Series Talk: ECQ: Boston Bruins (2-0) Toronto Maple Leafs. Well. We can Win at Home. We Have to.

[LastWordArmy]

Our first round preview.

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: First-Round Series Preview

 

[La Masse]

Just get it done. I dont care if we win 1-0 or 6-5. I think we do need to steal at least one of the first two games

 

[Coachcorner]

It's also cool to come on these fools on the road at first. They ain't expecting that at all. From behind and taking them with the full force. Then we go home and beat them one two times there. It's always fun and easy to come on the road, not having any pressure at all. If they make mistake, we take advantage and momentum. That's hockey at its best.

 

[Kamiccolo]

Bruins fans have to be the biggest cry babies on this site. Getting offended at some simple Marchand jokes like we despise him or something when it's just fun to poke fun at their best players. Already starting their excuses (not based in reality) of the Refs and league having a conspiracy to get the Leafs a cup and how our defense is the worst in the history of the NHL.

Let's f***ing go I can't wait. Let's slap these pretenders around and humble their fan base who hasn't allowed a single Leaf thread to actually shine a positive light on the team without coming in and saying how Boston is somehow better. If we win (especially if we sweep) I think we might actually put some of their fans into a meltdown.

f*** the Bruins, f*** Bruins fans, and f*** you Freddy.

 

[Rob Brown]

Wow. Did not expect these responses.

But let me tell you in case you don't know. We didn't have Auston Matthews before last year. Our top line wasn't really in the NHL before last year. Last year as rookies we made the playoffs and managed to push the best regular season team to six games. Kept all games close.

What I'm trying to say is that I see people talking about Bergeron and Marchand and Chara as if they are gods, and our only hope is the 4th line if it weren't for Komarov. That is not the case. They are not gods. Our first line is better than theirs. Our second line is better than theirs. This is not the same team that won the cup.
This team has had as much playoff success in the last three years as we did. Except we are improved greatly.

The Bruins, after winning the cup in 2011:

• 2012 lost in the first.
• 2013 came back to form and reached finals (props).
• 2014 regressed and lost in the second.
• 2015 regressed more and DNQ.
• 2016 just as bad and DNQ.
• 2017 improved and got ousted by the senators in the first.

Would you guys feel much better if I said they didn't deliver in last three of four years, instead of six? Are we that fickle that we miss the point?
This core is not a contender any more.

Never-mind they had a grueling schedule to finish off the season, those five games in hand they had a month ago came back to haunt them so much so that in their last 5 games they managed only one win.

In the grand scheme of things, our top line hasn't achieved anything either. They've played together for less than two full seasons. I'm not diminishing their success so far, it's just that they haven't truly "achieved" anything significant yet in the way of playoff success. That was my point. Not sure why you got so worked up over our responses.

 

[mallory67]

Not me. I used to like WPG until the whole Matthews vs Laine narrative where jets and finnish Laine fans ruined my respect for the team. I think they are very good, but I'd rather see Nashville put them out.

As Leafs fans we have to pull for Nashville. If it can't be the Leafs, I would not mind seeing Subban hoist a cup ... and watching Montreal fans shrivel up into dry husks of regret and longing.

MB would be asked to look back at the Subban/Weber trade of course, and that would be icing on the cake.

 

[Liminality]

Good morning everyone.

One day away.

Who's watching games tonight? Anyone in particular?

It's got to be Philly and the Pens. Giroux is playing his best hockey of his career and the Pens are well the Pens. Hoping their hatred for each other has stuck around and we get to see some fast, skilled and physical hockey between them.

 

[slozo]

Some have forgotten what an amazing and surprising year it has been for the Bruins, who were expected to be life and death to get in through the wildcard prior to the season. But their kids have played great, and their top line was crazy good, basically the best in the league.

But this bodes well for the playoffs.

You can't count too many one line teams having a lot of playoff success, and although some will argue Boston is more than that . . . if we shut down thateir top line, it's pretty much a win right there. So that will certainly be a key.

But style of play is huge too, and the Bruins don't like ours. If we forecheck, speed them to death, and snipe like we know we can, this can easily be done in 6 games, especially if Freddy is playing well. If the Bruins top line continues to produce, and our defensive depth gets exposed . . . it might be tough.

Leafs in 6.
Matthews series MVP.

 

[willmma]

In the grand scheme of things, our top line hasn't achieved anything either. They've played together for less than two full seasons. I'm not diminishing their success so far, it's just that they haven't truly "achieved" anything significant yet in the way of playoff success. That was my point. Not sure why you got so worked up over our responses.

No worries.
Not worked up, just expected more of a discussion than "lol comedy gold".

in any case, go Leafs!

 

[Trapper]

It's the same players as in the regular season. We don't need to limit us to playoff games to know that our top line is not as good as the Boston line.

To be fair I think our top line can be better.
The Boston line while formidable is what they are now. Not to take away they are better as you say.
I am confident that we can beat the Bruins but we still have some areas I don't like which could turn the series in favor of the Bruins.
Some of these posts however (and the main boards especially) are to the extreme.
Let's win a playoff round before we declare ourselves ready to destroy all comers.

 

[Daisy Jane]

hopefully when he gets older that thing on Laine's face will look a lot better.
I'm probably going to watch Kings/Vegas (I think Kings win), and Wild game of course. Bruce is a peach and I am rooting for him to pull off the upset. (nothing against the Jets, I just love Boudreau)

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

hopefully when he gets older that thing on Laine's face will look a lot better.
I'm probably going to watch Kings/Vegas (I think Kings win), and Wild game of course. Bruce is a peach and I am rooting for him to pull off the upset. (nothing against the Jets, I just love Boudreau)

yeah Boudreau is great. if we lose Smith or something I wouldn't mind bringing him to the Leafs org to help out as an assistant coach. I don't see him beating Winnipeg though, they're too good

 

[Ziggdiezan]

hopefully when he gets older that thing on Laine's face will look a lot better.
I'm probably going to watch Kings/Vegas (I think Kings win), and Wild game of course. Bruce is a peach and I am rooting for him to pull off the upset. (nothing against the Jets, I just love Boudreau)

He looks like the abominable snowman... so brutally bad lol

 

[MattySnipes]

Maple Leafs Season MVP Vote per TSN

 

[PromisedLand]

Maple Leafs Scoring and Shots by period 2017-18

View attachment 112503

that shot metric needs improvement; in every period

 

[MattySnipes]

that shot metric needs improvement; in every period

I agree. Especially against a possession heavy team like the Bruins who have a favourable Corsi to us as well. They get a lot of shots through. We need to front and box out as much as we can so not much gets to Fred. On our end, I am looking for much of the same in terms of high-tips, all point shots should be going through several players with possibilities for deflections. This will keep Boston and Rask on their toes.

 

[PromisedLand]

Not as good YET

replace hyman on the top line and Matthews line becomes as good or better than bruins top line.

bruins top line is dangerous because that is a three headed monster - all three can pass, make plays, shoot

Matthews line is a two headed monster willy-auston that's it

 

[Rob Brown]

No worries.
Not worked up, just expected more of a discussion than "lol comedy gold".

in any case, go Leafs!

That wasn't me, to be fair.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

that shot metric needs improvement; in every period

why? Leafs worry about quality over quantity and it's working fine for us. Shots shouldn't be a concern

 

[PromisedLand]

Two Canadian clubs in chase for the cup with an American and then Finnish dude as the face of the franchise

 

[PromisedLand]

why? Leafs worry about quality over quantity and it's working fine for us. Shots shouldn't be a concern

In a 7 game series; I'd rather my goalie didn't get ourworked especially if we hope to go deep.

Playing goalie while the puck is in the d-zone and shots are being directed on our net is bound to tire goalies

 

[Not My Tempo]

Honestly I feel this series is going to be determined by which JVR-Bozak we get. If they put in the work and effort we saw a couple weeks ago, I don't think Boston can match our depth.

 

[saltming]

replace hyman on the top line and Matthews line becomes as good or better than bruins top line.

bruins top line is dangerous because that is a three headed monster - all three can pass, make plays, shoot

Matthews line is a two headed monster willy-auston that's it

Ima not turnin dis to a hyman thread

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Two Canadian clubs in chase for the cup with an American and then Finnish dude as the face of the franchise

Laine really shouldn't be considered the face of the franchise for Winnipeg. He's not even in the top 3.

 

[luvdahattymatty]

Gunna be some fast, rough and tumble hockey can't wait to watch
Got my game 1 and 2 tickets at td centre (driving down at 6 am tomorrow)
and got my game 3 and 4 tickets at acc
Behind Bruins net seeing Leafs shoot twice in row 6 (watch me in my matty 34 jersey and tfc hat 6ft 5 285lbs)
To guy who says Rielly is elite it really sounds like ur a massive homer as no one else in hockey that i know think he is any better than a weak number 2
Anyways just look at his skills sets - weakest shot in nhl - no strength on puck with stick - no ability to hit. How can a guy be elite with those skill sets. We all know he is excellent skater in nhl on defence (he is pretty close to Dermott on skating as per Rielly himself but not quite as good). But even then how can you be elite if u r not even the best skater on ur teams defence. That said i love it when rielly is given the puck and then motors up the ice with it. it opens up a 4 man attack and gets game moving faster which we will needs against bruins. i hope he gets better at making distribution decisions once he gains the offensive end as he can carry the mail on the perimeter but everyone lets him be as his shot is pretty bad.