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Eastern Conference playoff picture: Leafs HOST Tampa Bay

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Gabriel426 said:
If Leafs want the Cup, they need to beat top teams. I say bring them on and beat them all
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Divine said:
Leafs are 3rd in the NHL, they have the tiebreaker over Carolina.

Their reward? They get to play the hotter team of Boston or Tampa. :laugh:

The new format punishes the Leafs. I remember one year they finished 5th in the NHL, and their reward? Playing the 3rd place Boston Bruins.

The new format came in the worst time, the Atlantic is the most stacked division. If Buffalo gets it together, then it's really going to be horrendous, they need to change the format.

On the plus side, at least you can hardly debate the Atlantic being the best. 2 Atlantic teams in the Finals last year. Whatever team goes into WC1 probably wins the Metro also - so it would probably be an all Atlantic ECF.

I see some Rangers/Carolina posters are debating if it's worth winning the division because they know it's easier to play the 3rd seed in the Metro instead of the WC out of the Atlantic.
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fwiw at least Rask is gone. I dont have much faith on the new Boston goalie being able to steal a series like Rask has done to us 3 times
 
We play Boston the last game of the season. Should be an interesting game if we are matched up with them. Could be a game for home ice advantage. Boston is on a bit of a streak, but I think Tampa has an easier final 11 games. it should be close.
 
I think we have tiebreaker covered with ROW, which is nice advantage. Would have hoped one mini slump for Panthers during the season, but no can do.
 
10 more games to go... I wonder if Leafs decide to do some load management in terms of minutes or games before the playoffs.

For me... though... as soon as Matthews hits 60 goals; I'd have a chat with him to ask if he wants some time off to rest up. Same with Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Rielly, Brodie, Gio, Kerfoot, Engvall, Mikheyev, Kampf etc....

Basically rotate few forwards and D-men. Also ease in Campbell.

Note: Last game of the season is against the bruins; i'd not risk it against dirty ass team like that. That game I dress Clifford, Simmonds and put them on separate lines

Simmonds-Matthews-Marner
Clifford-Tavares-Nylander
etc....

If the Big 4 are playing. And the D-pairs I play with top 2 lines are: Rielly-Brodie; Gio-Lily/Boosh

Just for that last game.
 
Mess said:
Now it seems we're narrowing in on either Tampa or Boston and the 2 most likely 1st round opponents.
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Both teams in action today. Is it wrong if I'd rather "the big bad Bruins" than the Lightning? Lightning are scarier on paper, and are coming off back to back cups with their core....they know how to win clearly. Boston I think is a demon we need to slay, otherwise they'll continue to sit in the back of our minds.
 
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PromisedLand said:
10 more games to go... I wonder if Leafs decide to do some load management in terms of minutes or games before the playoffs.

For me... though... as soon as Matthews hits 60 goals; I'd have a chat with him to ask if he wants some time off to rest up. Same with Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Rielly, Brodie, Gio, Kerfoot, Engvall, Mikheyev, Kampf etc....

Basically rotate few forwards and D-men. Also ease in Campbell.

Note: Last game of the season is against the bruins; i'd not risk it against dirty ass team like that. That game I dress Clifford, Simmonds and put them on separate lines

Simmonds-Matthews-Marner
Clifford-Tavares-Nylander
etc....

If the Big 4 are playing. And the D-pairs I play with top 2 lines are: Rielly-Brodie; Gio-Lily/Boosh

Just for that last game.
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I think come playoff time, if Kase isn't back, you have to sit Spezza for Clifford. Clifford-Blackwell-Simmonds was a good unit when we saw them together. Clifford seems to up his physical play when Simmonds is on his line. And Blackwell had his most physical game as a Leaf when sandwiched between the two big boys. Purely energy line when you need to try and turn the tide, or when teams start running around
 
WayneTrain said:
Both teams in action today. Is it wrong if I'd rather "the big bad Bruins" than the Lightning? Lightning are scarier on paper, and are coming off back to back cups with their core....they know how to win clearly. Boston I think is a demon we need to slay, otherwise they'll continue to sit in the back of our minds.
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I too would like Boston. They’re slow and bad tbh. We match up really well as long as we get average goaltending
 
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Problem with Boston is they're the best defensive team in the league. If anyone can shut down our top line, it's probably them. The toughest opponent for Matthews and Marner to put up points against and change their playoff narrative.
 
If i could choose anyteam to face in round 1 its Carolina... Marner owns them and I'll let Matthews take shots on Playoff Freddy ALL day long.

Canes have been super average since the Deadline and struggle to score. Toss in playoff freddie and its a wrap.
 
TheDoldrums said:
Problem with Boston is they're the best defensive team in the league. If anyone can shut down our top line, it's probably them. The toughest opponent for Matthews and Marner to put up points against and change their playoff narrative.
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That is why having home ice gives us the edge. Assuming Keefe doesn't F up like he did against the habs
 
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BTP said:
If i could choose anyteam to face in round 1 its Carolina... Marner owns them and I'll let Matthews take shots on Playoff Freddy ALL day long.

Canes have been super average since the Deadline and struggle to score. Toss in playoff freddie and its a wrap.
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Even though playoff Freddy had been just OK in games @ Leafs, I'd rather get home ice and take my chances against the Bruins and their rookie goalie or Tampa who's core have played a lot of hockey these past few years.
 
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