Around the League - 2024-2025 Part II

Big game on Tuesday.

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I assume this is tongue in cheek, but teams don't tank to avoid other teams.
All paths to playoff success have to go through top teams, so it really doesn't matter.

Who knows what they're thinking, but if we end up playing Florida, the mentality will be that the Leafs have to beat them harder than Tampa would have.
 
I assume this is tongue in cheek, but teams don't tank to avoid other teams.
All paths to playoff success have to go through top teams, so it really doesn't matter.
It could give the Leafs more motivation to beat them. Remember when Leafs fans were saying they wanted Florida over Boston? I remember Tkachuk commenting on it after they won that series in 5.
 
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If this team is going anywhere you have to go through good teams. Let's slay the demon. We are capable of beating Florida. Let's not forget Ekblads suspension was for 20 games, with 18 games left. He is not eligible to return until game 3. Might be a bit rusty being out 20 and no more little juice pills to take? Tkachuck will also be out 20 games before the playoffs start, mysterious "lower body", probably rusty too. We can beat that team. Our ace in the hole in Matty... clearly has not been himself, a pretty pedestrian 30 season for his immense talent. This team has got in the mix without the usual 2-3 yearly runs of 10 in 6 or 14 in 8 from Matty. If he can turn it up a notch it makes a very good team even better. I trust our D when all healthy. I trust our G's when healthy (Stolie's the guy!) I trust our offense against any if they're rocking. The system is more sound. Have to be fearless!
 
It could give the Leafs more motivation to beat them. Remember when Leafs fans were saying they wanted Florida over Boston? I remember Tkachuk commenting on it after they won that series in 5.

The "We want Florida" narrative was almost entirely media driven along with a small group on HF who obsess about the Leafs.

Most Leafs fans who wanted Florida to win simply wanted Boston humiliated after their historic year. The other half (myself included) wanted Boston so that the team could get over their first round curse and Boston curse at the same time.

Florida was always dangerous. I remember a number of us here talking about how they were a threat to Boston. They won the presidents trophy the year before with an incredible season and had a rough first half that year. My Dad and I in one of our phone calls actually picked them to win round 1 and thought they would beat the Leafs in round 2.

I don't deny that Tkachuk commented on it, but it was likely after the 50th media question about it. Florida got mildly lucky by winning all the close games that series (reminded me of the Winnipeg sweep of Edmonton) but I don't think there was really any bad blood about the fans cheering. Florida had their sights set past round 2 while Toronto failed to do so.
 
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If they beat Detroit in regulation on Tuesday, that may seal it. I don't see the Rangers keeping up

But things could get interesting if Detroit wins that game. Although, they have a tougher schedule
Rangers aren't good. Other than a potentially hot Igor come playoff time they are almost totally lifeless and if their goaltending is human they're an easy out. Montreal is flawed but they are hungry and young and well-managed, and they are going to be a pain in the f***ing ass to play against very soon.
 
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Playoff format is total crap. Nothing wrong with 1 vs 8, etc.
Oddly enough the only difference in 1-8 is the Leafs would play NJD and Carolina would get Ottawa, if the season ended today. But there’s a pretty good chance that the first round matchups are the same with either format in the eastern side.
 

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