Leafs had tough opponents in Caps and Bruins and took Caps to multiple OTs and Bruins to game 7 twice. The toughest opponent is TBL and maybe that’s what Leafs need to get through. That’s my hope at least.
Yep, if everybody remembers, that Leaf team that played the Caps was a team that came in last place overall the prior year, and were playing with mostly rookies stars. They clinched a playoff spot on the 2nd last game of the regular season and then played the President trophy winners. With all but one game going to OT, with a few bounces here and there, the Leafs could have won that series. Both Boston series, the Leafs would have won if Kadri didn't get suspended. Then they played 2 mediocre teams and did what they do best against bad teams and lose.
This is the best defense group I can ever remember since the Gilmore days (Reilly, Brodie, Muzzin, Gio, Lilly, Boosh, Sandin, Hol) and Campbell is 7-0-2 since back from injury (he's making some Campbell type saves that we saw in the first few months).
Forwards: Matthews>Kuch, Marner=Stamkos, Nylander=Point, JT>Palat. Then we've got others that are killing it this season like Bunting, Kerfoot, Mik, and even Engvall. Spezza will come through when needed. So man to man, they are not better than us, so now let's hope that translates on the ice.
