Toronto Jules

6 minutes ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

Meanwhile, John "Don't Call Me Dan" Marino has been doing a very good job disrupting things whenever the Rangers get something going in the offensive zone.

Looks like Ryan Reaves, who seemed to take sadistic pleasure in checking the hell out of young Marino in the opening game, didn't do his intimidation job well enough!
Marino is none the worse for wear and playing well!

Time for some Ranger goonery? Perhaps...  

You know Ryan Reaves has some goonery up his jersey sleeve. 

I really thought after the Rangers killed off that 5 on 3 penalty right at the start of the game that would have really got them going. It really didn't. 

The Leafs do have to get it done and in many ways that makes them have even more pressure than what the Lightning have on them, especially with their history.  I know if the Lightning lose they are done, but still what have they accomplished. They have been the champs for 2 years straight which is an extremely difficult feat to accomplish. 

So the Leafs have a lot of pressure on them in these next two games. If they don't get it done can you imagine the Toronto Sports media in the off season? 

As for the Wild, I think there is a much better chance for them to have an early exit mostly because they don't have the experience the Lightning have in the playoffs. 

6 minutes ago, FireDillabaugh said:

Agree.  I think he has to be on a short leash by Gallant.  If he gives up one soft one, like a few he's given up in this series, I yank him immediately and go with Georgiev.  It's not about stroking his ego and worrying about where his head will be during the offseason.  It's about the team being in a must win situation.  If he's not capable of being the goaltender he was during the regular season in these playoffs, then his head should be questioning why that is and improve his game.  These goals against aren't all on the team in front of him.  It's as simple as that, and he needs to be better for them to succeed.  Otherwise, he's just another Bobrovsky waiting to happen.

 

 

I agree, The Rangers have nothing to lose. 

He played 34 games this season with 5 goals and 5 assists. It is more than just the goals and the assists now for him whether he continues his career or not. It is his presence with a team that I think helps. 

If somehow the Florida Panthers win the Cup I think he will retire. If they don't he will come back for another season. 

The Rangers are on the brink of elimination tonight and many have said that Igor Shesterkin has not been himself in this series against Pittsburgh. The scores pretty much show that and him being pulled from the games show that as well, but really how much of the Rangers losing is his fault?

Several of the goals allowed by Igor were from tips or redirects which are very difficult to save. Other goals came from when in front of his goal there were up to 4 or 5 players ready for the rebound of the puck which is really not entirely his fault. His defense needs to clear that area out which was not getting done. 

If this continues in tonight's game the same results will occur and Igor's woes will continue and he will probably be pulled quickly from the game. 

A 3 peat is an extremely difficult feat to complete in any sport and I think especially in the sport of hockey where the Stanley Cup playoff system is such a short series that any bounces or any hot team could easily ruin even the best of the regular season teams  journey of raising the cup go down quickly.

The Lightning find themselves down 3 games to 2 now in this 7 game series to the Leafs after being up 2-0 early in game 5 and in many ways it could have been more than that. We all know the team has an explosive offense and a very capable defense and most likely the best goalie in the league. They also have the experience in these playoff situations being that they have won the last two Stanley Cups. Their coach John Cooper after the game 5 lost is not going to sit back and just have his team come into their home arena expecting home ice is going to get it done. This team will be prepared for game 6.

As a Leafs fan, this is what scares the hell out of me. It is not the fact that they have Vasilevskiy in the net or probably the best defender in the league in Hedman or Stamkos, it is the fact I know the team will come to play and be prepared. The Leafs better have their "A" game going and must not have another period like the 1st period in game 5 or they will be headed to an airplane quickly and back to Toronto quickly.  The Leafs need to come out and pepper the net as much as possible. They need to beat the Lightning to the puck and win the face offs. Campbell may not out play Vasilevskiy, but he needs to just play a really good game and not get rattled.

I really am hoping game 6 is as exciting as game 5. 

1 minute ago, FireDillabaugh said:

I predicted this one being the only sweep in these playoffs with Calgary in 4.  I thought even the Preds would at least win 1 game, and play better than they did.  Shows how little I know...  It's why I don't bet on hockey.

 

But, seeing how Calgary has played so far, not sure they can take down Colorado.  Especially if they get Kuemper back.  Markstrom has played great.  But, there's a lot of offense on that roster that hasn't shown up like they should in this round.

It is hard to take the offensive team of Colorado. I just feel the Stanley Cup Playoffs are a bizarre little tournament that never goes to plan. Everyone knows what Colorado do and the same can be said for the Panthers, but they could be out in the first round to Washington. 

The Stanley Cup playoffs are a totally different set then the regular season so that is why I always mix it up a little bit. 

I also being a Canadian want to have two teams from Canada in the Stanley Cup Finals. Toronto beating the Flames in 7. 

Players do play through injuries, but that is different from having some sort of illness that slows your entire body down and makes you have pretty much zero stamina. Playing if you feel like **** is horrible and I guess players have done it before, but hockey players are the toughest players in any sport and they do play through injuries all the time. Hell I have seen players get hit in the face by a puck in the game in one period and the next period they were back in the game all stitched up and maybe with a broken nose as well. 

I would have to say that Tampa still wants to win the cup and go for the 3rd one. Will losing game 5 the way they did being up 2-0 quickly in the 1st period and it could have been 4-0 easily that had to take a lot out of them. If I were them I would be more motivated to come out in game 6 and go all out, but we shall see. I don't think John Cooper as a coach is going to just have them sit back in game 6.

This is why the Leafs need to come out full force in period one and pepper the net with as many shots as they can. None of this 5 shots on goal in the period. Campbell and the D also need to be on their game. It is not going to be easy, but it can be done. 

During the week, I limit my adult beverage consumption because I have to work the next day. If the series goes to game 7 all bets are off and I might be blitzed for that game.  If the Leafs win the series especially in game 7 I plan on celebrating with friends. 

I predicted the Calgary Flames to make it to the Stanley Cup finals and even though I thought this series was going to be a tough one for them, I think they will take down Dallas in 7 games. 

3 hours ago, 3 Palmateers said:

His ankle was really good in Game 5!  All hail JT's ankle! 

 

Beyond that he did impact the game so that was nice to see. Still, something has been off about him for quite some time. He looks sick to me. Pale. I hope there's nothing going on with him that's pretty serious but is being withheld. 

 

You believed in him. I counted him out. Hat tip to you. A big 2-point night when it was really needed. 

 

Let's hope he has more in him for Game 6. Losing game 6 will feel like losing the series to me given we haven't ever won one of those since JT's been here. 

 

 

His ankle did look fine in game 5. 

Oh God, I hope he is not sick. I doubt that is the case or the doctors would not even risk the chances with him and let him play. Hell, if he is sick in any way I will volunteer to nurse him back to good health. 

I can never count him or really any of the Leafs players out especially the big ones. They always seem to bounce back at some point. 

I would love to see them wrap up the series in Tampa. It is going to be a very difficult task for sure because their backs are now up against the wall and they have to throw out all the stops to get this win. They will also have the crowd behind them which unless the Leafs get out to an early lead will be going crazy. 

3 minutes ago, Lindbergh31 said:

Well Toronto doesn't want to leave it to a game 7 so they should take care of business in game 6. Otherwise the ghosts of game 7 past may come back to haunt the Leafs.

I would love them to handle it in Tampa, but I am not going to say it is going to be an easy accomplishment. 

Lightning just may have what it takes to bring the series back to Toronto, but that is going to be tough winning two in a row and with the Toronto crowd surely going crazy it is going to be extra hard. 

By far the best and most exciting game in the series. 

Now can the Leafs take care of business in Tampa or will they have to come back home in game 7 which is what I thought in the beginning. 

Marner to Matthews

4-3 Leafs

We have got a game!!!!!

Nylander!!!!! 3-2 Leafs.

First lead change of the series. 

39 minutes ago, pilldoc said:

Double agree…. He is my pick I want…. Size be damned…..

Other than Shane Wright, I think Matthew Savoie is the best in the draft. 

A much better period by the Leafs. The D was battling for pucks and the offense was on top of what seemed like everything.  It is going to be Vasilevskiy, but they just have to keep putting the puck on the net. 

A very soft penalty call again. This time on Stamkos. I guess they are being consistent. 

I will take it if it gets the Captain on the board with a goal. 

The Captain finally breaks the ice. 

2-1 now. 

1 minute ago, FireDillabaugh said:

Agreed.  I think they ended up with 5 shots.  But, your point remains the same.

 

And 14 shots by Tampa against Campbell.  That's more like it from them.  If they continue that and come close to 40-42 shots for the game against him, they win this game.  Again, you want to beat this Leafs team, Campbell MUST be tested(meaning more than 25-30 shots against) to see if he's going to be competent in net for them.

The D seems slow on the Leafs and the Leafs offense seems like they have no plan at all. They are just throwing the puck around wildly it seems. 

3 minutes ago, FD19372 said:

Yes, I think a good chance. 

Unacceptable 1st Period by the Leafs. 4 total shots and 1 shot on the 2 power plays. 

Leafs very lucky to get out of the  bogus PP against Giordano with nothing against.