Series Talk: - ECSF: (A1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs (A3) Florida Panthers (Series Tied 2-2) | Page 14 | HFBoards - NHL Message Board and Forum for National Hockey League
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Series Talk: ECSF: (A1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs (A3) Florida Panthers (Series Tied 2-2)

Who wins?

  • Toronto in 7

    Votes: 107 12.8%

  • Toronto in 6

    Votes: 119 14.3%

  • Toronto in 5

    Votes: 25 3.0%

  • Toronto in 4

    Votes: 27 3.2%

  • Florida in 7

    Votes: 68 8.1%

  • Florida in 6

    Votes: 275 32.9%

  • Florida in 5

    Votes: 152 18.2%

  • Florida in 4

    Votes: 62 7.4%
  • Total voters
    835
  • Poll closed .
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Getting to face the Panthers as a reward for winning another first round series (2nd time in 3 years) is probably not going to go well. But I think this time the Leafs will be a tougher out and if they win it’s going to be in 7.

The stats from round one between the teams are remarkably similar: (from NHL.com)

Sam Reinhart led the Panthers in the first round with six points (two goals, four assists). Matthew Tkachuk (three goals, two assists), Sam Bennett (three goals, two assists), Eetu Luostarinen (one goal, four assists), Anton Lundell(two goals, three assists) and Aleksander Barkov (one goal, four assists) each had five points.

Sergei Bobrovsky went 4-1 with a 2.21 goals-against average, .901 save percentage and one shutout.

William Nylander led the Maple Leafs in the first round with nine points (three goals, six assists). Mitch Marner had eight points (one goal, seven assists), Auston Matthewshad seven points (two goals, five assists), and John Tavares and Matthew Knies each scored three goals.

Anthony Stolarz went 4-2 with a 2.21 GAA and .901 save percentage.

Goalies with identical stats. (I know they are against different teams) you can argue that Tampa and Senators are on opposite trajectories in the last month. Sens weren’t a push over. One of the hottest teams entering the playoffs.

Florida had injured players and suspensions so they are better now.

Last time the Leafs weren’t ready. Different coach, different defense different goalies. Those expecting an easy Panthers win will be surprised.
 
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If Matthews and Marner really show up big then the series is a toss up, anyone's game.

If they don't, then Florida takes it.
 
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Leafs fans are right in that their depth/defense/goaltending is better than 2023s last matchup

but i think a lot are underestimating how much the panthers revamped their depth and defense too. Vegas showed us how depth and size matter and Zito did just that.

This defense basically shut down one of the most elite offensive teams in the league and three games were without one of their #1D and nullified their elite powerplay.

Leafs have some talent but i struggle to see who has a better top 9 than us, and our 4th line could serve as anyones 3rd line.

2023 roster
1746186231981.png


current
1746186320347.png
 
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Idiot Stick said:
Leafs fans are right in that their depth/defense/goaltending is better than 2023s last matchup

but i think a lot are underestimating how much the panthers revamped their depth and defense too. Vegas showed us how depth and size matter and Zito did just that.

This defense basically shut down one of the most elite offensive teams in the league and three games were without one of their #1D and nullified their elite powerplay.

Leafs have some talent but i struggle to see who has a better top 9 than us, and our 4th line could serve as anyones 3rd line.

2023 roster
View attachment 1028028

current
View attachment 1028029
Click to expand...

As a Leafs fan, hard to argue. Hard to believe Florida was able to put together a lineup like that. I haven't voted in the poll because there was no "expecting the worst and hoping for the best option".
 
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Idiot Stick said:
Leafs fans are right in that their depth/defense/goaltending is better than 2023s last matchup

but i think a lot are underestimating how much the panthers revamped their depth and defense too. Vegas showed us how depth and size matter and Zito did just that.

This defense basically shut down one of the most elite offensive teams in the league and three games were without one of their #1D and nullified their elite powerplay.

Leafs have some talent but i struggle to see who has a better top 9 than us, and our 4th line could serve as anyones 3rd line.

2023 roster
View attachment 1028028

current
View attachment 1028029
Click to expand...
I don't think many people are underestimating the Panthers tbh that is a loaded roster with basically no holes. I think the Leafs are better suited to go up against a team like Florida this year then they were 2 years ago...but it is still going to take every player on the team elevating quite a bit to have a chance to beat Florida. It isn't some impossible task, the Leafs deserve to be on the ice with them...but Florida is the clear favourite.
 
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I accidentally clicked Leafs in 7 and immediately resent not being able to change it.

I can't be sending you all good vibes of any kind. You monsters are awful. I hate you all.
 
Stolarz may steal one, Florida may give up one, but ask yourself this- who would you rather watch in the ECF Tkachuk, Bennett, Marchand or Showcase, Mitchy, and Nilly?
I don’t see this being a very entertaining series at all and Florida should win in 5 or 6
 
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I'd feel pretty decent about our chances against any team currently in the running... except the Florida Panthers.

I thought Ottawa's third line with Pinto and Grieg were a bit of a problem... well, here comes Lundell and Luostarinen.

Leafs are the underdogs here, and by a margin. Let's hope they can find some motivation in that.
 
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Idiot Stick said:
Leafs fans are right in that their depth/defense/goaltending is better than 2023s last matchup

but i think a lot are underestimating how much the panthers revamped their depth and defense too. Vegas showed us how depth and size matter and Zito did just that.

This defense basically shut down one of the most elite offensive teams in the league and three games were without one of their #1D and nullified their elite powerplay.

Leafs have some talent but i struggle to see who has a better top 9 than us, and our 4th line could serve as anyones 3rd line.

2023 roster
View attachment 1028028

current
View attachment 1028029
Click to expand...
Yeah, I don't like this narrative that the 2025 iteration of Florida is worse than 2023. It's a deeper roster and also natural progression from players, guys like Reinhart, Lundell etc have taken another step since then. There's also the experience of having gone to two consecutive Cup Finals which is incredibly invaluable. I thought fatigue may be a factor, but then you guys bodied a Tampa roster that was even better than last year's version and made it look easy.
 
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1specter said:
Yeah, this is my biggest concern honestly. Lundell is a stud and probably Florida's future #2C, maybe even 1C if / when Barkov ages out. Then you have Luostarinen and Marchand and it's just not fair really. Leafs biggest weakness is lacking a proper third line, they've essentially been using the Lorentz-Laughton-Jarnkrok as more of a classic matchup third line while sheltering Domi and trying to find some sort of combination that sticks with him, whether it be McMann, Robertson, Pacioretty or Holmberg.
Click to expand...

Maurice can play that 3rd line against anyone and not worry about it. Luostarinen just had Kuvherovs numbers

They are elite when it comes to defensive zone, basically all of them and can score as we’ve seen in the last 2 playoff runs

Florida truly runs with 4 lines and that forward group can play any style

Tough to see how Toronto can win the series based on that but it’s 1 series and anything can happen when right players get hot
 
Laus723 said:
Lmao. Who? Please say Reaves.
Click to expand...
Knies is a beast, McCabe and Benoit won’t get intimidate, but they didn’t see anything like Florida will bring.
Hopefully the refs will let them play despite the pleas from Shanny.
 
If the leafs stars show up then leafs should win. That’s a big if obviously, but just Florida doesn’t have the elite talent that Toronto does. Florida has the better depth, but Toronto’s revamped defence will help shut that down. Florida’s defence isn’t impressive. Goalies are a wash, slight edge to bobrovsky given his experience.

Still good with my prediction of leafs in 6, but I could see Florida taking it to 7. I should give some more respect to the defending champs.
 
kevsh said:
Just ask Ekblad.
Sure, it was a sucker punch but that's because the much bigger guy wanted no part of Max!

Click to expand...

Hahahaha, no one is afraid of that little nothing.
Nineteen67 said:
Knies is a beast, McCabe and Benoit won’t get intimidate, but they didn’t see anything like Florida will bring.
Hopefully the refs will let them play despite the pleas from Shanny.
Click to expand...
None of them can handle our guys. Maurice also has Gadjovich to turn to.
 
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