LEAFS GDT Atlantic Division - Race to the 1st

[Confucius]

Lmao biz.. he’s got it. I thought no way yeasterday but I’m convinced the Tank is on

 

[Cleetus]

Ottawa now 2 points behind the Panthers lol

 

[Evilhomer]

The seedings aren’t even set, Tampa could still win the division.
The cup champs, two time finalists aren’t worried about getting the right matchup.
They’ll do what they need to peak when the playoffs start, that would be their only concern.

I've been saying for weeks and weeks that I don't think Florida cares who they play because they know that ultimately they have to go through 4 teams in any event.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Well, if Florida gonna do that then Leafs should shoot pucks into their own net on Tuesday

I don't want Matthews, Knies, Marner, Tavares, McCabe, Nylander, Tanev or Stolarz playing on Tuesday if possible.

 

[Cleetus]

we should bring up Matt Murray for Tuesday

 

[thusk]

You mean the way they played against SJ?

since like 20 mar so like last 5 Stolarz start and last 3 Woll start...

I think it's exactly that which has led them to believe it's not worth going all out down the stretch with key players out. They know when the real season starts and no doubt have the confidence that they match up very well against anybody.

Besides, despite what I said above about the Cats tanking (I was joking), I don't think players would ever deliberately try to lose for any realistic reason, including to get a perceived better match up.

For the Leafs though, where confidence is undoubtedly lacking, they really need to wrap up the division even if just to get it into their heads that they are that good. Plus, playing meaningful hockey right down to the last few games suggests they are less likely to come out flat in game one.

Be off for a month + and just hoping turning the switch on come playoff, it's probably a even more risky gamble. Florida won 1 gm in regulation last 11 ( 12 if they lose tonight). Do they really want to start playof with only 1 or 2 reg winnin their last 17? Florida doesn't play good hockey right now and honestly if they choosing to rest their player, for me no doubt theybare extremely concerning about team health and it's clearly not the choice they would want

 

[ToneDog]

I thought Columbus might show up against Ottawa, but clearly not. Florida has pretty much liquidated their lineup, but I still thought they would beat Detroit. Anyway, shouldn't you be happy that Florida is losing again?

Bet the farm. You should get great odds.

 

[mikeyz]

I thought Columbus might show up against Ottawa, but clearly not. Florida has pretty much liquidated their lineup, but I still thought they would beat Detroit. Anyway, shouldn't you be happy that Florida is losing again?

No I shouldn't be. Especially not if they're tanking to play us.

 

[Schennanigans]

I’m not even sure anymore if Ottawa is a better match up anyway. They are playing pretty good right now.

 

[leafsfan5]

We need to sell on Tuesday.

 

[Confucius]

Wonder how many starts Vanacek gets in the playoffs?

 

[Gary Nylund]

since like 20 mar so like last 5 Stolarz start and last 3 Woll start...

Ups and owns every year regardless of goaltending, Team is about where it always is with this core in the overall standings, goaltending is better so it stands to reason that the rest of the team is therefore worse.

 

[ACC1224]

Wonder how many starts Vanacek gets in the playoffs?

None barring injury. Why would you think he would get any starts?

 

[Confucius]

I’m not even sure anymore if Ottawa is a better match up anyway. They are playing pretty good right now.

Maybe they can catch Tampa. lol!

 

[Confucius]

Shutouts for Talbot, guaranteed no ifs and buts about it. Talbot putting up the big shutout

 

[thusk]

Ups and owns every year regardless of goaltending, Team is about where it always is with this core in the overall standings, goaltending is better so it stands to reason that the rest of the team is therefore worse.

It's not the question...

Did the team playing the same way, with the same confidence right now with Woll than when they playing in front of Woll?

 

[Confucius]

None barring injury. Why would you think he would get any starts?

It was sarcastic, why is he playing tonight is Knight injured?

 

[Aashir]

Well, if Florida gonna do that then Leafs should shoot pucks into their own net on Tuesday

we don't have the luxury of wanting a weaker opponent to play during the playoffs, we ARE that team for anyone lol. Ottawa could beat us too, but if Florida is gonna be like this than the team has to overcome them.

what I am hoping the team does is take this as motivation. Who cares whether they actually are or aren't losing to teams to secure a matchup against us, just make them think it is. On top of tht, this is the team that embarassed us in 2023, Marchand, our playoff kryptonite is here. Tkachuk said something along the lines of it not being surprising that we lost to boston in game 7 last year.

Whether it's florida, ottawa, or montreal, we need to come out and win the series. Whether it's in 4 or 7 games we can't lose another time in the first round.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Hoping the Leafs start resting guys soon, especially on B2B games.

I don't really care about seeding anymore since it looks like Leafs will play the Panthers anyways.

 

[Confucius]

Awww sorry cam. Well I guarantee that’s the only one you give up. Really I mean it this time

 

[mikeyz]

we don't have the luxury of wanting a weaker opponent to play during the playoffs, we ARE that team for anyone lol. Ottawa could beat us too, but if Florida is gonna be like this than the team has to overcome them.

what I am hoping the team does is take this as motivation. Who cares whether they actually are or aren't losing to teams to secure a matchup against us, just make them think it is. On top of tht, this is the team that embarassed us in 2023, Marchand, our playoff kryptonite is here. Tkachuk said something along the lines of it not being surprising that we lost to boston in game 7 last year.

Whether it's florida, ottawa, or montreal, we need to come out and win the series. Whether it's in 4 or 7 games we can't lose another time in the first round.

It's amazing how so many people don't get that the Leafs are the easier team in the playoffs for anybody considering our results in the last 8 years. And that won't change until the Leafs change the narrative.

If they do win the division and draw Florida, then these guys should come out as if any other result besides a 4 game sweep and even a 4 game shutout is a complete failure.

A team openly tanking down the stretch to try and draw you as an opponent in the playoffs is the biggest insult in sports IMO.

 

[Suntouchable13]

We can't worry about this as fans, we can't do anything about it. Let's just watch and see what happens. That's all we can do.

 

[thusk]

It was sarcastic, why is he playing tonight is Knight injured?

You're talking about Spencer Knight? if yes Knight playing tonight hahaha

 

[Confucius]

Panthers actually looked like they were trying to win there

 

[Confucius]

You're talking about Spencer Knight? if yes Knight playing tonight hahaha

Vanacek was in net