ECSF: Toronto Maple Leafs (A2) vs. Florida Panthers (WC2) ( Florida Leads 3-1 )

[Howe Elbows 9]

Marner and Tkachuk won the 2016 Memorial Cup with London. It'll be interesting to see them in this series.

 

[AcerComputer]

When the record setting Tampa Bay Lighting lost to CBJ in the first round. CBJ lost in the 2nd round 4-2 to BOS. So I got Leafs in 6.

 

[Panthers Propaganda]

Man two teams that have sucked ass for decades and people are coming in here trying to make a prediction???? Either one of these trains could explode.

I’m rooting for my cats, but don’t have too much hope, all I will say.

 

[teugen]

This is absolute gm7 with some horrible goaltending. The f are you guys betting on?

 

[AcerComputer]

Tough to pick the Panthers here, the Leafs kinda dominated us this year.

The only reason I have a tiny bit of hope, is we saw what happened last year. Once the Cats got the monkey off their back by winning round 1, they crumbled and got swept in round 2, this could also happen to Toronto.

I'm gonna say.... Leafs in 6?

They got smoked by TB the team we just beat - who played better this year than last year. The team we should have beaten last year, but got a bit unlucky - that's how close it was. FLA doesn't have 6 years of playoff scars the Leafs have. That said this series could go any way, regular season means nothing at this point. FLA coming in hot, you guys should be proud. Should be a great series!

 

[teugen]

They got smoked by TB the team we just beat - who played better this year than last year. The team we should have beaten last year, but got a bit unlucky - that's how close it was. FLA doesn't have 6 years of playoff scars the Leafs have. That said this series could go any way, regular season means nothing at this point. FLA coming in hot, you guys should be proud. Should be a great series!

The series will be one for the books and I predict gm7 after all. FLA doesn't have the playoff scars, but they do have the scars of sucking ass for 26 years of existence.

 

[AcerComputer]

Man two teams that have sucked ass for decades and people are coming in here trying to make a prediction???? Either one of these trains could explode.

I’m rooting for my cats, but don’t have too much hope, all I will say.

I feel the exact same way. Hard to really evaluate how good either team really is. FLA is rolling right now, and Leafs got lucky in the first round, and have yet to play their best hockey (outside of game 2). FLA could also be emotionally spent right now, which could put them down early in the series again.

 

[cyris]

Marner and Tkachuk won the 2016 Memorial Cup with London. It'll be interesting to see them in this series.

Matthews and Tkachuk are also childhood friends from their time playing minor hockey in Arizona.

 

[7even]

Now this is a feel good series

 

[Raym11]

feel like this will be a 6-7 game banger easy

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Leafs in 6. Schenn vs. Tkachuk should be fun in the trenches.

 

[MrSnrub]

I don't understand why the Leafs are a massive favorite (other than typical HF arrogance). Panthers just beat the greatest regular season team ever and you think they'll just be some pushover against an inferior team?

 

[7even]

Thank you Bruins for choking and gifting us the Panthers

Famous last words. Toronto and Florida went to OT for 3 of their 4 total games this year.

 

[MPGA]

I don't understand why the Leafs are a massive favorite (other than typical HF arrogance). Panthers just beat the greatest regular season team ever and you think they'll just be some pushover against an inferior team?

Simply because they have the better roster and had a better season?

 

[MrSnrub]

Simply because they have the better roster and had a better season?

So did the Bruins.

 

[scholl]

I have the same prediction what I had for the first round: Panthers in 6.
Winning game 7 in OT didn't feel bad. So that'll be fine too as long as Cats win.

 

[scholl]

I don't understand why the Leafs are a massive favorite (other than typical HF arrogance). Panthers just beat the greatest regular season team ever and you think they'll just be some pushover against an inferior team?

People tend to respect original six teams more.

 

[BlueBaron]

I don’t think the Leafs have an answer for Matthew Tkachuk. Panthers continue to roll, win in 5

What's the question? Who's the 3rd best forward in the series?

Safe to say there are answers for players who have never won a cup before...

It should be a good series. Leafs in 6.

 

[Zbynek]

I don't understand why the Leafs are a massive favorite (other than typical HF arrogance). Panthers just beat the greatest regular season team ever and you think they'll just be some pushover against an inferior team?

When you fail to win a playoff series in 20 years (or Cup in 60, take your pick) you kind of forget how hard it is to win Lord Stanley.

 

[Zwui21]

Feel like this series will be decided by Bob. If he keeps playing at a high level, Panthers take it. If he doesn't, Leafs win.

Fla definitely the underdog but they really play a complete game. Toronto has shown its power, but has to be better in the Dzone to succeed. Fla really has the ability to create scoring chances out of nothing.
There will be a lot of bruises to deal with for whichever team goes to ECF.

May the better team win, looking forward to this great series.

 

[Leaf Fans]

I don't understand why the Leafs are a massive favorite (other than typical HF arrogance). Panthers just beat the greatest regular season team ever and you think they'll just be some pushover against an inferior team?

Who thinks the Leafs are massive favorites?

 

[Zwui21]

When you fail to win a playoff series in 20 years (or Cup in 60, take your pick) you kind of forget how hard it is to win Lord Stanley.

I think the Tampa prolonged success in the past couple of years had people lose some of the consciousness on how hard it is to win in the NHL playoffs, and how the playoff outcome is so damn unpredictable.

There's nothing comparable to the unpredictability of NHL playoffs in other sports, and that's part of the reason why we love this time of the year so much.

 

[Leaf Fans]

When you fail to win a playoff series in 20 years (or Cup in 60, take your pick) you kind of forget how hard it is to win Lord Stanley.

Leaf fans haven't forgotten though it was only 19 years and 56 years for them.

 

[Zbynek]

I think the Tampa prolonged success in the past couple of years had people lose some of the consciousness on how hard it is to win in the NHL playoffs, and how the playoff outcome is so damn unpredictable.

There's nothing comparable to the unpredictability of NHL playoffs in other sports, and that's part of the reason why we love this time of the year so much.

Stanley Cup is the hardest piece of hardware to win in pro sports by a longshot. And then to defend it is such an insane statistical accomplishment.

Leaf fans haven't forgotten though it was only 19 years and 56 years for them.

Thanks for correcting the years. I genuinely do not mean any ill will on Leafs fans though my post may have seemed like that. I'm just pointing out how hard it is to win. Boston getting upset in round 1 is great proof of that.

The battle doesn't end until the whistle blows on that 4th win in the SCF.

 

[Felidae]

He has been sick allegedly

Yeah.. Sick of the playoffs