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

[Dread Clawz]

To me this series is gonna come down to the Leafs PP. Florida will most likely own 5v5 play for the most part. But if the Leafs PP can click unlike Tampa's, then this series could get real dicey for the Panthers. If Florida's pk shuts down their pp as well, Florida will feast on them.

 

[KniesMadeBradyCry]

Man oh man...there are going to a lot of sad and unhappy leaf fans in the next 10 days or so....I guess you guys are still a bit unrealistic about your team.

So what should they be saying? I see one, maybe 2 being unrealistic in an entire thread. Would you rather the leafs fans say “oh I’m glad we won a round at least, good luck in round 3 Florida!”

Let us know what Leafs fans should be saying/doing.

 

[KniesMadeBradyCry]

And they were two shots away from losing in 5. Works both ways.

Your argument would be valid if Ottawa was a threat at all outside of a couple of lucky point shots.

 

[pb1300]

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.

Lots of words, zero relevance. How they played or were in 23 has no relevance to this years series.

But let’s play your hope game. What happened to the Panthers since then? They reached 2 Stanley Cups, won one, gained loads of experience in that playoffs that was needed, added depth to the team, with 5 NHL lines available, added on the blueline, while still having Bob, and the best coaching staff and front office in the league.

And all those things about the Leafs that you said, you forgot one thing…they still just lose.

 

[Maplebeasts]

They are not

Nah they finished with more points and went further in the playoffs cause they're worse.

 

[behemolari]

Man oh man...there are going to a lot of sad and unhappy leaf fans in the next 10 days or so....I guess you guys are still a bit unrealistic about your team.

they never learn

 

[WatchfulElm]

Leafs in 6.

People are always going to down play the Leafs opposition whenever they win lmao. Ottawa was nearly a 100 point team, 12th overall league wide, not exactly scrubs.

"Whenever they win". You talk as if it was common for the Leafs to win in the playoffs. It's not. So people have very few opportunities to downplay their opposition. Unless you include downplaying their opposition when they lose as well, which makes more sense.

 

[behemolari]

Leafs are a better team than Tampa

of course they are, but same time they have no idea how to advance (unlike Tampa they are not winners) and it will bit them most hardest way

 

[pb1300]

I have my doubts whether the Leafs can match up with Florida but let's not forget Toronto won the division this season. A division with both Tampa and Florida in it.

PoMo and the team could care less what seeding they had, or whether they won the division or not. He rested players the last few weeks of the season, and played lots of AHLers. Plus they had no Ekblad and Tkachuk, as well as Marchand for all but a few games.

 

[RedRocking]

I like this Leafs team much more than in years past. Definitely playing better defensive, playoff style hockey - with a dependable goalie.

But, I still see the Cats taking this in 5 or 6. They’re just great at playoff hockey, and added Marchand, who is cooking on their 3rd line.

No hate against the Leafs. I just have to see their core guys match the intensity of FL before I can believe in them.

 

[webagent]

Excited to see how the guys respond to being the underdog again. It’ll be a tough battle against a team that finished far ahead of us in the standings.

Most picked Florida to lose against Tampa and look at how that turned out. I expect the same here.

 

[TimeZone]

Excited to see how the guys respond to being the underdog again. It’ll be a tough battle against a team that finished far ahead of us in the standings.

Most picked Florida to lose against Tampa and look at how that turned out. I expect the same here.

The Panthers are -180 favorites, they were also slight favorites against Tampa.

 

[IdleTraveller]

This got to 30 pages in 24 hours?? whoa

Far too many - so much work. I shudder to think about what it would look like once the series get started and there's actually something for us to talk/discuss/shitpost/whine/bitch about...

That said, love the passion, chirping and downright cockiness here from both sides - keep up the energy, guys!! I'm a worn dead husk of a human being when it comes to sports so can't quite join you, but love seeing it!

 

[crump]

Toronto fans are acting like they have not f***ed 58 years on a row its so funny, give some respect, you dont belong these games yet

I totally “belong these games”. Nothing matters except what happens starting 8pm Monday in Toronto. Leafs are going to make another Tkachuk cry.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Lots of words, zero relevance. How they played or were in 23 has no relevance to this years series.

But let’s play your hope game. What happened to the Panthers since then? They reached 2 Stanley Cups, won one, gained loads of experience in that playoffs that was needed, added depth to the team, with 5 NHL lines available, added on the blueline, while still having Bob, and the best coaching staff and front office in the league.

And all those things about the Leafs that you said, you forgot one thing…they still just lose.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Even more motivation. Eliminate Panthers AND force Bruins fans to watch Marchand playing for them for only a 2nd?

Schwing

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Toronto fans are acting like they have not f***ed 58 years on a row its so funny, give some respect, you dont belong these games yet

Careful. We might question whether you belong in the league yet.

 

[flyfysher]

In the POs the Leafs have played very well. Panthers have been dominant though.

 

[Ryuji Yamazaki]

Nah they finished with more points and went further in the playoffs cause they're worse.

Like I said, they’re built for the regular season.

And yeah, they went further in the playoffs cuz they played Ottawa in the first round and the Lightning had to play us.

 

[crump]

 

[sinDer]

I have my doubts whether the Leafs can match up with Florida but let's not forget Toronto won the division this season. A division with both Tampa and Florida in it.

You are aware that the Panthers played the last 2 months of the season like they didn’t care? Just went coasting and resting players. They couldn’t care less about the regular season. It does’t matter. It’s a thing they’ve learned few years ago.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

You are aware that the Panthers played the last 2 months of the season like they didn’t care? Just went coasting and resting players. They couldn’t care less about the regular season. It does’t matter. It’s a thing they’ve learned few years ago.

You're the second person to say this so I'll respond. I was mostly talking to the poster that said Tampa was a better team than Toronto. Maybe, maybe not but only one team won the division so, ./shrug

 

[SensFactor]

I think all the games will be close. Leafs playing tight hockey. Panthers are relentless on the forecheck. Going to be a fun series.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

You are aware that the Panthers played the last 2 months of the season like they didn’t care? Just went coasting and resting players. They couldn’t care less about the regular season. It does’t matter. It’s a thing they’ve learned few years ago.

You realize the Leafs went the whole season playing a style that prevented them from piling up more points and creating a larger gap? You aren't the only ones running a different strategy.

 

[The Shadow]

Can the Leafs win this ? Yes if all their best players have the series of their life

But the chances of that happening knowing these players is almost zero