Panthers @ Maple Leafs - Mar. 13th, 7:00pm - TSN, Fan 590
- Thread starter CarltonTheBear
- Start date
As optimistic as I try to be, I have had somewhat similar thoughts.
We're seeing it with our own eyes. Some tidbits of flimsy stats might be related: hits/60 roughly half, takeaways/60 roughly half, speed bursts dramatically down, etc
So their chances of winning in the playoffs have to be down as there seems to be little sign that it will change any time soon.
Redleaf
Active member
Maybe it’s too late in the season to try this but I’d like them to sit Matthews for a few games . They can say it’s to rest him for the playoffs, but in reality I’d really like to see if this team is capable of rising to the challenge. They have in the past when he’s been out. Let’s face it, it’s not really working too well him in the lineup lately.
dekedastardly
Member
This is what it comes down to: the pretty boys (34,16,88) don't want to pay the price. It's sad because finally we have decent goaltending and d-men. Blow it up. "Papi" can go first.
Ozzie
Active member
It's not just this game. The teams that know how to win in the Playoffs click into gear in March and ride that momentum into the Playoffs.
Vegas, Colorado, Florida are all in "Playoff Mode". Leafs have lost to all of them this past 9 days. And they are in a race for first place to play the WildCard.
This is not just one game.... it's a reflection of 8 years: when the games matter, they can't compete.
Two positives: I believe in Berube's system and believe in Stolarz. I don't believe in the Core5 (except maybe Slick Willy).
Part of the problem might be that they put Matthews et al out there with like three and a half minutes left, then pull the goalie at 2 minutes and leave the same players on the ice...so those already over-worked players (who have already played 20 minutes or more) wind up being on the ice for over 3 minutes at the end. They have nothing left. Very strange time management.
The other big part is, that particular group of players isn't really committed to doing the dirty work of getting into the corners to retrieve pucks. I would think last year under Keefe they probably played those 6 on 5's differently, getting into the zone with possession rather than dumping and chasing. Better suited to this group.
Plus of course whatever is wrong with Matthews and this is what you get.
As for Robertson, I'll just say the games were definitely more entertaining when he was in the lineup.
dekedastardly
Member
It is definitely an odd time to sit Robbie. I thought his play was much improved in his recent games. If Marner walks, I'm on board with going after Bennett. He alone isn't enough though. This team needs a leader, and so far, Auston ain't it.
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
Bennett is not enough to try and replace Marner. Not close. Let's see how it goes down the stretch and into the playoffs. I think we see 4 Nations Gold Medal game Matthews in the playoffs. I also think he's "saving" himself for when they games mean more and that the Leafs do care about winning the division but not as much as fans and media. We'll see.
Tanev missed all but one of those games
Jarnkrok is shaking off the rust and where he fits with 'preseason' games
They've added Laughton & Carlo who are trying to get their head around Berube's system
The whole lineup is adjusting to the additions
They've endured some turmoil during the trade deadline
Matthews is off
Stolarz and Woll have been off
With all that going on, I have trouble being too conclusive.
I'd like to give them a chance to shake things out - at least 5 games, maybe 10 - and then see where we are.
IJustLurkHere
Member
I always wonder about what the best teams are doing behind the scenes at this time of year. I've seen plenty of teams look great in March and fall in the first round. I suspect the difference is not going to be what I see in March, but things that I don't see.
Specifically, I'm thinking about training loads in the gym. Shouldn't the best teams be executing heavy training loads right now and then tapering in the last week before the playoffs? I honestly don't think I've ever seen any media on it for the NHL, but it's a pretty commonplace approach these day, so if the path to the Stanley cup may go through multiple 7 game series, fitness will be a differentiator.