LEAFS GDT Atlantic Division - Race to the 1st

I wouldn't get carried away resting guys just yet. And f*** Marner going for 100, that's the last thing anyone should be thinking about, especially money Mitch himself.
If Marner derives any significant joy from a regular season accomplishment at this point than he can eff right off. 100 points isn't going to make a difference in any contract offer from TO but big-time stepping up his game in the playoffs will make him serious bank.
 
Oh I see, that makes some sense. I'm not with the guys day to day so not sure who needs the rest, Tanev and Rielly are the first ones that come to mind, then maybe OEL and JT, possibly McCabe? I still want to win Tuesday though so still not sure I'd rest anyone just yet.
Tanev seems like a good candidate, and any of the older guys that need it, along with whatever Mattys best program is.

Rielly is getting in the groove and needs more minutes with Carlo. Marner might need a game off near the end cause the schedule is tight, but I'd let him chase the hundo he's pretty durable - just don't give him the 25 min a night Keefe special.
 
We're really gonna win the division and face Florida in Rd1

LMAOO you cant make this shit up #cursed
I used to agree with this but now I think It's time to stop wanting the team to dodge opponents. In order to win the whole thing you need to win 4 rounds and not a single person on this board should be satisfied with a single series win against a different team than the Panthers (or beating the Panthers in Round 1, for that matter) that is weaker on paper.

What's the difference if they beat a WC team and get smoked by some team from Florida in Round 2? Not much. We have to have higher aspirations than that and more importantly so should the team.
 
I wouldn't get carried away resting guys just yet. And f*** Marner going for 100, that's the last thing anyone should be thinking about, especially money Mitch himself.

Good thing about the Leafs going to seasons end fighting for the Division title is they’re actually playing for something as a team and not just coasting. Last year too much about seasons end was all about Matthews and getting 70. This year it’s a collective effort for the team to do something they haven’t done as a franchise in 25 years.
 
Leafs control their own destiny when it comes to matchups, but they should just win their division and take out either Florida or Ottawa.

Florida is playing horribly and basically relies exclusively on PP goals. Both games against us if not for the PP, they’d have nothing. Even their one 5v5 goal was a result of an expired PP leading to 3 defenders on the ice for us.

Don’t think either Barkov or Tkachuk are going to be 100%, and Ekblad is Ekblad. Florida was willing to let him walk in UFA and was hoping to replace him with Jones - but now that they suck they’re acting like they’re getting back Lidstrom in Game 3. They’re going to suck just as much (if not more) with Ekblad back. The only disadvantage is the NHL refs love changing the rules in the playoffs so Florida can go around injuring players without getting any penalties.
 
If Marner derives any significant joy from a regular season accomplishment at this point than he can eff right off. 100 points isn't going to make a difference in any contract offer from TO but big-time stepping up his game in the playoffs will make him serious bank.
So he can't get joy from both regular season and playoff accomplishments? Seems like a silly take to me.
 
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We're really gonna win the division and face Florida in Rd1

LMAOO you cant make this shit up #cursed
Who cares, assuming we win round 1, we're playing them in round 2 anyways. If we can't beat them in round 1, we can't beat them in the 2nd either.

And frankly, both a 1st or 2nd round exit are equally as big of a failure for this team in my eyes.

FWIW I'd rather run into them earlier than later, Tkachuk will probably still be out or playing hurt, Ekblad is missing 2 playoff games, not sure what Barkovs status is.
 
I used to agree with this but now I think It's time to stop wanting the team to dodge opponents. In order to win the whole thing you need to win 4 rounds and not a single person on this board should be satisfied with a single series win against a different team than the Panthers (or beating the Panthers in Round 1, for that matter) that is weaker on paper.

What's the difference if they beat a WC team and get smoked by some team from Florida in Round 2? Not much. We have to have higher aspirations than that and more importantly so should the team.
100%. I want them to have to beat Boston, the Tampa, then Florida, than Edmonton to win the Cup.

f*** playing Ottawa, Montreal, Jackets etc.
 
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The problem with intentionally tanking right till the end of the regular season in an attempt to get a certain opponent, is that you're playing some very bad hockey and you can't always just flick on the switch. Sure sometimes certain groups can just ramp up the intensity and attention to detail after playing terrible but they can also just run into a team that was playing close to their top level heading in and they might not have enough time to catch up.
 
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We hold all of Ottawa's cards right now if they hope to make the top 3. If we lose both to Florida it'll be hard for them to come third, but 2 wins and they may just lock that up.

2 wins v Florida also likely cements our place as #1, so winning both sets us up to play Fla in R1.

Edit: my mistake, we only play Fla once more. But I think this still stands is likely a huge game for Fla/Ott.
 
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100%. I want them to have to beat Boston, the Tampa, then Florida, than Edmonton to win the Cup.

f*** playing Ottawa, Montreal, Jackets etc.
Beating a team like Ottawa or Montreal and then getting caved in by a Florida team in Round 2...well, at this stage that isnt much better than losing in Round 1. In fact, in the long run it might actually be counter-productive.
 
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Florida could get overtaken by Sens and maybe then we have to play Florida .. maybe Florida wants that outcome now .. it would not shock me to see them go for wild card 1 .. but my guess is they will watch how things unfold between Leafs and tampa and then decide .. bottom line for us is to take 1st place and beat them both this week .. this thing gets tighter by da day and may not get decided til last day odd season
 
Who cares, assuming we win round 1, we're playing them in round 2 anyways. If we can't beat them in round 1, we can't beat them in the 2nd either.

And frankly, both a 1st or 2nd round exit are equally as big of a failure for this team in my eyes.

FWIW I'd rather run into them earlier than later, Tkachuk will probably still be out or playing hurt, Ekblad is missing 2 playoff games, not sure what Barkovs status is.
Same here. Hell, I’m ok with them seeing this theory of Florida tanking as added motivation.
 
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Good thing about the Leafs going to seasons end fighting for the Division title is they’re actually playing for something as a team and not just coasting. Last year too much about seasons end was all about Matthews and getting 70.

Exactly.

Though I feel a little bit better knowing that the playoff teams are pretty much set at this point, it's just the seedings up for grabs.

That means no team will be playing life-or-death hockey right up to game 82 - essentially playing with playoff-level intensity, which makes for a tough opponent in round one. So if, ideally, the Leafs snag the division early I'm all for resting a few players.

But until then I want to see them competing for the #1 spot, even if they personally feel the division title isn't all that important. It is, for this group at least: It would be only the 3rd thing they've won in 9 seasons (The North division & beating the Bolts), so build on it.
 
Same here. Hell, I’m ok with them seeing this theory of Florida tanking as added motivation.
If that does not motivate them, nothing will. Most Leafs fans will be demanding they move off this core if they lose in round 1 to Florida or Ottawa. This team has mortgaged the future for this core and they have delivered 1 playoff series win. In 4 years, we will be the Chicago Blackhawks without a SC or worse the SJ Sharks with less playoff success. Most of the thanks go to Kyle and Shanny.
 
It would be nice to see Paul Maurice get humbled. f*** that guy.
That needs to be done in the playoffs, not in game 77 when the Panthers are not 100% healthy and clearly do not care where they finish in the standings. They have a goal and it is not to win the Atlantic.

The Leafs will also tell you that their goal is to win more than the Atlantic but they have to show us starting in two weeks.
 
If that does not motivate them, nothing will. Most Leafs fans will be demanding they move off this core if they lose in round 1 to Florida or Ottawa. This team has mortgaged the future for this core and they have delivered 1 playoff series win. In 4 years, we will be the Chicago Blackhawks without a SC or worse the SJ Sharks with less playoff success. Most of the thanks go to Kyle and Shanny.
Oh for sure. I’m one of the most that you’re talking about. I don’t care who they play. Deep run or bust
 
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Nope. They already have Pacioretty and Hakanpaa on LTIR. One more day to day injury and they are playing short, they only have 200k in cap space.
That's what I understood as well.

Here's hoping they stay healthy for the next 6 games
 
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