Eastern Conference playoff picture: Leafs HOST Tampa Bay

[Gary Nylund]

Finding his form again just in time

Just in time is right, without Campbell in fine form we're screwed but if he's on, we can compete with anyone. We sure looked like we were screwed a month or so ago but now, there is once again cause for optimism.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Jack is rounding into form at the right time.

Hypothetical of hypotheticals. Let's say it's Friday night and Boston is in a position to pass Tampa, who loses on Long Island. What do you do if you're the Leafs? Risk the wrath of the hockey gods and help Boston out so we play Boston, or do you just try to run the table to close out the regular season and just commit to playing the best hockey vs Tampa?

Not a chance. Never send out the message that we fear any team and losing on purpose is very bad juju as well.

 

[Atomos2]

I'd rest Matthews, Marner, Mikheyev, Muzzin, Brodie and Campbell next game. If possible

 

[cupcrazyman]

If you liked the old playoff format #3 vs #6
We would be playing the Bruins

 

[leafsfan5]

Looks like we go on Monday

 

[Buds17]

Jack is rounding into form at the right time.

Hypothetical of hypotheticals. Let's say it's Friday night and Boston is in a position to pass Tampa, who loses on Long Island. What do you do if you're the Leafs? Risk the wrath of the hockey gods and help Boston out so we play Boston, or do you just try to run the table to close out the regular season and just commit to playing the best hockey vs Tampa?

Act according to what's in the best interests of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sit or play the starters depending upon what the bigger priority is (avoiding injuries/achieving rest or preventing rust). Be happy to have accomplished what was in their control (2nd in the division/home ice advantage) and let the game(s) dictate the opposition.

 

[zeke]

I could see both teams playing to lose.

Toronto to avoid TB.

BOS to avoid the TOR-FLA bracket in favor of the CAR-NYR bracket.

 

[MattySnipes]

Looks like we go on Monday

Game 2 on May the fourth. Niice.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Jack is rounding into form at the right time.

Hypothetical of hypotheticals. Let's say it's Friday night and Boston is in a position to pass Tampa, who loses on Long Island. What do you do if you're the Leafs? Risk the wrath of the hockey gods and help Boston out so we play Boston, or do you just try to run the table to close out the regular season and just commit to playing the best hockey vs Tampa?

Carolina's game could also be interesting, although likely not at the forefront of the Leafs' minds. If Carolina loses on Thursday and we win on Friday, we get home ice against everyone in the league except Florida and Colorado.

I imagine the Leafs still rest as many of the important guys as possible and let Abruzzese/Robertson/Spezza/Clifford/Simmonds/Dahlstrom all get into the lineup, but there is something still to play for if Carolina loses.

 

[Rocky Flintstone]

East is gonna be nuts this year in the playoffs. So much parity. Every team could be a powerhouse. What a drop off in the 9th seed.

 

[crump]

Sure rest guys, get some game time for returning injured players and if home ice is up for grabs for later rounds you go for it. Give Kallgren another game to get confidence with a strong effort in front of him. Or jack another game to feel good. Always like beating the Bruins but it won’t mean much, every team will be looked on as a challenge no matter who we face.

 

[TorMapleJays]

Florida and Carolina get knocked off first round. Leafs become #1 seed. Plays Pittsburg in Round #2. Boston in Round #3, Kadri in round #4

Book IT.

#ElonMusk Baby!

 

[crump]

Florida and Carolina get knocked off first round. Leafs become #1 seed. Plays Pittsburg in Round #2. Boston in Round #3, Kadri in round #4

Book IT.

#ElonMusk Baby!

Oh gawd, does Kadri get suspended against us?

 

[danron1376]

I could see both teams playing to lose.

Toronto to avoid TB.

BOS to avoid the TOR-FLA bracket in favor of the CAR-NYR bracket.

leafs to bruins: you score!
bruins to leafs: no, you!

 

[Rob Brown]

Florida and Carolina get knocked off first round. Leafs become #1 seed. Plays Pittsburg in Round #2. Boston in Round #3, Kadri in round #4

Book IT.

#ElonMusk Baby!

Doubt Washington or Pittsburgh are beating Florida.

 

[TorMapleJays]

Doubt Washington or Pittsburgh are beating Florida.

There is no 3 on 3 or shootout in the play offs.

 

[Rob Brown]

There is no 3 on 3 or shootout in the play offs.

Florida still has more regulation wins than both Pittsburgh and Washington, so not really sure what your point is.

 

[TorMapleJays]

Florida still has more regulation wins than both Pittsburgh and Washington, so not really sure what your point is.

It means I think both Pittsburg and Washington are both better teams then Florida. I just don't respect them the way I respect those teams.

Florida is done round 1!

 

[Rob Brown]

It means I think both Pittsburg and Washington are both better teams then Florida. I just don't respect them the way I respect those teams.

Florida is done round 1!

You're definitely in the minority with this opinion but all good, I'd definitely prefer if they were bounced as well haha.

 

[ToneDog]

It means I think both Pittsburg and Washington are both better teams then Florida. I just don't respect them the way I respect those teams.

Florida is done round 1!

Don't bet the mortgage on it. Odds are Florida rolls the Caps easily.

 

[TorMapleJays]

You're definitely in the minority with this opinion but all good, I'd definitely prefer if they were bounced as well haha.

I am ok with that. lol. I will save my rubber rats for another playoff year.

 

[Mess]

Jack is rounding into form at the right time.

Hypothetical of hypotheticals. Let's say it's Friday night and Boston is in a position to pass Tampa, who loses on Long Island. What do you do if you're the Leafs? Risk the wrath of the hockey gods and help Boston out so we play Boston, or do you just try to run the table to close out the regular season and just commit to playing the best hockey vs Tampa?

Tampa Bay has won 4 straight games and Boston now 3 ...

That looks like 2 teams working hard to avoid Florida and racing each other to face our Leafs in round #1.

In fact both TB and Bos have defeated Florida, who had won 13 straight games to keep the chase alive after the Leafs lost to the Panthers.

 

[Rob Brown]

Tampa Bay has won 4 straight games and Boston now 3 ...

That looks like 2 teams working hard to avoid Florida and racing each other to face our Leafs in round #1.

In fact both TB and Bos have defeated Florida, who had won 13 straight games to keep the chase alive after the Leafs lost to the Panthers.

Neither the Bruins or Lightning will even be playing the Panthers round 1 if they are in the WC1 spot - they'd be playing Carolina. Panthers are locked to one of the Penguins or Capitals.

 

[3blizzard4]

We know we have clinched. We know we have home ice.

But who are we playing? Does anyone smarter than me have the scenarios where we play Tampa or Boston?

 

[Rob Brown]

We know we have clinched. We know we have home ice.

But who are we playing? Does anyone smarter than me have the scenarios where we play Tampa or Boston?

If Tampa wins one of their last two games we play them regardless of what Boston does