Is an Eastern team finally going to take out Florida this year?

[DitchMarner]

I think Tampa can give them a run for their money this year (unlike last year, when they fell to them in five).

I don't feel confident that TOR can handle FLA in a playoff series, but I think TOR can take out Tampa even though I'm not sure FLA is any better than TB at this time. It may simply be a match-up thing. I think some Lightning fans would be willing to admit that TOR matches up well with TB and Panthers fans can acknowledge that TOR doesn't exactly inspire fear against their team.

Otherwise, I think NJ or WSH can make a long playoff run despite being inexperienced. CAR really has no excuse for not making it to round three this year. But I feel the Canes aren't the best match-up for FLA, either.

 

[NYRfan85]

If the Leafs would stop doing Leafs things in the playoffs, I think they'd be the best chance for taking down Florida. If Carolina could get decent goaltending, then they'd have a shot.

 

[hangman005]

Like on a date, Florida would love that, they have worked so hard.... they deserve a little loving.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

I think 2 factors will stop Florida from a 3rd straight finals:

1. Too much hockey. It's incredibly hard to make 3 finals and Florida has played so many games the past 2 years

2. The defense has taken a big hit without Montour and OEL. Florida was suffocating all year last year and this year they're playing north-south hockey like they did in '22. That style doesn't bode well for the playoffs. Of course Zito is the GOAT but Florida's limited draft capital will prevent them from the big top 4 dman trade deadline add they need imo.

Agreed that they need to add a dman by the deadline, preferably a top 4 man. Do they have the cap space? Schmidt is a good replacement for OEL on the bottom pairing.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

I think the 2023 Playoffs was that butt kicking. We beat the Rangers by the skin of our teeth, and the Canes humbled us.

I do think the Devils can take down anybody in the East ONLY if a couple of concerns I personally have get addressed at the deadline or sooner.

Wouldn't totally surprise me. NJ has been a model rebuild and is ready to start competing for the cup. That said even Florida got spanked by Tampa multiple times in the playoffs before they got over the hump.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

No

 

[Team_Spirit]

We have taxes and no palm trees so, no.

 

[notbias]

I hate to admit but but TO looks like a threat this year. Their team is tougher and better built for playoffs.

As a fan, this team looks terrible.

Every year, depth scoring is the issue, this year it is nonexistent right now, so unless that changes, I don't see them doing well.

They generally defend well and the stars end up being the only ones scoring.

The only year they got some depth scoring, they advanced.

-----

To answer the question:

Vasi + Kucherov can beat anyone (assuming Vasi shows up).

Washington looks really good (still not sold though).

Florida is likely the favourite in every series.

Hockey is also the most random sport and the 8th seed could knock them out.

 

[Laus723]

We have the same amount of points at this time of the season as we did last year, but there’s no Montour and Ekblad coming in to help. The boys need to tighten things up and we’ll need a 4th line center with more grit than Nosek provided but more so we need a RHD. Keep hoping Balinskis will find the next level we see glimpses of, but he hasn’t yet, imo. Adam Boqvist isn’t it, either.

Losing Stenlund has left a hole at 4C that I don’t think has been filled yet. Guy’s a defensive monster.

 

[Dread Clawz]

We have the same amount of points at this time of the season as we did last year, but there’s no Montour and Ekblad coming in to help. The boys need to tighten things up and we’ll need a 4th line center with more grit than Nosek provided but more so we need a RHD. Keep hoping Balinskis will find the next level we see glimpses of, but he hasn’t yet, imo. Adam Boqvist isn’t it, either.

Losing Stenlund has left a hole at 4C that I don’t think has been filled yet. Guy’s a defensive monster.

We're never gonna replace Stenlund(for 1M). He was the perfect 4C to complete this team. I think Nosek is fine, and I think they like his defense and pk ability. He's not gonna provide much at all outside of that, but he generally makes good decisions, and won't hurt you in that regard.

 

[BHD]

The Devils are looking like a threat early on, but… Keefe is their coach.

 

[Laus723]

We're never gonna replace Stenlund(for 1M). He was the perfect 4C to complete this team. I think Nosek is fine, and I think they like his defense and pk ability. He's not gonna provide much at all outside of that, but he generally makes good decisions, and won't hurt you in that regard.

I agree we weren’t, but I’m not really a fan of Nosek. I just don’t notice him much, but he’s not some big issue by any means. Shore up the D a bit, we’ll be fine.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

I hate to admit but but TO looks like a threat this year. Their team is tougher and better built for playoffs.

Tougher than what? Boiled celery?

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

I hate to admit but but TO looks like a threat this year. Their team is tougher and better built for playoffs.

Toronto has learned so many lessons in the playoffs by now you would just expect them to break through eventually when everyone just expects them to fail.

 

[HabzSauce]

Toronto has learned so many lessons in the playoffs by now you would just expect them to break through eventually when everyone just expects them to fail.

I literally say this every single year but this year is first without Keefe and Dubas so who knows

Tougher than what? Boiled celery?

It's a big improvement from previous years.

Leafs biggest weaknesses in post season was overall toughness and goaltending.

Not only did they address both of those since Tre got hired, but they also beefed up their defence

 

[HockeyVirus]

East is wide open every team is flawed

 

[dalewood12]

Carolina is giving me 2016 Sharks and 2018 Caps vibes. A great team that always disappoints but finally gets over the hump and makes the finals.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Only if TOR can win at the trade deadline...in which they will...

 

[BB79]

The only teams I can see bouncing them are NJ or Toronto. Caps are a wildcard, depends on if they're pretenders or the real deal come playoff time which remains to be seen. The Rangers were a strong team last year but aren't anywhere near as good this season. The Bruins probably won't even make the playoffs so count them out. Carolina may beat them if they go on a run at the right time but they're a bit too streaky for me to give them the nod.

 

[Boud]

Panthers are definitely the team to beat in the East. They might not be as deep as last 2 years but they still have a great roster and room to improve at the deadline.

Teams that could surprise are probably the Devils and the Leafs, now that both teams have goaltending I could see them giving a tough series to the Panthers.

 

[OVO16]

They look lethal once again, Very structured team and has a lot of clutchness.

I think they will make some moves at the trade deadline to solidify themselves too. I can see them acquiring David Savard

 

[thethirdhockeyman91]

Carolina only
Imo. Can’t see any other team beating Florida

 

[Dread Clawz]

The only teams I can see bouncing them are NJ or Toronto. Caps are a wildcard, depends on if they're pretenders or the real deal come playoff time which remains to be seen. The Rangers were a strong team last year but aren't anywhere near as good this season. The Bruins probably won't even make the playoffs so count them out. Carolina may beat them if they go on a run at the right time but they're a bit too streaky for me to give them the nod.

Bruins will make the playoffs. Don't know how far they'll go though. If Carolina gets a goaltender, they could definitely beat us. I do think Toronto is improved also.