Round 1 Bruins-Leafs
- Thread starter The Napkin
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Keefe going Berube.Marchand will spend game 4 in the box.
View: https://twitter.com/joshuakloke/status/1783319822282928179?s=61&t=Co5jCGjJleHGFUT1TGB4Qg
View: https://twitter.com/joshuakloke/status/1783319822282928179?s=61&t=Co5jCGjJleHGFUT1TGB4Qg
Here is a supplemental full article. But I agree, this may change the ref view in this series.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-keefe-on-marchands-ability-to-get-calls-hes-elite-at-it/
And... there goes the series.
Kidding aside, I think the Bruins are the better team overall, and have a decided goaltending advantage (whether the continue to rotate or not). They should win, regardless, but it's annoying knowing that that statement will likely have an affect on the way the series is called.
Kidding aside, I think the Bruins are the better team overall, and have a decided goaltending advantage (whether the continue to rotate or not). They should win, regardless, but it's annoying knowing that that statement will likely have an affect on the way the series is called.
I'm perplexed by why the Leafs continue to trot out Ilya Samsonov. Per Moneypuck's model (regular season), Samsonov is 60th out of 73 goalies in goals saved above expected per 60 (minimum 10 games played) with a pretty awful -0.211 GSAE/60. Joseph Woll is right there on the bench with a +0.294 GSAE/60 for 16th overall.
The Frederic goal was godawful, and I'm sure all of us here would be skewering Swayman or Ullmark if either of them let something like that in. Though no one should be faulting Samsonov for the Marchand goal—that was a legit "pick a corner" snipe.
The Frederic goal was godawful, and I'm sure all of us here would be skewering Swayman or Ullmark if either of them let something like that in. Though no one should be faulting Samsonov for the Marchand goal—that was a legit "pick a corner" snipe.
Ugh. Marchand has to be extra careful in game 4 which is exactly what the Leafs want. And even then he’s likely to end up in the box once or twice.
He’s even been shaky on some shots that didn’t find their way into the net. And last night he held the puck near the net on a dump in so long that DeBrusk almost took it from him. We would be cursing him constantly if he were a Bruin.
Monty should mention Bertuzzi’s ridiculous full Louganis on the play in question — not sure Keefe has the black and white hats properly sorted there. Calling attention to that sequence doesn’t do his club the credit he thinks it does in that post game presser. Bertuzzi looks like a serial embellisher and Keefe like the big baby his baby face would suggest he may well be.
From your lips to god's ears, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Then again, I wouldn't have bet on Marchand not being called / Tavares being called last night.
Yea I honestly don’t think Keefe’s comments move the needle all that much. It’s not like the referees have no idea who Marchand is and what his game is.
If anything, I see this potentially backfiring on Keefe. Both teams have been getting away with some extra stuff and I don’t think he wants the refs calling tighter games. The Leafs PP and PK is awful. The Bruins PP and PK has been electric this series. If Keefe wants to turn this into a battle of special teams, by all means cock that gun.
If anything, I see this potentially backfiring on Keefe. Both teams have been getting away with some extra stuff and I don’t think he wants the refs calling tighter games. The Leafs PP and PK is awful. The Bruins PP and PK has been electric this series. If Keefe wants to turn this into a battle of special teams, by all means cock that gun.
Keefe's comments are hilarious, and as the head coach of Toronto it is only made more funny in that he is talking about a play involving Tyler -let-me-shiv-you-with-the-but-end-of-my-untaped-stick-Bertuzzi.
It has got to be tough for the Leafs, stuck with choir boys like Bertuzzi and Domi and they have to face the likes of Marchand, famous for slipping through the cracks with the refs. Give me a break.
It has got to be tough for the Leafs, stuck with choir boys like Bertuzzi and Domi and they have to face the likes of Marchand, famous for slipping through the cracks with the refs. Give me a break.
See, we need Monty to say this more or less verbatim in today or tomorrow's presser. Throw it right back at them. Play the game unlike 2019.
Keefe going full Berube is exactly the game plan most teams have against the Bruins in the playoffs, because it works.
The Bruins absolutely have to fire back in the same way. The high road doesn't work and I hope they understand that by now.
The Bruins absolutely have to fire back in the same way. The high road doesn't work and I hope they understand that by now.
Agreed on all points, the Marchand goal was unstoppable, the Frederic goal was terrible.
The Bruins have a massive edge in goaltending in this series.
I agree with this. Ullmark was excellent in Game 2 but at this point I'd start Swayman again. He's been outstanding.
So I know the reaction in the game thread last night was, for the most part, "have to play Sway in game 4"... with a night's sleep, does everyone still feel that way? Fair enough if so, but personally I think I'd play Ully in game 4. He played a very good game 2 IMO, the rest of the team did not play as well as they did in games 1 or 3.
The X factor here is there are two off days between both games 3 and 4, and 4 and 5.
Edit: apparently SJH still feels this way
The X factor here is there are two off days between both games 3 and 4, and 4 and 5.
Edit: apparently SJH still feels this way
Yes, Ullmark was very good but Swayman has been playing like a guy who could steal a series (or even a Cup, like Thomas did). No more rotating until if/when Swayman fails.
I think with 2 days off, it's a better bet to play Swayman. I understand a rotation with the usual every-other-day game schedule, but with the extra rest I'd go back to Swayman.
Nope, I still go with Swayman. They have 2 days off and as well as Ullmark's played, Swayman has been better. Re-evaluate for game 5.
The issue last year wasn't that they didn't flat rotate. The issue was they were too late in giving Ullmark the hook.
But all this said, I have a funny feeling that they're going to stick with the rotation approach.
Yes, he was clearly hurt. Far and away the biggest criticism of the Monty era has been that they stuck with Ullmark too long (when they had a goalie many teams would kill for on the bench!)
I think you kind of have to go Swayman right now. He owns the Leafs, and has given you no reason to not start him next game.
Next series may be different, it may be someone Ullmark is elite against.
Rotation doesn't have to mean A B A B A - it should mean playing the goalie who gives you the best chance against that opponent, regardless of the name on the sweater.
Next series may be different, it may be someone Ullmark is elite against.
Rotation doesn't have to mean A B A B A - it should mean playing the goalie who gives you the best chance against that opponent, regardless of the name on the sweater.
I think it likely benefits Swayman mentally knowing he's part of a rotation, and knowing that Stanley Cup hopes of the entire franchise lies squarely on his shoulders...and there is a correlation between that and his play so far. A strong correlation? Almost definitely not...so overall I hope they stick with the rotation. That said, given the extra night off and there's no reason as @TSC said it has to be every other, I hope they stick with Swayman for game 4.
He wants the net. I'm sure Ullmark feels the same way.
View: https://twitter.com/_TyAnderson/status/1783321245779411296
Quite frankly Id be astounded if he said anything different, and would actually be angry at him if he admitted it...and what he said is exactly what I want to hear from him. I still think, even if it's on a subconscious level, there's got to be some benefit.
If you ditch the rotation because of the extra day off, you ditch it for the duration because you are making a definitive statement about your confidence.
And Ullmark has done nothing to shake confidence in his play. They lost game two because of stuff outside the blue paint, not in it.
I'm also firmly in the camp that sees these goalies as better individually because they are not alone carrying the burden.
If the Bruins go into game six with a 3-2 lead and two Ullmark losses, I'll reconsider. Until then, I'd just stick with the rotation.
And Ullmark has done nothing to shake confidence in his play. They lost game two because of stuff outside the blue paint, not in it.
I'm also firmly in the camp that sees these goalies as better individually because they are not alone carrying the burden.
If the Bruins go into game six with a 3-2 lead and two Ullmark losses, I'll reconsider. Until then, I'd just stick with the rotation.
Re Berube comments on Marshy, Monty should point out that 1) Tuzzi embellished more than a stunt double, 2) Toronto is in fact icing Tuzzi and Domi (what a scumbag), and 3) Domi took a shot at Sway in the first intermission. FOH.
Going against the grain, I'd put Linus in net for G4. If they can get him a W, then great. If not, it's Sway's show for G5 according to schedule, and if he plays well/Bruins win, they can ABABAA to the ECSF.
Going against the grain, I'd put Linus in net for G4. If they can get him a W, then great. If not, it's Sway's show for G5 according to schedule, and if he plays well/Bruins win, they can ABABAA to the ECSF.
As much of a prick Domi is, when I saw this for the second time, I thought that maybe Swayman dove a bit. Did anyone else feel the same way?
I almost qualified my statement, but yeah, I agree. Sway was trying to draw one there. But if
Is the Bruins extended off-days stay in Toronto a good thing or not so good? Bonding vs. bar hopping. I'm hoping for the former.
Uh to contradict my earlier post that I wanted Swayman in game 4 this post was quite convincing and Im on team full rotation! For game 4 & 5 at least...
It is hard to describe the level of anger aimed at Marchand on the Toronto I mean Canadian sports networks.
Last year they rotated during the season and then went with Ullmark in the playoffs and it was a catastrophe, but they felt boxed in, I guess. This year they're going with the rotation in the playoffs too. They're up 2-1 (Swayman with two wins and Ullmark played well in the 3-2 loss). Seems like unless one of them has a horrific performance, just stick with the rotation.
On goalie rotation, there's no good answer and people are just going to play the results regardless. It's probably a 49/51 decision at this point whether to play Ullmark or stay with Swayman. I have a slight lean towards Swayman but don't feel too strongly as both are good choices IMO.
Last year they got burned because Ullmark got hurt at the very end of Game 4 and Monty kept playing him anyway. It worsened to the point where he couldn't move in Game 6.
Yeah this kind of nails it. I used the old "six of one half a dozen the other" in my fam group thread this morning. Which is probably why it took all of one post to have me go from Sway to Ullmark for G4.
This is pretty much where I'm at
I think a large part of why both have been so good is both have been so rested and why I was such a big fan of keeping the rotation during the playoffs. Just even 1% of an edge from being better physically and mentally rested can make such a big deal. But with the extra day between games 3 and 4 (and 4 and 5) I'm not as concerned about running Swayman out there from a rest perspective. And I think Ullmark is a big enough boy that he'd get it and not be a problem. I'm also pretty comfortable with them tossing Ullmark in for 4.
I also think they'd be wise to go back to a rotation in a theoretical round and I think Swayman is a big enough boy to get it even if they ride him this round.
It's not a bad problem to have.
There is an angle that I saw on Eck’s roundup that makes it look like embellishment. I hadn’t seen this angle on tv. The video will annoy you because it is Leaf-centric but the play is around 3:50.
View: https://youtu.be/fITu9FaCzPw?si=481XYRnO2zt_camo
Good.
I'll note that he was not really himself through 2.5 games and then when things started getting a little heated he found his game again and scored 2 huge goals. I'm not sure that's a coincidence.