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Can we beat Tampa?

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Really getting sick of this "regular season doesn't matter" crap. Regular season matters to the fans buying tickets to the games, the concession stands, the fans watching on TV, the fans buying merchandise, the fans paying the players' wages, the networks, the advertisers, etc. etc. If it doesn't matter to the millionaire players, we need new players! Every time we lose we hear the same narrative around here. We can't accept bad habits in the regular season without expecting more of the same when we face Tampa. Play like it matters, every minute of every game!
 
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thusk said:
Tampa gamr against bottom 7

12-0-2
Goal for 4.29
Goal against 1.93

against rest of NHL

Tampa 25-20-3
Goal for 3.29
Goal against 3.35

Toronto vs bottom 7
6-6-3
Goal for 3.27
Goal against 2.93

Rest of nhl
32-11-5
Goal for 3.4
Goal against 2.56

What is the most concerning

team, the team who playing 0.500 against bottom 7 but outplayed rest of the league
Or
The team who outplayed bottom 7 and played close of 0.500 against rest of NHL
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If this was Team X vs Team Y I take outplayed the rest for play offs.

As it stands if there is one team that can turn it on in the playoffs it's Tampa.

At the same time, we are talking about that mythical "switch" for years now.
 
Gilmour1996 said:
Really getting sick of this "regular season doesn't matter" crap. Regular season matters to the fans buying tickets to the games, the concession stands, the fans watching on TV, the fans buying merchandise, the fans paying the players' wages, the networks, the advertisers, etc. etc. If it doesn't matter to the millionaire players, we need new players! Every time we lose we hear the same narrative around here. We can't accept bad habits in the regular season without expecting more of the same when we face Tampa. Play like it matters, every minute of every game!
Click to expand...
If it's any consolation, as bad as we've been recently, TB has been even worse.
 
In response to this question, I can now with 100% confidence reply: Yes/No/Maybe.

I have spoken, and you are welcome.
 
If Tampa’s key pieces like Hedman and Stamkos are declining at the rate of a Tavares (same age) in conjunction with the loss of McDonagh (leadership) and Palat (clutch play) you might have enough of a swing situation that favours Toronto. But do we trust our Big 3 young forwards will bring more than Kucherov and Point, and what does the duelling Russian goalies look like? There’s definitely a chance but our big guns have to finally grow up.
 
In a word yes

Vas is looking human as do a lot of the Lightning players.

ROR will help drive the team forward, he is after all is playing for a contract, as are another few guys, guys who are really important to the teams success.

Keefe should have his lineup set, the lineup that will give the Leafs their best chance to win, not the lineup that soothes/placates the most egos.

The lineup is a little bigger and plays better in the corners, the front of the net and at both ends of the ice.
 
Gilmour1996 said:
Really getting sick of this "regular season doesn't matter" crap. Regular season matters to the fans buying tickets to the games, the concession stands, the fans watching on TV, the fans buying merchandise, the fans paying the players' wages, the networks, the advertisers, etc. etc. If it doesn't matter to the millionaire players, we need new players! Every time we lose we hear the same narrative around here. We can't accept bad habits in the regular season without expecting more of the same when we face Tampa. Play like it matters, every minute of every game!
Click to expand...
Agreed 100%
 
Stephen said:
If Tampa’s key pieces like Hedman and Stamkos are declining at the rate of a Tavares (same age) in conjunction with the loss of McDonagh (leadership) and Palat (clutch play) you might have enough of a swing situation that favours Toronto. But do we trust our Big 3 young forwards will bring more than Kucherov and Point, and what does the duelling Russian goalies look like? There’s definitely a chance but our big guns have to finally grow up.
Click to expand...
Point is healthy this year. People sleep on that.

The Leafs have also not replaced Keefe or improved their net. They are massively deficient at both in this faceoff.
 
This Leaf team is far better built for playoff hockey, especially if all of the new additions are on the ice, including Schenn and McCabe. I'm not too concerned down the stretch. Just develop good habits and build some chemistry and confidence. Do enough to get home ice.

Also, I like seeing Kerfoot get a confidence boost on the top line. He is on this team for the playoffs and if he can shed any doubts about his game and be a swiss knife, it will be like picking up another player. He's been shellshocked all season. Forget about failure, focus on playing the right way.

Finally, this Leafs forward group is as strong a two way group as any on the league. If Marner and Tavares can focus on this (and Reilly doesn't pinch at the wrong times), this team can outgrind the opponent in the playoffs. It's demanded. Think, "3rd Period against the Flames" and replicate it when the games are hard fought,
 
Gabriel426 said:
Sitting Holl or at least make him understand that he is the bottoming pairing Dmen that’s not expected to jump in.

Figuring out who to play with AM is the key.
Really like the Bunting and Lafferty line, will try JT there if I am Keefe.
Let Willie be on his line with Kerfoot and Calle/Holmberg.
Keep AM and MM together with Calle/Holmberg or Reilly. Just tell Reilly to take one for the team and be a LW.
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Mathews playing like the star he should be.
Everyone is worried who mathews with.
He can take over a game by himself if he wishes to.
Can hecstill do it, I don't know
 
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Leafsfan74 said:
This Leaf team is far better built for playoff hockey, especially if all of the new additions are on the ice, including Schenn and McCabe. I'm not too concerned down the stretch. Just develop good habits and build some chemistry and confidence. Do enough to get home ice.

Also, I like seeing Kerfoot get a confidence boost on the top line. He is on this team for the playoffs and if he can shed any doubts about his game and be a swiss knife, it will be like picking up another player. He's been shellshocked all season. Forget about failure, focus on playing the right way.

Finally, this Leafs forward group is as strong a two way group as any on the league. If Marner and Tavares can focus on this (and Reilly doesn't pinch at the wrong times), this team can outgrind the opponent in the playoffs. It's demanded. Think, "3rd Period against the Flames" and replicate it when the games are hard fought,
Click to expand...
Thants a lot of “ifs” that if they were already doing these things we wouldn’t have a problem
 
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Racer88 said:
Agreed 100%
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Funny thing is that regular season doesn’t matter as long as you are in a good position in the playoffs.
If we are fighting for a spot, regular season matters, lol.

I will say that sometime regular season games here and there doesn’t affect the season as a whole, for example the 2nd half of b2b or the 3rd game in four nights, or the team using their 4th string goalie….but I still want to see the team compete till the last whistle. The Oilers game was horrible, despite the result against the Nucks, beside the core 5 being careless, I am okay with the Nucks game bc the team did compete till the last whistle.
 
Gabriel426 said:
Funny thing is that regular season doesn’t matter as long as you are in a good position in the playoffs.
If we are fighting for a spot, regular season matters, lol.

I will say that sometime regular season games here and there doesn’t affect the season as a whole, for example the 2nd half of b2b or the 3rd game in four nights, or the team using their 4th string goalie….but I still want to see the team compete till the last whistle. The Oilers game was horrible, despite the result against the Nucks, beside the core 5 being careless, I am okay with the Nucks game bc the team did compete till the last whistle.
Click to expand...
Again I agree. Some people think they can play like crap in a bunch of games because they don’t care and then just miraculously turn it on for the playoffs…….what a horrible culture that creates
 
Racer88 said:
Again I agree. Some people think they can play like crap in a bunch of games because they don’t care and then just miraculously turn it on for the playoffs…….what a horrible culture that creates
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Yup. And it’s not like they’ve been able to coast into playoffs and turn it up a level with success in the past. It’s the opposite actually.
 
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Lemontree said:
Yes, they can. This is the weakest roster Tampa has had in past 4 seasons however why anyone would expect the Leafs to beat them is beyond me.
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I think currently we are a better team than Tampa and can beat them but if Vasi decides to be his former God like self, that would likely still be enough to take us down. That guy is a freak.
 
For those who believe regular season matters, outside of getting in and preferably home ice advantage.

33 President Trophy Cups winners only 8 Cups. 7 Times the P.T winner has been knocked out in the First Round, nearly as many who win it all.

Build a strong, competitive, playoff style team. Get into the dance.
 
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