Series Talk: ECSF: (A1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs (A3) Florida Panthers (Series Tied 2-2)

[SmoggyTwinkles]

I went with Florida in 4 because that's what's expected.

Obviously hoping to be surprised.

Nice to get out of round 1, that was getting way too "Leafy" for my liking.

I feel like I've seen it all accept for a Stanley Cup finals appearance, and that seems really unlikely.

Leafs are underdogs, or maybe just "perpetual losers" works better?

I'll be going into this series with emotional armour on, hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

 

[REALTALK81]

All Leafs fun poking aside. This series will be entirely decided early on by whether Matthews and Marner can finally show they can take over a game.

On paper, Toronto easily has the talent to match Florida. It's really only goaltending where there's a noticeably edge. And that's not even saying Stolarz has been bad. Bob is just that crazy good.

Problem is whereas Florida's big guns have consistently shown up, especially Tkachuk and Barkov, Toronto's hasn't.

You should look at the goaltending comparison. Bob and Stolarz 's stats were identical in these playoffs before tonight

 

[LeafSadist]

Hoping for Leafs obviously, but I think Florida wins in 6.

 

[Devonator]

And thus ends the Leafs playoffs.....Cats in 6 no question about it.....perhaps 5......

 

[Leafsfan74]

Leafs built the back end for a match up with Florida. So here we go.

Patches, Lorentz and Laughton are improvements up front for a more physical/forechecking series. Mosr of the heavy hitting really only matters for both teams first game at home, also, Florida enjoys taking penalties and suspensions. Leafs can strike on the PP if they get red hot again.

If Leafs win it will have to be tight, close games and stellar goaltending. Also, if Leaf stars build up some legitimate hate, they might surprise many. There is no replacement for passion in a series and if you hate the opponent, you will rise to the occasion more often than not in a competitive manner.

The thinking has to also be, "if we can beat the Stanley Cup champs, our ability to win the Cup increases significantly", they were 1-3 vs Florida this year, won both games against the Canes, lost both games to the Capitals. For what it's worth, Leafs lost all their matches against the Senators this regular season.

Ottawa was fast and it created some odd man rushes Leafs don't give up very often. That is one asset Ottawa has more than Florida in my opinion. Speed kills and thus I see fairly tight games that are more in the mud than some might expect.

If Leafs do win it's probably going to take seven games. Leafs aren't as strong as I would like up front, I hope they address that this offseason once we let Marner walk barring a Cup win. If Bob isn't stellar in net, the Leafs could steal this series.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Sens in 3

 

[FinlandPanther]

I don't think anyone actually thinks that the defending champs, who made b2b finals and eliminated us in 5 last time, is some run of the mil team. Just people chirping. I do think you guys are the dirtiest/greasiest team in the league by far though and I hope Knies gets his revenge for that dirty play by Bennett, or as you guys like to call it "Guys getting tangled up"

Should be fun

100%. Well this series will show if the Leafs are for real or not.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Do you have an expiration date? Just curious. You must have 50+ years of saying the same thing, do you think you'll take it to the grave? No offense.

Joined 2022.

Do you think you’ll still be a fan when your team is back to doing what they generally do best for most of their existence? I.e competing for the 1st overall draft pick

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

I think the Leafs can take them. 3 straight finals runs is insanely difficult. Think they run out of gas here.

 

[Schennanigans]

Next to no chance in this series for Toronto unless they get a strangle hold early. Also they are getting killed if Stolarz can’t steal a game or two. Too many things need to go our way for us to win this

 

[Laus723]

Oh no, Sam Bennett throwing punches at a guy who hasn't even dropped his gloves yet. So tough, so strong.

This dumb shit again?? Holy f***.

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

You should look at the goaltending comparison. Bob and Stolarz 's stats were identical in these playoffs before tonight

Oh, I'm well aware Stolarz has been really good. I still think you have to give the edge to Bob though because he's been consistently stellar in the playoffs for a while now.

 

[Delete1]

I think the Leafs can take them. 3 straight finals runs is insanely difficult. Think they run out of gas here.

This is exactly what will happen. Florida will struggle to score goals in this series, and Toronto's special teams will be the difference.

 

[FinlandPanther]

Joined 2022.

Do you think you’ll still be a fan when your team is back to doing what they generally do best for most of their existence? I.e competing for the 1st overall draft pick

1967. You’re less successful than the apparent irrelevant Florida. How pathetic.

 

[TotalHomer]

Joined 2022.

Do you think you’ll still be a fan when your team is back to doing what they generally do best for most of their existence? I.e competing for the 1st overall draft pick

Join... date?

I'll gladly go back to the 1st overall stakes after this run, at least get to win a cup. Unlike you

 

[Pablo El Perro]

This dumb shit again?? Holy f***.

There's a reason I was cheering for Ottawa, and it might have something to do with Leaf stans.

 

[TotalHomer]

I'm just waiting for the whining from Toronto fans. It's going to be glorious. They'll flood the boards on how their guys are getting punished.

 

[FinlandPanther]

Most Toronto fans don’t think about Florida at all.

It makes sense. We’ve actually won in the last 58 years.

 

[FinlandPanther]

Yet, here they are

The jokes write themselves lmao. Pissing their pants all season at the thought of us. And now because they beat a new playoff team, they’re the shit lmao. It’s the playoffs and anyone can win, but that cocky attitude is pretty wild for career chokers this far.

 

[Transplanted Caper]

Screw it. Leafs in 7. In for a penny, in for a pound.

 

[albator71]

Leafs vs Sens is always a free pass for the Leafs. This one’s going to be tough.

I free pass that took you 6 games to win, and two of those win in OT

 

[Pablo El Perro]

This is the series you wanted down the stretch...It all worked out for you in the end...Lol

Yep, here we are.

 

[albator71]

Panthers are going to embarrassed the Laffs

 

[Madap]

I don't think much about what Florida or Toronto fans do or where they are. But, again, here we are.

Somehow I doubt that. You Florida fans are weirdly obsessed with Toronto. But you’re right, we’re all here now and we’ll see who comes out on top.

 

[Gjman2019]

I free pass that took you 6 games to win, and two of those win in OT

Ottawa a good up and coming team...Could use one more horse up front......