[Leafslatest] Despite Drew Doughty not playing tonight, the London-born Kings defenseman has been motivating his teammates ahead of tonight’s game in Toronto. “You don’t lose when you come into Toronto,” he stated, going along with the narrative that teams play tougher in hockey’s biggest market.
It’s not a narrative. Many players, especially ones born around here, have gone on record saying they play harder when they come to Toronto. One: they know there’s going to be lots of people watching including their friends and family. Two: they want to beat their childhood favourite team.
crushade
We know. I understand we get flak for playing down to lesser opponents. It sure does seem like teams play up when they’re facing us.
The infamous quote from I think Schiefele “Nothing better than beating the Leafs”, heck even looking at the celebration Caufield had when he scored the go ahead goal against us in game 1 was like he just won a playoff game in OT. Then the next night he scores against the Bruins to give Montreal the lead and he’s nowhere near as excited. I don’t even think he yelled, just casually put his arms up. Now this.
Hope the boys use this to match intensity. Teams love beating the Leafs, make them work for it.
Soggy_Specific4093
The Kings are 3-5-1 in there last 9 in Toronto for anyone curious.
faradansort
I always suspected teams play harder against the leafs, especially in TO. Nice to see it validated for once!
The amount of back up goalies who put up 50 save shut outs and middle 6 players that turn into studs for one night in Toronto is nuts. Power too em, but can’t these guys take a night or two off like the buds do lool
modernjaundice
Don’t forget all the Toronto media asking questions about their first game in Toronto, what it’s like playing the leafs etc etc etc, just getting them all fired up.
james-HIMself
It’s all in good fun to be honest. Where are these Doughty haters hiding? He’s a good guy.
HeyMarty10thalready
Yeah well they are gonna lose tonight
91Caleb
Everytime Drew gets a chance he loves to say this, he’s playing the city like a fiddle
bknoreply
Okay? I really hate the excuse that we only lost because the other team tried hard. You know who else gets fired up and plays as hard as they can? Teams in the playoffs.
Biologyboii
Doughty has always been a shit talker to Toronto. Always been an opinionated guy
rakketz
Seems crazy to me that you would raise your competitiveness because of the geographic location of the game being played, even though that team doesn’t play in your division or conference.
Fortuitous_Event
Marvelous, just what I like to hear
BathroomSerious1318
Always a target on Leafs back
Flare_Knight
Regardless it’s a good reason why we’ve made changes we have. Whatever attitude teams have coming in doesn’t matter. Stomp them, take the two points, and send them packing.
Jad94
And NHL fans pretend that we make it all about the Leafs. You don’t here these quotes when they play Edmonton (who should be their biggest rival right now)
15 Comments
It’s not a narrative. Many players, especially ones born around here, have gone on record saying they play harder when they come to Toronto. One: they know there’s going to be lots of people watching including their friends and family. Two: they want to beat their childhood favourite team.
We know. I understand we get flak for playing down to lesser opponents. It sure does seem like teams play up when they’re facing us.
The infamous quote from I think Schiefele “Nothing better than beating the Leafs”, heck even looking at the celebration Caufield had when he scored the go ahead goal against us in game 1 was like he just won a playoff game in OT. Then the next night he scores against the Bruins to give Montreal the lead and he’s nowhere near as excited. I don’t even think he yelled, just casually put his arms up. Now this.
Hope the boys use this to match intensity. Teams love beating the Leafs, make them work for it.
The Kings are 3-5-1 in there last 9 in Toronto for anyone curious.
I always suspected teams play harder against the leafs, especially in TO. Nice to see it validated for once!
The amount of back up goalies who put up 50 save shut outs and middle 6 players that turn into studs for one night in Toronto is nuts. Power too em, but can’t these guys take a night or two off like the buds do lool
Don’t forget all the Toronto media asking questions about their first game in Toronto, what it’s like playing the leafs etc etc etc, just getting them all fired up.
It’s all in good fun to be honest. Where are these Doughty haters hiding? He’s a good guy.
Yeah well they are gonna lose tonight
Everytime Drew gets a chance he loves to say this, he’s playing the city like a fiddle
Okay? I really hate the excuse that we only lost because the other team tried hard. You know who else gets fired up and plays as hard as they can? Teams in the playoffs.
Doughty has always been a shit talker to Toronto. Always been an opinionated guy
Seems crazy to me that you would raise your competitiveness because of the geographic location of the game being played, even though that team doesn’t play in your division or conference.
Marvelous, just what I like to hear
Always a target on Leafs back
Regardless it’s a good reason why we’ve made changes we have. Whatever attitude teams have coming in doesn’t matter. Stomp them, take the two points, and send them packing.
And NHL fans pretend that we make it all about the Leafs. You don’t here these quotes when they play Edmonton (who should be their biggest rival right now)