Toronto Maple Leafs

[Argo57]

I thought they were toast when the Capitals had the 5-on-3 and were up 3-1 in the second, but credit the Maple Leafs as they weathered that as well as the too many men penalty. To tie it up by the end of the 2nd was huge. Plus, getting that PP at the end of the 3rd obviously helped.

The kids are really stepping up and don't seem in awe of the situation at all.
Win or lose this experience is crucial for the teams chemistry and development.

[AngeloV]

The kids are really stepping up and don't seem in awe of the situation at all.
Win or lose this experience is crucial for the teams chemistry and development.

As big a fan as I am, I sure wasn't expecting them to come back last night. Great young talent, and even better coach.

[AngeloV]

In looking back to the trade deadline, the best thing that may have happened to the Leafs was Valtteri Filppula not wanting to play for the Leafs due to Babcock being the coach. That right there tells you what type of player he is. He'd rather play in a preferable individual role than in a team role. Getting Boyle as plan B has turned out just fine. Maybe getting rid of people like Filppula is the reason the Lightning got hot down the stretch and just barely missed the playoffs.

[Will]

A tough loss last night. The Maple Leafs made some mistakes that Washington capitalized on. The game tomorrow is obviously huge.

[AngeloV]

A tough loss last night. The Maple Leafs made some mistakes that Washington capitalized on. The game tomorrow is obviously huge.

The thing I liked most about the last 2 games was that the Leafs were able to bounce back from poor starts. In the regular season, they did not show the ability to do this. More good signs for the future.

[Argo57]

The thing I liked most about the last 2 games was that the Leafs were able to bounce back from poor starts. In the regular season, they did not show the ability to do this. More good signs for the future.

Now they need to eliminate the slow starts, dangerous to count on the big comeback.

[Will]

Well the series did not go the way that many of us would have hoped. It was tough to lose four one-goal games (three in OT), but they gave Washington a better run than many would have expected. The Maple Leafs have a good young core with Matthews, Marner and Nylander. Gardiner and Rielly both played better in the playoffs than they did in the regular season and Andersen is solid in goal. What the Maple Leafs have to do is decide whether or not JVR and Bozak are a part of their future and improve the defence corps.

But, for the first time in a decade there is legitimate reason for hope in Toronto.

[Will]

The Leafs have to hope that a sophomore slump doesn't affect some of their key players.

I am hopeful that the Leafs will remain one of the higher scoring teams in the league especially with the addition of Patrick Marleau. The Leafs, in theory, have three lines that can produce offensively.

The defence will remain a question mark though as the only addition there was Ron Hainsey who is OK but not an elite defenceman. I'm fine with Freddie in goal, but the backup job might be of concern though McElhenny played well yesterday.

[R.J]

The Leafs have to hope that a sophomore slump doesn't affect some of their key players.

I am hopeful that the Leafs will remain one of the higher scoring teams in the league especially with the addition of Patrick Marleau. The Leafs, in theory, have three lines that can produce offensively.

The defence will remain a question mark though as the only addition there was Ron Hainsey who is OK but not an elite defenceman. I'm fine with Freddie in goal, but the backup job might be of concern though McElhenny played well yesterday.

Agree on all points.

[R.J]

Leafs starting off on fire offensively so far this season, but defensively they look as some expected.

[ArgoGabe22]

I might be "reaching" here, especially when one second doesn't capture the entire moment and I really don't want to derail this into an anti-TFC post because its not what I intend but boy, what a difference. The Argos look happy to be there while TFC just looks disinterested.

You can be the judge pic.twitter.com/37pC3s9qS1

— DoubleBlueBlog (@DoubleBlueBlog) December 11, 2017

lol pic.twitter.com/6AKLGv7zSA

— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) December 11, 2017

Good on the Leafs to host both teams. Only a matter of time before the Stanley Cup makes a return.

[rdavies]

I might be "reaching" here, especially when one second doesn't capture the entire moment and I really don't want to derail this into an anti-TFC post because its not what I intend but boy, what a difference. The Argos look happy to be there while TFC just looks disinterested.

Might be because three of the Argos are good 'ol Canadian boys and I don't know who the TFC players are (must be one Canadian among them)

[Will]

Freddie Andersen has certainly been saving the Leafs' bacon lately, but they are playing fairly well since Andersen voiced his displeasure a few weeks ago. I would be reluctant to rock the boat at the trade deadline. JVR isn't going to be brought back next year, but you won't get much in return for a "rental." He still contributes positively to the team.

[ArgoRavi]

Freddie Andersen has certainly been saving the Leafs' bacon lately, but they are playing fairly well since Andersen voiced his displeasure a few weeks ago. I would be reluctant to rock the boat at the trade deadline. JVR isn't going to be brought back next year, but you won't get much in return for a "rental." He still contributes positively to the team.

I don't see the Leafs presently being good enough to be a contender this year. Just stay the course and don't do anything stupid at this point. Yes, the Islanders won a Stanley Cup by adding Butch Goring almost 40 years ago at the trade deadline but those kinds of moves do not work much more often than not. Further, the Islanders really were just a piece away from winning it all back then.

[Will]

I don't see the Leafs presently being good enough to be a contender this year. Just stay the course and don't do anything stupid at this point. Yes, the Islanders won a Stanley Cup by adding Butch Goring almost 40 years ago at the trade deadline but those kinds of moves do not work much more often than not. Further, the Islanders really were just a piece away from winning it all back then.

Agreed, perhaps make a minor move or two, but leave it mostly as is and see where the chips fall in the playoffs.

[Will]

Andersen could use a rest I feel. He's struggled a bit since coming back from injury and McElhinney was playing well

[Will]

What does everybody make of this alleged Babcock/Matthews rift? Legitimate or just media speculation.

[R.J]

What does everybody make of this alleged Babcock/Matthews rift? Legitimate or just media speculation.

Legit. Similar issues came up in Detroit eventually, where Babcock was overbearing on the players. Would anyone be surprised if Matthews was po'd ? Best player on the team and yet is on the second power play unit.

It'll be interesting to see where this team goes now with Dubas being named the GM, continually hear the word "aggressive" when he is brought up, and he's "new school" compared to a lot of Leafs Management.

[argolio]

Fake, um, information.

[R.J]

Leafs sign Tavares - 7 years for $77 million. Too rich for me, especially when they have to eventually sign Matthews and Marner.