Eastern Conference playoff picture: Leafs HOST Tampa Bay

[danron1376]

How would the pressure not be on the Leafs? there is an incredible amount of pressure on them to finally get out of the first round.

what you say is true. and it's keefe's job not to have the players focus on that.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Division title is within reach but we can't be bleeding points like we did against Calgary and Vancouver recently. Got to bank points against the non-playoff set and be money in one-goal games to get it done.

You haven't learned.

This team plays down to inferior opponents

 

[wingman75]

Overreaction of the night, Leafs get swept by whoever they play in the first round...

Seriously though, becase case is to win the division and get as much home ice as they can.

I hate every potential first round matchup right now. All opponents seemingly have better D core, better goaltending and better D support from the forwards. Stats don't prove that out I know.

 

[6ix]

You could remove Hedman and Stammer from Tampa and they would still beat us. Elite goaltending is key and that’s exactly what Vasilevski is.

We have a goalie who was considered a bust and Peter fking Mrazek

 

[HamiltonNHL]

All opponents seemingly have better D core, better goaltending and better D support from the forwards.

Better D for sure.
More predictable goaltending for sure.

If Campbell can't steal games for us we'll need to find a way for our forwards to score during playoff hockey.

 

[wingman75]

Better D for sure.
More predictable goaltending for sure.

If Campbell can't steal games for us we'll need to find a way for our forwards to score during playoff hockey.

That sounds eeriely like the forwards might have to adjust their style of play and stop being permanent perimiter players. Give me a holler when you see it /s

This is part of my beef, we need our goalie to steal games? So how good are we? Ugh. Agree with your senitments on the D and G... nailed it.

 

[NewEraGM]

Oddly. I think TB may just be the ideal first round match up for the Leafs. Leafs would certainly be the underdog given Tampa’s success. But they may also not be as hungry. I think the leafs match up relatively well with them. Wouldn’t be confident but it may be the best match up for them. Imagine what a first round win against the defending champs would do for their reputation. At some point they just have to do it… or not.

Lol at thinking Tampa bay with Vasi Hedman stamkos point kucherov Cirelli is the best matchup!!

 

[NewEraGM]

Lol at thinking Tampa bay with Vasi Hedman stamkos point kucherov Cirelli is the best matchup!!

Tampa has the better goalie, the better defense, can match Toronto in the top 6 and probably equal depth.

 

[Burnie97]

Yeah its tough this year and will see how Leafs do against Boston, Tampa, and Florida very soon... so really looking forward to those games.

The position Leafs are in right now. Not that you want to lose games ever but my order would be Boston ( probably not happening they'd have to win division) then Florida( which is possible if they drop) then Tampa which is most likely (They just seem scary to me still and they know what it takes and have the best goaltending).

 

[Niagara Bill]

Campbell is not an NHL goalie. He has no idea of how to control himself. Last night he was out of position half the flippin game. Down before he should, floundering behind the net, out of his crease, getting ready when the puck goes past him, He lacks technical skills.
He can steal a game, but he gives games away more often.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

If the Leafs win against the Habs and BJs they're 4 points back of Florida with 32 games left. Way too early for this thread to exist.

Ouch.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

PlayoffStatus.com, the Leafs have the best chance to finish 1st or 2nd in the Atlantic Division at 33%.

Not sure how you get that impression.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Campbell is not an NHL goalie.

He is.

Just not playing well lately.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

The only team i really want to avoid. If we went on a run we would eventually butt heads but i'd sure like to see some success first.

 

[Niagara Bill]

He is.

Just not playing well lately.

His history has shown he is not, his present has shown questionable,
His technical skills are missing

 

[Rob Brown]

Part of me wants to play Florida or Tampa Round 1 so I can go south for two of the games, but the other part of me desperately wants to avoid both teams.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

His history has shown he is not, his present has shown questionable,
His technical skills are missing

He’s our only hope for A+ goaltending this playoffs. The chances may be low, but it’s all we have

 

[wingman75]

Not sure how you get that impression.

View attachment 509976

Well clearly that has changed since I looked at the site. we were @ 33% for 1st and 2nd at the time of my post which was actually higher than both FLA and TB. These last few losses by the Leafs have changed those percentages considerably.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

Overreaction of the night, Leafs get swept by whoever they play in the first round...

Seriously though, becase case is to win the division and get as much home ice as they can.

I hate every potential first round matchup right now. All opponents seemingly have better D core, better goaltending and better D support from the forwards. Stats don't prove that out I know.

If that's the case, they should not even think about trading their 1st. Pick 15-20 > useless rental

 

[ThrowDemTongs]

Florida will win the cup

 

[tmlms13]

how about letting boston pass us and getting the Canes in round 1?

 

[Frostitute]

He’s our only hope for A+ goaltending this playoffs. The chances may be low, but it’s all we have

I really don't get the hate for our goaltending this year? He performed well last year and excelled statistically in the playoffs for us when damn near the whole team was MIA.

If I were to ask 100 Leaf fans "Would you take our starter to have a 92sv% and GAA under 2.5 in his first 37 starts of the season?" I'm guessing at least 90 would say YES, emphatically. Every goalie has dips throughout the year and the fact that ours has put up these kinds of numbers while surpassing his previous high in games started should be praised not $hit on.

Not only that, but this guy clearly cares a great deal about his performances and those around him. You gotta love a guy whose passion and love for the game bleed into his personality so deeply. You just know he would sell his soul to bring a cup here not just for himself but for his brothers in the locker room and for the fans.

I for one have faith in the goaltending and this team come playoff time this year. A top 4 defenceman and/or JT Miller would be nice for us for sure but we'll see. Everyone is trying to add and seperate themselves from the pack so bidding may be high.

Lets stop hating and send them some positive vibes. Go Leafs Go!

 

[HamiltonNHL]

I really don't get the hate for our goaltending this year? He performed well last year and excelled statistically in the playoffs for us when damn near the whole team was MIA.

Im optimistic we’ll get A goaltending this year. I think Campbell is great and I’m happy he’s a Leaf. He did outperform the team last year.

A+ goaltending is the goalie stealing games. Vastly outperforming the other goalie. I think Campbell is capable of that, certainly more so than Mrazek.

The Leafs can win with B+ goaltending if our players consuming the cap play to their best. This hasn’t been something that could be relied upon. The perimeter game is for the regular season. People block more shots and will vigorously defend their goalie and the space in front of the net.

Im not judging anyone this year until the playoffs.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

 

[HamiltonNHL]

NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Picture