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

[TheKrebsCycle]

The Leafs will beat Florida and will ultimately get to the Cup final (sorry Carolina or Washington), but I think they are going to play Vegas when they get there, and I'm not sure that's a great match-up for Toronto.

To be fair I don’t think any of Dallas , Colorado, Edmonton ( though it would be fun ) or Vegas are “ great “ matchups for anyone. Especially if Dallas survives long enough for Heiskanen and Robertson to come back ( yes I know they sputtered to close the season ) . Just getting past Florida is daunting enough . ( I’m on record as saying Panthers take the series) .

 

[Delete1]

To be fair I don’t think any of Dallas , Colorado or Vegas are “ great “ matchups for anyone. Especially if Dallas survives long enough for Heiskanen and Robertson to come back ( yes I know they sputtered to close the season ) .

No one can argue that all of Dallas, Colorado and Vegas aren't high-end teams, but I think Vegas' defense would give the Leafs the most problems. I don't think that would be the case with Colorado or Dallas. To be honest, it's a shame that one of Dallas or Colorado is gone after game 7. I'm not sure there has been a first round series with that kind of quality in a long time, if ever.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

No one can argue that all of Dallas, Colorado and Vegas aren't high-end teams, but I think Vegas' defense would give the Leafs the most problems. I don't think that would be the case with Colorado or Dallas. To be honest, it's a shame that one of Dallas or Colorado is gone after game 7. I'm not sure there has been a first round series with that kind of quality in a long time, if ever.

On paper Florida vs Tampa could’ve been similar but for whatever reason the Lightning didn’t bring it ( Florida is better but Tampa going out 1 st round seemed wrong )

 

[authentic]

The Leafs will beat Florida and will ultimately get to the Cup final (sorry Carolina or Washington), but I think they are going to play Vegas when they get there, and I'm not sure that's a great match-up for Toronto.

Your optimism and certainty (or should I say faith) are admirable

Wish I felt the same way

 

[wetcoast]

No one can argue that all of Dallas, Colorado and Vegas aren't high-end teams, but I think Vegas' defense would give the Leafs the most problems. I don't think that would be the case with Colorado or Dallas. To be honest, it's a shame that one of Dallas or Colorado is gone after game 7. I'm not sure there has been a first round series with that kind of quality in a long time, if ever.

I agree and while it will never happen I still like the 1-16 playoffs and screw geography as it's very plausible that 5 of the top 6 SC contenders are from the west this year.

Leafs are in tough against the Panthers can't see them getting it done but if they do will people give them credit for it?

 

[OVO16]

Got the Panthers in 6 here. Hopefully the leafs can prove me wrong.

 

[FinlandPanther]

I agree and while it will never happen I still like the 1-16 playoffs and screw geography as it's very plausible that 5 of the top 6 SC contenders are from the west this year.

Leafs are in tough against the Panthers can't see them getting it done but if they do will people give them credit for it?

Of course we will. If the Leafs beat Florida they deserve a ton of credit. I’m the first one to make fun of their core of losers, but beating Florida would erase that. They’ve always been a good team that just never broke through because they don’t play playoff hockey. No one ever doubted the skill.

 

[34]

HAHAHA. I love Knies as a player, but lmao

What is so “lmao” about Knies?

I’m not sure he’s a player you want to be throwing shade on. He might be the very guy who knocks your panthers out.

 

[RuudeDog]

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

Well, I have already seen part A of this and quite frankly a repeat would bore me. So I choose B.

 

[sampollock]

cats in 6

 

[FinlandPanther]

What is so “lmao” about Knies?

I’m not sure he’s a player you want to be throwing shade on. He might be the very guy who knocks your panthers out.

I’m not throwing shade on Knies. He’s a phenomenal player. Read.

 

[wickedwitch]

I think this goes 7. Not sure who wins; I voted Leafs, but it could definitely be the Panthers.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

I think this goes 7. Not sure who wins; I voted Leafs, but it could definitely be the Panthers.

I agree ( and looks we’re in the minority ) that it should be a long series ( 6 or 7 )

 

[RuudeDog]

Everyone knew the Leafs weren't gaining respect by beating the Sens. Beating a quality and physical team like the defending champs while fully healthy will start shutting people up. If they flame out the narrative doesn't change, but if they win....

 

[authentic]

I think this goes 7. Not sure who wins; I voted Leafs, but it could definitely be the Panthers.

I haven’t seen anything from this team that indicates they’ll take the Panthers 7 games, other than Stolarz standing on his head and Matthews figuring out how to shoot he puck again.

 

[Delete1]

Leafs are in tough against the Panthers can't see them getting it done but if they do will people give them credit for it?

Everyone knows how this works. Many people despise Leafs fans, and often there is good reason for it. It's like that with any fan base of any sport, but it's always most pronounced with the biggest fan bases. For instance, I think the Leafs will win the first two games of this series, and this place will be pretty insufferable as a result.

 

[Strangle]

Bennett and Marchand know to expect it, so go for it, FAFO.

However, your challenging response doesn’t present a logical equivalence. The Hagel hit was 100% inappropriate. The puck was nowhere near. He targeted a star player.

I know you think Knies was a star player two years ago, but he wasn’t. He barely is now. The Bennett hit on Knies is not equivalent to the Hagel hit on Barkov in two ways: not a star level player and where the puck was. But, if one of our guys like Bennett takes out Marner when he doesn’t have the puck and can’t possibly expect a hit, that would be an equivalent situation.

There was zero issue with the Hagel hit on Barkov. 100% tough, clean playoff body check

League taking care of their favorite team is all that is.

 

[HockeyVirus]

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

You can just say you don't watch the player that is an ok answer too

 

[cowboy82nd]

very bold of you to give a 4th liner 4th line minutes

Erod play on the first line last year.

 

[IdleTraveller]

This will be a fun match up:
- Leafs with the chance to slay TWO of their dragons: the 2nd round and Brad Marchand. If you beat us, then you have finally been proven worthy to break the curse!
- Franchise that no one in sports media talks about [yes, we have a chip on our shoulder - I admit it] vs franchise that sports media doesn't shut up about, even when the topic in question has nothing to do with them...
- OEL, Stolie and Lorentz returning against their old teammates. I'm particularly interested to see the goalie duel, given how close he and Bobby were last year. [sigh] I still miss them all...
- Matthew avenging Brady, or alternatively showing little brother how it's done
- Heroes vs villains, at least according to Sportsnet. WE ARE THE HORDE!!!

Head and heart says Cats in 6. We should win this series: we're deeper, more experienced, and play more cohesively as a team. However, by no means am I seeing this as certain or easy, particularly as we seem to have a habit of taking a couple games off each series and still somehow fluking into wins. Also, our PP sucks, and Tkachuk is practially limping out there. Aside from that, very confident. Nothing to worry about. Nothing at all. Nada. Zilch.

 

[albator71]

Panthers are just to good, it took everything for the Leafs to get by my Sens and they think they will be beat the defending Stanley cup champion who just spanked the Lightning who had the #1 ranked offense. That's funny !

 

[Strangle]

He couldn’t do a pull up because he had an injured shoulder at the combine and he went toe to toe with Brady Tkachuk at the 4 nations.
Knies is a big kid but we really don’t know how good of a fighter he is. He has 1 career fight where he Whitecloud looked like he had no idea how to handle a southpaw.

It would be an interesting fight and I wouldn’t be surprised if Knies won but I’d give the advantage to Bennett.
Knies also better be ready to fight if he wants it as Bennett like Domi tends to like to jump the fight early if he can.

Bennet fights like the YouTube legend Charlie Z.

Jump someone before they’re ready and then run away and claim victory. Bennet is a huge p***y.

 

[I am not exposed]

Finally. The series I want the most. Leafs in 7

Thanks for guaranteeing a Panthers victory.

 

[AvroArrow]

Panthers are just to good, it took everything for the Leafs to get by my Sens and they think they will be beat the defending Stanley cup champion who just spanked the Lightning who had the #1 ranked offense. That's funny !

Are you suggesting the Senators are some trash team ?

I'm not saying we will beat them, but the Leafs are definitely capable of beating them. Anything can happen in the playoffs, goalie gets hot, lucky bounces, injuries to key players etc.

 

[Spargon]

You’re basically insinuating your team is dirty and attempt to injure other players on purpose. Very scummy..

After the Laine vs Matthews fiasco, I've learned to expect....interesting takes and exaggerations from a certain countries fans.