Eastern Conference playoff picture: Leafs HOST Tampa Bay

[X66]

Doesn’t matter how they face, look at last year for an example…

Just get home ice and go from there.

 

[McSnypsky]

While all that is true, don't think for a second Cooper will not let them know that if Tampa were to lose to Toronto it will be bigger news than any of their Cup wins. He'll have them motivated to work their tails off to make sure that they win.

I would much rather have Boston but in reality they are both tough match ups and all I am looking forward to is making sure we keep our home ice advantage.

No one will care except their diehard fans, if they lose it'll be talked about for a few weeks, Cooper will at the Golf course, then it'll be about Brady winning another Superbowl....

 

[Stephen]

We have an upper hand in terms of talent vs Boston. They have a rookie goalie platooning with an average starter in net which is more favorable than a two time defending cup winner and Vezina level goalie, and top to bottom they aren't who they once were. The Leafs aren't who they were back when the core were still on their ELCs.

That said, if we get Tampa, we just have to hope the full throttle version of the Leafs we saw this week is who shows up. If they play structured but hungry and our stars are firing on all cylinders we have a good shot vs anybody. Tampa can probably flip a switch but they also have a lot of mileage, aren't the same group as in years past. Anybody we get, we just have to beat them.

 

[Stephen]

Tampa hasn't beaten an Eastern conference playoff team in regulation since December 9th. They aren't purposely doing anything. They're in a big funk and have been for a while now.

Nonetheless, they're still the biggest threat in the east due to the possibility of them flipping the switch imo. Would rather take on the Bruins

Yeah, and Vasi doesn't seem to be on his game, so if there's a time to get them when they're vulnerable, 2022 might be it. Also factor in if the Leafs can hold onto home ice and also have an underdog mentality, this might really help them focus in on their game vs when we had Columbus and Montreal and had trouble bringing a consistent front runner game.

 

[deprw]

It's out of our control, so I don't waste time thinking about which team I want. It doesn't matter and it shouldn't matter to our team either. Only reason we discuss about it is our desperate need of winning one playoff series. I understand it, but we should forget those lesser ambitions and concentrate on bigger goals, it should be the cup. If we lose to finalist in good series, so be it. East is tough this year, though I trust our team that they can get trough. Is it Boston or Tampa Bay, that doesn't matter.

We are contenders now and we should have also that attitude. Hoping for small victories is distraction. One round win is nice stepping stone, but in the end. It doesn't even matter that much.

I know that I'll do my best not to fear those ghosts of playoffs past. I want to be genuinely excited for playoffs, this team is treat to watch and to support.

 

[HellasLEAF]

Lotta bravado in this thread. Lotta bravado. Oh yes. Usually around this time is when Leafers start to lose touch with reality. Not me of course, but a large swath of 'Leafs Nation' + the bandwagon fans. Of course the reality check comes quick in early May with the exit interviews.

I want no part of that. Leafs are regular season wonders nothing more until proven otherwise. No need to reply to me, it's a fact.

p.s. to those that say they 'want Boston' because of this or that, they are a measly 5 points behind Leafs at this time WITH the greatest Maple Leafs player of all time? having his greatest season. That's still a very good hockey team very capable of sending the Leafs packing again because playoffs is very much about mental strength and the Bruins have that edge whereas the Leafs have proven thus far they don't.

 

[Madap]

Lotta bravado in this thread. Lotta bravado. Oh yes. Usually around this time is when Leafers start to lose touch with reality. Not me of course, but a large swath of 'Leafs Nation' + the bandwagon fans. Of course the reality check comes quick in early May with the exit interviews.

I want no part of that. Leafs are regular season wonders nothing more until proven otherwise. No need to reply to me, it's a fact.

p.s. to those that say they 'want Boston' because of this or that, they are a measly 5 points behind Leafs at this time WITH the greatest Maple Leafs player of all time? having his greatest season. That's still a very good hockey team very capable of sending the Leafs packing again because playoffs is very much about mental strength and the Bruins have that edge whereas the Leafs have proven thus far they don't.

Thank you for keeping us all so in touch with reality. We’re in your debt.

What would we do without you? Try and enjoy our team? That would be ridiculous.

 

[VanW27]

Lotta bravado in this thread. Lotta bravado. Oh yes. Usually around this time is when Leafers start to lose touch with reality. Not me of course, but a large swath of 'Leafs Nation' + the bandwagon fans. Of course the reality check comes quick in early May with the exit interviews.

I want no part of that. Leafs are regular season wonders nothing more until proven otherwise. No need to reply to me, it's a fact.

p.s. to those that say they 'want Boston' because of this or that, they are a measly 5 points behind Leafs at this time WITH the greatest Maple Leafs player of all time? having his greatest season. That's still a very good hockey team very capable of sending the Leafs packing again because playoffs is very much about mental strength and the Bruins have that edge whereas the Leafs have proven thus far they don't.

I want Boston, but not because I think its a better matchup for us or we're a 'better team' or whatever.

I want Boston for 2 reason:
- if we win it hopefully exorcises some demons for both fans and the players.
- if we lose there are no excuses, it should be clear to everyone (management/players/fans) that this team as currently constructed just isn't good enough to win in the playoffs and changes will be imminent. If we play the Bolts I could see people looking the other way in a loss to the 2 time defending champs and trying again with the same team and management in place next year.

 

[ToneDog]

Lotta bravado in this thread. Lotta bravado. Oh yes. Usually around this time is when Leafers start to lose touch with reality. Not me of course, but a large swath of 'Leafs Nation' + the bandwagon fans. Of course the reality check comes quick in early May with the exit interviews.

I want no part of that. Leafs are regular season wonders nothing more until proven otherwise. No need to reply to me, it's a fact.

p.s. to those that say they 'want Boston' because of this or that, they are a measly 5 points behind Leafs at this time WITH the greatest Maple Leafs player of all time? having his greatest season. That's still a very good hockey team very capable of sending the Leafs packing again because playoffs is very much about mental strength and the Bruins have that edge whereas the Leafs have proven thus far they don't.

In the past they would trend down as the playoffs approached and teams started tightening up. This year however the team has played better and against better competition down the stretch and they have done it with duct taped goaltending while Soup was out. Their play lately has me bullish beating Boston or Tampa in round #1.

 

[Bluelines]

Yeah, I corrected it.

This is the only format where the 2nd and 3rd overall teams in the NHL could have to play each other in the first round.

In a 1v8 format, the Leafs would be playing Pittsburgh.

Even in the Pacific. If the Flames win the division, they get a harder matchup right now in Nashville. Meanwhile, the Oilers get an easier matchup for finishing 2nd and getting LA.

In a 1v8, Flames would get LA.

TBH I'd rather Tampa Bay , than Pittsburgh.

 

[deprw]

Lotta bravado in this thread. Lotta bravado. Oh yes. Usually around this time is when Leafers start to lose touch with reality. Not me of course, but a large swath of 'Leafs Nation' + the bandwagon fans. Of course the reality check comes quick in early May with the exit interviews.

I want no part of that. Leafs are regular season wonders nothing more until proven otherwise. No need to reply to me, it's a fact.

I think you can look it as it is. We have strong team that can go all the way, let the game decide and don't go delusional in the 3-0 series lead situation or in 2-3 deficit. It isn't sprint it's marathon. I just rather watch playoff from the stand point that this is new year and our team has legit chance rather than "we're going to lose anyway".

I want Boston, but not because I think its a better matchup for us or we're a 'better team' or whatever.

I want Boston for 2 reason:
- if we win it hopefully exorcises some demons for both fans and the players.
- if we lose there are no excuses, it should be clear to everyone (management/players/fans) that this team as currently constructed just isn't good enough to win in the playoffs and changes will be imminent. If we play the Bolts I could see people looking the other way in a loss to the 2 time defending champs and trying again with the same team and management in place next year.

I think this is bit delusional to look our team and then go like "we should change management if we lose on the first round". If we go 0-4, maybe so and if we go 3-4 without goaltending, maybe we should estimate our situation. I think we're pretty strongly progressing and if we'd gone berserk last summer and traded Marner. Oh boy.

If you look all the top teams last decade, it have took a decade to win. I'd rather continue on this path than pivot and start that cycle again. I may change my mind, if strong candidate for GM and coach is available. Let's say if Barry Trotz get sacked or Yzerman or Brisebois.

Our roster isn't even in the prime yet.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Regardless of who our opponents are we should come with humble but strong mentality. It's a new season and new year, be in the present and move on. Sure battling the past and demons are something we should try exorcise but it's a team game and hopefully just like Matthews is preaching we have goals to accomplish. This year especially our conference is a fiesta and loads better than the opposite conference so hopefully we don't let up at all and rest on our laurels

 

[Oates2Neely]

Re: Bruins vs Leafs, I think the Bruins strategy would be to deploy the Bergeron line &/ or Lindholm-McAvoy to attempt to keep Matthews line in check. Forcing Tavares etc to do some heavy lifting offensively. In theory it sounds like a good plan, but Matthews is on an absolute tear these days. Easier said than done.

Edit; I thought this was main board.

 

[deprw]

Re: Bruins vs Leafs, I think the Bruins strategy would be to deploy the Bergeron line &/ or Lindholm-McAvoy to attempt to keep Matthews line in check. Forcing Tavares etc to do some heavy lifting offensively. In theory it sounds like a good plan, but Matthews is on an absolute tear these days. Easier said than done.

Edit; I thought this was main board.

Fair and good comment. I hope you get your Pasta and Lindholm healthy before playoffs and if we meet on first round it is great and fair matchup. That Bergeron - Matthews matchup would be treat to watch and ultimate test for both lines.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I have have stated prior Boston would be a good 1st round matchup for us right now .. but then in Atlantic it will be florida/washington in round 2 (and they will kick da crap out of each other in round 1) which might help us .. but switching to Metro gives us Freddy who will fold up like usual and then an easier matchup with Pens/rangers in round 2 .. right now either or is ok .. i would prefer not to play tampa round 1

 

[Tak7]

Exactly, in a goalie battle, even if Jack Campbell is perfect, he can't beat Vasy's experience and ability to keep games close or steal them. Just look at his record in series clinching games...if we fall behind in the series, it's pretty much over.

Tampa has the experience of winning back to back and even if things aren't going great for them right now, there is no doubt we are underdogs against them even with home ice advantage.

You have to beat the best to be the best but I don't want them in the first round. Give me Boston who has two inexperienced goalies in the playoffs.

Tampa is a team full of all stars just like ours but the difference in net is too big for me to purposely want to play Tampa in the first round.

I would purposely tank the last game against the Bruins to get them in the first round if it came to that.

As scary as they are though, I'm not a fan of tanking for a playoff matchup - you have to prove yourself against the best. I think this team needs a scary opponent to bring the best out of them.

 

[crump]

Can’t let up to try to match with to anyone in particular. Keep intensity up, keep home ice, rest guys when you can but keep your muscle twitch response at high levels going into the playoffs.

 

[ITM]

It's simple in one respect: Give everything every game. Bleed, bend, don't break. Let our work ethic exceed our talent. If that's done we'll have a chance to advance and they'll be no regrets either way. Can't control the outcome. Didn't control the talent given.

Absolutely can choose to work harder than ever before and forecast the possibility of real painful sacrifice for one another in the enterprise and be thankful for the opportunity.

 

[tom leafers]

In the past they would trend down as the playoffs approached and teams started tightening up. This year however the team has played better and against better competition down the stretch and they have done it with duct taped goaltending while Soup was out. Their play lately has me bullish beating Boston or Tampa in round #1.

Exactly my thinking.

The only other time we played really well at the end of a season going into the playoffs was back in 2017 when we played the caps, and we gave them a hell of a series.

The fact were playing so well to close out a season has me optimistic. Its cautious optimism, but still there, which i thought i would never feel again after last years collapse.

 

[TorMapleJays]

Got to beat the best to be the best.

 

[Pi]

As scary as they are though, I'm not a fan of tanking for a playoff matchup - you have to prove yourself against the best. I think this team needs a scary opponent to bring the best out of them.

True. It would be pretty Leafy for the Leafs to beat the one team in the playoffs that no one else can seem to beat lol.

Columbus? Montreal? Shit.

Tampa? No problem.

 

[AcerComputer]

Kinda want to play BOS. I am confident we can beat TB should we face them. But BOS is not the same team that beat us, and we're a much better well rounded team, and it would be cathartic to beat them and overcome the ghost of playoff past.

 

[Tak7]

True. It would be pretty Leafy for the Leafs to beat the one team in the playoffs that no one else can seem to beat lol.

Columbus? Montreal? Shit.

Tampa? No problem.

Yep, it would be so typical of them.

I think there's a reason why they save all their best performances for the best teams in the league - they need to be on their toes, fearful of their opponents, in order to bring out the very best versions of themselves.

When they start to relax & feel good about their game, that's normally when the sloppiness and lack of attention to detail creeps in.

It's why I'm expecting a relatively up and down final 10 games here - playoffs are finally clinched, and they have a number of non-playoff teams as opponents coming up.

 

[Pi]

Yep, it would be so typical of them.

I think there's a reason why they save all their best performances for the best teams in the league - they need to be on their toes, fearful of their opponents, in order to bring out the very best versions of themselves.

When they start to relax & feel good about their game, that's normally when the sloppiness and lack of attention to detail creeps in.

It's why I'm expecting a relatively up and down final 10 games here - playoffs are finally clinched, and they have a number of non-playoff teams as opponents coming up.

I just hope they rise to the occasion this year.

I am saying it right now, if the Leafs win the first round, they are going to go on to win the Cup. Confidence is one hell of a drug. All they need is a whiff of it.

 

[Tak7]

I just hope they rise to the occasion this year.

I am saying it right now, if the Leafs win the first round, they are going to go on to win the Cup. Confidence is one hell of a drug. All they need is a whiff of it.

Playoff hockey is the most unpredictable, random thing ever. You can't say anything with any level of certainty.

What I will say though: I think the Leafs, if / whenever they get eliminated, will be a very difficult out. This is the hardest Leafs team to play against that we've seen in a very, very long time. They can mix it up and play in a few different ways, and also have 2 bonified superstars on the mother of all heaters right now.