buffalo was the last straw
- TheMussel

according to tweeter, thats the 3rd coach fired after losing to barfalo this season?

haha..the saburs

And breaking team records the two previous years.
- Fakepartofme

He broke a record 3 years ago.

Last season he did not.

Really good post - I am also optimistic, the Florida loss was particularly tough, and watching the Habs celebrate a shootout win against the Sens as if they had won the cup - led me to believe that is should be expected that the Leafs dominate NJ regardless of injuries. I particularly enjoyed Engvall asserting himself with both speed and when he gave Zajac the business when he gave Freddie an extra poke. That has been sorely lacking in the last few years.
- winsix

I'm hoping the infusion of attitude from Marlies gets the stars on the same page too.

Seems like the Marlies like playing for each other, and stars got complacent under babschlong.

Just my uneducated and underinformed opinion.

a win is a win. 1 win out of the next 2 should leave us in a good spot for the stretch drive after the all-star break.
- Tumbleweed

Yup.

And with Muzz coming back and the possibility of adding a D things are looking up again

Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Barrie
Dermott-?
Maricnin

Spoiler I want Ceci gone and upgraded

Losing to Buffalo was the last straw
- TheMussel

not on pace to make the playoffs in the toilet division of the nhl.

spent a lot of money/assets to bring in stastny/stone/patches over the last couple of years.

i guess something had to give.

Does every teams bye week come in and around the all star weekend? Like every team uses a couple of those days as part of their 7 full days off?

Yup.

And with Muzz coming back and the possibility of adding a D things are looking up again

Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Barrie
Dermott-?
Maricnin

Spoiler I want Ceci gone and upgraded
- Santo_44

We have the technology, we can make him better, stronger, faster

not on pace to make the playoffs in the toilet division of the nhl.

spent a lot of money/assets to bring in stastny/stone/patches over the last couple of years.

i guess something had to give.
- Tumbleweed

They're certainly better on paper than what they show in the standings

However, I will qualify that with saying that Stastny has always been a #2 Centre, Patches has a gaping hole where his heart should be, and Stone probably still needs time to acclimatize to a city where there's more than a couple of hockey fans

Feelings > Facts
- Steven_Seagull

I have a feeling that facts will not be considered in any HB argument/discussion

I think you're right. They can force themselves to work. Will they? What is the catalyst to get them going? Guys like Clark or Gilmour could almost will the team under them. Who is that guy? Where is that collective will?

Under Babcock what had us all so angry was the obvious lack of effort. The obvious unwillingness to take a hit and make a play. The unwillingness to play through any type of adversity.

With Keefe as the coach the opposition hasn't stopped hitting the Leafs or being adversarial, but the Leafs have stepped up as required for the most part.

If you watch the start of both the Florida and Edmonton games recently, you can almost see - right from the get go - the Leafs didn't have it. They were slower to the puck. They weren't working as hard. I think they expected to win.

This team can certainly beat Boston, or anyone. A lot of teams can beat them, too, obviously - but the point we'd agree on is that they need to earn it, not expect it.
- Monkeypunk

watched the game quite carefully last night - the Leafs switched off (in my opinion) at 5 -1.. that was followed by a series of selfish plays, guys obviously putting their individual stats ahead of the team game. Then boom boom and the Devils got the feeling they could creep back in.

and I do not understand how in a game like last night you don't use your 4th line more.... you're up, and the 4th line was pretty effective (in my opinion) the Goat's goal aside... they ended up with about 7-8 minutes... and were not lacking energy.

what drove me nuts AGAIN, was ill timed or judged pinches/rushes by guys like Barrie... for f___s sake.. Rielly's out, you just said in a widely seen interview you need to step up your game.. game score goes 5-1 and you start behaving like a brain dead brick.

Instincts my a__. Just plain stupid. If the Leafs needed anything out of that game last night... it was a nice solid 4-1 5-2 win...

which they had.. and then promptly fell in love with their getting to 5-1 .. and then back to same brain dead bad habits.

and someone needs to throw Nylander up against a wall... Nylander gets a goal gifted to him by Tavares and Engvall... and then he makes zero effort to get the puck to Engvall on a 2-1 that Engvall created - crap like that doesn't endear you to your teammates.

I have a feeling that facts will not be considered in any HB argument/discussion
- PatC80

that's a fact

I'm hoping the infusion of attitude from Marlies gets the stars on the same page too.

Seems like the Marlies like playing for each other, and stars got complacent under babschlong.

Just my uneducated and underinformed opinion.
- TheMussel

Agree - no question about Engvall's effort and both Matthews and Nylander have been significantly better under Keefe. Hopefully some consistency moving forward

We have the technology, we can make him better, stronger, faster
- TheMussel

As long as we can build him a new brain.

Does every teams bye week come in and around the all star weekend? Like every team uses a couple of those days as part of their 7 full days off?
- bryant

Yeah looks like it for this year at least. Instead of 5 days, players get 7 days off instead now.

Not exactly, even with significant improvement under Keefe, Leafs are on a pace for 97 to 98 points - probably good for 1st or 2nd wildcard spot and second consecutive year of decline in points.
- winsix

True, but under Keefe they are playing at a 116 point season pace.

That's not too shabby.

Not exactly, even with significant improvement under Keefe, Leafs are on a pace for 97 to 98 points - probably good for 1st or 2nd wildcard spot and second consecutive year of decline in points.
- winsix

You do know if the Leafs played under Keefe the whole year it would be a 112 point pace not 97. Now that's an improvement IMO.

I have a feeling that facts will not be considered in any HB argument/discussion
- PatC80

d

Depends on whether you consider your opinion to be a fact Pat.

Yup.

And with Muzz coming back and the possibility of adding a D things are looking up again

Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Barrie
Dermott-?
Maricnin

Spoiler I want Ceci gone and upgraded
- Santo_44

an upgrade on Ceci would be helpful for sure...

it does leave me to wonder what the management team really thinks of Barrie, obviously a gift offensive player.. but man, just repeatedly dumb/poor decision making... and its not like he's been in the league for 10 games....

whoever was talking about Barrie asking for 7-8Milly in his next contract - ludicrous

an upgrade on Ceci would be helpful for sure...

it does leave me to wonder what the management team really thinks of Barrie, obviously a gift offensive player.. but man, just repeatedly dumb/poor decision making... and its not like he's been in the league for 10 games....

whoever was talking about Barrie asking for 7-8Milly in his next contract - ludicrous
- BorjeFan4Ever

I mean at 2.75 million it is a no brainier to keep him for a playoff run. He is much better on the PP than Rielly(this year) and he provides some great things as well as some bad things 5v5.

It'd be awesome to get a player who can play next to Rielly and have Barrie get some sheltered mins with his PP time the same.

an upgrade on Ceci would be helpful for sure...

it does leave me to wonder what the management team really thinks of Barrie, obviously a gift offensive player.. but man, just repeatedly dumb/poor decision making... and its not like he's been in the league for 10 games....

whoever was talking about Barrie asking for 7-8Milly in his next contract - ludicrous
- BorjeFan4Ever

If the Leafs are starting to talk new contract with Muzzin, I would hazard a guess it means they aren't planning on bringing Barrie back.