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Pre-Game Talk: 1st Round - Battle of Ontario - Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators

Ridly Greig looked fast last night, he’s going to be in Marners face so much itlll be one of the key battles of the series, Ridly looks ready.
 
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Ottawa's 4th in the NHL since March.

9th in the NHL since December or something.

Considering Toronto's struggles in the playoffs, and Toronto being a good matchup for Ottawa, we have as good a chance to win this series.

Greig-Pinto-Amadio and the 2nd line will need to be on point.
 
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ReginKarlssonLehner said:
Ottawa's 4th in the NHL since March.

9th in the NHL since December or something.

Considering Toronto's struggles in the playoffs, and Toronto being a good matchup for Ottawa, we have as good a chance to win this series.

Greig-Pinto-Amadio and the 2nd line will need to be on point.
Click to expand...
Shhhhhhhh they don't have a chance... leafs are the best. Leafs in 5 is all I'm reading, hearing etc. Easy series for them. Its gonna be a cake walk.
 
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In before we win and put pressure on them, for them to try and call themselves the underdogs lol

Liking our position here, and excited to see how our guys respond to the pace and pressures.

Gonna be pretty galvanizing for the group imo.

Been a fan since that first game in 92, went to school and lived in Toronto during the late 90s and had to endure those losses in enemy territory, watched us loose every game i attended in the 2000's in Vancouver..... and it's all worth it to get to here.
So proud of the team to turn it around after 7 years of garbage and stoked to see what they can do.

The past can't hurt us anymore 😃😃


GO SENS GO!!!
 
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Here is my tdlr post:

As a fan of this team for 32 years, playoffs are something that we are very lucky to be part of and watch. There has been a long drought. The Senators Once upon a time ago. We're in the playoffs all the time. What a wonderful time that was. I look forward to the new management in the new players continuing this success. It was some very painful years in the past but the past is the past. I'm not looking in the rearview mirror. Only looking towards the past and the future.

I love our captain. As much as I love Alfie. This team has a really unique type of makeup to it. Do I think this is a Stanley Cup team. I won't jinx it. I am so superstitious. I have not commented on the boards much this year. That has worked for me so I may not be around much. I'm making that sacrifice for the team...lol... Hockey is a superstitious sport!

I am so excited to see our captain go out there and play his brand of hockey and he is going to love every minute of it. He is going to drag everyone to be their very best. It's going to be so much fun to watch them play. It's going to be so much fun to see the city light up once again. The world has been a crazy place since we were last in the playoffs and I think it's great to see the community of Ottawa and the fans of the Senators come together. I remember every year we were in the playoffs and it was such an excitement through the city. You really can't explain it. I hope each and every one of you enjoy the moment and don't take it for granted. Live in the moment and seize the moment.

I will be cheering the Senators on hardcore and I will be loving every minute of it. The outcome doesn't matter as much as just being here and enjoying being in the playoffs. Wherever this playoffs may lead it leads to. I can't even express my happiness for this team for Ottawa and all of you guys that have endured a whole lot and deserve it so much.

Congratulations everybody! I look forward to watching our team kick the Maple leafs butts!
 
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P.S.

That was a crazy game. It was like a game of shinny out there. Nobody really cared about playing defense or solid goaltending. The boys were playing pretty loose for that game but I'm okay with it. The positives I really liked the way the Senators played in the third period. There is lots to not like about that game but who cares? We're going to the playoffs.

I have to say though the biggest fear going into the playoffs is Hammer having to play defense for us. I can't have him making a mistake like he did last night in the playoffs and under any circumstance think that that would be okay. Travis Green has done a great job for us, but he's going to find out what it's like to coach in a Canadian market If he puts Hammer in and God forbid he gives up a goal like that or a winning goal of a game. I would rather have one of our rookies give that that type of goal then.

Hammer is old yeller and it's time to take him out back!
 
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ReginKarlssonLehner said:
Ottawa's 4th in the NHL since March.

9th in the NHL since December or something.

Considering Toronto's struggles in the playoffs, and Toronto being a good matchup for Ottawa, we have as good a chance to win this series.

Greig-Pinto-Amadio and the 2nd line will need to be on point.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen any mainstream analysts mention this.

We had a VERY bad start. But there was a lot of baggage. A large chunk of the team was turned over in the summer. We had a new coach, and systems don't get instituted and bought into overnight. There was also some off ice turmoil with the "soft tampering", etc.

The team has shown some major signs of inconsistency, where they will have a terrible game or two. Not just a loss, but games like Buffalo blowing them out a few months ago. So I'm not saying they are a perfect professional group that is ready to burn down a village, but they are also a lot better than WC2 would suggest.

You also have to keep in mind that while they had an easy schedule based on strength of opponents, the actual layout of that schedule was very difficult due to WJC being in Ottawa combined with the 4NF break.

I don't want to jynx it by putting out a prediction. But there is a certain outcome that wouldn't shock me that if someone suggested it on a mainstream panel would probably light Twitter on fire.
 
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Finishing the season in the playoffs is about all any one of us could have asked at the start of the year. I had serious doubts at many points during the season we'd be here now.

Finishing the season 1 point back of Florida? Honestly wasn't expecting that. It's easy to point to a number of games we could have won over the course of the year to have landed us in 3rd in the Atlantic.

Unless I'm mistaken, we went 25-12-4 in the second half of the season, which is a pace of 108, good enough for 5th in the league.

This team has it in them to be one hell of a team next year. Whatever we do in the post season this year, next year is going to be even more exciting than this year was.
 
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Hamonic with an ‘Ole Yeller’ moment on that giveaway, it’s when you see something and you think “it might be time to put the old guy down.”
 
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Pierre Lebrun polling coaches and execs:


Exec 1: Toronto in 6. The narratives are what they are, but this is a very good Leafs team with some dirt under its nails now. Ottawa is not going to be a pushover, but as a relatively young group making their first playoff appearance in a while, I think Toronto gets the job done.

Exec 2: Pick Toronto but should be a doozy. Ottawa will be ready to compete, and Brady (Tkachuk) will drag them into the fight. I might actually give the edge to Ottawa on D and possibly in goal as well, but Toronto is just too loaded up front and have a huge experience edge being in many of these tough first-round series.

Exec 3: This brings back some great memories from a couple of decades ago. I think this series is going to be one of the best to watch in the first round. Ottawa has had Toronto’s number this year and I believe they will give the Leafs issues in the first round. Brady Tkachuk is built for the playoffs, so I’m excited to see him engage in this series and give the Leafs players fits. While I love the youth and enthusiasm from Ottawa, I think that this is the best team Toronto has had since those previous battles between these teams many years ago. Toronto is deeper on D and better in goal than they have been, which should pay dividends in this series. Toronto advances in a spirited series.

Exec 4: The Battle of Ontario could just as easily be called “David versus Goliath.” The star-studded Leafs are an offensive juggernaut and have the best D corps they’ve had in years. However, they are contending with massive expectations and immense pressure … particularly “the Core Four.” After not making the playoffs for the previous seven seasons, the Sens, on the other hand, are playing with house money. They will give the Leafs a handful. After much nailbiting, the Leafs will prevail. Leafs win 4-3.

Exec 5: Although this is an exciting series for Canada, I think Toronto is the superior team in most aspects. Toronto is probably thrilled to play someone other than Boston, Florida or Tampa. I have Toronto in five because they are just better offensively due to their superstars up front and will outscore their issues in this series.

Exec 6: Toronto. Deeper offense and better D.

Exec 7: Could go 7. … Think the Leafs sneak it out.

Coach 1: I like Toronto over Ottawa. I like Ottawa and their chances, but it’s more about Toronto. I like the way they have played all year. Not giving up easy offense, and their team game. I also love the balance and depth of the forwards and defense, especially if they get everyone back. (Jake) McCabe, (Oliver Ekman-Larsson) and (David) Kämpf are important for that depth. (Linus) Ullmark, however, could steal that series.

Coach 2: Two teams at different life stages. Toronto’s core has been together for years and has had multiple kicks at the can. Ottawa (is) just entering their playoff window after years of missing the playoffs. Toronto in 6.

Coach 3: Excited to see Ottawa make their first playoff appearance with this team. We played them a few weeks ago and were very impressed with their D core. They all defend hard, and (Jake) Sanderson is turning into a Norris trophy-caliber defenseman. He can do it all. Toronto doesn’t get enough credit for how hard they defend, as most people focus on the skill of their top guys, which they should but they also play hard. That being said, I like Ottawa in this series. Tkachuk will drag them all to another level.

Coach 4: I think Toronto is ready to make a long run and will win in 6 games. Experience will pay off for them this year, playing solid hockey all year long, more competitive. Ottawa’s a very good young team. Toronto’s just too deep.

Coach 5: Both teams have been good at home. Toronto has been equally comfortable on the road. Their added depth and experience on the back end is a factor in handling matchups on the road. Toronto’s goaltending will remain solid, Ottawa’s will need to be the “difference” in the series. Toronto in 6.

Coach 6: Toronto beats Ottawa. Too much firepower in Toronto and (Leafs GM Brad Treliving) made the D better.

Final tally: Maple Leafs 12-1.
Click to expand...

www.nytimes.com

NHL execs and coaches pick the playoffs’ 3 monster first-round matchups

Who will win Senators-Leafs, Avs-Stars and Panthers-Lightning? We polled seven execs and six coaches for the predictions and analysis.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com

Edit: virtually no one has us winning this series.

Hopefully that's good bulletin board material for the boys.
 
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NyQuil said:
Pierre Lebrun polling coaches and execs:




www.nytimes.com

NHL execs and coaches pick the playoffs’ 3 monster first-round matchups

Who will win Senators-Leafs, Avs-Stars and Panthers-Lightning? We polled seven execs and six coaches for the predictions and analysis.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com

Absolutely no one has us winning this series.

Hopefully that's good bulletin board material for the boys.
Click to expand...
Not sure any should.

This core has never been to the playoffs, and is without a doubt the underdogs on talent alone

It would be a very, very surprising outcome for the Sens to come out on top
 
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armani said:
No more Highmore and alluva sudden Gaudette is a multi-goal scorer. Him and Cousins cooked early in the season, good to see them perform well together.

Don’t be surprised to see Gaudette score against the Leafs this series playing limited minutes.
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Yeah all it took was one game with really strong linemates to make me stop fretting about Gaudette being the 4C. That 4th line can be really good now with Zetterlund and Cousins.

It's a bit crazy to think due to injuries and trades, that the first game Ottawa can ice their best roster all together at once is Game 1 of the playoffs. Took until the last game of the season to have our top 12 forwards playing in the same game, but no Chabot or Zub.

This team is going to be better than most people outside Ottawa think.
 
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