GDT #56: Leafs @ Habs HNIC

[WellPlayed]

Campbell's poke check did him in and Matthews was all kinds of lost on the play as well. They were clearly tired. Suzuki got on the ice 9 seconds after Matthews for that shift and he utterly blew by Auston. It wasn't even close. Now Suzuki is fast but not that fast.

He's referring to the stupid zero chance slap shot Barrie took at the other end. It was such an easy stop Price was able to start the transition the other way by punching it exactly where he wanted with his blocker.

 

[WellPlayed]

And everybody talking about Suzuki blowing past Matthews needs to relax. When the puck starts to go the other way Suzuki is in position to do a big sweeping turn with with a bunch of speed. Matthews is forced to do basically a stop and start. He was never going to have a chance.

He "blows past" Matthews because he has momentum and Matthews doesn't.

 

[Habsy]

At this point playoffs may depend on other teams. If 100 points or more is the requirement they'll be in tough. They need to essentially continue to play at the Keefe pace (or better) that has been continually trending downwards since the very hot start. It's possible to do it but it won't be easy. But if they just need 97-98 points all of a sudden it's not a very daunting task. Andersen being out hurts their chances a lot though. Campbell seems to be alright but I'm not sure he isn't just a .900 goalie. Will be tough if that's the case.

But let's keep perspective.. even at worst they're probably a 105 point team under Keefe. And that's with largely horrific goaltending since he came on board and multiple injuries. A clear Stanley Cup contender for years to come. This season just happened to be one where almost everything went wrong including a Babcock-sabotaged start. Kinda reminds me of Tampa missing a few years ago after being battered with injuries.

I don't think the Leaf brass is looking for perspective this season. Anything short of the playoffs would be considered a failed season.

 

[Preston]

I don't think the Leaf brass is looking for perspective this season. Anything short of the playoffs would be considered a failed season.

Of course. Huge failure. But my point is you can't make rash decisions based on one failed season. You need to maintain perspective and leave emotions out of it. That's what fans do. Leave the "blow it up" comments to them.

 

[trujaysfan]

If we miss the playoffs the entire off season conversation will be about dubas not being able to make moves and keefe not being the right choice.... the media wont mention babcock even once

 

[Volcanologist]

That was said out of frustration more with some specific players rather than the team as a whole.

Like...for example, it’d really be helpful if Dubas could find a way to swap Tyson Barrie for a defenseman who’s not an idiot.

We’ve also been getting virtually nothing from the $3M crew of forwards (Kappy, Johnsson & Kerfoot) for quite some time now, so I wouldn’t mind a shake-up there either.

On the bright side, we still got a point and Florida lost. And Campbell seems like a real goalie, so that’s a huge plus. I just wish we’d been able to acquire him a couple of months ago.

yeah Florida is really gagging on it which is good for our chances.

Barrie's defensive gaffes might be better insulated in a stronger defensive blueline group/team, but that's not the case here.

And with the high skill level across the lineup, we don't even need him in a powerplay capacity -- Sandin can step in there capably, I suspect.

 

[Habsy]

He's referring to the stupid zero chance slap shot Barrie took at the other end. It was such an easy stop Price was able to start the transition the other way by punching it exactly where he wanted with his blocker.

Got it. Yes, he tee'd that up for Price to kick out and send Suzuki off. Price may struggle at times but he's not stupid, Barrie should have given it back to Matthews at the top of the circles then they should have changed. All this goes out the window when fatigued though. It was very visible they were a step behind after the JT goal. I don't know why people keep saying it's an excuse, the 3rd game in 4 nights and they were forced to skate hard in the first two periods (which they did)? I'd be happy with 3/4 points on those back-to-backs.

 

[Preston]

If we miss the playoffs the entire off season conversation will be about dubas not being able to make moves and keefe not being the right choice.... the media wont mention babcock even once

The media will be unbearable, definitely. I know Dubas won't overreact and do something stupid but my bigger concern is he may be on his last legs if they miss. If they lose him for some old school guy all of my current hope is lost.

 

[Habsy]

He "blows past" Matthews because he has has momentum and Matthews doesn't.

Come on now, look at it again, Matthews was chugging to even get there and was so tired he didn't even turn his head to see Kovalchuk right behind him. It wasn't just momentum (yes Matthews had to pivot), it was clearly fatigue.

 

[Volcanologist]

Got it. Yes, he tee'd that up for Price to kick out and send Suzuki off. Price may struggle at times but he's not stupid, Barrie should have given it back to Matthews at the top of the circles then they should have changed. All this goes out the window when fatigued though. It was very visible they were a step behind after the JT goal. I don't know why people keep saying it's an excuse, the 3rd game in 4 nights and they were forced to skate hard in the first two periods (which they did)? I'd be happy with 3/4 points on those back-to-backs.

because the media and like minded fanbase overreact to every single game, every loss is a validation of whatever narrative

 

[Habsy]

If we miss the playoffs the entire off season conversation will be about dubas not being able to make moves and keefe not being the right choice.... the media wont mention babcock even once

I don't know, don't you think there will be conversation about hanging onto Babcock too long and rumors that Dubas wanted him gone earlier?

 

[LeafGm]

The media will be unbearable, definitely. I know Dubas won't overreact and do something stupid but my bigger concern is he may be on his last legs if they miss. If they lose him for some old school guy all of my current hope is lost.

I don’t think we have to worry about Dubas being in danger. Not with the way Shanahan’s gone all-in with him.

And if someone above his head in the organization really did step in and force him to keep Babcock, that gives him some additional cover as well, as long as they continue to put up a very good record under Keefe.

 

[trujaysfan]

I don't know, don't you think there will be conversation about hanging onto Babcock too long and rumors that Dubas wanted him gone earlier?

I dont think that will fit the narrative they want to push. You may see something from the athletic on it but i doubt we see the majority of the TSN/RSN crews mention it. Maybe bobby mac has the clout and lack of fucks needed to go against the grain.

 

[Volcanologist]

I don't know, don't you think there will be conversation about hanging onto Babcock too long and rumors that Dubas wanted him gone earlier?

yes, in that context Babcock will be mentioned, because it can be used as a slam on Dubas.

I think Dubas wanted babs gone after last season, and Shanahan overruled him. I have no evidence or basis, just my feeling on it based on how they worked together, which was essentially not at all.

 

[Habsy]

Yeah. We've averaged 4 since the coaching change. I expect us to put up 4 or more a lot of nights, that's how averages work.



We average 4, y'all are an average defensive team.

That's why they are called "averages" I guess. Some nights 7 goals, some nights 1.

 

[Habsy]

I dont think that will fit the narrative they want to push. You may see something from the athletic on it but i doubt we see the majority of the TSN/RSN crews mention it. Maybe bobby mac has the clout and lack of fucks needed to go against the grain.

Go against the grain? Are you implying the Leafs blackball reporters or is it the media outlets themselves?

 

[Preston]

I don’t think we have to worry about Dubas being in danger. Not with the way Shanahan’s gone all-in with him.

And if someone above his head in the organization really did step in and force him to keep Babcock, that gives him some additional cover as well, as long as they continue to put up a very good record under Keefe.

A missed playoff this year and a first round loss next year and I think Kyle is gone.

 

[Preston]

That's why they are called "averages" I guess. Some nights 7 goals, some nights 1.

Duh

 

[leaffan2005]

Of course. Huge failure. But my point is you can't make rash decisions based on one failed season. You need to maintain perspective and leave emotions out of it. That's what fans do. Leave the "blow it up" comments to them.

2016-2017: out 1st round
2017-2018: out 1st round
2018-2019: out 1st round
2019-2020: missed playoffs

"One failed season"

 

[MindzEye]

That's why they are called "averages" I guess. Some nights 7 goals, some nights 1.

Yep. You guys played a tight game and we decided to dump and chase for some fucking reason. Montreal's gap control was good through the neutral zone, but I saw us dump with open ice in front of us a bunch of times. It was maddening. The first time I've seen them look more like Babcock's Leafs offensively than Keefe's.