Toggle sidebar

LEAFS GDT Atlantic Division - Race to the 1st

1specter said:
Only thing I'm a bit worried about is Ottawa passing Florida. Florida has basically checked out and they're just trying to make it to the playoffs without losing anymore bodies. It would be a cruel twist that we win the division only to draw the defending champions and ECF champs from the last two years
Click to expand...
That would be the most Leafs thing ever and all you can do is laugh. However, it'll be tough considering that Florida has a big gap in RW so it's basically a 5 point lead

Ottawa needs to go 5-1-0 to end with 98 points. To match that, Florida needs to go 3-3-0 and will have the RW tiebreaker
 
  • Like
Reactions: paul9kariya and Evilhomer
trellaine201 said:
No realistic possibility?? Have you seen the standings? 4pts and still 6 games left.
Click to expand...
I have seen the standings. What you are suggesting is that Tampa will basically run the table to finish the season and the Leafs will play at or under .500 the rest of the way. It won't happen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bax
1specter said:
Only thing I'm a bit worried about is Ottawa passing Florida. Florida has basically checked out and they're just trying to make it to the playoffs without losing anymore bodies. It would be a cruel twist that we win the division only to draw the defending champions and ECF champs from the last two years
Click to expand...
What makes you think they’ve checked out? They gave the Leafs a tough time and outshot Ottawa today 40-22. They don’t seem like they are rolling over.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rocker13, bax, PanniniClaus and 2 others
leafsfan5 said:
That would be the most Leafs thing ever and all you can do is laugh. However, it'll be tough considering that Florida has a big gap in RW so it's basically a 5 point lead

Ottawa needs to go 5-1-0 to end with 98 points. To match that, Florida needs to go 3-3-0 and will have the RW tiebreaker
Click to expand...
In other words, it is highly unlikely. Same as Tampa catching the Leafs.
 
1specter said:
Only thing I'm a bit worried about is Ottawa passing Florida. Florida has basically checked out and they're just trying to make it to the playoffs without losing anymore bodies. It would be a cruel twist that we win the division only to draw the defending champions and ECF champs from the last two years
Click to expand...

Don't see that happening.

I know Florida is beat up, if feels like they are losing players every game.

But I don't see them losing to Detroit tomorrow.
 
Divine said:
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.
Click to expand...
We match up better against TB than Florida though. Vas can be an X-factor, I'll grant that.
 
Evilhomer said:
I have seen the standings. What you are suggesting is that Tampa will basically run the table to finish the season and the Leafs will play at or under .500 the rest of the way. It won't happen.
Click to expand...
I hope you're right. I know we disagree a lot but I'd love nothing more for you to be correct about everything. After so many years of failure some of us are gun-shy, let's hope we win the Division and go on to the Conference Finals at least.
 
I'm not saying anyone is in or anyone's out here.

But 6 games left, 6 on Florida 4 on TB.

Leafs play Florida, Tampa, Carolina, Montréal, Detroit and Buffalo. It's a real pimps up, hoes down final 6.

Florida plays us, Detroit twice, Buffalo, the Rags and the Lightning, softer than us. Tampa has us and Florida, the Rags (twice), Detroit and the Sabres. We definitely have a much harder ride playing 3 or possibly 4 PO teams while they get 2 each.

But luckily Florida is basically out. 6 points back 6 left.

Suppose the wheels fall off and we go 1-4-1 for 101 points.

Florida needs to go 4-1-1 and Tampa needs 3-2-1, Leafs own the tiebreakers. Leafs win 2 that becomes 5-0-1 or 4-0-2 and 5-1-0 or again, 4-0-2.

...Just win at least 2 of the final 6. I fully expect them to go 3-2-1or similar.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jojalu
ClarkSittler said:
I hope you're right. I know we disagree a lot but I'd love nothing more for you to be correct about everything. After so many years of failure some of us are gun-shy, let's hope we win the Division and go on to the Conference Finals at least.
Click to expand...
The numbers are realistically near insurmountable for Tampa, and practically impossible for Florida. It would require the combination of the complete collapse by a team that has won 8 of its last 10 games, and one or two teams running the table the rest of the season, with one game against each other (which one of them will lose). Statistically, it's extremely unlikely.

The more interesting question is whether the leafs can stay ahead of Carolina, because that will be important if these two teams meet in the conference final. Carolina uncharacteristically lost two near gimme games last night and tonight. Things literally could not be going better for the leafs right now. The only thing that would be better would if Montreal could pass Ottawa, but that might be asking too much. In any event, the Leafs will beat Ottawa in the first round, although it may end up being a series of close games.

The only question in the entire Eastern conference, because the Leafs will beat whichever teams comes out of the Metro, is....what will Florida be when the playoffs start? If Florida can beat Tampa, a series against Florida will absolutely be a tough grind for the Leafs. But if Tampa beats Florida? The Leafs will roll over Tampa, especially with home ice advantage.

Take it a step further and let's say the Leafs are in the Cup final. Can they beat Vegas, Dallas or Colorado (I highly doubt Winnipeg or Edmonton advance very far this season)? They will almost certainly finish ahead of Colorado, so they would have home ice in that series. They won't finish ahead of Dallas. Vegas is still a toss up. One thing is for sure - none of those teams are Columbus.
 
I dont really care who they play. Gotta beat the best to be the best. Excuses or finding the easier opponent won't matter if you wanna win a cup.

Finish first, secure home ice and then show you are a contender.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Rocker13, ashs, js2k6 and 2 others
There will be no easy rounds this year for any team

Based on the standings any team can steal a series from what I see in both the west and east

I hope we play Ottawa just because I like idea of a battle of Ontario and also love to seeing the Florida teams crushing each other. But nobody in round 1 will have an easy matchup
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rocker13, Roo and ACC1224
It'd be good to go into the playoffs on a winning streak - I think that really does transfer over to the playoffs. Last year, we finished the season on a 4 game loss-streak.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rocker13
just looking through both teams schedules and it isn't IMPOSSIBLE for ottawa to catch florida

Florida plays Toronto and Tampa
Senators play Carolina

those are the elite teams between both of them
florida has detroit 2x and rangers + buffalo
sens have cbj 2x and montreal + chicago + flyers


it's still unlikely, but looking at it, it would be so on brand for us to end well and get florida as our first round matchup. Maybe beating tampa and losing to florida wouldn't be the worst in the remaining two games. I really don't think we match florida well at all, even if they miss ekblad for half the series and tkachuk just gets back.
 
Aashir said:
just looking through both teams schedules and it isn't IMPOSSIBLE for ottawa to catch florida

Florida plays Toronto and Tampa
Senators play Carolina

those are the elite teams between both of them
florida has detroit 2x and rangers + buffalo
sens have cbj 2x and montreal + chicago + flyers


it's still unlikely, but looking at it, it would be so on brand for us to end well and get florida as our first round matchup. Maybe beating tampa and losing to florida wouldn't be the worst in the remaining two games. I really don't think we match florida well at all, even if they miss ekblad for half the series and tkachuk just gets back.
Click to expand...
Ottawa won't catch Florida. I think we will see Florida beat Detroit tomorrow, and i wouldn't be surprised if Columbus beats Ottawa. Meanwhile, Montreal will win again, so Ottawa will probably still have to look in their rear view.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Ad

Top Bottom