Does Florida make it to the Cup final for the 3rd straight year?

[SeanMoneyHands]

I think they do. I don't see any team in the east beating them in a best of 7. Maybe Tampa if Hedman and Vasi get really hot and Vasi plays out of his mind. It shouldnt be too difficult of a path for FLA to the Cup final again.

 

[JKG33]

Yup. The east is bad, really f***ing bad. Tampa is the only team that might scare them

 

[The90]

Yup. The east is bad, really f***ing bad. Tampa is the only team that might scare them

Hey, just wondering your thoughts on what the leafs did at the deadline. Thanks

 

[Summer Rose]

Hard to say without knowing the playoff bracket yet. The round they’re least likely to lose in if they get there is the conference finals though, if you ask me.

 

[Regal]

I think they’re the best team but it’s hard to do it three straight so I’d say no

 

[leafsfan5]

I'd pick them or Tampa

 

[JKG33]

Hey, just wondering your thoughts on what the leafs did at the deadline. Thanks

I like the players they got, but they overpaid for guys who don't really move the needle vs the state of Florida

 

[I am not exposed]

Yes but they lose in the Cup final​

 

[The90]

I like the players they got, but they overpaid for guys who don't really move the needle vs the state of Florida

lol.

 

[IHateLou]

No this thread jinxed them. KO in first

 

[JKG33]

lol.

??

 

[Incognito]

It’s possible they make it back, though I’d bet on the field. If they do end up back in the Cup Finals though, they’re probably not going to win. They’ve obviously logged a ton of minutes over the last two prior seasons, and that’s going to be a major disadvantage for them as they go deeper into the playoffs. There’s a reason why no team (not counting Tampa with the COVID anomaly situation) has made it to the Finals three years in a row since Edmonton did it 40 years ago from 82-83 through 84-85.

 

[Schennanigans]

They are going back again but the west takes it this year.

 

[Sky04]

Tampa or Florida will play eachother in rounds 1 or 2 so your heavy hitters are going to take each other out. Washington is having a good season but you know that team is going to fold in the playoffs.

 

[pb1300]

??

Don’t bother. He still think the Leafs are better than the Panthers, and have been over the past few seasons.

 

[JoeSakic13]

I’m surprised nobody has said this immediately.

It depends on how soon Tkachuk comes back and if they rush him to do so.

 

[Summer Rose]

Tampa or Florida will play eachother in rounds 1 or 2 so your heavy hitters are going to take each other out. Washington is having a good season but you know that team is going to fold in the playoffs.

Eh, the Capitals will get to play through the Metropolitan side of the bracket though. Assuming they win their division (which they probably will), they’ll have a much easier path to the ECF. Regardless of who comes out of either side of the eastern bracket, whether it’s the Capitals or someone else, it’s most likely that they’re knocked out by whoever comes out of the Atlantic side.

 

[pb1300]

I’m surprised nobody has said this immediately.

It depends on how soon Tkachuk comes back and if they rush him to do so.

If Chucky still needs some time, they can play Samoskevich on the 2nd line RW as they are currently, until he is ready. Chucky isn’t replaceable, but they have options to fill his spot, if they think he needs some more time.

 

[JoeSakic13]

If Chucky still needs some time, they can play Samoskevich on the 2nd line RW as they are currently, until he is ready. Chucky isn’t replaceable, but they have options to fill his spot, if they think he needs some more time.

They can, yes. However I feel like Tkachuk is integral to them having playoff success.

They can get a series win or two without him in a weaker East, but you need him to have a deep cup run.

 

[pb1300]

They can, yes. However I feel like Tkachuk is integral to them having playoff success.

They can get a series win or two without him in a weaker East, but you need him to have a deep cup run.

Of course, you’re stating the obvious. I’m just saying that they have pieces to cover his spot until he comes back. Heck, one of Samoskevich, Rodrigues, and Boqvist will be on the 4th line or scratched once Mathew is back.

 

[bobbyking]

Yup. The east is bad, really f***ing bad. Tampa is the only team that might scare them

makes toronto even more pathetic

 

[JKG33]

Don’t bother. He still think the Leafs are better than the Panthers, and have been over the past few seasons.

Ah makes sense. Leaf homers like that don't like me very much so that checks out

 

[JoeSakic13]

Of course, you’re stating the obvious. I’m just saying that they have pieces to cover his spot until he comes back. Heck, one of Samoskevich, Rodrigues, and Boqvist will be on the 4th line or scratched once Mathew is back.

Oh I agree it’s the obvious. I’m just surprised this wasn’t immediately brought up in this topic. Our back and forth is the only mention of it.

 

[pb1300]

Oh I agree it’s the obvious. I’m just surprised this wasn’t immediately brought up in this topic. Our back and forth is the only mention of it.

I think he will be back, but I don’t think it’s for game 1. Maybe if it’s a Toronto or TB matchup in round 1, but even then it may be a later on. They are playing great even without him right now, and that was only with a couple of games with Jones, and without Marchand and Sturm.

 

[Aashir]

I think florida has the best chance

they've added Jones to take the Montour role, added Sturm as a bottom 6 option and potentially marchand (idk how his injury is)

if tkachuk isn't back for the playoffs though, i'd put them back in the same tier as tampa/washington/maybe toronto.