ECSF - Game 1 - Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers - 7pm EST, ESPN

[Divine]

The NHL really gave the Leafs the Oilers schedule because they're so scared of Florida having no fans in the building with the Heat playing on Saturday's

 

[violaswallet]

Good luck to your team Panther fans. Gonna be a fun series I think. I get that it doesn’t have rivalry buzz of a Boston v Toronto or a Florida vs Tampa series, but it’s something new at least. First time facing each other in the playoffs is crazy. I think the style of each team is going to make for some awesome hockey. Cheers.

It will be a fun series: a lot of fun story lines when you look into it

1. Tkachuk vs Matthew: Who is the best American player in the game today?
2. Can Samsonov get revenge from the Panthers ending his Caps career?
3. Is Bobrovsky back as a legitimate goalie or is it only against 60+ win teams?
4. Which of the two finally break through for their first conference finals in over 20 years?
5. How distressed will Habs fans be? Do they root against the hated Leafs or for their 17th overall first round draft pick? #Ole

I'm nervous but excited: 3 of the 4 games this season went to OT and I think the teams are well matched when no one is injured or suspended

 

[Transplanted Caper]

There will be more Paul Maurice f-bombs than goals in this one. Could still be 9-8 though.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

Could be a bloodbath tonight. Neither team can physically dominate the other buy they might need to explore the possibility first.

 

[5minutemajor]

6-1

 

[HockeyVirus]

6-1

In the first period

 

[um]

Chapter 1 in our playoff history begins. In the end it may be decided by goaltending.

Chapter 1? The Leafs are 106 years old and have 13 cups.

 

[Ratsreign]

The NHL really gave the Leafs the Oilers schedule because they're so scared of Florida having no fans in the building with the Heat playing on Saturday's

The NHL in general tries not to clash w/the NBA. & I imagine the league’s tv partners had some input into this, as well. There’s also the F1 race around Dolphins Stadium this weekend. They also may have concerns about people even being able to get there on time, the Traffic is going to be a nightmare trying to get anywhere down there this weekend.

Chapter 1? The Leafs are 106 years old and have 13 cups.

I think he means Chap 1 between Leafs and Panthers

 

[PeE eL DuBoiS]

The Panthers are sort of like a Leafs proxy team due to revenue sharing, so I'll be less heart broken if they win.

 

[Dotter]

Doesn't TML have a history of choking against series they are supposed to win?

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

No Saturday night Leafs playoff hockey is an abomination imo

Doesn't TML have a history of choking against series they are supposed to win?

No you are thinking of those old Ottawa teams that always lost to 8th place Leaf teams

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

No Saturday night Leafs playoff hockey is an abomination imo


No you are thinking of those old Ottawa teams that always lost to 8th place Leaf teams

Agreed. Boooo Sunday!!

Don’t they know Sunday is the Matthew’s day?

 

[Three On Zero]

Two more hours!!!!

 

[Pink Mist]

Doesn't TML have a history of choking against series they are supposed to win?

They just won a series they were supposed to win

 

[sxvnert]

So glad its a series against a new opponenet (Panthers) and not a retread from the past.

 

[Dread Clawz]

When the Leafs lost to Boston, we lost everything. Until this team was built as it is today and we beat Tampa...a gift from the hockey gods...in that moment we received some semblance of hope...an opportunity of payback and vengeance against the Bruins...and the Panthers took it from us.
STOLE THAT FROM US....KILLED THAT FROM US.
People are asking whether the Leafs are back. But now we are thinking...yeah we're back. So you can either walk away as fans or you can feel the full wrath of Leaf Nation after the Buds kill the Panther playoff dreams.
...your truly
John Wick

Your tears will just be that much sweeter.

 

[sxvnert]

The NHL really gave the Leafs the Oilers schedule because they're so scared of Florida having no fans in the building with the Heat playing on Saturday's

Only benefit is more rest for banged up leafs.

 

[Dread Clawz]

90% of “neutral” fans on this site are pretty unabashed Leaf haters.

Well I guess they are both Leaf haters and Panthers haters.

 

[Dotter]

No Saturday night Leafs playoff hockey is an abomination imo


No you are thinking of those old Ottawa teams that always lost to 8th place Leaf teams

Wouldn't know anything about OTT other than they're just another crappy canada team and drafted Daigle who was the biggest bust in NHL history. Lol

 

[sxvnert]

Your tears will just be that much sweeter.

Sweeter than this?

 

[Dread Clawz]

Sweeter than this?

View attachment 701823
View attachment 701824

Ok maybe not that sweet

Panthers defense and goaltending will be the wildcard of the series. They allowed 53 more goals against than Toronto this season.

Allowed less than Toronto last round though.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

I now have no choice but to wear my signed Sundin jersey
My dad won this for me at a golf thing. I never wore it even once until Game 6 against TB

I know Ill prob never sell it, I mean who would pay me what its worth if its even got any value lol. I dunno about you but Id prefer him signing it on the numbers somewhere overe...... HERE!

but look at this lol

my dad says it a game worn jersey but I dunno

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

One adjustment for Florida compared to Boston will be that our top 3 Cs are all healthy, and all 3 generate goals 5v5. Bergeron and Krecji only has 1 5v5 point in the series. Coyle stepped in an was ok but doesn't really drive play.

Might put Florida's C more on their heels compared to last series.

 

[FlaPanthers11]

The NHL really gave the Leafs the Oilers schedule because they're so scared of Florida having no fans in the building with the Heat playing on Saturday's

Panthers went head to head with the Heat in the playoffs last year and had no issues selling out. The league is in the business of making money and more viewership and higher ticket prices because they aren’t fighting a losing battle vs the far more popular league is a wise one financially for the NHL. You’d think sunbelt fans wouldn’t have to explain such simple concepts to O6 fans but here we are

 

[violaswallet]

One adjustment for Florida compared to Boston will be that our top 3 Cs are all healthy, and all 3 generate goals 5v5. Bergeron and Krecji only has 1 5v5 point in the series. Coyle stepped in an was ok but doesn't really drive play.

Might put Florida's C more on their heels compared to last series.

Definitely a healthier team. I think it will be a very different series.

On the flip side, the Bruins were a bit deeper with guys like Bertuzzi, Debrusk, and Hall all stepping up outside the big 4 of Bergeron, Krejci, Marchand, and Bergeron.

Will be an amazing series