Series Talk: [A1] Toronto Maple Leafs vs [WC1] Ottawa Senators | Part II (TOR lead 3-2)

[Jimmy Firecracker]

This series is firmly in Ottawa’s advantage. I’d say it’s at worst 60/40 that they complete the comeback.

 

[NyQuil]

This series is firmly in Ottawa’s advantage. I’d say it’s at worst 60/40 that they complete the comeback.

I don't know about that.

You could argue that Ottawa thrived under the pressure of elimination and that was enough to win the last two games, while the Leafs didn't have the same kind of urgency with four kicks at the can.

Now that Toronto is running out of opportunities, the must-win mentality that Ottawa had alone is now shared more fairly with Toronto.

I guess the question is whether you think Toronto will play better or worse having not managed to seal the deal after the last two games. I can see an argument either way.

 

[NyQuil]

Literally nobody paid any attention to Ottawa. All the media wanted to talk about was Tkachuk, Stutzle and Ullmark.

And mostly Tkachuk.

If you read the pre-series posts by Ottawa fans, there was a lot of focus on Pinto-Greig-Amadio because they had been bigger factors down the stretch than a banged-up Tkachuk.

And that Sanderson could be a real difference maker.

I like Brady a great deal, but even I was finding the "do the Leafs have an answer for Tkachuk?" narrative silly or nauseating at best and disrespectful at worst to the rest of the team.

Pundits like Mike Johnson who regularly follow the team have a much better appreciation for what makes Ottawa tick when they are playing well.

 

[swiftwin]

This series is firmly in Ottawa’s advantage. I’d say it’s at worst 60/40 that they complete the comeback.

Not a chance. More like 20% chance they complete the comeback.

 

[sampollock]

Very impressed the way Matthews broke his stick on the bench yesterday. What skill!!!

Nonetheless...why are people surprised at what's taking place? Too much TSN KoolAid?
It's their MO. It's what they do.

Matthews certainly stood out as he had such a glaringly horrible game people couldn't even blame Marner. Nylander a bit for ol'times sake.

And how can Stolarz who's around 8'11" make himself look so small. Is it Woll's turn? Maybe.

One things for sure...the CotU is about to explode.

what I dont get is why nostrils keeps getting a camara on him every second
SN loves to see him spit.

watch for it.
I challenge all leaf fans to take a drink every time he is on camera and spitting, you won't last till the 3rd

 

[Leafshater67]

I was looking at your post and i'm crying who's @Leafshater67 lmfaoooooooooo

A disgruntled leafs fan.

 

[Leafshater67]

Leafs defense looks awful on paper, what do you mean massively upgraded?

That’s where we disagree. They have a ton of depth now and some solid defensive guys they were sorely lacking. I think on paper it’s one of the best blue lines in the league. Top 10 for sure.

Their blueline and goalies are not the problem. They have the same problem yet again and they can’t get any scoring from the core 4 and the bottom 6 is useless.

 

[Michoulicious]

Fun stat:

Marner has 6 shots in 5 games against Ottawa.

Caufield had 11 shots... in game #3.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

AS a Leafs fan, I am scared. Let's say they lose this series, there is still a great chance they just run it back again. That terrifies me because I might have to ditch this team after 25 years. I can't keep watching the same thing over and over again. It would break my heart, but what can I do?

I can guarantee you that if they lose the series they are absolutely not running it back.

 

[Kerberos]

If the Leafs win, beating a team in the first round like Ottawa in 6/7 is more beneficial for their run long term than sweeping them in my opinion.

The problem is the Leafs' supposed best players are, once again, MIA and that's not going to change against Florida. Ottawa should honestly be up in this series and are exposing them as frauds.

 

[MiscBrah]

I don't know how you put Woll in at this point. The game to play Woll was last night. If Woll plays well but leafs lose tomorrow then what do you do? Keep him in Game 7 or go back to the guy that won 3 games? You're basically creating a massive problem for yourself. Leafs got shut out, you can't blame the goaler.

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Yep. I called it before the series started.

Series Talk: Post in thread '[A1] Toronto Maple Leafs vs [WC1] Ottawa Senators (TOR Leads 1-0)'

Apr 19, 2025

I've been watching all the series previews, and I find it interesting that almost nobody is even talking about the Sens' best player. All they seem to want to talk about is Tkachuk.

• swiftwin

Literally nobody paid any attention to Ottawa. All the media wanted to talk about was Tkachuk, Stutzle and Ullmark.

Even today, people are like "oh, yeah, I guess Sanderson pretty good, but leafs leafs leafs, core 4, ullmark, tkachuk".

He's putting the team on his back right now. Shades of 2017 Karlsson. He leads any skater in time on ice in this series by a huge Margin.

TOI/GP
27:21 Sanderson
24:42 Chabot
23:32 Zub
22:58 Marner
22:28 McCabe

Sanderson has been the best player in this series, period. If you aren't talking about him, you're not watching close enough

 

[MiscBrah]

I can guarantee you that if they lose the series they are absolutely not running it back.

That's what they say every year, though, and then they run it back every year.

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

I don't know how you put Woll in at this point. The game to play Woll was last night. If Woll plays well but leafs lose tomorrow then what do you do? Keep him in Game 7 or go back to the guy that won 3 games? You're basically creating a massive problem for yourself. Leafs got shut out, you can't blame the goaler.

Anyone blaming Stolarz or wanting to switch goaltenders is trying to place the blame on the goalie as a scapegoat (similar to what Ottawa fans did with Ullmark through 3 games).

Stolarz definitely had some lucky breaks last night but at the end of the day, only allowed 2 goals. One was a screened point shot and the other was a 2-on-1 cross-ice pass. The Leafs scored zero goals anyways, so I'm not sure how they were expecting any goalie to with them that game.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Anyone blaming Stolarz or wanting to switch goaltenders is trying to place the blame on the goalie as a scapegoat (similar to what Ottawa fans did with Ullmark through 3 games).

Stolarz definitely had some lucky breaks last night but at the end of the day, only allowed 2 goals. One was a screened point shot and the other was a 2-on-1 cross-ice pass. The Leafs scored zero goals anyways, so I'm not sure how they were expecting any goalie to with them that game.

The reason I'd go with Woll is to give Stolarz a break (he hasn't started this many games in a row in a long time), and maybe it will spark the team. Who knows? You had 2 goalies all season long, use them.

 

[SensFactor]

I said it earlier. As fans, we deserve a Game 7 in the Battle of Ontario. It would be epic win or lose.

 

[johnnyonthspot]

View attachment 1026564

Wow for losing game 5 and having 2 more chances to closed it out. Talk about an overreaction plus the players do not care as much as the fans, which is sad but true!

 

[Mr Nogatco]

How'd that go?

It’s not just the coldness of this guy’s takes, it’s the completely unfounded confidence with which they’re always delivered

 

[Just Rude]

That’s where we disagree. They have a ton of depth now and some solid defensive guys they were sorely lacking. I think on paper it’s one of the best blue lines in the league. Top 10 for sure.

Their blueline and goalies are not the problem. They have the same problem yet again and they can’t get any scoring from the core 4 and the bottom 6 is useless.

That sounds very familiar, doesn't it? They were tearing it up early on. Now...nothing.

 

[Just Rude]

f*** it. Might as well die on a hill. The Leafs wrap it up tomorrow.

Why? Because I f***ing said so.

 

[Strangle]

I don't know about that.

You could argue that Ottawa thrived under the pressure of elimination and that was enough to win the last two games, while the Leafs didn't have the same kind of urgency with four kicks at the can.

Now that Toronto is running out of opportunities, the must-win mentality that Ottawa had alone is now shared more fairly with Toronto.

I guess the question is whether you think Toronto will play better or worse having not managed to seal the deal after the last two games. I can see an argument either way.

The way this usually goes is that Toronto loses a close competitive game 6 Thursday in Ottawa, there’s probably some kind of mild controversy for the fans to argue about and say they got screwed. Could be a missed penalty, could be a suspension, could be an amazing goalie performance, could be a lot of wasted special teams opportunities, could be injury or it could be sickness or flu. We’ve seen all of them. Or it could be something brand new.

Then game 7 at home the leafs come out flat, manage about 3-6 shots per period, fall behind early and lose something like 6-3 or 3-0

 

[BB79]

f*** it. Might as well die on a hill. The Leafs wrap it up tomorrow.

Why? Because I f***ing said so.

That hill is completely covered 10 deep with bodies

 

[Namikaze Minato]

That hill is completely covered 10 deep with bodies

That just makes me look taller.

 

[The Management]

Being a Leafs fan is like constantly reliving an accident in slow motion.

 

[Connor MethDavid]

AS a Leafs fan, I am scared. Let's say they lose this series, there is still a great chance they just run it back again. That terrifies me because I might have to ditch this team after 25 years. I can't keep watching the same thing over and over again. It would break my heart, but what can I do?

That's where I am. It's not just this series for me, though. If they don't show some fight and desperation in the second round, assuming they get there, I'm done with this iteration of the team. Not sure if I'll follow a new team or just stop for a few years.