Can we beat Tampa?

[Gary Nylund]

Yeah it's bizarre to think a team that's never advanced in a playoff series may not be as equipped to win elimination games as TB. Whatever you say, maybe this will be the year

So now it's "better equipped". What happened to the Leafs not having "a realistic chance of winning"?

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

So now it's "better equipped". What happened to the Leafs not having "a realistic chance of winning"?

Well they're 0 for 9, and 0% seems pretty low to me. It's not impossible, but just how likely do you think it is? All we've seen from these teams over the past several years is the Leafs can't win when it really counts but Tampa pretty much always does. Why will this year be different?

 

[Racer88]

Ya I’m solidly in the “ we can but we won’t “ camp.
I just don’t think they have the will to do it and we don’t have the goal tending to get it done

 

[thusk]

Interesting...looks like scoring depth is the issue, wonder how the numbers look with depth players? or is it more about keeping the puck out of your own net, and winning the special teams battle.

First 12 pretty similar after you see a real advantage for tampa

Its last 3 year ( but last 2 playoff)

 

[Gary Nylund]

Well they're 0 for 9, and 0% seems pretty low to me. It's not impossible, but just how likely do you think it is? All we've seen from these teams over the past several years is the Leafs can't win when it really counts but Tampa pretty much always does. Why will this year be different?

Different team every year, that's one thing. TB lost a couple of key players, that's another. We improved more than they did at the TDL, so there's that as well. Also the way we played last year in game 7 was a lot different (better) than in previous years.

If it gets down to game 7, then it's a question of if our players have past losses in their heads. I don't think it's an issue, again that's based on the way we played in game 7 last year. The only real edge they have IMO in game 7 is Vasi, but that's not insurmountable either and hopefully we'll have home ice which is also meaningful, we'll see.

I don't think this goes 7 though, Leafs in 5/6 but we'll see.

 

[leafsfan5]

Let's say the Leafs tread water the rest of the way, going at a .600 points% for the final 16 games (98 point pace over a full season). That means we will accumulate 19 of a possible 32 points, resulting in 107 points total

If Tampa wants to match this point total, they will need to obtain 23 points in their final 15 games. That is 23 out of a possible 30 points, a .767 points%, which is a 127 point pace over 82 games

Home ice is extremely likely at this point. So we're playing the next month of games for no real reason other than to tune up for the playoffs

 

[authentic]

Different team every year, that's one thing. TB lost a couple of key players, that's another. We improved more than they did at the TDL, so there's that as well. Also the way we played last year in game 7 was a lot different (better) than in previous years.

If it gets down to game 7, then it's a question of if our players have past losses in their heads. I don't think it's an issue, again that's based on the way we played in game 7 last year. The only real edge they have IMO in game 7 is Vasi, but that's not insurmountable either and hopefully we'll have home ice which is also meaningful, we'll see.

I don't think this goes 7 though, Leafs in 5/6 but we'll see.

Leafs in 5/6 until Tampa starts pretending they got highsticked again

 

[thusk]

Well they're 0 for 9, and 0% seems pretty low to me. It's not impossible, but just how likely do you think it is? All we've seen from these teams over the past several years is the Leafs can't win when it really counts but Tampa pretty much always does. Why will this year be different?

Because tampa is not the same team than last 3... they lost their best defensive d and one of their 3 most productive player offensivly at 5v5 last 3 year ( most productive last 2)... and 2 huge leader for this team

overal leafs is the best team this season, but this serie will depend if one of samsonov or Murray can get the job done.

 

[saffronleaf]

Well they're 0 for 9, and 0% seems pretty low to me. It's not impossible, but just how likely do you think it is? All we've seen from these teams over the past several years is the Leafs can't win when it really counts but Tampa pretty much always does. Why will this year be different?

after the first few losses it still felt like it was just something that's inevitable; good team, taking it all the way to 7 games, they're gonna get over the hump, just keep at it.

but after so many damn times it's starting to feel more like an insurmountable curse.

 

[9Iron]

We are going to give up 2nd place down the stretch after having it almost the entire season and despiteTampa going on what is for them an epicly terrible run in the last month. We have blown so many easy games this month that would have put it away by now. Probably will be what costs us the series because the fact we gave up home ice will linger from the 1 second they pass us right through the series. It's the Leaf way. Seen this movie too many times. We still have no killer instinct.

 

[diceman934]

We are going to give up 2nd place down the stretch after having it almost the entire season and despiteTampa going on what is for them an epicly terrible run in the last month. We have blown so many easy games this month that would have put it away by now. Probably will be what costs us the series because the fact we gave up home ice will linger from the 1 second they pass us right through the series. It's the Leaf way. Seen this movie too many times. We still have no killer instinct.

Not a hope we lose home ice and besides that we win in 5 as we are a vastly better team.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

You have reading comprehensions issues my friend. I was laughing not at the team, but at your ridiculous post. Here, I copy/pasted what I said again for you, read it nice and slow and maybe you'll understand my meaning:

This post of yours made me laugh like I haven't laughed in some time, thanks buddy.

Laugh at me or laugh with me.

I find it laughable that you find me laughable.

Like I said, laugh all you want.

It's your favorite team, and I am assuming your hometown team, that is the laughing stock of the entire hockey universe.

I guess that is pretty funny when you think about it.

Starting to wonder if you a Leaf fan at all.

Or perhaps you are drunk when you post?

I didn't realize blind obedience to the mighty Maple Leafs money making machine was a requirement to be a fan.

Most of my posts are simply pointing out the facts.

Whether you like those facts or not is up to you.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Be careful there, speaking your mind may get you tossed...only pro comments accepted in this chat. membership comes with only Leaf blue shaded glasses, a bottle of your favorite poison, and a book of reasons why they lost title 'Refs screwed us or we would have 20 stanley cups since 1967'.

The title of the thread says "Can we beat Tampa?".

Not "Why can we beat Tampa?"

Or any other such indicator it is an appreciation thread.

Unless you don't see the waffle on the ice, skate over it, and blow out your knee.

It's a really stupid idea.

Yeah.

Cause no one is gonna see someone make a big scene by throwing a waffle on the ice in protest.

Game play will just continue like nothing happened.

 

[9Iron]

Not a hope we lose home ice and besides that we win in 5 as we are a vastly better team.

LOL like we were against Montreal and Columbus? Won't even get into the difference in goaltending, you know, the most important factor in the playoffs.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

Can the leafs beat Tampa: absolutely

But that isnt really the right question:
Will the leafs beat Tampa: No

My opinion is purely based off thr historical failure of this core at every possible instance in the playoffs and I guess me being a pessimist

I will probably put some cash down against the Leafs in round 1 so I have something to celebrate either way lol. Given I never win bets it seems best

I think I'll be doing this too lol.

 

[Kiwi]

Of course we can

We've got a bloody good team but we've got one hell of a hill to climb in Tampa

Everybody experiences failure, our boys more than most but it's now or never for this group because I doubt they get another go at it with this core

 

[Gabriel426]

It’s funny how on a Leafs forum there are supposedly Leafs fans kept saying Leafs don’t have a chance against TB due to whatever reason. Would it hurt to actually show some support for a change.
Save all the I told you so, Leafs need ____ , Vas is great….after the playoffs. Bc unless Leafs win the Cup, those reasons you think of can apply to the Leafs or any other teams that didn’t win the Cup.
And then save reasons like Sammy or Murray won’t repeat what they did in the Cup run, AM and Willie price themselves out, or Reilly is lucky he was not exposed…..after the playoffs or weeks after Leafs win the Cup. Finally don’t mention stuff like AM will walk if he doesn’t sign before July 1…or he is asking for too much….after draft day.
I understand this is a forum and I support freedom of speech but just not now. It is like telling 5yrs old Santa Claus is not real or 8 yrs old-they will eventually die…let people enjoy the season till it ends.

 

[mapleleaf979]

The Leafs lose if..

- Keefe doesnt adjust Reilly's role, meaning remove him off PP1 now at least to get another look which is also holding the team accountable. Money it appears to be the main reason that Reilly is locked into that role.

-Murray plays more than 1 game.

-Injuries to top players.

 

[Ciao]

Not likely.

They aren't there yet.

This group might never get there.

 

[Ciao]

It’s funny how on a Leafs forum there are supposedly Leafs fans kept saying Leafs don’t have a chance against TB due to whatever reason. Would it hurt to actually show some support for a change.
Save all the I told you so, Leafs need ____ , Vas is great….after the playoffs. Bc unless Leafs win the Cup, those reasons you think of can apply to the Leafs or any other teams that didn’t win the Cup.
And then save reasons like Sammy or Murray won’t repeat what they did in the Cup run, AM and Willie price themselves out, or Reilly is lucky he was not exposed…..after the playoffs or weeks after Leafs win the Cup. Finally don’t mention stuff like AM will walk if he doesn’t sign before July 1…or he is asking for too much….after draft day.
I understand this is a forum and I support freedom of speech but just not now. It is like telling 5yrs old Santa Claus is not real or 8 yrs old-they will eventually die…let people enjoy the season till it ends.

I don't think the Leafs actually read this site.

If they do, then they're even less disciplined than I had ever imagined.

Frankly, they lack the drive and discipline to succeed, and I don't know if they will ever find it.

Tavares, Giordano, Brodie, Kampf, maybe O'Reilly and a few others work shift-in-shift out to the best of their abilities. Probably add Marner, Samsonov and Liljegren to that list. The rest, I just don't know.

 

[Rob Brown]

Not a hope we lose home ice and besides that we win in 5 as we are a vastly better team.

They're only 2 points back. It's entirely possible that they steal home ice.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I mean, of course they can. But they won't. Tampa have Vasilevskiy, Cooper, and Hedman. We have Samsonov, Keefe, and Rielly. When one team has such a massive edge in net, coaching, and their #1 dman, they're going to win the series.

I wonder why you were so upset we didn't throw every asset out the window at the trade deadline if only 2 players and the coach determine playoff success.

 

[conFABulator]

I don't think the Leafs actually read this site.

If they do, then they're even less disciplined than I had ever imagined.

Frankly, they lack the drive and discipline to succeed, and I don't know if they will ever find it.

Tavares, Giordano, Brodie, Kampf, maybe O'Reilly and a few others work shift-in-shift out to the best of their abilities. Probably add Marner, Samsonov and Liljegren to that list. The rest, I just don't know.

That's an interesting list of Leaf players that work shift in and shift out?

You don't think Matthews is on that list? He is a point a game player that gets votes for that Selke every year. This year he is a leader in blocked shots for forwards too. He also hits a lot this year.

You wouldn't out Acciari on that list? Lafferty? McCabe? Nylander has certainly improved in this area.

This team lost a series by one goal to TB last year. Our young group is older (and better) and their old core is older. They got Jeannot but lost McDonough and Palat.

Reasons for optimism:

Matthews, Marner and Nylander are all improved in their all around game.

Tavares is Tavares.

We now have O'Rielly, McCabe (who should replace Muzzin and has so far), Lafferty, Acciari and Schenn.

We have deeper goaltending (last year we started Campbell and Kallgren was back up).

We actually have a bottom six with depth and structure.

Bunting is healthy.

No Clifford, Simmonds or Spezza.

Yes, this core hasn't won yet. Neither had Tampa's until they did...6 or 7 years. Same with Colorado. This Boston core hasn't won a cup in 12 years.

It's hard and you have to stay the course.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Laugh at me or laugh with me.

I find it laughable that you find me laughable.

Like I said, laugh all you want.

It's your favorite team, and I am assuming your hometown team, that is the laughing stock of the entire hockey universe.

I guess that is pretty funny when you think about it.


I didn't realize blind obedience to the mighty Maple Leafs money making machine was a requirement to be a fan.

Most of my posts are simply pointing out the facts.

Whether you like those facts or not is up to you.

I said I was laughing at your post, how many times to I need to copy-paste what I said before you understand?

 

[Ciao]

It is a weird list

I just cell 'em as I see 'em.

GLG!