Tanev a gametime decision. Would love to have him rest/recover some more, but we also kinda really need him against Florida.

I think he's suggesting that Matthews can't START a scoring slump in the playoffs because he's already in one.
- Whipper

I like my suggestion better.

I think Carlo is a nice addition for the playoffs, too. We all want a larger D, and this year we got it, (no surgery required).
- Whipper

The way they play and protect the net I think we are going to see a completely different team this year in playoffs.

Will be interesting to see how they score...but I think they are going to frustrate the hell out of teams.

Tanev a gametime decision. Would love to have him rest/recover some more, but we also kinda really need him against Florida.
- Whipper

We have two more games against Florida after tonight.

If he's not 100%, let's keep our powder dry.

Quite literally my favourite band. I saw them twice last year.
- Monkeypunk

i beat my Richard like it owed me money to the girls on film video (uncensored)🤛 🐓

I think he's suggesting that Matthews can't START a scoring slump in the playoffs because he's already in one.
- Whipper

The CC whisperer speaks

I'd let Tanev rest if there is an option. I know seeding is important, but Florida is a team of dirty rat bastards (pun intended). Don't rush Tanev back into action in a heavy game and risk losing him long term.

I hate to admit it, but a line of TkaUpchuk - Let Off Some Steam - Slewfooty McFacelicker could be a total wrecking crew to play against. The new Hansons.

I'd let Tanev rest if there is an option. I know seeding is important, but Florida is a team of dirty rat bastards (pun intended). Don't rush Tanev back into action in a heavy game and risk losing him long term.

I hate to admit it, but a line of TkaUpchuk - Let Off Some Steam - Slewfooty McFacelicker could be a total wrecking crew to play against. The new Hansons.
- GalacticStone

I think they’re waiting until they’re confident he’s ready to go. Play him when he’s ready. If that’s tonight, do it. Give pairings time to gel

We have two more games against Florida after tonight.

If he's not 100%, let's keep our powder dry.
- Atomic Wedgie

I like that the league scheduled them all down the stretch run to the playoffs. They are going to be fun games to watch.

https://youtu.be/AAbisg02JD4?si=s9mgUUKrIgzcmtv1

80’s Galactic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJgv-qBBT3Y
- Ratsreign

Flashback there. I used to own some Grim Reaper vinyl and traded it (along with a small stack of others) for a bag of poopty weed. This would have been early 90s. 😆

A lot of these middle-tier bands don't hold up so well now. I listen to them now and they don't sound as great as they did to my drunk and high 20-something mulleted self.

LIKE THE FIELD OF AGINCOURT! LET THE FLOWER OF THE ATLANTIC SHATTER ON THE MUDDY FIELDS OF THE LEAFS BEEFY DEFENDERS! LET THE ARROGANT FROG EATERS TASTE OF THE STEEL BODKIN OF THE LEAFS' FORWARDS! LET EVERY MAN STAND THEIR GROUND AS St. ANTHONY OF STOLARZ!

Flashback there. I used to own some Grim Reaper vinyl and traded it (along with a small stack of others) for a bag of poopty weed. This would have been early 90s. 😆

A lot of these middle-tier bands don't hold up so well now. I listen to them now and they don't sound as great as they did to my drunk and high 20-something mulleted self.
- GalacticStone

That’s for sure

LIKE THE FIELD OF AGINCOURT! LET THE FLOWER OF THE ATLANTIC SHATTER ON THE MUDDY FIELDS OF THE LEAFS BEEFY DEFENDERS! LET THE ARROGANT FROG EATERS TASTE OF THE STEEL BODKIN OF THE LEAFS' FORWARDS! LET EVERY MAN STAND THEIR GROUND AS St. ANTHONY OF STOLARZ!
- AdamFrench

If I had more time, I'd rewrite the entire St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V, giving it a Leafy theme.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in Ottawa like Spatso now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That played hockey with us against the Panthers upon Saint Crispin’s day.

If I had more time, I'd rewrite the entire St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V, giving it a Leafy theme.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in Ottawa like Spatso now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That played hockey with us against the Panthers upon Saint Crispin’s day.
- Atomic Wedgie

The Leafs beat the Panthers, it's true,
A victory sweet, fresh and new.
With skill and with might,
They won a great fight,
And left Florida feeling quite blue.

Which really supports the Marner falters when the big games happen because he SHOULD have more room and space 5 on 4 to set up plays. And yes it also supports the WTF is Matthews doing on the PP come playoffs complaint because to your point he's disappeared also.

In watching the games though I don't see Marner playing the same way in the games 5-7 (nor Matthews) so i don't subscribe to the 'it's not Mitch it's the others around him that are the issue' theory.

Feels / has looked to me like Willy is the only one who seems to consistently show up and at times elevate his game in games 5-7. Points don't tell the entire story either IMO.

I want nothing more than to see Marner go on a tear this year (along with Matthews, Willy and any and everyone else in a Leafs jersey) in games that are not early, mid series and prove he/they can do it!

This wish exists despite knowing it will be insufferable to some degree in here due to a specific poster who seems to think everyone hates Marner except him and he has to insult others every time Marner does something good to great (or even when he does nothing of note) to try and stir up poop.
- Cush29

The shooters won't penetrate the perimeter and shoot from 10 feet further back.

Everything is Marner's fault.

It's why Nylander is standing out in the past two seasons. He's the only shooter driving the net successfully. Guys we've relied on to score in the playoffs just don't.

Like here's our top-10 scorers since 2017 comparing their regular season to the playoffs:

Auston Matthews has a G/GP differential of -0.27 in the playoffs.
Mitch Marner has a G/GP differential of -0.15 in the playoffs.
Zach Hyman has a G/GP differential of -0.14 in the playoffs.
Michael Bunting has a G/GP differential of -0.14 in the playoffs.
Nazem Kadri has a G/GP differential of -0.14 in the playoffs.
Kasperi Kapanen has a G/GP differential of -0.11 in the playoffs.
John Tavares has a G/GP differential of -0.1 in the playoffs.
Alexander Kerfoot has a G/GP differential of -0.01 in the playoffs.
William Nylander has a G/GP differential of 0 in the playoffs.
Morgan Rielly has a G/GP differential of 0.09 in the playoffs.

Rielly is the only guy who actually scores at a higher rate and Nylander stays consistent. The guy we rely on to be THE guy is the one we really need to talk about.

https://youtu.be/AAbisg02JD4?si=s9mgUUKrIgzcmtv1
- mr.sir

my brother used to listen to them way back in the day. appropriate song for the moment

The shooters won't penetrate the perimeter and shoot from 10 feet further back.

Everything is Marner's fault.

It's why Nylander is standing out in the past two seasons. He's the only shooter driving the net successfully. Guys we've relied on to score in the playoffs just don't.

Like here's our top-10 scorers since 2017 comparing their regular season to the playoffs:

Auston Matthews has a G/GP differential of -0.27 in the playoffs.
Mitch Marner has a G/GP differential of -0.15 in the playoffs.
Zach Hyman has a G/GP differential of -0.14 in the playoffs.
Michael Bunting has a G/GP differential of -0.14 in the playoffs.
Nazem Kadri has a G/GP differential of -0.14 in the playoffs.
Kasperi Kapanen has a G/GP differential of -0.11 in the playoffs.
John Tavares has a G/GP differential of -0.1 in the playoffs.
Alexander Kerfoot has a G/GP differential of -0.01 in the playoffs.
William Nylander has a G/GP differential of 0 in the playoffs.
Morgan Rielly has a G/GP differential of 0.09 in the playoffs.

Rielly is the only guy who actually scores at a higher rate and Nylander stays consistent. The guy w
e rely on to be THE guy is the one we really need to talk about.
- Monkeypunk

Come on man "Everything is Marner's fault"

That's not what I was saying and went to a decent length to explain why and say they should share the blame but he sure isn't the second coming of JC when the chips are down (and neither are many of the others).

I feel like you keep saying it's not Marner but everyone else's fault including the team for not giving him the players he needs to be successful come playoffs but he's fine during the regular season.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you and you are misunderstanding me?

The truth is it's Marner AND THE REST OF THE CORE, they are all to blame (except Willy and Rielly and I'll say JT because he's about as close to 0% drop as you can get & his series winning goal is kinda an example of his willingness to get inside vs staying out in the the easy to play in zone).

I hope Berube drills it into them what he needs / what we all know and see they need to do because other teams who have playoff success do it. I also hope if they don't he loses his poop like Maurice has done and if needed benches guys - anyone who won't do it including Matthews, Marner, Nylander etc.

And agree Matthews needs to be so much better in the playoffs but I do give him a bit of a pass from last year but my expectations this year are already starting to be impacted by whatever he has going on now - he is not the player we know. If he's hurt and they didn't rest him and he blows chunks in the playoffs I'll be pissed.

Again.

I dont think the Leafs go far in the Playoffs unless both Tanev/Mccabe play every game.

goalies can steal games, but the playoff grind is tough without a top Pair.

we know they dont score, so have to stop the other team from doing it
- senstroll

If the goalies can steal a game or three, thats 1 -3 then in years previous.
That should be at least two rounds worth

Tanev a gametime decision. Would love to have him rest/recover some more, but we also kinda really need him against Florida.
- Whipper

Rest him.
We have two more games against Florida apparently.
Dont need him tonight

LIKE THE FIELD OF AGINCOURT! LET THE FLOWER OF THE ATLANTIC SHATTER ON THE MUDDY FIELDS OF THE LEAFS BEEFY DEFENDERS! LET THE ARROGANT FROG EATERS TASTE OF THE STEEL BODKIN OF THE LEAFS' FORWARDS! LET EVERY MAN STAND THEIR GROUND AS St. ANTHONY OF STOLARZ!
- AdamFrench

spent many a gym class and football game at the field of agincourt (collegiate)

Rest him.
We have two more games against Florida apparently.
Dont need him tonight
- Fakepartofme

They should be resting Matthews.

There is no way he's not hurt. He's lost his spark, not nearly as dynamic and threatening as usual. And that's been a lot of the season.

Sit him for the rest of the regular so he can heal and actually be playoff healthy for the first time in a few years.

They should be resting Matthews.

There is no way he's not hurt. He's lost his spark, not nearly as dynamic and threatening as usual. And that's been a lot of the season.

Sit him for the rest of the regular so he can heal and actually be playoff healthy for the first time in a few years.
- underhill14

He doesnt do much on the ice anyway, hows hes played lately he is pretty much each shift

They should be resting Matthews.

There is no way he's not hurt. He's lost his spark, not nearly as dynamic and threatening as usual. And that's been a lot of the season.

Sit him for the rest of the regular so he can heal and actually be playoff healthy for the first time in a few years.
- underhill14

It seems he has some issue that needs longer than the time he was given earlier in the season. He already missed 6 weeks or so. I think this is the Matty we got this year. Who knows if he’s going to require some surgery this offseason?

The shooters won't penetrate the perimeter and shoot from 10 feet further back.

Everything is Marner's fault.

It's why Nylander is standing out in the past two seasons. He's the only shooter driving the net successfully. Guys we've relied on to score in the playoffs just don't.

Like here's our top-10 scorers since 2017 comparing their regular season to the playoffs:

Auston Matthews has a G/GP differential of -0.27 in the playoffs.
Mitch Marner has a G/GP differential of -0.15 in the playoffs.
Zach Hyman has a G/GP differential of -0.14 in the playoffs.
Michael Bunting has a G/GP differential of -0.14 in the playoffs.
Nazem Kadri has a G/GP differential of -0.14 in the playoffs.
Kasperi Kapanen has a G/GP differential of -0.11 in the playoffs.
John Tavares has a G/GP differential of -0.1 in the playoffs.
Alexander Kerfoot has a G/GP differential of -0.01 in the playoffs.
William Nylander has a G/GP differential of 0 in the playoffs.
Morgan Rielly has a G/GP differential of 0.09 in the playoffs.

Rielly is the only guy who actually scores at a higher rate and Nylander stays consistent. The guy we rely on to be THE guy is the one we really need to talk about.
- Monkeypunk

Well if there's one truth to Berube it's that he is constant in his demand to get pucks and bodies to the front of the net. I'm not sure 34 and 16 are acting on those demands but he's trying.

Did I hear Matthews is in one of the worst slumps of his career? 2 5v5 goals in 15 games or something like that. Hard to win if he's getting 22 premium minutes every game and not converting.