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

[GothamBats]

Leafs in 6. Elbows Up and send them golfing.

 

[Just Rude]

I live in Toronto so I'm exposed to it more than most. I realize we experience every type of fan, especially with bigger fanbases.

But the point stands. Sometimes one bad apple DOES soil the bunch, and you guys have enough Toronto Mans and DudeBro's cheering for your team that it makes it literally impossible to root for your group in any capacity.

I really thought after winning a cup my disdain for the Leafs would fade but in reality the fans make it impossible not to root against them. Sorry?

Does it really matter? Do you cheer for a team in any sport wondering what other people think? I sure as hell don't.

I get what you're saying about the humility part, but it's similar to the "We Want Florida" chant from a bunch of teenaged kids two years ago. A miniscule portion of the fanbase (as in, probably like 0.000000000000000000000000000000000001%), most of them probably under 17 years old. But all people heard was all Leaf fans chanting "We Want Florida", which is just as idiotic.

It goes both ways.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

And that plays into numbers again. You will get more hot takes from Leafs fans because there are more of them. Doesnt make Panthers fan less passionate, or educated in the game as well, as you were referring to in a previous post.

This round all the Leaf fans at Florida games are going to have to wear Cats jersies so they don't get deported lol

 

[Roo]

Both fan bases will be quite disappointed when canes wax the winner here. Enjoy the entertainment though.

I don't even see the Canes beating the Caps.

 

[The don godfather]

I don't even see the Canes beating the Caps.

They gonna dust them off in 6.

 

[Roo]

They gonna dust them off in 6.

Will be interesting. My brother thinks the Caps are frauds, I see it very differently. We will see!

 

[ProjectPanthers]

How is the Florida fan base for part time fans?
I find that the Leafs fan base is prob 60% the size it seems in the playoffs, where the other 40% are casuals who barely know hockey.
In other words if you were to run into 50 cats fans in the wild what % would you say actually knows hockey?

It's probably similar numbers. Every city has a bunch of fair-weather fans that jump on board when there's success. It was all over South Florida when they had the Cup run in 2023.

Folks are also underestimating the passionate fanbase that is there and has been there for decades. The team sucked forever, and in case you didn't notice there's a lot to do in Florida in the winter, so people don't wanna pay to see a mediocre hockey team play. MOST cities experience that, Toronto/Detroit/Montreal are the oddballs in that they sellout regardless of on-ice product.

The Panthers have had a strong group of very loyal, committed and caring fans throughout the entire run. I've been a fan since 1994 and have been here at HFBoards for over 20 years. We have a strong group that has always loved this team, we're just happy to see them finally get popular thanks to committed ownership and management. We could've easily gone the way of the Coyotes but here we are.

In Canada, hockey is much more part of the lexicon and culture. Almost every Canadian can give you some rudimentary understanding of the game just because of the exposure it gets up here. It's not going to be the same for the States down South where other sports are more prevalent, but that shouldn't discredit the fans down there that do care and have learned the game.

It's kind of like asking which average fan knows more about soccer, Brazilians or Americans?

 

[ProjectPanthers]

There isn't a universe Keefe is better than Berube. I mean, look at the maturity on the bench.

2023, Keefe and Dubas celebrated like he won a cup and they partied their asses off. Round 1 was the goal they did it.



compare that to Berube. Our bench gets a little too excited he is like.. wtf you doing



Fans under estimate the mental makeup of this group

How is this meaningful in any way? The games are played on the ice and the Leafs looked sloppy and needed two overtimes to beat the Sens. I still don't see what this magical "Berube" effect is. I heard the same thing about Sheldon Keefe when they beat the Lightning lol

 

[Duder54]

Good on the Leafs for winning a round. Can't see them getting by the reigning SC Champs though. Cats in 6.

 

[Mulletman]

If my Leafs can force a game 6 it's at least some progress.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Leafs squeaked by a team that was just happy to be there, this is a different animal with the Panthers

maybe winning a round will allow the Leafs to relax and play their game...but this will be a physical test

Panthers in 6

 

[Metroid]

So what on earth are you doing cheering for a Florida team?

Bandwagon!

 

[BM14]

What is fig?

Something the 5 Panthers fans are trying to get to catch on, but the only thing they’re know for is “rawrrrrrr ”

 

[Metroid]

Leafs fans 2 days ago: We're so cooked, we f***ing suck, trade everyone.

Leafs fans today: We're unstoppable, Leafs in 5.

You must be new to the internet/fandom

 

[Namikaze Minato]

If by some chance Sam Bennett signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a UFA this summer, this thread will be ground zero for receipts, I bet.

 

[Delete1]

Both fan bases will be quite disappointed when canes wax the winner here. Enjoy the entertainment though.

I admire your consistentcy on this call, but I don't see it with Carolina. I think they will beat Washington, but I think the usual offense and goaltending issues will submarine them in the conference final.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

Should be a good series. Toronto's style this season makes them seem mid vs every team they play. They'll give Florida a run even though I think they lose. Better heavier team and more experience than the last time they played Florida, and Florida has gotten worse since then.

That doesn't make sense. They won a cup since then. And this team is looking on par with the cup winning team.

 

[HockeyVirus]

How is this meaningful in any way? The games are played on the ice and the Leafs looked sloppy and needed two overtimes to beat the Sens. I still don't see what this magical "Berube" effect is. I heard the same thing about Sheldon Keefe when they beat the Lightning lol

Because the problem has never been ability with the Leafs but the mentality

 

[1specter]

Leafs fans 2 days ago: We're so cooked, we f***ing suck, trade everyone.

Leafs fans today: We're unstoppable, Leafs in 5.

HockeyVirus doesn't represent us all buddy. Most of us are pretty measured with our expectations of this series, any Leaf fan thinking this is anywhere close to a guaranteed win is a dumbass or a troll. Don't make sweeping statements

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Did not see the Cats making such short work of the Lightning. I think they dispatch the Leafs here, too, as they look ready for another deep run. I went Panthers in 5.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Never seen a team who won the division be such a massive underdog by non fans.

 

[34]

Leafs are winning game 1. That is the HockeyVirus guarantee.

Ok. Hope you are right.

 

[FinlandPanther]

Both fan bases will be quite disappointed when canes wax the winner here. Enjoy the entertainment though.

I’m sorry but no matter who wins this, they are going to beat the ever loving piss out of Carolina if they make it lmao

 

[1specter]

Both fan bases will be quite disappointed when canes wax the winner here. Enjoy the entertainment though.

Freddy Andersen was our goalie once upon a time. Believe me, nobody is afraid of a team that has him as their playoff starter.

 

[The Podium]

I think people are quick to forget that the Leafs are never an easy out, albeit the only time they have been was against the Panthers.

This team may have trouble closing out series, but they have never had trouble taking it the distance.

Coin flip game 7 is my guess. Hopefully the Leafs have it in them to be on the winning side this time.