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

[FerrisRox]

I’ve said this before, but a worse leafs team beat a much better Tampa team in 2023 as well. Tampa has been getting dunked on for years in the Atlantic at this point

With Cernak out for the series and Hedman badly hobbled.

 

[Stephen]

With Cernak out for the series and Hedman badly hobbled.

Exactly.

 

[Transplanted Caper]

15 out of 16 writers picked the Panthers.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2nd round picks by NHL.com writers | NHL.com

Staff members make their selections for 4 series

www.nhl.com

One dude went 2-6 with his first round picks? Look, I know about parity and all, but you have to almost try to fail to go 2-6 in the first round.

 

[Golden_Jet]

They are going to slow the game down with the Panthers too. Boy will they be shocked to learn we are physical too

Panthers were the most physical team per 60, in round 1, leafs were 12th.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

One dude went 2-6 with his first round picks? Look, I know about parity and all, but you have to almost try to fail to go 2-6 in the first round.

I think Subban was 1-7 lol

 

[Dread Clawz]

Florida has been through the wars, and deserve to be favoured in this series. They are probably the most complete team in the league, defending Cup champs and 2X Eastern Conference champions. They've been there and have proven they can win it all.

If the Leafs are going to pull off the upset, they will need to match, or at least compete with, Florida's intensity. Matthews, Marner and Nylander will have to be their best players, and they will need figure out a way to hold limit that third line's impact on the series.

I think a lot of people that haven't watched the Leafs this year are in for a surprise. Treliving has built the Leafs for this matchup. Literally, anticipating having to play Florida in the first or second round. Will it be enough? I'm not sure. The Cats are a damn good team. But it's going to be fun to watch....

I think the Leafs are vastly improved this season and maybe more importantly, more improved for this type of series. But they definitely will have to be on top of their game to beat Florida. I expect at least a 6 game series either way .

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

But Knies doesn't any of the I's: intensity, integrity and intelligence. Benny has all of them.

Knies' current "three I's" status aside, you'd have said the same about Bennett when he was Knies' age. Nothing in Knies' makeup suggests he isn't ready.

 

[banks]

I get that FLA is the favourite. And I get that Toronto has a horrendous track record in the playoffs. But I still find it hard to get that Toronto has less than %30 if the votes in this poll. Leafs Homers alone should make up about that amount. Every series has a favourite, but they still have to play the games.

According to the regular season standings (real, tangible evidence) the Leafs are actually the better team. They have no less than 5 forwards who are game changers, three D pairings that can be trusted with 20+ minutes, and a goalie that has won 12 of his last 14 games.

The Panthers are a good team. But they're not getting a bye in this round.

 

[Bgav]

I get that FLA is the favourite. And I get that Toronto has a horrendous track record in the playoffs. But I still find it hard to get that Toronto has less than %30 if the votes in this poll. Leafs Homers alone should make up about that amount. Every series has a favourite, but they still have to play the games.

According to the regular season standings (real, tangible evidence) the Leafs are actually the better team. They have no less than 5 forwards who are game changers, three D pairings that can be trusted with 20+ minutes, and a goalie that has won 12 of his last 14 games.

The Panthers are a good team. But they're not getting a bye in this round.

Are you surprised tho? Even odd makers have the panthers opening road favorites.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Panthers were the most physical team per 60, in round 1, leafs were 12th.

Physicality is about more than huge hits. But the series were different anyways so those stats are not really relevant.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I get that FLA is the favourite. And I get that Toronto has a horrendous track record in the playoffs. But I still find it hard to get that Toronto has less than %30 if the votes in this poll. Leafs Homers alone should make up about that amount. Every series has a favourite, but they still have to play the games.

According to the regular season standings (real, tangible evidence) the Leafs are actually the better team. They have no less than 5 forwards who are game changers, three D pairings that can be trusted with 20+ minutes, and a goalie that has won 12 of his last 14 games.

The Panthers are a good team. But they're not getting a bye in this round.

A lot of that is the leafs fault. They haven't gotten it done to the point they are now under rated. People can just say whatever they want and then the Leafs lose and they are like "See I was right" even if it was a game 7 OT bounce last year, people will pretend they got swept by the Bruins and it was never close kind of deal.

Also people are operating under the assumption the Leafs stars are going to go MIA. Last time these teams faced Bob had an unreal series and it was very close.

I think if this is any other team, playing how they have this year, with the talent on their roster, with their coach, size of the D core, etc narratives are very different.

Leafs simply gotta win this series. Winning changes all

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Definitely would love this 1967 streak to continue. Kinda fun.

Didn’t you predict Ottawa to beat the Leafs? Whoops … ^^

 

[bert]

I think all the games will be close. Leafs playing tight hockey. Panthers are relentless on the forecheck. Going to be a fun series.

Its not going to be very long. Really bad matchup for Toronto, however if the refs call everything Toronto has a chance. Wonder which type of series we will get, depends on Gary I guess.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Its not going to be very long. Really bad matchup for Toronto, however if the refs call everything Toronto has a chance. Wonder which type of series we will get, depends on Gary I guess.

Would think Sens fans would be hoping for a close series. If Toronto gets speed bagged by Florida will be pretty clear Ottawa is that much further away.

 

[Laus723]

With Cernak out for the series and Hedman badly hobbled.

And Brady was 100%, I’m sure all of the Sens played at 100% as well.

And Cernak played every game. Wtf

 

[TheBeastCoast]

This simply isnt how I follow or evaluate hockey. I am capable of separating my fandom from reality. Ottawa is far away relative to Florida. I am not disillusioned by this clear fact at all. Florida is quite clearly the class of the east.

That is fair. You might not be wrong either. See how it plays out on the ice.

 

[thusk]

I get that FLA is the favourite. And I get that Toronto has a horrendous track record in the playoffs. But I still find it hard to get that Toronto has less than %30 if the votes in this poll. Leafs Homers alone should make up about that amount. Every series has a favourite, but they still have to play the games.

According to the regular season standings (real, tangible evidence) the Leafs are actually the better team. They have no less than 5 forwards who are game changers, three D pairings that can be trusted with 20+ minutes, and a goalie that has won 12 of his last 14 games.

The Panthers are a good team. But they're not getting a bye in this round.

Who's care...

This serie will be play on the ice whatever what people telling... The years most of hockey forfeit about Washington being able to win something in playoff was finally the year they get it done... So at the end prediction mean nothing except to have something to talk before the serie start

 

[Just Rude]

I think the Leafs are vastly improved this season and maybe more importantly, more improved for this type of series. But they definitely will have to be on top of their game to beat Florida. I expect at least a 6 game series either way .

100%. They can't have any passengers. If the whole doesn't buy in and play their best hockey, they aren't winning this series.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Cats in six.

 

[SwissLeaf]

Leafs in 6. Underdog or not doesn't matter. The Leafs will show that they're very capable to win.

GO LEAFS GO!

 

[Just Rude]

And Brady was 100%, I’m sure all of the Sens played at 100% as well.

And Cernak played every game. Wtf

I think he's talking about the Leafs win vs. Tampa in 2023.

Cernak was out most of the series, and I remember Hedman was hurt.

 

[ThrowDemTongs]

You guys having fun yet

 

[ACC1224]

What's the over/under on Maurices whines becoming tiresome? 3 Games?

 

[Leonardo87]

GDT is up

GDT: - GDT: ECSF: (A1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs (A3) Florida Panthers - GAME 1 - 8 PM EST IN TORONTO

 

[William Hylander]

**** Sam Bennett