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

[FinnLightning26]

Can't believe it's come to this but I'm rooting for the Leafs in this one. I feel dirty just typing that but some things are more important than my feelings of disgust.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Panthers made it quick last time. They have more mercy than others.

Panthers in 5 is the bar. As much as I want the Leafs to win, I can't see that changing.

Leafs are far better on the back end and they have a goalie who was second in the league in Save % if I remember correctly.

I know this, Florida will be the favourite but each pick up the Leafs made was designed to address this matchup.



Here are the scores for each game two years ago:

4 Of the 5 games were decided by one goal. Two OT wins for Florida. The Leafs played more of a rushing game, whereas this season they played a more defensive, button down game with far better personnel on the backend to play this style. They sacrificed the body more to play low event hockey for many stretches.

For the record, the Senators are probably the fastest team in the conference. Young and fast with no concern in the world. Reminded me of the Leafs putting a scare into the Capitals in the First Round a couple of years before they won the Cup.

I my opinion the greatest asset in hockey is speed, especially if the league decides to call penalties as they have moreso this playoff season than in the past.

Here is the Leafs D in that 2023 series (and their age):

I noticed they focused plenty on Lilly, a young, soft D Man. TJ Brodie is also a skating D Man, not very hard on the body. Schenn is a monster, which is why he was picked up and he was a wall for the team. He and McCabe were the only really "strong" D Men tasked with dealing with a forechecking Florida team.

This is the Leafs D this year that will start Game One against Florida:

Big, reliable Carlo, shot blocking ShutDown pairing of Tanev and McCabe. Simon "Bonecrusher" Benoit who loves to hit. OEL who is far meaner than people give him credit for (and has some offensive bursts), and, Reilly who was the leading scorer for ALL Leafs in that series and generally had a strong series.

The Leafs were having some difficulty with Senators speed, it made it difficult for the Leafs forwards to press forward AND play their system of helping on D. They system is better built to withstand Panthers style hockey in a series. That extra step in a foot race is exceedingly important.

This battle will come down to what I anticipated mid way through this season if the Leafs were to be successful (they did win the division, lost only 3 games all year when leading after the First Period, and Stolarz did have an 11 game win streak to finish the season if I remember correctly): the Leafs defense should be better able to prevent the driving Florida forwards from playing their game.

Low scoring with a more unruly Panthers team that may take a few too many penalties and risk losing the special teams battle. Leafs could win this in seven and I guarantee that they are quietly more confident than anyone gives them credit for.

This team is far better suited for the Panthers at this time of the year than 2023. Whether this results in a different outcome is to be decided. The puck can go either way in OT and there will be some OT games.

 

[Ulysses31]

DEFINITELY would favor leafs over caps or canes but this is a tough matchup.

rooting for leafs so marner can get his 16mil aav

 

[Leaf Fans]

DEFINITELY would favor leafs over caps or canes but this is a tough matchup.

rooting for leafs so marner can get his 16mil aav

He is a pending FA, and Detroit may have enough cap if he chooses free agency.

 

[Ulysses31]

He is a pending FA, and Detroit may have enough cap if he chooses free agency.

as of now he will be demanding at leaast 14.1 x 8 from leafs n 15+x7 as a rfa, hoping he can pump up those numbers

 

[Leaf Fans]

as of now he will be demanding at leaast 14.1 x 8 from leafs n 15+x7 as a rfa, hoping he can pump up those numbers

Maybe, but that would just push him to free agency. The Leafs don't have the cap to sign him to that.

 

[Gentle Man]

panthers could have Seth Jones, Russian Drones, or Metal Bones, it’s Leafs in 5

 

[RuudeDog]

Panthers are clearly the better team in every way possible, i think it's Cats in 5.
Leafs fans know it in their hearts, their team is mentally soft and barely better than Ottawa.

Florida is at least two tiers ahead. BOOM

Or maybe not. Tough series for sure but we will see.

 

[BB79]

Home ice advantage might be crucial.

I don't know about that. I said that before TB-FLA, both were much better home teams than road in the regular season and the playoffs were exactly the opposite. It all goes out the window in the playoffs.

 

[Habs7631]

The bullies in 5.

 

[RuudeDog]

I am actually looking forward to Fla dragging the Leafs into the fight. Sens had fake tough guys. I think it will just bring out more energy and passion. I find it funny how many believe this will be an easy series for Fla. if they don’t stand up to them the writing is on the wall for Treliving this summer. Leafs may lose but it will be close

Last year were all 1 goal games … 2 in overtime except for the first game which ended 4-2. Mind you I will concede Fla was the better team in that series no doubt

 

[forsbergavs32]

Panthers in 6. But as long as everyone has fun that's all that matters.

 

[pb1300]

Leafs are gonna run over the Panthers.

Toronto in 5

Aaaaaaaand there it is. Panthers moving on to the ECF. Panthers in 1.

 

[Kerberos]

Panthers in 5. They're the superior team in every area and their players actually show up in the playoffs.

 

[Divine]

Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Canucks

Doesn't matter. Leafs in 5.

 

[pb1300]

The Leafs forums have 2 million more posts than any other teams forum. Obviously there aren't more leaf fans here than others combined but they absolutely have way more representation than any other fan base ainec.

A million of those were Leafs fans trying to convince everyone that Matthews was better than McDavid

You can have a thread about a North Korea versus Mongolia in the World Cup, and somehow Leafs fans will derail it. That delusion with psychological assistance required.

 

[BayStBullies]

Leafs in 5... we are talking about the longest suspension, right? Florida isn't allowed beyond 2, as Gregory's Daddy will not allow that.

 

[pb1300]

Home ice advantage might be crucial.

Home ice? Scotiabank? Panthers have played in much more intimidating arenas lmao

The majority in the lower bowl are on their blackberry, and occasionally make some noise for their home team.

 

[behemolari]

wonder is there player left on the Leafs roster when this is over

 

[SwissLeaf]

The Leafs will show that they're a different team. 4-3 in an epic series.

2-0 Leafs, 2-3 Panthers, 4-3 Leafs... Game 6 decided in OT after a great comeback, game 7 will be rather lopsided.

GO LEAFS GO!

 

[KCC]

If there was ever a time for the leafs top players to actually show up in the 9 years (or however long it has been) it would be now. They need to be difference makers 5 on 5 or this series won’t last long.

 

[behemolari]

I absolutely love that the Leafs are such dogs and nobody thinks they belong on the same ice as Florida......Never truly know until they play but i think the Leafs might be very very annoynig as an underdog......I'll just leave it there.....

It could mean something if Florida can be annoyed, they deliver like its game seven and when its game seven they still deliver

 

[avocadosmoothie]

Panthers in 5.

 

[behemolari]

The Leafs forums have 2 million more posts than any other teams forum. Obviously there aren't more leaf fans here than others combined but they absolutely have way more representation than any other fan base ainec.

and from those 2 million posts 1 million is about "this is the year, finally it is"

also there is at least 1 million post on main forum by Leafs fans "this is the Leafs year"

 

[roccerfeller]

Maurice was a Jet. Gave a shout out to the fan base after winning a cup last year. They have some ex-Jets on the roster.

Gotta go for Maurice personally here.

As far as who wins, well. I think it will be the Cats. But it should be a good series. Lots of talent on both teams. Leaf fan meltdowns are part of their identity so here’s to some meltdowns