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Play-in Round: Toronto Maple Leafs (8) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (9)

good news is, the Jackets have shown they can't generate much on us when in turtle mode. And full turtle mode is the only way they can stop us from scoring 3 or more goals on them. No wonder Torts went full Exorcist when shit started to go wrong for them in game 2. He's a smart guy and I'm sure realizes this too.

game 2 had to be so, so good for the Leafs confidence.

Imagine if Marnie Marner starts to play like his 94 point self?

and still the best part is watching Matthews in the postseason and knowing he's a Leaf. what a player.
 
LeafGm said:
Dermott stepping into Muzzin’s role would be my preference, but then there aren't really a whole lot of good choices with the other pairings. Leaving Ceci with Rielly and pairing up Marincin with Barrie seems less than optimal, but I don't know what other choice we have.
Click to expand...

the other imo interestng choice would be

Rielly-Holl (big, big minutes)
Marincin-Barrie
Dermott-Ceci
 
There's potential for Chernobyl-level disaster from that Marincin-Barrie pair. Ceci might fuck up Dermott somewhat too.

I don't agree with keeping Sandin out based on whatever happened six months ago. He's a blue chipper who should be given a shot at elevating his game under fire. How is Robertson okay to throw into the playoff fire as an 18 year old, but we hesitate to give Sandin the opportunity? That's ridiculous. Especially against a low grade offense like CBJ.

I'm so anti playing these shitty gonezo UFAs and castoffs over our future. Sandin should be in. Engvall should've been in game 1. Gauthier should be in instead of Spezza. It's stupid to let vet trash occupy spots because they're vets and supposedly "know what to do" even though they are inferior players. This series is the perfect time to break in Sandin. And maybe even Lilly too.
 
we can survive this more because they suck so much offensively than anything else. If we can not blow routine coverages and minimize the turnovers we should be ok.
 
imo we can survive this more because keefe has actually given us a real defensive system for the first time ever.
 
so with the last shift it looks like Torts has built himself a matchup line with the Foligno-Jenner combo.

though, tbh, i would love to see him use that against the Matthews line.
 
Tomorrow’s game is crucial. We don’t want Columbus to get to one game from eliminating us.
 
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Only challenge will be that the Jackets have last change and might be able to handle a bottom pair D from the Leafs...Might.
 
Interested to see how Keefe will try and counter to whatever torts is gonna try and change on their squad. Was last game more the BJs didn’t show up? Or did we just find a way to beat thek
 
The Leafs played probably the most consistent 60 minutes I have seen them play in years. The Jackets basically played the same game they did on Sunday.

If we play like that or close to that all series, it will be a wrap by tomorrow. That is why people get frustrated with this team because we know what they can be if they put that kind of effort together a little more consistently.
 
They did it in last years playoffs, albeit it didn't look as dominant because it was against a far better team. You're right though.. I never really expect them to play like that because they don't do it with any sort of consistency. They haven't for years, so it has been fair to treat them as a slightly above average team and nothing else.

But regardless, expecting that kind of game each and every time might be a bit unrealistic. That was something even the best teams in the NHL don't do consistently. I'd love it if they can get it done like that nightly, but I'll happily take a middle ground.
 
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