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

[ToDavid]

I remember Matthews winning the game for Canada.

Marner is just that good in big games. He can even make the best player in the league look silly.

 

[MCR74]

I have the leafs winning this one. The hate boner people have for them in the playoffs is getting tiresome even for me. I like their d a lot more this playoffs. Getting rid of Dubas was the best thing to happen for that team.

Him landing in Pittsburgh didn't hurt either.

 

[SensFactor]

Sens in 7

 

[LuGBuG]

Well get ready to be disappointed cause there's no way the Habs are going through Washington, heck the Sens have a better chance of beating Toronto.

Well I don’t anticipate it happening but it doesn’t mean I can’t hope.

 

[umma gumma]

Some people are acting like Brady Tkachuk is Eric Lindros. The guy has less points than Matthew Knies.

Going from playing Pastrnak, Kucherov, Barkov/Reinhart/M. Tkachuk to Stutzle/Brady should be quite the opportunity. If Matthews can get his shot back, this series ends in 4.

Some people are acting like Stolarz is Domenic Hasek.

 

[MCR74]

Some people are acting like Stolarz is Domenic Hasek.

Some of you are also acting like Ullmark is Hasek.

 

[Blowfish]

Your D is as strong as your weakest link. We learned that in seasons past. Leafs would normally have 2-4 mediocre D and that costed them every time. This year is different in the way that they had Benoit, Reilly, McCabe, but added Hakanpaa (injured), OEL, Tanev. And shipped out unreliable Ds. Then they added Carlo who was nothing short of fantastic for Leafs. That rounded up defence to 5 guys who are big and could easily be #2-#3 on condensers. And there are extra guys that played very well as well. So as it stands there is no weak link on D and no pair that could be exploited.
From what I watched from Sens their forwards like to go to front of the net fishing for rebounds. Well, I feel they would not be allowed to stay there and would quickly find themselves on their asses.
Leafs D is not flashy, doesn’t pinch, goes back as soon as there is turnover, but limits hsc, blocks tons of shots and clears the net very effectively. It takes away from offence in both zones, but Leafs plan is defence first, not giving much , give it to Stolarz as final wall and just wait until our superior offence finds few goals.
Leafs over the course of season are something crazy like 24-0-0 with going into the third with the lead. It’s practically game over if they have the lead late in the games.

In the playoffs D includes your proven goalies and supportive forwards. Going into the playoffs the leafs have neither.

 

[Random Comment]

Some people are acting like Brady Tkachuk is Eric Lindros. The guy has less points than Matthew Knies.

Going from playing Pastrnak, Kucherov, Barkov/Reinhart/M. Tkachuk to Stutzle/Brady should be quite the opportunity. If Matthews can get his shot back, this series ends in 4.

Some people acting like the leafs aren’t the softest team in the playoffs who have a history of folding under pressure faster than origami. Can’t wait to hear how this series loss was the refs fault.

 

[Connor MethDavid]

Does anyone know how Shane Pinto is betting for this series? Asking for a friend.

 

[MCR74]

Some people acting like the leafs aren’t the softest team in the playoffs who have a history of folding under pressure faster than origami. Can’t wait to hear how this series loss was the refs fault.

Some people acting like the Sens are some sort of playoff juggernaut. Can't wait to hear how this series loss was the refs fault.

 

[MCR74]

Does anyone know how Shane Pinto is betting for this series? Asking for a friend.

Probably parlaying enough cash to make up for what he lost during his suspension.

 

[Baksfamous112]

You're a Habs fan. Who was presumingly watching during COVID. You...are aware you are picking the Toronto Maple Leafs to dominate a playoff series under extreme pressure, right?

We aren’t talking about prime Boston, Florida or Tampa Bay here. We are talking about the inexperienced Ottawa Senators.

Also, I think the Leafs under Berube are much better prepared and play a tighter game than under Keefe

 

[Mr grumpy]

Some people are acting like Brady Tkachuk is Eric Lindros. The guy has less points than Matthew Knies.

Going from playing Pastrnak, Kucherov, Barkov/Reinhart/M. Tkachuk to Stutzle/Brady should be quite the opportunity. If Matthews can get his shot back, this series ends in 4.

And leaf fans are acting like one of their goalies is KEn Dryden in his prime and the other is Marty Brodeur in his prime

 

[umma gumma]

Some of you are also acting like Ullmark is Hasek.

No, more like Roy. Keep up.

 

[Random Comment]

Some people acting like the Sens are some sort of playoff juggernaut. Can't wait to hear how this series loss was the refs fault.

Well based on leafs performances of the last 7 years we can say with certainty that at worst the sens will be a good matchup for them.

 

[kevsh]

Can’t wait to hear how this series loss was the refs fault.

Not once in all the series that this Leafs group choked away did fans collectively/even sporadically blame the refs for it.

Who we blamed are (in no particular order): Dubas, MLSE, Shanahan, The Core Four, the coaches, Jake Gardiner, team softness, lack of killer instinct, lack of scoring depth, imbalanced roster, horrible special teams... You get the picture.

Regular season? Yes. There is a belief among a vocal minority that the refs have an anti-Leafs bias but I don't ever recall that being used by anyone as an excuse why they lost a series.

But hey, if the Senators do pull it off, feel free to monitor the Leafs forum and pick out any examples of people blaming the loss on the officiating!

 

[MCR74]

No, more like Roy.

So he'll get shelled for nine goals then tell the team president to F-O before he's traded?

 

[SlapJack]

Some people are acting like Stolarz is Domenic Hasek.

He has 30 mins of playoff experience, he'll be great for sure. No reason to have any doubt whatsoever

 

[rfournier103]

Well based on leafs performances of the last 7 years we can say with certainty that at worst the sens will be a good matchup for them.

Senators in 7.

 

[umma gumma]

So he'll get shelled for nine goals then tell the team president to F-O before he's traded?

Are we playing Detroit? Are we in the Forum? Where are you going?

 

[MCR74]

Well based on leafs performances of the last 7 years we can say with certainty that at worst the sens will be a good matchup for them.

You're right. The Sens performance over the last 7 years was much better.

 

[umma gumma]

You're right. The Sens performance over the last 7 years was much better.

And have one won one playoff round less than the Leafs during that time.

 

[rickthegoon]

I hate both these teams, but this battle of Ontario could be the most hard fought and interesting series in the first round. If I have to pick, I would go for the Senators in 6. Toronto will do Toronto things and choke again.

 

[NyQuil]

Marchand gave the Leafs oral pre-series last year and throughout.

Well that’s one strategy I guess.

 

[SlapJack]

Well that’s one strategy I guess.

Not the visual I wanted to start my day