Toronto Jules

Loyal supporters are always going to say their team is the better of the two teams. I bet there were some Columbus Blue Jackets faithful a few years back that even said they were better than Tampa Bay. They certainly were in that series, but overall I don't think so. Things just happen like that in any sport. That is why you play the games. 

Well all I know is my team is out for another season and I suppose I will hear endless talk about losing in the first round once again and griping from many fans how this team will never get it done and tear it apart and blah blah blah. 

The thing is next season will roll around and the Leafs once again will be contenders and going for the Cup again. 

Now I think I will just sit back and take in the rest of these games on my own and wait for the new Leafs seasons to come. See ya all next season. 

I have to respectably disagree with you. I believe the team with the better goalie and the team that jumped on the opportunities given to them won this series. 

I certainly do not believe the Lightning have any better offense than the Leafs or really a Defense either(The Lightning D might be slightly better), but it came down to a few opportunities and the Lightning made the best of them and the Leafs did not. 

I honestly think both teams other than the goalies were pretty equal. 

I think you are correct on everything except JT. The thing about him never winning well when have they ever won and who with? I don't think that really would have changed with Matthews as the Captain of the team. I am also not going to debate whether JT is a good family man because you know as well as I do that both you and I don't know at all if he is or not. All I know is that the players seem like him and there is some cohesiveness with him as the Captain. I also don't think the Captain has to be the loud outspoken. Yes they have to show what kind of play needs to be performed on the ice and also off the ice and I think he does that. He may not be the player that Matthews is on the ice, but as an all around player I think he gives the team great qualities as a captain. 

Most definitely better teams have lost in the series and it has happened to the Tampa Bay Lightning when they lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In that same year the Calgary Flames lost to the Colorado Avalanche as well. Washington and Nashville also lost that year in the first round. 

The one thing I give credit to the Lightning defense that the Leafs defense seemed to be unable to do effectively was clear people out in front of the the net leaving their goalie free to see incoming pucks. The Lightning always seemed to have at least two if not more players in front of the net clogging up space making it really difficult for Campbell to see the incoming puck. That is the job of the defense to clear them out of there. The Lightning D did that and the Leafs did not. 

16 hours ago, Math said:

 

Yes, former porn actress (to be confirmed) and a Dallas transplant from Toronto. Oh wait... Toronto? Damn, not the Leafs game #7 curse. So maybe not a good idea to send her to Alberta.

Damn, I need a new profession to land me a seat right behind the bench.   My Physical Therapy job don't get me anywhere close to the ice when I go to the Leafs games. 

4 minutes ago, Math said:

One blatant stat that was shown during the game was the overall game #7 record for each team, summed by players' each individual record. Tampa was largely above .500 while Toronto showed something like 5-34. Of course you have to grind your own experience and find a way to win, but one of key is to have players that, ideally, have already won the cup in your squad (Perry is a good example).

Experience is a huge factor in these types of games and that was certainly on the side of Tampa Bay last night. I also saw those stats and it seemed like every time they showed a Leafs player it was 0 out of something. 

I still think both teams played pretty equally in last nights contest with the exception of Nick Paul and Andrei Vasilevskiy who had superior games for the Lightning. The Leafs defense and Jack Campbell also played well, but the offense for the Leafs including the star players did not show up and that is why they lost. 

24 minutes ago, JR Ewing said:

It's a weird thing to say when you're referring to a guy who's only 25, but has 4 Art Ross, 3 Lindsay and 2 Hart Trophies (and may have another of both of the last two), but Connor McDavid elevated his game in this series, particularly in the last 3 games, where he was quite literally unstoppable.

 

I view Auston Matthews as an incredible player and that he is, but I am not going to sit here just because I am a Leafs fan and say Matthews is a better player than Connor McDavid because he is not. Both players contribute a lot to their teams, but McDavid seems to have that extra edge to his game that can take over an entire game on a regular basis. Matthews has that ability as well, but it seems to come in spurts for him. Both are top NHL players for sure and just might be #1 and #2 in the game right now. 

6 minutes ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

 

Better a handful of idiots swinging at air and groping each other than people burning and/or tearing down a city after a series loss....

I agree with this this, although both a rather stupid if you think about what they are doing it for. 

35 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

Then pay it and be done.

 

You could always ship Nylander out and use the pieces in return to secure your goalie.

 

Bolts have a very good young goalie you may be able to pry from them Magnus Chrona.

 

A 6-5 Swede who could be had in a trade for maybe even draft picks since Bolts need cap space.

I was thinking Nylander would be the start of securing a top goalie.

Someone like Magnus Chrona probably makes more sense. 

7 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

I agree. I think it is time for the Leafs to try and build from the net out.

 

When is the last time they tried something like this?? It feels like all your strength is at forward.

 

Maybe try something different. A this point it doesn't seem like something drastic is needed but a retooling is needed.

 

Maybe target Spencer Knight and build from the net out the Panthers have Bob under contract for 4 more season after this one. If not then go try and find another young goalie to build around.

 

Just my 2 cents.

If they are able to get Spencer Knight than that would be something. I would think the asking price would be pretty steep. The Leafs do have players to get it done, but I am not sure they are willing to do that. 

I certainly don't see JT going anywhere. I see him more valuable to the team than just on the ice. As for Nylander he would be the main star that I ship out. He can be fantastic at times and then he can make the most bone headed plays that just seems like he is a totally different player. Muzzin I also don't have a problem seeing him go because I think he has run his course with the club. Reilly is most definitely not going anywhere. 

I think an addition to a physical D-Man would be good for the Leafs.

Jack Campbell has emerged as a capable #1 goalie, but I don't want Petr Mrazek back and Kallgren as the primary back up I am a little shaky. So upgrading at the back up goalie position would be nice. 

If they do depart with Nylander they will need to add someone to fill in for him. 

@3 Palmateers Yes, I knew you put the Leafs game last where it should have been.

As for the Leafs game. The Lightning star players also did not show up other than Vasilevskiy. The Leafs were beaten by Nick Paul and Vasilevskiy. 

If they play like that without the stars showing up against the Panthers it is not going to be a good turnout for them at all. One the Panthers have some sort of magic in making comebacks  and they also have a very strong defense that can put a hold on the Lightning offense. I will be surprised if this series goes past 5 games. 

Barring any issues in the morning skate it is expected that both Tristan Jarry and Sidney Crosby WILL play in game 7 tonight versus the New York Rangers. 

I am so glad Edmonton won and now hope that Calgary can win tonight for the battle of Alberta to happen in round 2. Now that Toronto is out these are the two teams I am cheering for. Bring the cup back to Canada. 

Max Domi sure had himself a game. 

You are probably correct. The Blues probably cannot keep up with Colorado in the offense. Hell, really only on paper the Panthers might be able to and Toronto would have maybe and possibly Tampa Bay, but other than that I don't see it. Edmonton might have enough offense, but I don't think they can stop Colorado from scoring. I think it is more about who can shut down Colorado's scoring and I think that can be Calgary. 

Tampa will play Florida and whoever wins between Pittsburg and the Rangers will play Carolina. In the West Colorado plays St. Louis and Edmonton will play either Calgary or Dallas. 

I watched the game last night with some friends at a sports bar about 30 minutes outside of Toronto. Of course everyone there was disappointed the Leafs lost and many had consumed alcohol. There was none of this foolishness that went on after the game outside the bar. People pretty much were sitting in kind of silence for a bit and then it was time to go. 

This sort of stuff makes my city look like **** and that makes me sad because I am proud as hell of Toronto, Ontario, and being Canadian. Unfortunately you have a few a-holes doing this stuff that makes things look bad. 

@3 Palmateers I am so sorry. #1 the safety for your daughter comes first and taking care of her and your family is your first priority. I don't have any children yet, but I know when I do they will always come first in my life.

I also don't have any pets as much as I think they are great, but I am allergic to them. I do know that an owner of a pet can quickly grow attached which it seems you and family has done with this husky. However, it seems like this dog has some sort of issues and the safety of your family has to come first.

As for the Leafs losing that doesn't even rank in the same category as what your family went through. Sure it is a team and a game you love to follow, but in the end it is a game and you just move on from it. I am also disappointed they lost once again, but honestly Game 7 they were not outplayed. The Leafs defense showed up as did Jack Campbell. The Leafs offense and their top players however did not. The Leafs were primarily beaten by two players on the Tampa Bay Lightning who had superior games. They were Nick Paul and Andrei Vasileveskiy. The rest of their team was no better then the Leafs team. 

I am definitely dissapointed the Leafs lost once again in a game 7 and a 1st round series, but I am not going to sit here and say that the Lightning outplayed the Leafs in that game because they did not. The Leafs defense and Jack Campbell were really good, but the Leafs offense and the top Leafs players did not show up which I find ridiculous for a game as important as this. The defense and Jack Campbell deserved much better from this game. 

Vasilevskiy, I have to give it to him he was fantastic and Paul was out of this world, but the rest of the Lightning were no better than anyone on the Leafs. 

Another huge difference was the Lightning when on offense were clogging up the lanes and the Leafs were not. 

The game however was very even and it really could have gone either way, but the puck went in the net one more time for the Lightning and that happens many times in NHL games. 

Onto the off season and a lot of talk about the Leafs not getting out of the first round, but the season was much more than just that. Matthews with 60 goals, Campbell maturing into a #1 goalie. The Leafs will be at the top of the league again next season and a top Stanley Cup contender once again which is a lot better then many teams can say. 

1 hour ago, Hockey Junkie said:

The Blues will go down huh?  Why?  Because they lost a few one goal games to them juggling goalies?  We’ll see.  Don’t sell Blues short.  Could win it all.  Been more impressive than Calgary so far

I would actually love the Blues to take down the Avalanche. I just don't see them holding the Colorado offense down as much as Calgary. 

The B's are back. 

Getting ready to head out for the big game. 

Max Domi makes it 2-0.  Crowd going nuts. 

The Teuvo Teravainen goal the Bruins defense seemed a bit mixed up. 

You are correct that the Bruins are committing way too many penalties. 

It is a good idea to puck the goal on the net and test any goalie, but an untested goalie for a long time and one who hasn't seen game action it could really show that the goalie really wasn't ready for game play yet if he lets in a few soft goals really fast. If that is the case don't be surprised to see Dominigue making an appearance. 

Both defenses really need to be in top form and blocking shots and keeping their opponents clear of the front of the net so that the goalie can see the pucks being shot.