Which witch is which
Joined: Nov. 2022
Posts: 45
Likes: 28
In retrospect, it appears that the Maple Leafs failure to advance in the 2nd round has more to do with running into a hot goalie who is doing something rarely seen in the NHL (see Bernie Parent 1974-75... Patrick Roy 1986 and J.S. Giguere 2003). As much as I think there still needs to be a change (trading Marner), this team still did what was expected (in my opinion). They outplayed Florida for the majority of game 1 but made costly mistakes and couldn't score... completely dominated them in game 2 and couldn't score... **** the bed in game three and deserved to lose... played a near perfect game 4 and won... then lost in overtime in game 5 because they couldn't score aginst a goalie who shut down Boston and gave them a chance to win... shut down Toronto's offence and gave them a chance to win... shut down Carolina completely and gave his team a chance to win... and they will do the same in the final unless Vegas somehow solves this problem.
At the end of this Stanley Cup play-offs Sergei Bobrovsky will win the Conn Smythe for MVP (win or lose).
So where does the blame lay?
Was Toronto's big four not good enough... or where they just stopped by one of the greatest goaltending performances in NHL history?
Having gone back and re-watched these games I think it's the latter. Put any other goaltender in the net for Florida in that series and Toronto wins.
Florida did what was required to win after their goaltender shut-down Toronto's offense. It still falls on Toronto, but it's not the doom & gloom everyone thinks.
Yet I still trade Marner (add Nic Robinson to sweeten the deal).... and free up much need cap space.
A few trads I think are worth looking into...
To WInnipeg for Connor Hellybuck and a depth forward - or...
Anahiem for Mason Mactavish and 2023 1st rd pick (2nd overall) - or...
L.A. for Adrian Kempe, Trevor Moore & Matt Roy.