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

[pb1300]

19 years of not being in the 2nd round will do that to ya.....

Isnt that similar to what happened to the Panthers last year? Well that, and running into a Vasi who was MUCH better than this years Vasi.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Isnt that similar to what happened to the Panthers last year? Well that, and running into a Vasi who was MUCH better than this years Vasi.

Last year's Panther's team was just wildly overrated, we all knew the cards would crash eventually. This year's team is better built, and a rejuvenated Bob is a difference maker. Nothing surprising about the Lightning's drubbing of the Cats last year.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Toronto didnt look bad at all. If they continue playing like that, they could make this a long series.

I <3 Reinhart, man. That assist on the 2nd or 3rd goal was insane. This Sabres fan is glad to see him doing well in Florida.

 

[kanadalainen]

Whoa, fingers.

 

[LeafAttack]

Dubis wants to play lol.Good to see him that mad.
We need to take more screened shots,and go for more tip ins like against TB.If the goalie can see the shot he will save it,no matter how many we get,or how close they are.Mix it up..keep shooting..just shoot it when you get the chance.Too many non shots from good shooting angles,and not enough attempts at non perfect shots.

 

[BostonBruins11]

The Panthers are just relentless at getting sticks in the lanes, creating traffic and capitalizing on the few chances they get. They play on the edge of "interference" which is incredibly frustrating but it works. Their stickwork and forecheck is impressive and Bob is also dialed in lol.

They're a very dangerous team to underrate because it can appear you're in control, then suddenly.......you lost the game. You give them an inch and they will score.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Gustav Forsling and Zac Dalpe have been on for the most High Danger Chances For at 5v5 for the Cats. Just as we all expected.

 

[Belos]

Toronto Maple Leafs

79 Bunting, 88 Matthews, 84 Marner
78 Jarnkrok, 83 Tavares, 84 Nylander
74 Knies, 85 O'Reilly, 77 Acciari
77 Kerfoot, 76 Kampf, 75 Lafferty

82 McCabe(+), 84 Brodie
82 Giordano, 78 Holl
81 Rielly, 80 Schenn

84 Samsonov
83 Murray



Florida Panthers

85 Verhaeghe, 88 Barkov, 81 Duclair
77 Cousins, 83 Bennett, 89 Tkachuk(+)
79 Luostarinen, 81 Lundell, 84 Reinhart
76 White,77 Staal, 75 Hornqvist

81 Forsling, 82 Ekblad
79 Staal, 84 Montour(+)
75 Mahura, 79 Gudas

86 Bobrovsky
75 Knight

Panthers have a lot of size, speed, aggressiveness and now momentum... Can the Leafs bring it back?

 

[AvroArrow]

Leafs just need to convert on their chances, the pace of the game has looked good. But dominating and creating chances, expected goals for aren't worth shit. The only thing that matters at the end is goals for vs goals against. Leafs need to find a way to start burying some. Maybe go back to the strategy from round 1, get bodies in front of Bob, take away his vision. Right now he's playing lights out, the forwards need to collectively be better than him.

I love the chances we created but if you don't convert it's all worthless. Just keep playing hard and start crashing the net and get bodies in front of Bob.

 

[CanuckHockey]

I'm not going to lie celebrating winning a round the way Leaf fans did is hilarious.

I get it.

But it's hilarious.

Yeah it was kinda a bad look. I get that most of them were drunk 15 year olds, but that group of fans chanting "we want Florida!" post Game 6 in the Tampa series was cringey. Even if in your head you believe Florida is the better match up, every serious hockey fan knows it's bad juju to say it out loud, never mind chant it.

 

[LeafAttack]

Think before you cheer ...Leaf fans.
To the players on FLA that is the sweetest thing they can hear.They will eat that shit up,and FEED on it.
Leafs cannot have any more lapses ever in this series.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

What's the status on Spencer Knight? He's out for the rest of the playoffs, correct?

I am wondering if he comes back next year, what 2 goalies will Florida keep?

 

[WetcoastOrca]

This Florida team beat the Bruins after trailing 3-1 in the series. They are for real and remind me somewhat of those hard working Islander teams that went deep playing physical in your face hockey with every player buying in to their role. The biggest difference is that the Panthers also have a superstar in Tkachuk who has taken his game to another level this year and is extra valuable in the playoffs.

 

[myleafs]

Still, the series is not over. Certainly the probability of the Leafs winning is low, but they will play the games anyway.

Historically, NHL teams down 0-2 in a series are 51-330 overall....leafs went from being the faves to win to being 7th out of 8 teams to win. If they can pull this series off it would be well earned thats for sure.

sweep

If they are going to lose this series I would prefer a sweep so the changes needed can happen. If they push this series to 6 or 7 games and lose I think we get more of the same for the next few years.

 

[TK 421]

Leafs fans describing how Darth Bennett took out Knies.

 

[myleafs]

Don't let my Ontario location fool you, I'm not Leafs fan, I'm the farthest thing from it. Okay maybe that guy who trolls them wearing the road team jersey every game has me beat for hating...

But I don't think the Leafs are out of this at all. They can win the next two games.

NJ rolled over NYR after losing the first 2 games. It's a 7 game series for a reason.

NJ also only allowed 2 goals total against in 3 games.....can the leafs do that?

 

[KnightofBoston]

Need a @Pink Mist wellness check today, how you doing buddy?

 

[myleafs]

Absolutely


Samsonov is cooked. Crapping the bed. He is terrible.

crazy part is that Samsonov has also kept the leafs in the games...he is letting in a bad one but has made a bunch of 10 beller saves as well.

 

[leafsfan5]

2 factors will determine how the rest of the series will go for Toronto:

1.) Can the Leafs limit mental lapses?
2.) Can the stars finally finish their chances?

The Leafs have 0 goals from their core 4 and have made some terrible mistakes leading to the Panther's capitalizing. If the Leafs can solve both issues I like their chances, but I don't think they will limit their lapses that well

 

[AvroArrow]

2 factors will determine how the rest of the series will go for Toronto:

1.) Can the Leafs limit mental lapses?
2.) Can the stars finally finish their chances?

The Leafs have 0 goals from their core 4 and have made some terrible mistakes leading to the Panther's capitalizing. If the Leafs can solve both issues I like their chances, but I don't think they will limit their lapses that well

Tavares/Matthews had several chances last game, you gotta bury at least a couple of those. Bobrovsky played good, but these guys are getting paid $11M each. They need to be able to beat Bob. This team will only go as far as their stars take them, 2 goals in both games is not a recipe for success.

 

[Homesick]

You don’t think the leafs will be flying after beating Tampa and getting past the first round for the first time in this core’s entire career?

No, I dont

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Pretty good odds for anyone foolish enough to bet Toronto right now. Even Vegas has turned on them.

 

[LeafAttack]

We need some luck now,and to win a couple while being outplayed.

 

[authentic]

Dubis wants to play lol.Good to see him that mad.
We need to take more screened shots,and go for more tip ins like against TB.If the goalie can see the shot he will save it,no matter how many we get,or how close they are.Mix it up..keep shooting..just shoot it when you get the chance.Too many non shots from good shooting angles,and not enough attempts at non perfect shots.

High danger scoring chances are 36-19 Toronto after 2 games. If we keep playing our game and Samsonov plays up to par and Bobrovsky falls down to earth a little I'm not that worried. Not only has Bobrovsky been amazing but we missed and/or hit the post on about 10 point blank chances last game. Either way they are clearly a great team and I expect we still win both games in their building, if not then it's all but a foregone conclusion we'll lose the series.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

2 factors will determine how the rest of the series will go for Toronto:

1.) Can the Leafs limit mental lapses?
2.) Can the stars finally finish their chances?

The Leafs have 0 goals from their core 4 and have made some terrible mistakes leading to the Panther's capitalizing. If the Leafs can solve both issues I like their chances, but I don't think they will limit their lapses that well

The biggest factor will be whether penalties continue to favour the Leafs 3-1. If the penalties become more even I like Floridas chances.