Eastern Conference playoff picture: Leafs HOST Tampa Bay

[Mess]

All of the Eastern Conference playoff teams are going to have 100 point minimum regular seasons.

That means all 3 X rounds to get to the SCF series will require eliminating a team that performed above +.600 hockey on the regular season. Also shows parity among the contenders this year where the regular season again decides nothing, but to determine the matchups in each round and maybe home ice in a 7 game series the only real benefit of the regular season results.

To win the Stanley Cup this year its likely going to require beating 4 teams with +100 point regular seasons and in the history of the NHL I can't remember a time when that has ever happened. So that might set the stage for based on QofC [quality of competition] for the most difficult and well earned Stanley Cup of all time.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

All of the Eastern Conference playoff teams are going to have 100 point minimum regular seasons.

That means all 3 X rounds to get to the SCF series will require eliminating a team that performed above +.600 hockey on the regular season. Also shows parity among the contenders this year where the regular season again decides nothing, but to determine the matchups in each round and maybe home ice in a 7 game series the only real benefit of the regular season results.

To win the Stanley Cup this year its likely going to require beating 4 teams with +100 point regular seasons and in the history of the NHL I can't remember a time when that has ever happened. So that might set the stage for based on QofC [quality of competition] for the most difficult and well earned Stanley Cup of all time.

If that is the job description ….
The money is on the Panthers.

 

[Mess]

If that is the job description ….
The money is on the Panthers.

Depends if you favour current regular season success over past playoff experience and success.

Florida and Toronto are in the same boat as the longest streaks as teams without a 1st round series win in a Salary Cap Era of ZERO.

I'd tend to lean that teams that are battle-hardened and tested, with the past winning playoff experience of what it takes to run the gauntlet would have the advantage. IMO

Gaining the advantage comes from learning how to win in the playoffs, gives you better odds of success then never having done it, and then expected to do it 4 X to hoist the Cup.

 

[ULF_55]

Leafs have to win some games to retain home ice.

In the cycle of ups and dows, it feels like a downs right now.

 

[Stephen]

They seemed to be so focused on where and what line to insert Nic Robertson on, that they spent little to no time attempting to break down film, knowing full well CBJ was going to deploy an aggressive 2 man forcheck and neutral zone trap, that worked so well againt TB the previous year. They were the 3rd highest scoring team playing the 3rd lowest so all they thought they had to do was show up.

Facing the 2 X reigning Cup champs in round #1 will leave little room for complacency, because we saw a 8-1 drubbing if they don't bring their "A" game.

They need to have an underdog mentality in that series so they’re always bringing their “prove it” game.

 

[Mess]

They need to have an underdog mentality in that series so they’re always bringing their “prove it” game.

I like our chances better against better teams, because Leafs recent record against non playoff teams is not very good.

Leafs always play to the level of their competition and seem to elevate their game when facing better teams.

 

[riffle]

I like our chances better against better teams, because Leafs recent record against non playoff teams is not very good.

Leafs always play to the level of their competition and seem to elevate their game when facing better teams.

That is what could be concerning if they lose tonight in regulation and Tampa wins. That puts them into a position where they can't lose to Detroit in regulation, and they shouldn't, but Tampa just recently did. Should they lose to Detroit in regulation, and Tampa wins out, they're opening on the road in Game 1.

 

[Sypher04]

That is what could be concerning if they lose tonight in regulation and Tampa wins. That puts them into a position where they can't lose to Detroit in regulation, and they shouldn't, but Tampa just recently did. Should they lose to Detroit in regulation, and Tampa wins out, they're opening on the road in Game 1.

I really don’t see any cause for concern here.

The Leafs are 5 points up on Tampa and hold the tie breakers regardless of what happens the rest of the regular season

The only way Tampa passes us for home ice is if we take only 2 of the last possible 6 points and they literally run the table for all 8 points in their last 4

That’s not impossible sure, just highly unlikely to happen.

 

[riffle]

I really don’t see any cause for concern here.

The Leafs are 5 points up on Tampa and hold the tie breakers regardless of what happens the rest of the regular season

The only way Tampa passes us for home ice is if we take only 2 of the last possible 6 points and they literally run the table for all 8 points in their last 4

That’s not impossible sure, just highly unlikely to happen.

That is why tonight is critical. The scenario you think is implausible turns very plausible with a Leafs regulation loss (very possible) and a Tampa win, tonight. The pressure to not lose in regulation to Detroit will be huge, if the night goes the wrong way for the Leafs.

Assuming the Leafs lose in regulation and Tampa wins... Do you really think it's not likely that Tampa beats NYI and CBJ, twice? That means Leafs need 3 points in their last two, which means they cannot lose in regulation in their last two.

 

[Sypher04]

That is why tonight is critical. The scenario you think is implausible turns very plausible with a Leafs regulation loss (very possible) and a Tampa win, tonight. The pressure to not lose in regulation to Detroit will be huge, if the night goes the wrong way for the Leafs.

Assuming the Leafs lose in regulation and Tampa wins... Do you really think it's not likely that Tampa beats NYI and CBJ, twice? That means Leafs need 3 points in their last two, which means they cannot lose in regulation in their last two.

I don’t see Tampa taking all 8 remaining points.

 

[riffle]

I don’t see Tampa taking all 8 remaining points.

Is that because they play at Florida tonight? I can understand that, but the scenario I laid out there only applies IF they win there tonight and we lose.

I guess you answered my question and I really didn't need to ask. It appears you do not believe Tampa wins tonight. I think they will. And, if they do... and Leafs lose in regulation it is tighten the sphincter time.

 

[Sypher04]

Is that because they play at Florida tonight? I can understand that, but the scenario I laid out there only applies IF they win there tonight and we lose.

I guess you answered my question and I really didn't need to ask. It appears you do not believe Tampa wins tonight. I think they will. And, if they do... and Leafs lose in regulation it is tighten the sphincter time.

I believe even if they win tonight, they lose 1 at least of the remaining 4. I don’t think it matters much either way. I’m betting Leafs win both tonight and vs Detroit at least. That said, I know your premise was based on us losing tonight

 

[HellasLEAF]

Is there a date yet for Leafs Game #1?

 

[Leafsfan74]

Just get home ice and T.B will face a hostile home crowd, especially after the 8-1 drubbing.

Some of these Leaf players should watch the Habs tribute to Lafleur tonight, that's is the type of reception players who lift multiple Cups and dominate the game receive.

I caught him at the twilight of his career, but he was the French Gretzky of his time.

 

[Stephen]

Tampa’s rounding into form so the Leafs will have to play their best hockey over the next 2 weeks unless the wheels inexplicably fall off for Tampa. It’s definitely put up or shut up time.

 

[mapleleafs34]

Tampa hasn't lost a playoff series since they got swept by Columbus.

I hope losing to MTL last year was our wake up call

 

[GoonieFace]

Weird that a lot of Leaf’s fans on here have already conceded to Tampa lol. I mean I have no faith that this team can win in the playoffs, but getting Tampa may be beneficial this year. Hard enough to win back to back, three peat insanely hard, so they could be had

 

[Lahey]

Really do not wanna play Tampa. They’re the 2x in a row champ for a reason, they can turn it on in the playoffs. Was really hoping for Boston, our odds of beating Tampa probably less than 40%

 

[Lahey]

Weird that a lot of Leaf’s fans on here have already conceded to Tampa lol. I mean I have no faith that this team can win in the playoffs, but getting Tampa may be beneficial this year. Hard enough to win back to back, three peat insanely hard, so they could be had

I would agree but most of their stars have had time off. Hell Kuch didn’t even play till playoffs last year right? Shouldn’t be fatigued.

They also have Vasy who is a top 3 goalie in the world.. it’s scary stuff lol

 

[Gallagbi]

Seem to recall the Leafs were extra disrespectful towards CBJ, practicing using the visitors dressing room and other fluff nonsense as opposed to understanding the Jackets strengths, weaknesses and take down of Tampa in 2019. When it comes to perceived inferior opponents the Leafs just really take the foot off the gas.

They did try and get use to the new surroundings, but it seems silly to suggest that was disrespectful or it came at the cost of other analysis/prep

 

[Dekes For Days]

They seemed to be so focused on where and what line to insert Nic Robertson on, that they spent little to no time attempting to break down film, knowing full well CBJ was going to deploy an aggressive 2 man forcheck and neutral zone trap, that worked so well againt TB the previous year. They were the 3rd highest scoring team playing the 3rd lowest so all they thought they had to do was show up.

This is so ridiculously wrong. They weren't focused on "where and what line to insert Robertson on", and they were breaking down game tape and planning just as much if not more than everybody else. They obviously didn't think they just had to "show up" against the best defensive team in the league, or against any team in the playoffs for that matter.

 

[Gallagbi]

This is so ridiculously wrong. They weren't focused on "where and what line to insert Robertson on", and they were breaking down game tape and planning just as much if not more than everybody else. They obviously didn't think they just had to "show up" against the best defensive team in the league, or against any team in the playoffs for that matter.

It's an embarrassingly bad take, but sadly all too common from our Mod(s)

 

[Dekes For Days]

It's an embarrassingly bad take, but sadly all too common from our Mod(s)

There's absolutely no possible way they could actually believe the things they're writing. Seems intentionally provocative.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Tampa has certainly found their offence. Their team D in general still seems shakey. As long as our big guns don't go cold, this will be an excellent series.

 

[Mess]

There was a thought that Tampa was coasting down the stretch, conserving energy for the long playoff run ahead.

They turned it on this week by putting up 8 goals for against our Leafs and then Florida also who was on 13 game winning streak to send a message against the 2 teams ahead of them in the Atlantic standings.

Our Leafs are likely now going to draw the hardest 1st round match-up against the 2 X champs so this will be a real test.