Can we beat Tampa?

[The Apologist]

Baring some insane misfortune for the Bruins we will once again be playing Tampa in round one.

Can this current team beat them in four of seven?
If not, what piece needs to be added?
What needs to be done?

Talent wise, I'm not sure we've seen a Leafs team this good in a long, long time however there are two glaring holes I see needing to be fixed.

1. Compete. I don't mean that this team is lazy, they aren't. But they do seem to lack that killer instinct, that extra gear, the willingness to go that extra, much needed mile to get the job done. O'Reilly has that quality. As do Acciari and Gio. I've seen it in spurts from Matthews, Rielly, Nylander, Tavares and Marner but we need it consistently.

2. Respect. This team is not respected by other teams or the NHL. They get cheaped out nightly and the refs turn a blind eye. We seem to be the 'example' every time. And it's blatantly clear that come playoffs the rules seem to go right out the window.... Unless we're involved.
How does the team address this before the playoffs? How can you possibly win a war of attrition while being expected to follow the rule of law yourselves?

Click to read more...

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Yes they can. They almost did last year and this years team is better.

Can't say Tampa is better even after the Jeannot trade.

 

[Puckstuff]

Yes but my biggest concern is Keefe getting out coached, the big 4 and their scoring and if they have enough on the back end. Goaltending is a lesser concern but a big variable. I don't have a strong opinion if we're going to make it through or not. I'm just going to enjoy it and hope our guys can break through.

 

[Divine]

Of course we can.

We were a phantom high stick away from winning the series in 6. The Holl interference in Game 7 was questionable also considering Tampa scored a goal just like that the game prior. We had the most lopsided 1st round refereeing of the playoffs (in terms of PP advantages by one team over the other).

This year, Toronto got better and Tampa got worse.

The biggest question mark however is our goaltending. It's been inconsistent. Some games Murray and Samsonov look like stars, other games it looks like it's their first time playing goal. To be fair, Campbell was just as bad last season but Tampa got bad goaltending in the first round also.

I expect Vasilevskiy to play better than last series, which probably means Murray/Samsonov need to give us better goaltending than Campbell's .897 last series. I would say if Murray or Samsonov can keep pace, or stay within reach of Vasilevskiy, we probably win the series as it stands right now assuming no more moves by the trade deadline, fair refereeing, and no phantom calls because we're up.

 

[rojac]

Wouldn't it make sense to wait until after the trade deadline has passed to see what the two teams look like at that point?

 

[Enga Olly]

Sure we can, I think we're a better team over all than last year, including in net. I think Matthews and Marner are ready to do some amazing things come PO time and the recent move to bring Acciari and O'Reilly will pay off big time. But it's the Leafs and it's the PO - so all scenarios are in play. I still like our chances against TBay

If I was a Tampa fan I'd be having sleepless nights living in dread that something happens to Vasilevskiy. Elliot has a 3.17 GAA with a .897 SV% with the great Tampa Bay Lightning in front of him.

 

[RunItBackAgain]

If I was a Tampa fan I'd be having sleepless nights living in dread that something happens to Vasilevskiy. Elliot has a 3.17 GAA with a .897 SV% with the great Tampa Bay Lightning in front of him.

You realize we are also one goalie injury away from playing either a 6 NHL game 3rd stringer or our 4th stringer right?

 

[Bellefour20]

Not since Giguere(?)(Bernier doesn't count) have the Leafs had a cup winning goalie, and he happened to play in front of one of the worst Leafs teams ever. Murray has a top tier team in front of him . We were partly sold on the idea that Murray could be a better post season goalie than he had played in the past few regular seasons. He has played relatively well when healthy. He might just have the nerves to win if everyone shows up.

 

[deprw]

Every series in the east will be basically coin flip, after first round at least and you could argue that only Boston is in a situation where their first round match up should be only four to five game series. Even Carolina can lose two games, after that it is a war on ice.

We definitely can make it trough, but it won't be easy task. Tampa lost depth, core is year older and they don't have McDonagh. We're better than we were last year in every aspect outside of Muzzin who was declining last year. Year older means more experience, ROR + Acciari, better goaltending and depth wise we're in a good spot.

I'm not worried about toughness if we get same kind of refereeing we got last year, but this league is one heck of a joke in that aspect, so we'll see.

 

[PromisedLand]

Baring some insane misfortune for the Bruins we will once again be playing Tampa in round one.

Can this current team beat them in four of seven?
If not, what piece needs to be added?
What needs to be done?

Talent wise, I'm not sure we've seen a Leafs team this good in a long, long time however there are two glaring holes I see needing to be fixed.

1. Compete. I don't mean that this team is lazy, they aren't. But they do seem to lack that killer instinct, that extra gear, the willingness to go that extra, much needed mile to get the job done. O'Reilly has that quality. As do Acciari and Gio. I've seen it in spurts from Matthews, Rielly, Nylander, Tavares and Marner but we need it consistently.

2. Respect. This team is not respected by other teams or the NHL. They get cheaped out nightly and the refs turn a blind eye. We seem to be the 'example' every time. And it's blatantly clear that come playoffs the rules seem to go right out the window.... Unless we're involved.
How does the team address this before the playoffs? How can you possibly win a war of attrition while being expected to follow the rule of law yourselves?

Note that Tampa knows how to win in the playoffs; in the last 3 years they have 3 SCF appearances with 2 cup wins. They core players also know how to play "dirty". Tampa's D took a hit with McDonagh traded so that is an area to exploit a bit.
I can bet Tampa will play far more dirtier this time around compared to last season.


Also, it doesn't matter who or what you add if the team as a whole does not perform. Unlike the regular season what you need in the playoffs is:

1. Will before skill. no amount of skill will ever win over "will" in the playoffs. You want to play like you are there to win. Period! Fancy bs in the playoffs ain't gonna work
2. In the playoffs you cannot win by playing perimeter hockey; you have to go to the net; take the abuse and stand in front of the net take away the eyes of the goalies
3. You have to finish your checks, playing pansy hockey isn't gonna work. You have to be able to take the hit to make the play too.
4. You have to go to the corners, win board battles and win 50-50 pucks -> no amount of skill will ever compensate for lack hardwork, persistence, and the mindset to go and say "that puck is mine; you are not going to have it"
5. Special teams: You have to make your special teams work. Your PK has to be twice as good as your PP. You cannot surrender goals on PK and you should not suck momentum out of your game on PP
6. Your defense should be able to lay body, clear crease so goalie can see the puck and make life of the opposition forwards hell
7. You have to make every shift count; you cannot be lazy even for 1 second
8. Be aware that some interference/hooking/holding/slashing calls are not going to be called in the game so don't stand around looking at the ref when there is an infraction against you like a jackass -> keep moving your feet. The moment you are looking at the ref you are giving opposition anywhere from 3 to 5 second advantage to make play and that is enough for them to cause some damage
9. When there is a shot take it ->
   1. if the shot is clean then look to score;
   2. if shot is not clean then look to get rebounds
      1. here you will need players to crash the net to look for rebounds not playing softass perimeter bullshit hockey
10. Manage the puck!!!
    1. Treat the puck like the most prized thing you own; don't be lazy/fancy with it.
    2. Every puck movement should have a purpose; it should not be thrown away for a hail mary
11. Once your shift is done, it is about the next shift -> don't waste your time/energy thinking about the previous shift
    1. that time has passed; it ain't coming back
12. Finally!!! -> mindset, mindset, mindset
    1. don't freakin CHOKE. Have a mindset that you are there to play the best hockey you have ever played.
    2. Play every game like it is Game 7

Bottom Line: In the playoffs there is no time and space; and with that in mind you have to accomplish the points I mentioned above. On top of that regardless of how the ref is calling the game you gotta go out there and compete.

The core players have to do that, if not, doesn't matter what you add to this team they will not have much success in the playoffs.

Leafs weak link is their defense -> d-men need to up their game in the playoffs.

Rielly and Matthews have had underwhelming season thus far they will have to raise their game.

Keefe has been outcoached in every series in the playoffs; he has to be better! he should not drink any 'koolaid'; he has been humbled three times in spectacular fashion. Time for Keefe to wise up and be focused espcially learning how to coach "on the fly"

 

[sittler rules!!!]

Judging by what TB paid for basically a third liner, I sense a bit of panic. Dubas should counter by targeting Lawson Crouse out of Zona.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Yes...of course we can. There will be a ton of over analyzing of the deadline when in the end it will essentially just come down to goal tending and special teams as most series do.

 

[crump]

I know Paul and the other Tampa bottom 6 wrecked our bottom 6 last year in an elimination game, but at at the end of the day if you have a hot goalie, you can win. I like what I’ve seen from Samsonov lately. We obviously need to add on D but one addition isn’t going to make or break your team. ROR and Acciari were great adds. We have depth on D but maybe need a physical shutdown D man. i would stay away from the phone for a day after that ludicrous Jeannot trade.

 

[Mugzy97]

If we are healthy we can beat them

You realize we are also one goalie injury away from playing either a 6 NHL game 3rd stringer or our 4th stringer right?

Any team in the league is in trouble if their top 2 goalies go down. Fortunately playoffs isn’t tomorrow

 

[TheBeastCoast]

If we are healthy we can beat them


Any team in the league is in trouble if their top 2 goalies go down. Fortunately playoffs isn’t tomorrow

Ironic timing seeing as Tampa just came off a back to back that required a 46 save shutout from Vasi on night one and then they gave up a TD with their backup in net to the reeling Penguins. What ever will happen if Tampa goes down 2 goalies!

 

[BTP]

Not a single team in the league we can’t beat. Our big 5 is our trump card. If all 5 are clicking on all cylinders we will be insanely tough to handle. Ala Colorado last year.

Need to be ready to compete and play pissed off. There should be exactly zero teams even close to as hungry as us. Compete level should be through the roof.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Yes. No one will be easy though.

 

[TorMapleJays]

Just show up for seven games.

These moves by Bos and TB are because the Leafs got tougher. I would love two more moves.

When the game gets hard. Get rid of the players who go soft.

 

[Jojalu]

Note that Tampa knows how to win in the playoffs; in the last 3 years they have 3 SCF appearances with 2 cup wins. They core players also know how to play "dirty". Tampa's D took a hit with McDonagh traded so that is an area to exploit a bit.
I can bet Tampa will play far more dirtier this time around compared to last season.


Also, it doesn't matter who or what you add if the team as a whole does not perform. Unlike the regular season what you need in the playoffs is:

1. Will before skill. no amount of skill will ever win over "will" in the playoffs. You want to play like you are there to win. Period! Fancy bs in the playoffs ain't gonna work
2. In the playoffs you cannot win by playing perimeter hockey; you have to go to the net; take the abuse and stand in front of the net take away the eyes of the goalies
3. You have to finish your checks, playing pansy hockey isn't gonna work. You have to be able to take the hit to make the play too.
4. You have to go to the corners, win board battles and win 50-50 pucks -> no amount of skill will ever compensate for lack hardwork, persistence, and the mindset to go and say "that puck is mine; you are not going to have it"
5. Special teams: You have to make your special teams work. Your PK has to be twice as good as your PP. You cannot surrender goals on PK and you should not suck momentum out of your game on PP
6. Your defense should be able to lay body, clear crease so goalie can see the puck and make life of the opposition forwards hell
7. You have to make every shift count; you cannot be lazy even for 1 second
8. Be aware that some interference/hooking/holding/slashing calls are not going to be called in the game so don't stand around looking at the ref when there is an infraction against you like a jackass -> keep moving your feet. The moment you are looking at the ref you are giving opposition anywhere from 3 to 5 second advantage to make play and that is enough for them to cause some damage
9. When there is a shot take it ->
   1. if the shot is clean then look to score;
   2. if shot is not clean then look to get rebounds
      1. here you will need players to crash the net to look for rebounds not playing softass perimeter bullshit hockey
10. Manage the puck!!!
    1. Treat the puck like the most prized thing you own; don't be lazy/fancy with it.
    2. Every puck movement should have a purpose; it should not be thrown away for a hail mary
11. Once your shift is done, it is about the next shift -> don't waste your time/energy thinking about the previous shift
    1. that time has passed; it ain't coming back
12. Finally!!! -> mindset, mindset, mindset
    1. don't freakin CHOKE. Have a mindset that you are there to play the best hockey you have ever played.
    2. Play every game like it is Game 7

Bottom Line: In the playoffs there is no time and space; and with that in mind you have to accomplish the points I mentioned above. On top of that regardless of how the ref is calling the game you gotta go out there and compete.

The core players have to do that, if not, doesn't matter what you add to this team they will not have much success in the playoffs.

Leafs weak link is their defense -> d-men need to up their game in the playoffs.

Rielly and Matthews have had underwhelming season thus far they will have to raise their game.

Keefe has been outcoached in every series in the playoffs; he has to be better! he should not drink any 'koolaid'; he has been humbled three times in spectacular fashion. Time for Keefe to wise up and be focused espcially learning how to coach "on the fly"

Great post.

The only thing I disagree with is Keefe being embarassed.

He can't put the puck in fo the boys. In both the Montreal and TB series Game 6 went to OT where the Leafs outplayed and outchanced them by wide margins only to have no one be able to finish. That's not on Keefe. Someone has to step up, calm the nerves and find a way to score.

 

[horner]

Just show up for seven games.

These moves by Bos and TB are because the Leafs got tougher. I would love two more moves.

When the game gets hard. Get rid of the players who go soft.

Would love to trade Engvall and kerfoot

Trade
Bring in another Accuri type of player
A defenseman defensive dman ( Gio type )

 

[All Mod Cons]

Absolutely we can. Will we? Most likely not.

 

[WillyC]

We can and we will

 

[Eye Test]

Yeah I don’t like our play style but we can beat tampa. Tampa isn’t the same beast they were even with Jeannot.

Our stars need to pack their work bags and actually work. Tampa will be hacking and holding etc as much as they can since we are a quicker team.

It’s Boston that I don’t have faith in beating, especially after playing tampa. Bostons top9 , goalie and D core are really solid.

 

[Chief Leaf]

"WE CAN AND WE WILLY",...I mean we WILL

 

[Dekes For Days]

Yes, obviously we can beat Tampa.
Should be a good match between two of the best teams in the league, that unfortunately due to Bettman's stupidity, will take place in the 1st round.