Toggle sidebar

Eastern Conference playoff picture: Leafs HOST Tampa Bay

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
Reader mode
nuck said:
Vasilevsky is 3.28 and .893 for April. They match up as well with Tampa as anyone.
Click to expand...
He also had a 3.00 GAA and a .897 in his final 9 games last season. Some guys just turn it on when it matters

We need to come out with a hot start in this series, don't give Tampa any chance to build momentum. If they get going we'll be in tough
 
  • Like
Reactions: nuck and Buds17
riffle said:
I think it always matters, but you're right about your conclusion.

Was just curious what you, or anyone else, thought would give the Leafs the bigger boost of confidence if they advance to the 2nd round? Beating Tampa...or Boston?
Click to expand...
I'd hope that obtaining the elusive series victory proves to be galvanizing in and of itself. While Boston is arguably the team's personal Achilles' heel, Tampa has the claim to fame of being the reigning and defending champs. Just defeat the team in the way at the given moment and ask any relevant questions later!
 
  • Like
Reactions: banks
Oddly. I'd rather Tampa.
I've wanted them for a while now... even before winning their cups - I felt we matched up well and knew it was a good measuring stick/spring board to that next level.

If it is Tampa...I'll agree with most, we need to get on em early - make them content with what they've already done.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tufted Titmouse
riffle said:
I think it always matters, but you're right about your conclusion.

Was just curious what you, or anyone else, thought would give the Leafs the bigger boost of confidence if they advance to the 2nd round? Beating Tampa...or Boston?
Click to expand...
When your goal is just winning 1 serie, maybe but if your goal is a stanley cup that dont matter because you will need to beat good team for it.
 
Tampa may take the Leafs to 7 games but I don't see them winning unless they keep their physical gritty play right through and get some extra motivation. They won't be as hungry as the Toronto squad to prove themselves. I have seen Tampa play a "Boston-like " physical game , and then squander their lead due to changing back to the "track meet" speed and skill game. Once they revert back to the track meet style, Toronto's high speed offence will come out on top. Leafs will cook them in 5.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tufted Titmouse
maskingagent said:
Tampa may take the Leafs to 7 games but I don't see them winning unless they keep their physical gritty play right through and get some extra motivation. They won't be as hungry as the Toronto squad to prove themselves. I have seen Tampa play a "Boston-like " physical game , and then squander their lead due to changing back to the "track meet" speed and skill game. Once they revert back to the track meet style, Toronto's high speed offence will come out on top. Leafs will cook them in 5.
Click to expand...
I highly doubt Tampa will revert back to CLB 4 game loss hockey .. Vasi has grown substantially and they know run and gun hockey does not work in playoffs even if you have far greater offensive weapons .. a speedy forecheck with a left wing or neutral zone lock system to impede run and gun works against skilled teams and forces a grind game which is harder to play
 
Tampa may not be best case scenario (I wish we could play Washginton, or someone like Dallas/LAK in the West...), however it does make us underdogs in the minds of many, which is a nice change of pace from the past 3 series.

This is the best team we've had in the Matthews era. No excuses, we should be able to beat them even if Vasi get's hot. I can't imagine a better confidence builder in the 1st round. Slay the dragon!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aashir
I know right, just when I was looking at the seat sale, Boston and Tampa are about to flip places. Not sure I want to attend a game in Boston. I mean I do, but.. do I?
 
1650466942988.png

1650466841753.png



1650466922101.png

1650466903372.png



1650467004084.png


1650466991412.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: 123offtheglass
There is no way we can be confident about any round 1 opponent given the track record. Saying that, I think I'd rather see them play Boston, purely because of goaltending. I know Vasi hasn't been his usual self in the second half but he still has the potential to win a series on his own. The Swayman/Ullmark combo doesn't strike any fear at all, in fact I could see both guys playing a couple games of a series depending on how they perform.

Either way, it begins in two weeks. LFG
 
  • Like
Reactions: BackPassChampions and Aashir
it's been almost 40 yrs since a team 3peated , even the Oilers dynasty team couldn't do it .

T-Bay lost some solid pieces and with the short off seasons i don't see them going deep this year , their also not playing well right now and while they could the switch that's easier said than done .
 
Also we should remember that both Covid Playoffs were complete BS and will be asterisked for eternity, including the "back to back cups".

Not to mention the Bolts cheated the cap massively to win cup #2, and they were only able to do it because of the BS shortened BS Covid asterisk season.
 
zeke said:
Also we should remember that both Covid Playoffs were complete BS and will be asterisked for eternity, including the "back to back cups".

Not to mention the Bolts cheated the cap massively to win cup #2, and they were only able to do it because of the BS shortened BS Covid asterisk season.
Click to expand...

A Cup is a Cup is a Cup. The Leafs have done their share of quasi cap circumvention during the Robidas Island years. I don't begrudge any team for exploiting a shitty rule.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TheGoldenJet, Blowfish, Cleetus and 4 others
Damisoph said:
A Cup is a Cup is a Cup. The Leafs have done their share of quasi cap circumvention during the Robidas Island years. I don't begrudge any team from exploiting a shitty rule.
Click to expand...

asterisked BS for eternity.

i don't make the rules.
 
I want Boston just because i feel we need to get over that hump. Also Vasi when he's on is hard to stop. I know he hasn't been playing well but it's like Price last year. He can just steal a series when he's at his best. Swayman/Ullmark i can deal with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ToneDog and JT AM da real deal
Pretty much looks like it comes down to the last night of the season, where if we beat the Bruins we won't play them.

Haven't we seen this movie before?
 
  • Like
Reactions: HamiltonNHL
zeke said:
Also we should remember that both Covid Playoffs were complete BS and will be asterisked for eternity, including the "back to back cups".

Not to mention the Bolts cheated the cap massively to win cup #2, and they were only able to do it because of the BS shortened BS Covid asterisk season.
Click to expand...

Also this Leafs team is better than any team the Bolts faced in either of their cup runs.

In saying that, doesn't mean much if we can't overcome our own demons.
 
Reader mode
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Ad

Top Bottom