Can we beat Tampa?

[bossram]

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!

They do matter to fans, of course. But fans gotta be reasonable. They treat regular season games in an asymmetric way.

No one cares if they win a lot of games in the regular season. It's the playoffs that matter. But if there's a loss, it's a mega-meltdown in Leafdom.

Gotta pick a lane here. They all matter, or they don't.

 

[Rob Brown]

They do matter to fans, of course. But fans gotta be reasonable. They treat regular season games in an asymmetric way.

No one cares if they win a lot of games in the regular season. It's the playoffs that matter. But if there's a loss, it's a mega-meltdown in Leafdom.

Gotta pick a lane here. They all matter, or they don't.

Agreed.

 

[dredeye]

You guys are gonna get Tampa in the exact right year. I think you can easily get by then given you don’t lose all your centres like is currently the case. Healthy leafs team should get by them in short order

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Q: Can we beat Tampa ?
A: Yes 100%

Q: Will we beat Tampa ?
A: <insert coinflip.gif>

 

[Gary Nylund]

They do matter to fans, of course. But fans gotta be reasonable. They treat regular season games in an asymmetric way.

No one cares if they win a lot of games in the regular season. It's the playoffs that matter. But if there's a loss, it's a mega-meltdown in Leafdom.

Gotta pick a lane here. They all matter, or they don't.

They all matter, playoff games just matter more.

 

[thusk]

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.

But last 4 years, tampa never be outside of top 10 in term of GA and GAx...they won on playoff because tampa was the best defensive team...

this season they are 15 th in GAA and 21 th in GAx

This tampa team really doesn't look like tampa team of last 3-4 year. Can they really turn switch on and move from one of worst defensive team to one of best defensive team? I dont know

 

[WillyC]

Yes, we can beat Tampa… because, it’s Boston we are going after to settle a score.

 

[mikeyz]

Why is it relevant then?

Because hopefully ROR and JT are back.

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.

..... Have you been sleeping the last 7 years??

It’s because this team never fails to disappoint us.

 

[hamzarocks]

Yes, we can beat Tampa… because, it’s Boston we are going after to settle a score.

Wed need to sweep them lool to settle those 3 playoff losses

 

[jellybeans]

I hope so because a series against Boston would be fun to watch.

 

[Trapper]

Because hopefully ROR and JT are back.


..... Have you been sleeping the last 7 years??

It’s because this team never fails to disappoint us.

The Leafs always manage to do “Leafy” things.

 

[HellasLEAF]

Is the Tampa facade starting to show cracks? Maybe.

Maybe last year was the declining champions one last big punch just enough to take Leafs out in 7 but might not be enough this year. A recurring sports them. Surely the Leafs don't lose again right?? *eep

The Leafs might be too much for Tampa this year. A healthy Leafs team I say they take it this time in 5 or 6. If Vasi wants to shut the door the Leafs will be out again, probably the last goalie you want to see in the 1st round of a playoff series.

 

[Maple Leaf]

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

Sounds like the leafs

 

[Leafs87]

I guess we “could”. I’d like to see a more rounded lineup which has some skill and a good mix on each line VS a top heavy approach again. I’d roll something like this

Bunting-AM-Jarn
Lafferty-JT-Marner
Knies-ROR-Nylander
Kerfoot-Kampf-Acciari
ZAR

If Knies isn’t signed (which at this point would be a huge red flag) push Kerfoot and ZAR unfortunately up

Rielly-Schenn
McCabe-Brodie
Gio-Lil
Holl

 

[Confucius]

They do matter to fans, of course. But fans gotta be reasonable. They treat regular season games in an asymmetric way.

No one cares if they win a lot of games in the regular season. It's the playoffs that matter. But if there's a loss, it's a mega-meltdown in Leafdom.

Gotta pick a lane here. They all matter, or they don't.

Ofcourse the regular season matters, why is Boston the team to beat and not the Avs.?

 

[PromisedLand]

The Leaf curse

 

[shaner8989]

Do you believe in curses

 

[Lemontree]

Because hopefully ROR and JT are back.


..... Have you been sleeping the last 7 years??

It’s because this team never fails to disappoint us.

I think you need to reread what i wrote.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Let's go boys

 

[6ix]

I’ll believe it when I see it

 

[AcerComputer]

The Leafs managed to do the Leafy-ist thing ever and lose to MTL in the 1st round, in a year where you have the easiest path to make the SCF. Now in a year when it is arguably the most difficult path, maybe they can do something Leafy and win?

 

[-DeMo-]

thing is so many people are down on the leafs post season and for good reason since we've lost 7 first rounds in a row, but I have a feeling like if we ever broke the ice and won one of these first rounds I don't believe we lose round 2 I think we go on a run to the semi's or Cup finals,

 

[hfman]

Because hopefully ROR and JT are back.


..... Have you been sleeping the last 7 years??

It’s because this team never fails to disappoint us.

thats what he was saying lol

 

[bossram]

Ofcourse the regular season matters, why is Boston the team to beat and not the Avs.?

I'm not talking about Boston or Colorado.

I'm talking about the brain-worm irrationality of how fans seem to uniquely treat Leafs regular season results.

 

[Confucius]

I'm not talking about Boston or Colorado.

I'm talking about the brain-worm irrationality of how fans seem to uniquely treat Leafs regular season results.

Oh I see, well I’m in the group where every game matters. I also believe the presidents trophy is the true indicator of the best team. The playoffs are the best team of the playoffs and they get the Stanley Cup. Seems fans including me would rather win the playoffs. A tournament where anything can happen and anybody can win. Although I do admit there are favourites and they quite often lose because the best team doesn’t always win. Strange how careers are made and lost over that.