LEAFS GDT Atlantic Division - Race to the 1st

Although nothing is guaranteed tonight's game at home vs Cats will set da direction down da stretch .. cats played on road against a fast Habs team last night which makes them a tired team .. Leafs had some rest and a good practice in yesterday so we should be in da drivers seat to start da stretch drive .. it will come down to who wants it more .. as usual .. let hope we don't disappoint tonight .. this is a TONE setting game .. we need to show Cats who their daddy is .. GLG
While I think the leafs will control this game and win it pretty cleanly, I don't buy the "tone setting" stuff. I expect the Florida team we see in the playoffs will be a very different animal from the one we see tonight.
 
Tampa has a very easy schedule - they're either finishing 1st or second. Florida likely finishes 3rd. Tampa is the real threat. Vasi has a .922 save percentage on the year, his best since he won the Cup so that's likely the team you want to avoid in the first round if you can.

Tampa plays 3 playoff teams the rest of their schedule and no back to backs, just every other day. Toronto, Ottawa, and Florida are the only games Tampa has left against playoff teams. Their remaining 5 are against non-playoff teams.

They might take their win streak all the way to the playoffs unless we beat them.

They don't have any back to backs... but as far as opponents records over the last 10 games, it's very close.

Tampa's opponents have an average of 10.6 Points over the last ten games, Toronto 11.1 and Florida 11.4.
-------------------

8 games left.

Toronto 94 points
Tampa 93 points
Florida 92 points
 
I think worst possible case is Tampa leap frogging both Toronto & Florida and having Toronto face the Panthers in round 1.

Tampa schedule is pretty easy the rest of the way. Only playoffs team Tampa faces is Ottawa/Toronto/Florida.
Panthers have: Toronto 2x, Senators, Tampa.
Toronto has: Panthers 2x Tampa, MTL, Carolina.
 
I think worst possible case is Tampa leap frogging both Toronto & Florida and having Toronto face the Panthers in round 1.

Tampa schedule is pretty easy the rest of the way. Only playoffs team Tampa faces is Ottawa/Toronto/Florida.
Panthers have: Toronto 2x, Senators, Tampa.
Toronto has: Panthers 2x Tampa, MTL, Carolina.

Not ideal for sure, but if they have to beat both teams to reach the ECF then so be it. I don't want to read or listen to more excuses. Just get it done.
 
They don't have any back to backs... but as far as opponents records over the last 10 games, it's very close.

Tampa's opponents have an average of 10.6 Points over the last ten games, Toronto 11.1 and Florida 11.4.
-------------------

8 games left.

Toronto 94 points
Tampa 93 points
Florida 92 points

Any reasonable person looking at the schedule would bet on Tampa winning the division. Let's hope for the best. I'm gonna be pissed if those two SJ games are the difference makers. Once again I have to use the phrase...so Leafy.
 
Any reasonable person looking at the schedule would bet on Tampa winning the division. Let's hope for the best. I'm gonna be pissed if those two SJ games are the difference makers. Once again I have to use the phrase...so Leafy.
I think there is a decent chance it comes down to that Leafs/Tampa game next week, unless Tampa really stumbles in their road games.
 
Any reasonable person looking at the schedule would bet on Tampa winning the division. Let's hope for the best. I'm gonna be pissed if those two SJ games are the difference makers. Once again I have to use the phrase...so Leafy.
Contrary to what some may think, there's no such thing as a meaningless game. A loss in October is equal to a loss in April.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Al14 and aingefan
Any reasonable person looking at the schedule would bet on Tampa winning the division. Let's hope for the best. I'm gonna be pissed if those two SJ games are the difference makers. Once again I have to use the phrase...so Leafy.

One thing to keep in mind, is Tampa has been terrible on the road. Two wins, one OT win, and five losses in their last 8 games on the road.
 
Tampa has to play a road game tomorrow night, so if trends continue that should be a loss for them, which would pretty much seal the division for the Leafs if they beat Columbus on Saturday.
 
1743655602634.png
 
Leafs did their job last night, beating the Panthers in regulation was HUGE.

now they need a little help.

A Sens regulation win tonight would be MASSIVE.


if the Leafs could go into Saturday still up 3 on Tampa and up 4 on Florida with a game against Columbus, that game would present a golden opportunity to put a strangle hold on the division
 
Leafs did their job last night, beating the Panthers in regulation was HUGE.

now they need a little help.

A Sens regulation win tonight would be MASSIVE.


if the Leafs could go into Saturday still up 3 on Tampa and up 4 on Florida with a game against Columbus, that game would present a golden opportunity to put a strangle hold on the division
Florida is not really relevant to the discussion anymore. They will likely lose to Ottawa on Saturday. Tampa is only relevant if they can win a few road games. Their record suggests that they will lose at least a couple of their remaining road games.
 
Florida is not really relevant to the discussion anymore. They will likely lose to Ottawa on Saturday. Tampa is only relevant if they can win a few road games. Their record suggests that they will lose at least a couple of their remaining road games.
I think if the Leafs can get 6/7 points out of the next 5 games, they can rest up some guys against Buf and Det.

The 5 games in 8 days next week is going to be exciting
 
I think if the Leafs can get 6/7 points out of the next 5 games, they can rest up some guys against Buf and Det.

The 5 games in 8 days next week is going to be exciting

Why would we schedule 5 in 8 right before the playoffs run. Really strange choice
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jojalu
Tampa play in Ottawa, Buffalo and NYR before the head to head with the Leafs. The Leafs play Columbus at home and Florida on the road.

Buckle up because anything can happen.
 
Tampa play in Ottawa, Buffalo and NYR before the head to head with the Leafs. The Leafs play Columbus at home and Florida on the road.

Buckle up because anything can happen.
I think what's most likely to happen is that Tampa will lose 2 of those 3 games, but even with one win they will stay ahead of Florida because the Panthers are going to keep losing.
 
Still would think TB wins the division. Every other division the team that has the best goal differential is 1st, second best differential 2nd, third best differential 3rd. It will probably end up like that in the Atlantic too. I hope that's not the case, though. Tampa 1st, Florida will finish 2nd, Toronto 3rd. But all within a point or two. I really hope I am wrong.
 
Still would think TB wins the division. Every other division the team that has the best goal differential is 1st, second best differential 2nd, third best differential 3rd. It will probably end up like that in the Atlantic too. I hope that's not the case, though. Tampa 1st, Florida will finish 2nd, Toronto 3rd. But all within a point or two. I really hope I am wrong.
Don't worry, you will be wrong.
 

Ad

Ad