Watching tonight's game (and frankly every other game where one of the core 4 has been injured) has made me realise something. The very idea of having a core 4 is why this team hasn't had success in the Matthews era. You can have too much of a good thing, and that's exactly the case with the Leafs.

Look at the Sharks after they got EK65. They should've been unstoppable, yet Burns was less productive and Karlsson wasn't the same player he was in Ottawa. This team will never win with a core 4

Nah

There yah go see I mentioned that last year and during the Willy debacle. 3 guys in double digits was not working and unless something changes were gonna have 4 start of 2024.

Now I love each of these players they have all been great for regular seasons and have had some special moments but were approaching 9 years in the Matthews era and 1 series win not good enough. We have gone through 3 GM'S, A HC, lots of assistants, and have surrounded these guys with various kind of linemates, dman, goalies, etc and it hasnt worked

Sharks be the perfect example to as like TOR Wilson decided to give everyone big fat contracts and keep all the good players. Yet its been on SCF in so many years with the group and it just never came to be.


Soon almost 50m put into these guys and so far in playoffs its mostly been disappointment especially this series. Had good regular seasons but in playoffs struggle to score

Probs to late now but team should have explored moving one of them a summer ago but didnt

OT… here we go!

Dive

You'd think him going down that easy would lead the refs to clue in but noooooo

GAME 6!

Well was right about one thing was at min gonna be a 6 game series

But man there be still alot of issues.

Thank god BOS for most this game played like they didnt want this series to end.

And just like that, the parade is back on! Thank you Joseph Woll

Knies is like an OT cheat code for some reason

Lost in overtime once to Jacob Quillan and decided never again

And Knies...

Anyone notice that both Leaf goals happened because the Leafs got pucks on net and guys in front? It was funny watching a Bruins fan flip off Knies with both hands. Tavares might have just extended his time as a Leaf and saved the jobs of Shanahan, Keefe, and Marner

Game 6 is where the real test begins

6 losses in a row at home in scotia bank morgue

But man despite the win team still has trouble getting more than 2 goals and their PP is anemic

Dodged the elimination bullet once can they do it 2 more times

Props to Marner... Fantastic response game... Needs to have 2 more of those games...

Still doubtful, but if Toronto wins G6... IDK

Even if Matthews is back for game 6 you've gotta leave the Bert - Domi - Marner line together.

Yep

Reminds me of the Pitt game and is one of the reasons I argue for TOR to explore bringing back Domi as JT's eventual top 6 C replacement. He should not cost a lot and when you surround him with the right players he thrives. Its just the stupid penalties and defese that get us going but above point stands.

If you can get him on a Paul deal added bonus

Either way, it was heck of a game. It makes you wonder why the Leafs can't play like that more often. Kinda like their winning streak in the west road trip without Reilly. Just go for it.

Its whats so frustrating

Where was this game 1,3 and 4 lul

Play like this in those games dont matter whose in net or missing from the lineup lul

Now their PP and scoring ability is still anemic and a concern but yea better than just laying down and giving up

I still believeeeee

Leafs in 7

Woll is such a beauty

Totally.

Just think how cool it'll be when it shows up!

Yeah that would be pretty deadly.

Put a smile on your dial my friend. We are coming back!

I feel like the team just will do anything for Woll, they look 100x more confident in front of him vs Sammy

MMM no it was just the leafs just doing what they always do in this situation playing survival hockey nothing to do with who was in net.

Matthews was out and they were down 3-1

They had to do well and play better. One more loss no more chances its off to the golf course. Thats the reason they looked different well besides scoring and PP wise both still not great

In the end were very lucky with some of those whiffs BOS had through this game.

Bigger challenge comes game 6 at home

6 loses in a row at home, 5.8% PP, and 11/12 only score up to 2 goals

Not looking good but hey they didnt lay down and die game 5 its a start

Lets see