Quit moving the guy around in the line up
But none of these clowns can hit.
- Fakepartofme

I think we see why the Jays could have used 1 more good bad (like Alonso).
Giminez is not a cleanup hitter

Resting.
Busy first game.
- Fakepartofme

Also if he keeps playing like this they won't take him out.

I am not going to check but I am willing to bet he has never played 4 games in 8 nights in his NHL career.

If he is the guy he likely misses a lot of practices...At this point practice is more for the team preparing.

Leaf lines at practice today:

Knies - Matthews - Marner
Holmberg - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - Domi - Robertson
Lorentz - Laughton - Jarnkrok

I'd leave like this and take Holmberg out for Patches when he can go.
- joel878

or even for Bobbyson

I think we see why the Jays could have used 1 more good bad (like Alonso).
Giminez is not a cleanup hitter
- senstroll

Oh the jays definitely needed another good bat and a starter. Max was a waste of money, somehow atkins didnt see him getting injured.
And vlad just isnt a clutch hitter.

Also if he keeps playing like this they won't take him out.

I am not going to check but I am willing to bet he has never played 4 games in 8 nights in his NHL career.

If he is the guy he likely misses a lot of practices...At this point practice is more for the team preparing.
- Santo_44

Yup, whatever he needs to do, let him.

Even if he has a bad game, let him play the next

Also if he keeps playing like this they won't take him out.

I am not going to check but I am willing to bet he has never played 4 games in 8 nights in his NHL career.

If he is the guy he likely misses a lot of practices...At this point practice is more for the team preparing.
- Santo_44

Stolarz is the hot hand at the moment but he's not the best playoff goalie we have.

Woll and Forsberg will be in net by the end of this series.

Stolarz is the hot hand at the moment but he's not the best playoff goalie we have.

Woll and Forsberg will be in net by the end of this series.
- Rare_Jewel

There’s no way that you could possibly know that Stolarz is not our best playoff goalie.

There’s no way that you could possibly know that Stolarz is not our best playoff goalie.
- shack67

History has shown Woll is great in the playoffs against a better team. He's just not always healthy. But if he's healthy, he's the better goalie.

Anybody see Luke Hughes get injured and then Markstrom injured his own guy Glass by accident in an attempt to retaliate?
- AdamFrench

That was wild.

History has shown Woll is great in the playoffs against a better team. He's just not always healthy. But if he's healthy, he's the better goalie.
- Rare_Jewel

It’s still hard to fathom the Leafs entering the playoffs with two capable, somewhat sane, goalies.
I do agree though, I love Stolie, but Woll has that must win big game vibe going for me as well.

or even for Bobbyson
- dmnted

Domi is the odd man out if they need to make a move

It’s still hard to fathom the Leafs entering the playoffs with two capable, somewhat sane, goalies.
I do agree though, I love Stolie, but Woll has that must win big game vibe going for me as well.
- Woderwick

Absolutely true about Woll. If he had played the entire series last year, the Leafs would have beat Boston.

It's absolutely absurd that the Leafs refused to get a capable back-up for this long.

Woll has more experience too. I like his skill set better as well. Stolarz has been playing well lately so it's hard for Berube to not put him in. You also save some mileage on Woll because he's at his career high in games played so far.

But as this series gets tighter, Stolarz rebound control will bite him in the ass. It's pretty easy to be in net when everything goes right offensively with 6 goals. Those 3-2 OT games is where you want Woll in there.

Domi is the odd man out if they need to make a move
- Canada Cup

Absolutely no (frank)ing chance Domi should or would come out of the line-up in the playoffs.

or even for Bobbyson
- dmnted

Robertson is definitely the guy to pull out of the line-up for Pacioretty.

He's small, weak and slow. If Pacioretty is going to be slow, at least he can stand tall. Until he breaks. But if he's healthy, Pacioretty can add some depth scoring too.

Absolutely no (frank)ing chance Domi should or would come out of the line-up in the playoffs.



Robertson is definitely the guy to pull out of the line-up for Pacioretty.

He's small, weak and slow. If Pacioretty is going to be slow, at least he can stand tall. Until he breaks. But if he's healthy, Pacioretty can add some depth scoring too.
- Rare_Jewel

Or just take your I know everything no one else knows anything holier than though condescending attitude and (frank) off somewhere else. You don't know anything, POS.

Or just take your I know everything no one else knows anything holier than though condescending attitude and (frank) off somewhere else. You don't know anything, POS.
- joel878

History has shown Woll is great in the playoffs against a better team. He's just not always healthy. But if he's healthy, he's the better goalie.
- Rare_Jewel

I agree Woll has looked solid and proven he's capable but until Stolarz has a sample size for us in the playoffs, he hasn't actually proven he's the better goalie. Stolarz stats prove he was better during the regular season, and after yesterday he's proven to be just as good in the playoffs so far. Both have a very small sample size to draw from. I'm fine with either guy starting.

The only thing history has proven with these two goalies is both have been good when they start for us and one guy has 4 career starts and the other guy has 1 start. Both sport .930 sv% or higher. I don't think we have seen enough to call one guy completely reliable and dependable when neither have started more than 3 games in a series ever yet. 2 good goalies, that's that. Both have lots to prove still.

I agree Woll has looked solid and proven he's capable but until Stolarz has a sample size for us in the playoffs, he hasn't actually proven he's the better goalie. Stolarz stats prove he was better during the regular season, and after yesterday he's proven to be just as good in the playoffs so far. Both have a very small sample size to draw from. I'm fine with either guy starting.
- systemtool

Either are fine, so agree
Its just more of durability to me. id be fine switching them out to give them breaks

Either are fine, so agree
Its just more of durability to me. id be fine switching them out to give them breaks
- senstroll

I think we see Woll this series. especially if we have a 2 or more game lead.

Absolutely no (frank)ing chance Domi should or would come out of the line-up in the playoffs.



Robertson is definitely the guy to pull out of the line-up for Pacioretty.

He's small, weak and slow. If Pacioretty is going to be slow, at least he can stand tall. Until he breaks. But if he's healthy, Pacioretty can add some depth scoring too.
- Rare_Jewel

I disagree. You have to take out Holmberg. Robertson just needs one shot to makea difference. When you need secondary scoring, you dont take someone out like Robertson.

I agree Woll has looked solid and proven he's capable but until Stolarz has a sample size for us in the playoffs, he hasn't actually proven he's the better goalie. Stolarz stats prove he was better during the regular season, and after yesterday he's proven to be just as good in the playoffs so far. Both have a very small sample size to draw from. I'm fine with either guy starting.

The only thing history has proven with these two goalies is both have been good when they start for us and one guy has 4 career starts and the other guy has 1 start. Both sport .930 sv% or higher. I don't think we have seen enough to call one guy completely reliable and dependable when neither have started more than 3 games in a series ever yet. 2 good goalies, that's that. Both have lots to prove still.
- systemtool

Both small sample sizes but Woll still has more to show (7 games to 2 games) with better playoff numbers against more dangerous teams.

Watching Stolarz rebound control, there's a reason he's been a back-up his entire career. He's playing the best stretch of his life right now but his biggest "skill" is being 6'6" 240.

I think we see Woll this series. especially if we have a 2 or more game lead.
- systemtool

Highly doubt they switch goalies with a lead unless there's an injury. Much more likely they switch when Stolarz finally comes back down to Earth.

Either are fine, so agree
Its just more of durability to me. id be fine switching them out to give them breaks
- senstroll

Stolarz taking that hit and now taking a day off practice could be the perfect opportunity to give him that break and put Woll in for game 2. Neither one of them has to shoulder the load of playing every other night.

Woll's numbers with long rest periods are very, very strong.

I disagree. You have to take out Holmberg. Robertson just needs one shot to makea difference. When you need secondary scoring, you dont take someone out like Robertson.
- Archaic

Holmberg and Robertson are the same size but the difference is Holmberg is better at everything else except shooting. Robertson is a one-trick pony and Pacioretty can play that trick (proven multiple time 30 goal scorer) with more size, strength and hitting.

The only player available that is worse than Robertson overall as a player is probably Reaves.

Both small sample sizes but Woll still has more to show (7 games to 2 games) with better playoff numbers against more dangerous teams.

Watching Stolarz rebound control, there's a reason he's been a back-up his entire career. He's playing the best stretch of his life right now but his biggest "skill" is being 6'6" 240.

- Rare_Jewel

I hate to break this to you but both Woll and Stolarz have shown rebound control issues and while neither possesses a stellar glove, Stolarz I've observed to catch and trap the puck more than Woll does. Stolarz also directs his rebounds away from the front on longer shots better than Woll. Lastly Stolarz is a significantly better puck handler - I don't like when Woll handles the puck at all. He gives the puck away almost as often as Jake Gardiner used to. A goalie who can puck handle well is such a nice thing to have.

Vegas won the cup in 2022-23 with Adin Hill in net. He had a grand total of 0 playoff games before arriving in net. Their alternative that year was Broissoit, who had a similar lack of experience.

Colorado, the year prior, won with Kuemper - who had 9 starts and hadn't won an official series in his career (he did win a play-in round in the COVID season - so that basically counts, but if you want to be pedantic about it . . ).

Goalies may not be stars until they are.

I don't think that this Leaf team is going to sink or swim based on their goalies anyway; I think both have shown the credentials to give you a big save when you need it and it's up to the rest of the team to take advantage of that opportunity provided.

I hate to break this to you but both Woll and Stolarz have shown rebound control issues and while neither possesses a stellar glove, Stolarz I've observed to catch and trap the puck more than Woll does. Stolarz also directs his rebounds away from the front on longer shots better than Woll. Lastly Stolarz is a significantly better puck handler - I don't like when Woll handles the puck at all. He gives the puck away almost as often as Jake Gardiner used to. A goalie who can puck handle well is such a nice thing to have.
- Monkeypunk

Woll showed very few of those issues against Boston last year when the pressure was on. I think he steps his game up when the pressure is on and that's exactly what the Leafs need for a long playoff run.

Vegas won the cup in 2022-23 with Adin Hill in net. He had a grand total of 0 playoff games before arriving in net. Their alternative that year was Broissoit, who had a similar lack of experience.

Colorado, the year prior, won with Kuemper - who had 9 starts and hadn't won an official series in his career (he did win a play-in round in the COVID season - so that basically counts, but if you want to be pedantic about it . . ).

Goalies may not be stars until they are.

I don't think that this Leaf team is going to sink or swim based on their goalies anyway; I think both have shown the credentials to give you a big save when you need it and it's up to the rest of the team to take advantage of that opportunity provided.

This team is absolutely going to sink or swim based on their goalies. Looking at the season end team stats compared to last year, the biggest positive difference was overall better goaltending despite the team being worse in several other categories.

I have little to no faith in their ability to win a Cup with just meh goaltending as the successful examples you provided had far superior bluelines and those teams also did not have a career worst Morgan Rielly as their #1 guy.

Woll showed very few of those issues against Boston last year when the pressure was on. I think he steps his game up when the pressure is on and that's exactly what the Leafs need for a long playoff run.



This team is absolutely going to sink or swim based on their goalies. Looking at the season end team stats compared to last year, the biggest positive difference was overall better goaltending despite the team being worse in several other categories.

I have little to no faith in their ability to win a Cup with just meh goaltending as the successful examples you provided had far superior bluelines and those teams also did not have a career worst Morgan Rielly as their #1 guy.
- Rare_Jewel

I am, as you've (and I'm sure has everyone else here) noticed a fairly big stats guy. So this year's iteration of the Leafs does have a fair number of warts in their advanced metrics. The edge metrics that I do see - they have a lot of Scoring Chances against - but they are a top 10 team in Scoring Chance Shots against - meaning that chances are blocked or go wide - which is still team defense. In actual High Danger Shots Against, they are 7th. In Medium Danger Shots against they are 20th, and in Low Danger Shots Against they are 29th.

So other teams are being forced to get their shots from further back and I think the Leafs and their goalies will take that all day long. I don't think Jeremy Swayman was the difference maker against Boston last year - but I do think that the Boston defense pushing Matthews, with the league's hottest hand, to shot from 8-12 feet further back on average gave Swayman that additional time to adjust and make the saves. That's what our team is doing a fair bit this year.

I would also assert that not all shots in a category are created equal. An HD chance against Stolarz with his size, poise and the way he positions himself in the crease may just bang into his body - especially if the defenseman behind him is applying back pressure or a stick check. I once watched the Leafs record 6 HD shots against Hellebuyck in a game and they all had 0% of going in because they were just banged into Helly because the D was leaning heavily on the forward trying to shoot.

Some goalies can alter that landscape and for me Stolarz can be one. You desperately wanted Hellebuyck and Stolarz is Hellebuyck-lite. He plays an awful lot like him.

I am, as you've (and I'm sure has everyone else here) noticed a fairly big stats guy. So this year's iteration of the Leafs does have a fair number of warts in their advanced metrics. The edge metrics that I do see - they have a lot of Scoring Chances against - but they are a top 10 team in Scoring Chance Shots against - meaning that chances are blocked or go wide - which is still team defense. In actual High Danger Shots Against, they are 7th. In Medium Danger Shots against they are 20th, and in Low Danger Shots Against they are 29th.

So other teams are being forced to get their shots from further back and I think the Leafs and their goalies will take that all day long. I don't think Jeremy Swayman was the difference maker against Boston last year - but I do think that the Boston defense pushing Matthews, with the league's hottest hand, to shot from 8-12 feet further back on average gave Swayman that additional time to adjust and make the saves. That's what our team is doing a fair bit this year.

I would also assert that not all shots in a category are created equal. An HD chance against Stolarz with his size, poise and the way he positions himself in the crease may just bang into his body - especially if the defenseman behind him is applying back pressure or a stick check. I once watched the Leafs record 6 HD shots against Hellebuyck in a game and they all had 0% of going in because they were just banged into Helly because the D was leaning heavily on the forward trying to shoot.

Some goalies can alter that landscape and for me Stolarz can be one. You desperately wanted Hellebuyck and Stolarz is Hellebuyck-lite. He plays an awful lot like him.
- Monkeypunk

The Leafs are benefitting from a better match-up this year. I think the division got significantly weaker and winning the 1st seed is really going to help the Leafs.

Swayman pushed Ullmark out of Boston for good reason. He definitely made a difference. Luckily, we're taking full advantage of playoff Ullmark right now. Boston's PK was also way more responsible and experienced than Ottawa's has been.

Ottawa takes a lot of penalties and the referees were actually calling them. Thankfully, the Leafs actually made them pay for it. But at 5v5, the Leafs were not that impressive, especially on home ice.

I did want Hellebuyck and if the Leafs had managed to acquire him somehow, I think they'd already won a Cup by now. But I don't see a 31 year old journeyman back-up as the "light" version of him. I see Stolarz as a really big body having the best stretch of his career. I don't see him being the next Tim Thomas. Hope he is, but I highly doubt it.