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

[Jean Luc Discard]

Hoping to seeing more fun stuff

 

[BTP]

Oh this shit about the Panthers going back to nobodies, or not understanding the passion, is pathetic. And old. Find some new material.

I would like to see how the fanbase would be if the Leafs went through 2 playoff in 20 years. The Leafs/Habs would still draw crowds, but to think that it would not be nearly as bad as the Panthers, then your living in lala land. Nearly no NHL team would survive and be successful with the circus that was the Florida Panthers since their existence, aside from the last few seasons, and less than a handful of seasons prior to that.

My mother was 53 when we started going to the games at the old Miami Arena in 93. She is 87 now, and I was lucky enough to hear her tears at 6am here in Greece, after that Game 7 last year, to cry together with her. If you want to talk about passion, then the fans of the Panthers are who you look at. I spent thousands a year to see a losing squad from 99-2009. We had owners that had no intention on spending any money, and more importantly, winning. They could not have cared less. But the team still had fan support.

So you can take that passion shit elsewhere, because there are thousands of die hard Panthers fans in South Florida, and all over the world. Are there more Leafs fans, yeah probably, but so the F*** what? That doesnt make us any less relevant.

Of course theres a difference in passion. We have never got our arena invaded by opposing fans - Not once in 100 years. Leafs fans take over that Florida barn in every single regulation game.

You're not even the most popular team in your city.

Theres thousands of you, theres millions of us. Levels to this. Leafs in 7 baby.

 

[Madap]

Who are these stars that haven’t showed up? I’ve watched 99% of their playoff games and showing up and effort have never been a problem for the Leafs.

You’re kidding, right? Matthews and Marner have not played near their best at ES. Give them full credit for a better powerplay which has plagued us in the past, but they could do much better at even strength. Effort or not, they have to contribute. I also could not stop yelling at my TV watching Nylander the other day. He’s got more to give on the defensive side of things.

Our depth has also played hard but contributed pretty much nothing. Stolarz also played well but has what, a sub 900 save percentage? He’s a better goalie than that.

There’s lots of room for improvement. I’m sure we could pick things out from Florida too that they could do better, but for sure leafs have not been near their best.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

see under Keefe, it was don't get involved in the scrums, under Berube its hold your stick so about 1inch sticks out your top hand and but end em right in the mouth lol

 

[kevsh]

Hahahaha, no one is afraid of that little nothing.

Duuuuude, Ekblad is so afraid of Mighty Max he literally got suspended just to avoid him.

Just too bad for him he's only going to miss the one game. For now.

 

[ClarkSittler]

Leafs in 4, maybe 5 if Stolarz has a bad game.

Core 4 is warmed up and Bobrovsky has looked pretty bad. I see a lot of red light in his future, possibly a sunburn

 

[Just Rude]

In your opinion, was yesterday a good showcase for them playing one of the heaviest games in the league?

No. Last night's game was the most wide open of the series.

Ottawa plays a very opportunistic game. They play heavy as well, try to limit changes and take advantage of their opportunities. Everyone said the Sens were going to run the Leafs out of the building - again, the same tired narrative - and after a couple of games they realized that wasn't going to happen.

They are much more structured under Berube.

Again, it doesn't mean they're going to beat Florida. The Cats, top to bottom, are probably the best team in the league. Their top 9 are almost matchup-proof. I'm just saying if the Leafs lose, it's not going to be because they were bullied.

 

[pb1300]

Completely get it lol your team drives me nuts when we play against each other...but there is absolutely some jealousy in that I think anyone would love cheering for a team that is that hard to play against. Leafs are definitely the underdogs going in but I think if you want to prove you have legit cup aspirations the Panthers are a pretty fitting mountain to have to climb.

Oh its going to be a series for sure. I dont think it will be easy. I dont see the Leafs as underdogs, I just see the Panthers as the more experienced team, that have a core that proved they can do everything and anything needed to win 4 rounds. Okay, so maybe that means they are an underdog.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

No. Last night's game was the most wide open of the series.

Ottawa plays a very opportunistic game. They play heavy as well, try to limit changes and take advantage of their opportunities. Everyone said the Sens were going to run the Leafs out of the building - again, the same tired narrative - and after a couple of games they realized that wasn't going to happen.

They are much more structured under Berube.

Again, it doesn't mean they're going to beat Florida. The Cats, top to bottom, are probably the best team in the league. Their top 9 are almost matchup-proof. I'm just saying if the Leafs lose, it's not going to be because they were bullied.

IMO, we will win or lose via our PP.
A hot PP, keeps the Cats in check, if its floundering then the cats can take liberties.

 

[pb1300]

There are literally tens of millions of die hard Leafs fans. Do you know the history of this organization? Leafs fans are so starved they’ll even cheer for this group of players which play and act the polar opposite of what they prefer from their team.

And? What is your point? It does not make them more worthy, or more relevant, or more passionate. More does not mean better.

 

[ProjectPanthers]

Cats fans that think this is the same team from two springs ago and that Florida is going to push them around again are in for a surprise. It's a lazy, uneducated take from people that haven't watched much of them this year. They play one of the heaviest games in the league.

The Leafs may not win - they are going up against a hell of a team - but they won't get bullied this time around.

Personally I think the roster the Leafs had in 2023 was better on paper. More depth and skill on the bottom-6, but your defense and goaltending is better this time around and the Panthers are also a much deeper, focused and more experienced team than when the Leafs faced them.

Should be a fun series.

 

[Nineteen67]

You’re kidding, right? Matthews and Marner have not played near their best at ES. Give them full credit for a better powerplay which has plagued us in the past, but they could do much better at even strength. Effort or not, they have to contribute. I also could not stop yelling at my TV watching Nylander the other day. He’s got more to give on the defensive side of things.

Our depth has also played hard but contributed pretty much nothing. Stolarz also played well but has what, a sub 900 save percentage? He’s a better goalie than that.

There’s lots of room for improvement. I’m sure we could pick things out from Florida too that they could do better, but for sure leafs have not been near their best.

The problem isn’t effort or showing up, it’s ability. Matthews and Marner are too slow and too weak to make the plays they make in the regular season. Berube realised this and has changed their roles and their contribution has to be preventing goals and scoring on the PP.
If you’re expecting them to take charge of a series like McDavid, Drai, or MacKinnon does then you might be waiting a long time.

 

[Just Rude]

Same thing that has been regurgitated so many times already in this thread. Not the same team, its a Berube team, blah blah blah.

The team is well aware of who the Leafs are, and they Do.Not.Care. Nothing phases that team, and the Leafs being a Berube team now wont change that. If Toronto keeps it a low scoring "Berube" game, then that is how the Panthers want it played, because that is their game.

Ummmmm. OK?

Did you miss the part where I said "the Leafs may not win"?

It's not that difficult to understand. They Leafs, again, "may not win", but that won't be bullied this time around. Not sure what is so difficult.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

Personally I think the roster the Leafs had in 2023 was better on paper. More depth and skill on the bottom-6, but your defense and goaltending is better this time around and the Panthers are also a much deeper, focused and more experienced team than when the Leafs faced them.

Should be a fun series.

I think whoever wins this series is winning the ECF

 

[Metroid]

This leaf fan was a Panthers seat holder once upon a time (cheaap as hell) and sorta warmed up to them, until couple years ago. Time to end the Panthers reign, GLG!

Leafs in 7 (hopefully)

 

[ClarkSittler]

I heard Reaves might be dressing for Game 1 to put Sam Bennett in a coma and make Tkachuk cry like his brother did.

 

[ProjectPanthers]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, boy the Cats are in for a surprise if they think we are anything like last time we played. This is a Berube team now...........

You realize since the Leafs lost to the Panthers the Panthers have also.....

Won back to back Eastern Conference Champs

Won 6 of their next 7 playoff series

Won the Stanley Cup

Added Brad Marchand and Seth Jones

You're underestimating the pedigree of winning and how big of a step it is when a team finally learns "how to win" not just that they "have to win".

Yes, I am petrified of Craig Berube and his one and only deep playoff run.

 

[Nineteen67]

And? What is your point? It does not make them more worthy, or more relevant, or more passionate. More does not mean better.

It means there are millions more fans and much more passion. They are one of, if not the worst, franchise in Hockey Football and Baseball and yet the fans flock to watch them, cheer for them, buy merchandise, etc.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

You realize since the Leafs lost to the Panthers the Panthers have also.....

Won back to back Eastern Conference Champs

Won 6 of their next 7 playoff series

Won the Stanley Cup

Added Brad Marchand and Seth Jones

You're underestimating the pedigree of winning and how big of a step it is when a team finally learns "how to win" not just that they "have to win".

Yes, I am petrified of Craig Berube and his one and only deep playoff run.

The whole point many of us Leaf fans are making is, this isn't the same team as 23. The same approach may not work.
As a Leaf fan we're well aware of the challenge in front of us, the Cats still pretty much have a stanley cup roster minus what we pilfered lol

 

[ProjectPanthers]

Of course theres a difference in passion. We have never got our arena invaded by opposing fans - Not once in 100 years. Leafs fans take over that Florida barn in every single regulation game.

You're not even the most popular team in your city.

Theres thousands of you, theres millions of us. Levels to this. Leafs in 7 baby.

Shit like this is why Leafs fans are just the most despised on the planet. The arrogance just for existing is through the roof.

You guys have deserved all the shit that has hit your team over the last two decades. Learn some humility, it's pathetic.

 

[Roo]

Excited for this one. Leafs are much more equipped to battle the Panthers than they were 2 years ago. But the Panthers are the reigning champs and appear to be playing with the same swagger as last year. I know folks like to say that FLA creamed us in 2023, and on account of it being a 5-game series that is fair. But they were close games with many going to OT. It felt like FLA was just waiting for us to get frustrated and make the mistake they would then capitalize on, which is exactly how things played out. We're not that same team and play a much more composed and patient game. Like most series, it will come down to the battle in goal. Hopefully Stolarz is extra motivated to beat his old team.

This will be a defining series for the Leafs. If they are out quickly, there should be core piece changes coming. If they can defeat the reigning champs, I think they've addressed the demons and the core will stick around.

Should be a great series!!

 

[missingjibbsclub]

Imagine if the Leafs somehow get through Florida. Would be boner bedlam

 

[Roo]

Shit like this is why Leafs fans are just the most despised on the planet. The arrogance just for existing is through the roof.

You guys have deserved all the shit that has hit your team over the last two decades. Learn some humility, it's pathetic.

Big fan base, you will get to experience every type of fan. This isn't unique to the Maple Leafs. It exists in every sport for pretty much every team. This is sports. I probably don't need to tell you how annoying Yankees fans can be.

 

[pb1300]

The problem isn’t effort or showing up, it’s ability. Matthews and Marner are too slow and too weak to make the plays they make in the regular season. Berube realised this and has changed their rolls and their contribution has to be preventing goals and scoring on the PP.
If you’re expecting them to take charge of a series like McDavid, Drai, or MacKinnon does then you might be waiting a long time.

Wait....so before, Marner and Matthews were on the same level as those players you mentioned, now you are saying they cant take charge of a series? Then WTF are you paying them so much money for? All this shit we read here for YEARS how Matthews was on 97 and both 29s level, now this? These players HAVE To take charge if you expect the Leafs to not only win against the Panthers, but 2 more rounds after that as well.

Of course theres a difference in passion. We have never got our arena invaded by opposing fans - Not once in 100 years. Leafs fans take over that Florida barn in every single regulation game.

You're not even the most popular team in your city.

Theres thousands of you, theres millions of us. Levels to this. Leafs in 7 baby.

Same shit, different poster. More does not make a fan base more passionate. Just more saying the same crap over and over.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

Imagine if the Leafs somehow get through Florida. Would be boner bedlam

Wasn't boner bedlam the name of Diddy party #3