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

[pb1300]

As a Leaf fan I am really excited to watch this series play out. Not because I think the Leafs will easily win the series. I see it more like the final verdict. We all know the history. Either they will finally take the next step and apply everything they have learnt in defeat or they won’t.

We will know soon enough

You need Matthews and Marner to step up, period. Not just against the Panthers, but to win the Cup. I have yet to see either player do what is needed in order to win 2 rounds, let alone 4. Tkachuk was not being a douche when he said its just a 2nd round series to them. Well he kind of was, but he is correct, this is only a 2nd round series to them, because they have been through the gauntlet, and have their eyes set on the big prize. You need your top players to find a place where they need to get to, a dark dirty place where they may be scared or insecure to enter, to do the things required to win. And I dont know if the Leafs have all the players required to do so.

And the biggest problem the Leafs face, IF they were to make it to the end, is you all, the fans. To win that 4th game in the SCFs is not easy at all. When it was 3-0 Panthers, they started flying familes and friends in. Everyone from the organization was being flown in for Game 4. Its not just a series winning game, it is THE series winning game. So the pressure was on them. Edmonton's first taste of that was Game 7, and that included the weight of an entire nation on them. Matthews and Marner are going to have to do a lot of growing up if they want to reach that point. And thats with all due respect to 34, because Ive always been a fan.

 

[mix1home]

Ottawa has struggled offensively all season long though for stretches of games. So did the Leads lock down defensively or did they just get to see one of those stretches from Ottawa?
Something for Leafs fans to be worried about

Florida scored 9 more goals in regular season than Ottawa. Not exactly big difference. And Ottawa was one of the hottest teams going into PO. So are you saying they started their cold stick right in game one against Leafs? So yes, I think it has something to do with Leafs new focus on D.

 

[The Shadow]

Of course it was. Can't wait to see the Leafs get bullied by the Panthers.

I hope they give it right back

 

[PistolPete]

Florida scored 9 more goals in regular season than Ottawa. Not exactly big difference. And Ottawa was one of the hottest teams going into PO. So are you saying they started their cold stick right in game one against Leafs? So yes, I think it has something to do with Leafs new focus on D.

Meh.

Florida in 5.

Ottawa just wasn't bringing the firepower and made the Leafs look like William M. Jennings contenders

 

[mix1home]

Ottawa plays the same style as Florida?

Elaborate.

Fast forecheck, jumping on pucks, sending it to the net and then fishing for rebounds. This is exactly what has killed Leafs last time we met. Too many turnovers, D that was not able to beat forecheck, Leafs trying to be cute with puck that led to turnovers, D was soft and could not win puck battles.
And if you would watch Ottawa that is exactly what they tried to do, but it will not work with this version of Leafs.
D beats forecheck, D wins their share of battles in corners, Leafs play way more dump and chase, there are way less turnovers, D stays up and retreats when possession is lost, not many odd man rushes, and it’s not as easy to stay in front of the net.
Summarising, those holes that tanked Leafs in the past are either gone or not as easy to exploit.
Florida is still the champs, but let’s see what happens.

 

[Strangle]

All of the shenanigans in Round 1 stemmed from Hagel's hit on Barkov. If that hit does not happen, Chucky doesnt hit Geuntzel, and Ekblad doesnt take out Hagel. You want to call it dirty, or suspension worthy hockey, thats fine, but that is hockey. You come and knock out Barkov, the Panthers are going to retaliate the way they can and want to. Even listen to what Kypreos said about the situation, and how he had no sorrow for Hagel.

The Panthers are not going to come and attempt to sweep the leg on Matthews. They arent "fishing for retaliation." Neither team is going into the series hoping that they take a player out, so there would be no point to retaliate beyond some pushing and shoving. What the Panthers wll do is play Panthers hockey, which is a nonstop relentless forecheck, with 200 feet of physicality. They will push the Leafs buttons and face wash, push and punch when they have the chance, because its playoff hockey, and its part of intimidation. What Toronto does in those situations will also play a part in the series.

The leafs have played Marchand before, we know what’s up

 

[The Shadow]

How did Ekblad look in his time back ? Rusty or ok?

 

[Delete1]

How did Ekblad look in his time back ? Rusty or ok?

Far less jacked.

 

[TheImpatientBoomer]

 

[sampollock]

Figs call
We what Florida

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Did Berube just compare those playoff virgins Senators to the defending cup champs?

Ottawa just about made NHL history and erased an 0-3 series deficit. The Leafs were gripping their sticks in the 3rd last night when the Sens tied it

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Did Berube just compare those playoff virgins Senators to the defending cup champs?

Ottawa just about made NHL history and erased an 0-3 series deficit. The Leafs were gripping their sticks in the 3rd last night when the Sens tied it

"Ottawa just about made NHL history and erased an 0-3 series deficit."

But they didn't. Leafs almost swept them in 4 but didn't. Coulda-woulda-shoulda's don't count in sports.

 

[Rob Brown]

Did Berube just compare those playoff virgins Senators to the defending cup champs?

Ottawa just about made NHL history and erased an 0-3 series deficit. The Leafs were gripping their sticks in the 3rd last night when the Sens tied it

Do you even know what day it is?

And they didn't erase a 3-0 deficit, so this is irrelevant. The series ended 4-2...my goodness.

 

[Squiffy]

Did Berube just compare those playoff virgins Senators to the defending cup champs?

Ottawa just about made NHL history and erased an 0-3 series deficit. The Leafs were gripping their sticks in the 3rd last night when the Sens tied it

Made NHL history? You'll have to indulge me, what playoff history was made winning 2 games after being down 3-0? Feels like it's not that uncommon as to be historic?

Dude, I am not here to disrespect the Sens, they are a team on the rise with a good future, I just honestly don't get the comment of "NHL history". Mikko last night was "NHL history". What is the parameter you're measuring?

Florida scares the hell out of me. Starts tomorrow. GLG.

 

[Squiffy]

Made NHL history? You'll have to indulge me, what playoff history was made winning 2 games after being down 3-0? Feels like it's not that uncommon as to be historic?

Dude, I am not here to disrespect the Sens, they are a team on the rise with a good future, I just honestly don't get the comment of "NHL history". Mikko last night was "NHL history". What is the parameter you're measuring?

Florida scares the hell out of me. Starts tomorrow. GLG.

Oh I see, "just about made history".

Ok, don't explain it to me.

 

[sampollock]

The rat vs the figs

 

[BelovedIsles]

I see the Cats taking this--best team, top to bottom, well rounded, no flaws (Stars a close second). Their physicality will be a real difference maker. The Leafs have to step their game up big time from round 1; this isn't Ottawa.

 

[Divine]

Did Berube just compare those playoff virgins Senators to the defending cup champs?

Ottawa just about made NHL history and erased an 0-3 series deficit. The Leafs were gripping their sticks in the 3rd last night when the Sens tied it

Just about made history? There was a team that came back from 0-3 to force a game 7, against Florida, just last season.

Leafs won 3 in a row against Ottawa. Ottawa just about made history by winning 2 in a row. Well, that's quite the spin.

 

[Maplebeasts]

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.

I wish this logic worked for us arguing with people over the last 7 years.

 

[Dread Clawz]

The oilers with Skinner took florida to 7 last year... and cats fans think they have this in 5. Halarious

Us homers may overrate the leafs but the panthers fans are delusional too, ego is way too puffed

My guy, the Leafs are not the Oilers. Do you not understand how good they can be when McDavid and Draisiatl decide to go off? Look what they just did to LA, a solid team that in many ways outplayed Edmonton and still lost the series. McDrai is definitely an x-Factor that can turn a series on a dime.

 

[avocadosmoothie]

How’s Toronto supposed to compete with Florida? One team is built for the playoffs, one is not.

 

[The Shadow]

 

[93gilmour93]

 

[Delete1]

How’s Toronto supposed to compete with Florida? One team is built for the playoffs, one is not.

It will be fun to see what excuses everyone uses after this series when the Leafs have won.

 

[Just Rude]

Did Berube just compare those playoff virgins Senators to the defending cup champs?

Ottawa just about made NHL history and erased an 0-3 series deficit. The Leafs were gripping their sticks in the 3rd last night when the Sens tied it

“Just about made NHL history.”

They won two games.