Honesty: we can’t make any conclusions about this team based on the regular season

[ruaware41]

We know and knew they can beat the likes of Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. We know they can turn up the heat against these teams. We often seem to struggle in the crunch time against teams that play a more playoff style of hockey , something a large part of us have agreed upon here for a while.

This regular season doesn’t really answer questions about the improvements the team has made to better handle those teams. No Boston, no St. Louis, no Vegas, no Columbus. Can they play a tight game against teams that clog the neutral zone, forecheck heavy, and limit scoring, at least better than they used to? I don’t think we can say one way or another until the playoffs.

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[Guided by Veseys]

I think we can: this team healthy would crush the North Division in the playoffs.
If later on though we meet Tampa, Carolina, Bruins it won’t be easy.
I’m loving the team depth though and Matthews/Marner combo is basically unstoppable now, I don’t care what match up in the entire league you throw at them.

 

[Stephen]

If we get out of the North Division there’s no written rule that a path to the Stanley Cup has to go through St. Louis, Boston, Vegas or whomever that plays that big bad style. And if we’re in the semi finals I’m guessing this team will have no shortage of confidence either.

 

[Teeder Keon]

We know and knew they can beat the likes of Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. We know they can turn up the heat against these teams. We often seem to struggle in the crunch time against teams that play a more playoff style of hockey , something a large part of us have agreed upon here for a while.

This regular season doesn’t really answer questions about the improvements the team has made to better handle those teams. No Boston, no St. Louis, no Vegas, no Columbus. Can they play a tight game against teams that clog the neutral zone, forecheck heavy, and limit scoring, at least better than they used to? I don’t think we can say one way or another until the playoffs.

Can’t argue with that at all

 

[Martin Skoula]

I have a feeling if we were 9-8-2 right now we wouldn't be hearing that the regular season doesn't mean anything.

 

[Buds17]

The final four and SCF will be unique to this season in being the first meetings between the teams involved in them. Toronto making it to even the conference finals will be progress not seen in a long time for the franchise.

 

[Teeder Keon]

The worst case scenario is winning a first round playoffs series against any team
Anything less , would be a unmitigated disaster !
2nd round win would be a success
The cup would be unreal
But this team and organization and everyone involved and it’s young stars have to win a round

 

[Nylanderthal]

I really think that the North is bad narrative is lazy one. Sure, it’s not top heavy like the west but it’s also not littered with five dogs like in the same west. The central is equally mediocre as well. These alignments are awkward and have created real have/have nots in each division.
under normal divisional alignments 5/7 Canadian teams probably make the playoffs this year.

 

[zeke]

We know and knew they can beat the likes of Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. We know they can turn up the heat against these teams. We often seem to struggle in the crunch time against teams that play a more playoff style of hockey , something a large part of us have agreed upon here for a while.

This regular season doesn’t really answer questions about the improvements the team has made to better handle those teams. No Boston, no St. Louis, no Vegas, no Columbus. Can they play a tight game against teams that clog the neutral zone, forecheck heavy, and limit scoring, at least better than they used to? I don’t think we can say one way or another until the playoffs.

See you in a couple months, then!

Take care!

 

[X66]

Leafs have a ton of injuries last year + Babcock during the season and everyone loved drawing conclusions from that.

Leafs are finally healthy(ish) and dominating like many predicted, now we can't draw any conclusions.

People need to actually watch Bruins/Bolts games this year, they're not overly impressive at the moment. Boston isn't creating ANYTHING 5 on 5, but on the flip side they're not allowing much either. Tampa's 5 on 5 play has taken a HUGE hit this year without Kucherov.

 

[Garthinater]

I have a feeling if we were 9-8-2 right now we wouldn't be hearing that the regular season doesn't mean anything.

Since 18-19 we've been pretty much the best team in Canada (Oilers finished 1 spot ahead of us last year)

Like the OP said, we already knew that we could beat the other Canadian teams.

If we were playing .500 hockey, then it would be quite a big deal as we would be on pace to miss the playoffs. Seems pretty obvious.

 

[Stephen]

I really think that the North is bad narrative is lazy one. Sure, it’s not top heavy like the west but it’s also not littered with five dogs like in the same west. The central is equally mediocre as well. These alignments are awkward and have created real have/have nots in each division.
under normal divisional alignments 5/7 Canadian teams probably make the playoffs this year.

I don't know if the North is necessarily weak so much as it seems like the Atlantic Division was unusually strong at the top. Obviously if Toronto, Boston, Florida and Tampa were all playing each other they'd likely cancel each other out it's not like each of the temporary divisions doesn't also have some garbage teams to beat up on.

 

[banks]

I have a feeling if we were 9-8-2 right now we wouldn't be hearing that the regular season doesn't mean anything.

I came here to post the same thing.

Would people prefer that they suck? The Leafs are the top team in the NHL, and are head and shoulders the better team most nights.

 

[Christ]

If we get out of the North Division there’s no written rule that a path to the Stanley Cup has to go through St. Louis, Boston, Vegas or whomever that plays that big bad style. And if we’re in the semi finals I’m guessing this team will have no shortage of confidence either.

I think that this is the key for Toronto. If we can finally get the damn monkey off our back and win in the playoffs, I see no reason why they can't win the whole thing.

 

[likecheese]

We know and knew they can beat the likes of Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. We know they can turn up the heat against these teams. We often seem to struggle in the crunch time against teams that play a more playoff style of hockey , something a large part of us have agreed upon here for a while.

This regular season doesn’t really answer questions about the improvements the team has made to better handle those teams. No Boston, no St. Louis, no Vegas, no Columbus. Can they play a tight game against teams that clog the neutral zone, forecheck heavy, and limit scoring, at least better than they used to? I don’t think we can say one way or another until the playoffs.

Montreal is a good test, even Ottawa, Murray can't play goal and Freddie kept us in the first period last game. Both those teams were playing heavy and aggressive. When Edmonton played us last game, they ran over us. We have one line that can score and certain defenders who give up odd-mans like candy. Our first line (and Freddy most of the time) is the only thing that's dominating, everybody else is getting tested to the max on a nightly basis.

 

[Auston 316]

Yes the Leafs being massively better means all the other North division teams suck. Funny though,When I said this to people in December, I was mocked for being a homer and made to look at a list of absolute plugs and told to be weary of them

 

[SprDaVE]

So the Leafs lose, it's the end of the world, they shouldn't be losing, etc etc etc. The Leafs win, it doesn't matter. Sounds like they are in a lose-lose situation.

It's ok to enjoy something. It won't hurt you. Nobody has a crystal ball. Enjoy the moment.

 

[RogerR]

We know and knew they can beat the likes of Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. We know they can turn up the heat against these teams. We often seem to struggle in the crunch time against teams that play a more playoff style of hockey , something a large part of us have agreed upon here for a while.

This regular season doesn’t really answer questions about the improvements the team has made to better handle those teams. No Boston, no St. Louis, no Vegas, no Columbus. Can they play a tight game against teams that clog the neutral zone, forecheck heavy, and limit scoring, at least better than they used to? I don’t think we can say one way or another until the playoffs.

Can you just try to enjoy this?

And FYI, Vegas has had the esaiest schedule in the NHl thus far

 

[Dirty Dan]

I really think that the North is bad narrative is lazy one. Sure, it’s not top heavy like the west but it’s also not littered with five dogs like in the same west. The central is equally mediocre as well. These alignments are awkward and have created real have/have nots in each division.
under normal divisional alignments 5/7 Canadian teams probably make the playoffs this year.

I think that might be the strongest division IMO

Nashville if they can sort out their coach won't be nearly as bad, stars are a cup contender. Blue jackets are a tough team for us, blackhakws are kind of weak but have firepower , panthers and hurricanes look strong

 

[saltming]

We know and knew they can beat the likes of Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. We know they can turn up the heat against these teams. We often seem to struggle in the crunch time against teams that play a more playoff style of hockey , something a large part of us have agreed upon here for a while.

This regular season doesn’t really answer questions about the improvements the team has made to better handle those teams. No Boston, no St. Louis, no Vegas, no Columbus. Can they play a tight game against teams that clog the neutral zone, forecheck heavy, and limit scoring, at least better than they used to? I don’t think we can say one way or another until the playoffs.

That's the same for any season and team.
I mean if that wasn't the way wouldn't the presidents trophy winner win the Stanley cup every year or at leas at a high percentage hell even 50% of the time?
If the regular season was so damn important they could eliminate the playoffs all together because obviously the team that was first overall for the season must be the one that would win the Stanley cup.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

playoff winner of north division plays playoff winner of what division

 

[Auston 316]

playoff winner of north division plays playoff winner of what division

Final 4 get reseeded

 

[Gary Nylund]

The regular season is so far telling me that this team is damn good!!

 

[RogerR]

There's a weird thing that goes on in this market where we are not suppose to feel good about the team like any other market would,

 

[BayStBullies]

If the Leafs didn't get an excuse for having the hardest path in prior years; then, there shouldn't be an excuse against them now. This fanbase needs to stop being so deflating. The team can sense it. Our environment at games suck because of it (in prior years). You can change the players; but, the loser attitude persists. Time to change the attitude in the city. Be happy with what this team is icing this year. Believe in the team you are following. Otherwise, why even waste your time?