Around the League - 2024-2025 Part II

[ToneDog]

Big game on Tuesday.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Big game on Tuesday.

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Go Florida? Ew.

 

[Sypher04]

Is Florida tanking to avoid Tampa?

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.

 

[trellaine201]

Miraculously Florida will be so healthy come game one.

 

[Stephen]

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.

 

[ToneDog]

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.

 

[Metroid]

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.

You were only shown half or part / select group of leaf fans that wanted Florida.... Media played you.

 

[Jmo89]

No worries, the Leafs will throw the game against them on Tuesday. LOL.

If the team would rather play Ottawa in round 1 best case scenario would be OT loss to Florida and regulation win against Tampa.

 

[budzz]

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!

 

[BallardEra]

 

[Jmo89]

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.

 

[uncleben]

You were only shown half or part / select group of leaf fans that wanted Florida.... Media played you.

Media didn't play anyone.
It happened.

It may not have been all Leafs fans, or even the majority, but the chants happened. Florida heard it. They responded.

 

[Legion34]

Mrazek and Knight aren't teammates...

Mrazek isn’t in Chicago? Well whomever is their jobber goalie. Not the goalie of the future

 

[Jojalu]

Going to be an epic collapse for Mon not to make the playoffs now.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Big game on Tuesday.

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Ottawa is playing Columbus who literally can't score. It may very well be tied after Tuesday night.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Going to be an epic collapse for Mon not to make the playoffs now.

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

 

[FerrisRox]

Mrazek isn’t in Chicago? Well whomever is their jobber goalie. Not the goalie of the future

The Hawks traded him to Detroit at the deadline.

 

[Legion34]

The Hawks traded him to Detroit at the deadline.

Hmmmmm ok…. Didn’t know…. But,,,
??? Why??? Is Detroit trying to collect all the bad goalies? Makes no sense at all.

 

[Metroid]

Media didn't play anyone.
It happened.

It may not have been all Leafs fans, or even the majority, but the chants happened. Florida heard it. They responded.

And if we got Boston they'd find a video of the we want Boston chants and play that.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Big game on Tuesday.

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Imagine winning the division only to get the Panthers in round one

 

[LeafEgo]

Imagine winning the division only to get the Panthers in round one

No fear!!

Chucky is still pretty banged up though no?

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Both wild card teams in the West might finish with more points than 2nd and 3rd in the Pacific and people think the playoff format is fair

Playoff format is total crap. Nothing wrong with 1 vs 8, etc.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

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.

 

[Nineteen67]

LOL. I joked about it yesterday but it doesn't seem funny to some Leafs fans now.

It’s a dangerous game to play but it would give them a better chance to advance considering where they are right now.

 

[Nineteen67]

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.