LEAFS GDT Atlantic Division - Race to the 1st

[CabanaBoy5]

We've allowed the 5th most rebound shots in the league this year, for the record.

I would imagine most of those were earlier in the season but the team has the 5th most shots blocked in the league this season (1327 blocks) and have allowed the 12th least shots on goal in the league in the last 6 games (27.33 sh/g). They also focus on minimizing high danger scoring chances. They clear the front of the net when a rebound occurs and don't let the players stand around with impunity as they have in the past.

The defence has been very good this last stretch finally playing the type of hockey that is successful in the playoffs, unlike what they did with Keefe coaching. They don't panic, make the simple plays, flick the puck out instead of trying to possess the puck all the time, and dump and chase more successfully now.

 

[VanW27]

I doubt very much the players are underestimating anyone.

Except, they have a significant and well earned reputation for doing just that.

Never underestimate this groups ability to decide something will be "easy" so they don't have to try.

 

[Evilhomer]

Yeah and Matthews was the same age as Stuztle when that happened. This team has grown clearly. Won a series, were a clear better team than Boston last year if not for the injuries. Senators will have their moments but Leafs will control the series

Close games, but not a close series. Ottawa will scrape out a single win.

 

[ACC1224]

Except, they have a significant and well earned reputation for doing just that.

Never underestimate this groups ability to decide something will be "easy" so they don't have to try.

I've never heard of them having that reputation.

 

[Stephen]

Leafs need to take care of their own business and win the next two. Just go into the playoffs on a real high note and leave nothing to chance or others.

 

[PromisedLand]

Doubt Ottawa is an easy out. They are playing well and playing the style that generally stymies us. It will be a close series, but we should prevail.

they've been playing well and Ullmark has been pretty solid for them too.

been seeing some shit talk already taking place among ottawa fans. One sign read "Florida please don't lose we want a first round bye"

implying that Leafs are an easy out

I really hope Leafs are ready and absolute destroy every team they face

 

[The Apologist]

they've been playing well and Ullmark has been pretty solid for them too.

been seeing some shit talk already taking place among ottawa fans. One sign read "Florida please don't lose we want a first round bye"

implying that Leafs are an easy out

I really hope Leafs are ready and absolute destroy every team they face

Ottawa sounding like we did when we were begging for Florida two years ago.

No such thing as an easy out in the Atlantic

 

[PromisedLand]

They could play Kampf and rest Auston if Kampf is good to go. He’s still on the cap.

we can't even do 11F and 7D because everyone seems to be banged up

 

[Action Jackson]

Who's ready for an Ottawa Leafs spanking circa 2000-2004
How can that team wanna play us when we lived in their heads rent free for half a decade
We've come full circle boys. I'm ready for round 2

 

[stats1]

Didn’t know where to put this but it looks like game 1 is going to be on Sunday instead of Saturday. A bit surprised by that.

 

[darrylsittler27]

I have no idea who will win but I expect a tough 7 games.

 

[BertCorbeau]

It would be on par for this era of the Leafs to finally lose Ottawa in the playoffs

 

[Evilhomer]

I have no idea who will win but I expect a tough 7 games.

This series isn't going 7 games. I'll be shocked if it goes more than 5 games. I expect that most of the games will be close, but Ottawa will be fortunate to win one game.

 

[arso40]

This series isn't going 7 games. I'll be shocked if it goes more than 5 games. I expect that most of the games will be close, but Ottawa will be fortunate to win one game.

The predictor strikes again hope your right my friend

 

[Evilhomer]

The predictor strikes again hope your right my friend

The Leafs will be in the Cup final.

 

[Maple Leaf]

The Leafs will be in the Cup final.

Can the leafs handle demidov?

 

[darrylsittler27]

This series isn't going 7 games. I'll be shocked if it goes more than 5 games. I expect that most of the games will be close, but Ottawa will be fortunate to win one game.

You underestimate them.

 

[Evilhomer]

You underestimate them.

I think you are underestimating how good Toronto is. Again, most of the games in this series will likely be close, but the outcome won't be.

 

[LaPlante94]

I think you are underestimating how good Toronto is. Again, most of the games in this series will likely be close, but the outcome won't be.

Ottawa has played us as good as Florida this year. Aren't we 0-4 against them this season? If we're lucky playoff Ullmark shows up and maybe your prediction is correct.

 

[darrylsittler27]

I think you are underestimating how good Toronto is. Again, most of the games in this series will likely be close, but the outcome won't be.

Ottawa gets the split in tor and the whole series shifts.

 

[QJo]

The Leafs will be in the Cup final.

They play the games for a reason and we like sports for the very same reason. No outcome is guaranteed.

 

[Evilhomer]

Ottawa gets the split in tor and the whole series shifts.

Ottawa is being massively overrated simply because people love to crap on the Leafs. The prior versions of this team certainly deserved it. This version of the team is not the same animal. I think they will methodically steamroll a young and inexperienced Ottawa team.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

Doubt Ottawa is an easy out. They are playing well and playing the style that generally stymies us. It will be a close series, but we should prevail.

Until proven by the leafs (i.e. they win a series in 4 or 5 games) no series should be seen as an easy out for this team. They haven't demonstrated the ability to make series that should be an easy out, an easy out (albeit they've only really had 2 chances to do as such).

 

[Gary Nylund]

The Leafs will be in the Cup final.

Didn't you say the same thing a year ago?

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Ottawa is being massively overrated simply because people love to crap on the Leafs. The prior versions of this team certainly deserved it. This version of the team is not the same animal. I think they will methodically steamroll a young and inexperienced Ottawa team.

Will be curious if the odds reflect that sentiment