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

[Gizmoskevich]

Thanks for guaranteeing a Panthers victory.

Remember it was Tampa in 5, easily

 

[Gizmoskevich]

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.

If Toronto gets past Florida, it will definitely be earned and should erase some of the choker tags of the Leafs. Some, not all. Only a Cup would erase all IMO

 

[Strangle]

So we want this series to start Saturday? Sunday?

When is the best series start day?

I really love that we start in Toronto. Good job of the leafs to win home ice over their Atlantic rivals

 

[budzz]

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 !

Means nothing. Sens always play the Leafs hard like it's their cup, I was a little fearful going into that series for sure. We were 0-3 regular season. Florida spanked the lightning but the lightning aren't what they used to be, Leafs were 4-0 against Tamps this year. Ottawa was 2-1 against Florida this year, Leafs were 1-3. What does that all mean? Nothing. Florida is beatable but it's gonna take every shift of every game to do it.

 

[The Management]

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.

I don't disagree, with the sole exception that I think the Cats have entered the limelight. Part of that is the success they've had in recent years, but a big part of it is also Matthew Tkachuk, who has become one of the bigger personalities in the sport. Everyone praises Florida, and to be fair, they've earned it.

Should be a lot of fun.

 

[Bizz]

Yet Florida-light managed to score 3 goals only once in 6 games in OT.

Against a team that is just about better than the leafs in every category, especially defense.

 

[KW]

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.

It’s true, the League and its media are trying their hardest to will the Maple Leafs to the SCF, but the Leafs just keep f***ing it up.

 

[Roo]

Panthers rightfully favored over the Leafs. I think it will be a close one. I’m guessing the Leafs will put up a bigger fight than Panther fans probably expect (and probably many leaf fans too).

Leafs in 7, I choose to BeLeaf.

 

[Gizmoskevich]

So we want this series to start Saturday? Sunday?

When is the best series start day?

I really love that we start in Toronto. Good job of the leafs to win home ice over their Atlantic rivals

Johnston tweeted that Monday is likely but not for sure

 

[mandiblesofdoom]

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.

??? He got suspended. He blew up a guy who wasn't eligible to be hit.

 

[T REX]

well...I never thought this day would come...but here it is...

GO LEAFS!!!!!

First time ever! Wow...what a rush...

 

[Dust]

Rooting for the Leafs in this one. They need to show that ability to take their game up a notch and have some killer instinct to finish teams off.

 

[IdleTraveller]

I don't disagree, with the sole exception that I think the Cats have entered the limelight. Part of that is the success they've had in recent years, but a big part of it is also Matthew Tkachuk, who has become one of the bigger personalities in the sport. Everyone praises Florida, and to be fair, they've earned it.

Should be a lot of fun.

Well, according to that Amazon documentary, Tkachuk is apparently the only player on our team!

I get where you're coming from but it's more like a "faceless other" type of coverage. During our cap run last year, if we were doing badly, it was "how great the Bruins/Rangers/Oilers" are; if we were doing well, it was "how can the Bruins/Rangers/Oilers" play better. It got very frustrating very quickly. I'm pretty certain Sportsnet for one is still convinced that the Oilers won...

But, every villain needs their origin story so learning to embrace the anger and frustration, and turn to the Dark Side ...

Should be a fun series with both the quality of the hockey and the stories/narratives. Can't wait for it to start.

 

[Fatass]

Go Panthers!

 

[doubleyouu]

Leafs have the opportunity to do the funniest thing this series. Several dragons to slay all at once, bring it on!

 

[Ratsreign]

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.

Except for the part where Barkov had never played the puck

 

[Leafsfan74]

I posted my piece on Leafs vs Panthers but I add this.

I will ask this question. In 2023 the Leafs lost to the Panthers, caught off guard really. They lost in 5 games, 4 of the games were decided by a goal, two of the games in OT. It wasn't nearly as dominating a victory as people suggest. I watched every game.

Now, compare those teams and ask yourself "which of the two teams has improved the most and/or is most different"?

Leafs have a new coach, new system, new approach, a revamped back end, a new goalie (their biggest difference), a few tweaks up front to play this different game.

Did the Panthers improve from that time to now? If so, was it more than the Leafs that fans would expect an improvement of 4 games by 1 goal difference, 2 wins in OT?

I'm not suggesting the Leafs are the favourites and I understand the doubters as I am one as well. There are many approaches that I would take to improve Leafs chances. Leafs could rise to being the underdog and if they can match Floridas emotion, this series can be won by the Leafs no question.

They wont be as unprepared in this series as 2023 and Leafs definitely lost goalie vs goalie in 2023.

 

[the valiant effort]

On the bet365 app:

Brought to you by Bet99 via BetMGM

 

[Ratsreign]

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.

Again, your ignorance and biases are showing.

 

[TotalHomer]

Again, your ignorance and biases are showing.

The Leafs have nobody that can go with Bennett.

 

[sinDer]

Panthers are the favorite, but the pressure is on Toronto. They have to find a way to finaly pass the second round.

It would su** to lose against Toronto, but just because it’s Toronto.

Losing in R2 wouldn’t be a big deal for them and the fans. Panthers played a lot of hockey over the last 3 years and an early exit this year would easily be forgiven IMO.

 

[Marco 85]

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 )

The reason the Lightening didn’t bring it.
Was the Panthers prevented them from doing so.

The Panthers simply don’t get their due.

 

[thusk]

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 !

Lightning who's playing with half of the team injured? ans probably why they was so soft

Bjorkstrand compartment syndrome
Hedman : broken foot
hagel concusion
Cernak (left knee contusion
Kucherov ( left hand injury)
Cirelli (Grade 2 MCL sprain)
paul (left wrist tear)
Gourde (broken finger),
Glendening (right shoulder AC joint separation)

what's really the worst... a healthy Ottawa ( in general) who's finished onpy 1 pts behind cats or a injured Tampa team?

 

[NewtJorden]

Panthers in 6.

 

[FastEddie]

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