LEAFS GDT Atlantic Division - Race to the 1st

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.

Exactly. It's these core guy's fault. They have to change that narrative by actually winning. Until then, yes, teams might angle themselves to face them.
 
Win the divison - :):):):)

Reward is Florida in R1 - 😐😐😐😐

There's so many permutations of things that can still happen. It's making my head spin. We could still end up 2nd and Ottawa finishing 3rd. Nothing is set in stone. So if Florida is tanking to face us, they may still end up with TB. That's why I kind of think Florida is not tanking yet in order to face Toronto or anything like that. Seeding has not been clinched.
 
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I think if a team tanks and plays that game to get a team they think will be an easier out... that's dangerous.

I don't care who Leafs play. Win the division and play great hockey going into the playoffs.

Start the run early. If a team is seriously doing that... you can't just turn it on all of a sudden. Not a good idea.
honestly don't think they're doing that. More likely they realized with their injuries/suspensions that they weren't taking the division, so they might as well rest up. Florida pumped Tampa in round 1 last year. Ottawa is green as hell. Toronto is Toronto. They aren't overly concerned about any of these matchups, so more important to go in healthy.
 
There's so many permutations of things that can still happen. It's making my head spin. We could still end up 2nd and Ottawa finishing 3rd. Nothing is set in stone. So if Florida is tanking to face us, they may still end up with TB. That's why I kind of think Florida is not tanking yet in order to face Toronto or anything like that. Seeding has no been clinched.
I don't think Florida is tanking at all, I think they want to rest first and foremost. They also know Toronto would be their likely R1 opponent if they do so and I'm sure that doesn't worry them in the slightest.
 
I think if a team tanks and plays that game to get a team they think will be an easier out... that's dangerous.

I don't care who Leafs play. Win the division and play great hockey going into the playoffs.

Start the run early. If a team is seriously doing that... you can't just turn it on all of a sudden. Not a good idea.
If any team can "turn it on", it is the Panthers. Getting Tkachuk back will help.

Either way, I'd rather get them in round 1 over round 2. Injured players won't be in game shape and Ekblad will be missing first two games.
 
If any team can "turn it on", it is the Panthers. Getting Tkachuk back will help.

Either way, I'd rather get them in round 1 over round 2. Injured players won't be in game shape and Ekblad will be missing first two games.

The issue is that would you rather go through Ottawa then one of the Florida teams? Or potentially both Florida teams? At the end of the day, Leafs just gotta stop with the excuses and win. Right?
 
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I really wanna believe that Leafs are pissed by this BS

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Either way... other than St Louis... leafs have been playing the best hockey in the league the past 10. Keep in rolling into the playoffs.

You have to beat 4 good teams to win it all. This team has to stop f***ing around in the 1st round.

Go out and crush a team for a change and get on a run in the playoffs.
 
The issue is that would you rather go through Ottawa then one of the Florida teams? Or potentially both Florida teams? At the end of the day, Leafs just gotta stop with the excuses and win. Right?
Yeah. I think this is how we have to look at it at this point. Every matchup has its pros and cons. We can't curate our path. Just win the division to secure home ice through the first 2 rounds and get ready to go to war.
 
The issue is that would you rather go through Ottawa then one of the Florida teams? Or potentially both Florida teams? At the end of the day, Leafs just gotta stop with the excuses and win. Right?
I can see them beating any of the 3 Atlantic teams. I can also see them losing to them. They need to change the narrative and shed that choker reputation. Play with some urgency. Their play early in OT in game #7 allowing Pasta to shred them is not it. There are other examples.
 
I know I know, it really depends on the Leafs that show up. But this isn't the Florida of years past.

Tkachuk will most likely be rusty/hurt. Ekblad will be rusty. They've lost some depth from the last few years. Verhaeghe is struggling as well.
 
it's because the Panthers don't respect us at all. Especially Marchand and Tkachuk.
So you feel the players are deciding to tank and face the Leafs?

IMO those two are alphas, they don’t care who they face
 
I weirdly think it’s better to get fla in round 1. They are hurt now. If they get healthy. We are in tough.
 
Tanking and playing poorly before the playoffs is a bold move lol.. I just think the Panthers aren't playing very good hockey right now.

The playoff teams are starting to turn it on and get into the playoff mentality.
 

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