I just don't see it. There is nothing worse than your star player being intimidated or scared of an opponent. It trickles down throughout the lineup, hopefully the supporting cast steps up in a major way (Lupul has to be a flat out beast). I saw it with Bosh vs Garnett and the Celtics before. I hope like hell I'm wrong, but I'm a realist. This will likely be one hell of a frustrating series.
Pre-Game Talk: It's official: Leafs vs Bruins [Game 1 on Wed]
- Thread starter Pi
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I just don't see it. There is nothing worse than your star player being intimidated or scared of an opponent. It trickles down throughout the lineup, hopefully the supporting cast steps up in a major way (Lupul has to be a flat out beast). I saw it with Bosh vs Garnett and the Celtics before. I hope like hell I'm wrong, but I'm a realist. This will likely be one hell of a frustrating series.
Chara fought Hal Gill who is bigger than McLaren. Actually broke his hand on Gill's skull. Good times.
That'll learn him.
Pyromaniac3
Registered User
The Winter Soldier
Registered User
- Apr 4, 2011
- 71,029
- 21,381
Just play.
This is what we have been waiting for. This is exciting, not a fearful experience.
Amen to that.
If people want to wallow, then I guess that's their choice. However it shapes up, I'm excited to see some playoff hockey with my team in it for a change!
garce
Registered User
The Leafs will be the primo team on the CBC as long as they last for the simple reason that they deliver the biggest audience thankfully market value has influence even with the socialist mother corp. The downside is we are going to get the #1 broadcast crew throughout. They might go with the Habs series a couple of games the opening series but I bet we get Healy et al for the duration.
Seconding these questions. I was planning on taking my talents to King West on Wednesday night, but good to know all options!
Why is Frattin an extra? Why wouldn't he be playing?
As for the Leafs' D, no one is concerned about it?
Kostka, Fraser, Franson?!? That's awful. Half of the D is a big weakness for the Leafs, imho. The other half of the D is questionable but those other guys are just bad. Fraser/Franson seem to be on many goals against and Kostka is everyone's whipping boy here so he must be terrible via default.
Pyromaniac3
Registered User
Keys to winning this series:
1) Full 60 mins
2) Defense has to be picture perfect
3) Get 20+ shots on net
4) Don't poke the bear - Caps did this last season and lulled Bruins to sleep.
1) Full 60 mins
2) Defense has to be picture perfect
3) Get 20+ shots on net
4) Don't poke the bear - Caps did this last season and lulled Bruins to sleep.
Auston Matthews
Maple Leafs.
JVR-Bozak-Kessel
Lupul-Kadri-Kulemin
Komarov-Grabovski-CMac
Mclaren-Mcclement-Orr
Phaneuf-Gunnar
Fraser-Franson
Liles-Gardiner
Reimer
Reasoning:
The fourth line tough guys need to be there to contain the Bruins, so Lucic doesnt start running around, and keeping size and toughness in the Leafs. Gardiner needs to play to provide the Leafs with some much needed offence from the back end. The reason I have Mccarthur in there over Frattin is because Cmac has more experience, leadership, and toughness, and I have a feeling he will turn into his old goal scoring self we saw when he was first here.
The rest of the lines are for chemistry purposes, and based on what we saw most of the year. Ryan O'Byrne should be used ONLY if Gardiner actually is a defensive liability.
Last but not least, under any condition, DO NOT play Kostka, once again on Saturday he showed us why he does not belong in the NHL.
Lupul-Kadri-Kulemin
Komarov-Grabovski-CMac
Mclaren-Mcclement-Orr
Phaneuf-Gunnar
Fraser-Franson
Liles-Gardiner
Reimer
Reasoning:
The fourth line tough guys need to be there to contain the Bruins, so Lucic doesnt start running around, and keeping size and toughness in the Leafs. Gardiner needs to play to provide the Leafs with some much needed offence from the back end. The reason I have Mccarthur in there over Frattin is because Cmac has more experience, leadership, and toughness, and I have a feeling he will turn into his old goal scoring self we saw when he was first here.
The rest of the lines are for chemistry purposes, and based on what we saw most of the year. Ryan O'Byrne should be used ONLY if Gardiner actually is a defensive liability.
Last but not least, under any condition, DO NOT play Kostka, once again on Saturday he showed us why he does not belong in the NHL.
Baseless? Bruins are #1 in NHL in faceoffs, Leafs are 15th.
Bruins also get to select who to match against who due to home ice advantage.
The only problem I have with the eastern conference right now is the Habs/Sens series. I just can't bring myself to cheer for either team. It makes you feel so dirty. One on hand, if the Habs win, you won't hear the end of it from their useless fans. Then again, if the Sens win, you won't hear the end of it from their useless fans. It's a no-win situation really.
keonsbitterness
Registered User
charliolemieux
rsTmf
- Apr 1, 2010
- 9,715
- 53
As far as picking a playoff pool these matchups suck donkey balls.actually, they didn't want the Islanders. Islanders are one of those teams that have given Pittsburgh trouble for the last few years for no logical reason at all. Penguins fans seemed to want Ottawa for the easy series.
Everyone hates the matchups!
Anyone can win. PIT v NYI is the most lopsided but even that is not a guaranteed win.
In the West MIN will play CHI. IS that not a crazy match up? Minny could click and give the Hawks fits. DET could easily beat ANH. STL and LAK is going to be a good series.
And VAN v SJS is the battle to see who chokes first.
mapleleafs34
Registered User
- Apr 7, 2011
- 1,129
- 1,372
As much as I didn't want to play the bruins I am kind of happy we are now.....
We have had to deal with getting our a*ses whooped by the bruins for the past 2-3 years and finally we have a chance to get some revenge!
Also this is kessels time to show them whos boss.
LETS FIRE IT UP! GO LEAFS GOOO
We have had to deal with getting our a*ses whooped by the bruins for the past 2-3 years and finally we have a chance to get some revenge!
Also this is kessels time to show them whos boss.
LETS FIRE IT UP! GO LEAFS GOOO
Keep trying lol.
All number of faceoffs prove is that Leafs have poor face-off men depth and Bozak is go to guy.
His 52.7% is still a solid 4% fewer than Bruins average. So, half the face-off guys on that squad are better than 57%.
Yes, killed is the right term there.
Lilou
t-.-t
This should be fun! Wooooo!
I like the B's. They play a style we want the Leafs to emulate and rarely resort to diving and whining like them quebecois.
I like the B's. They play a style we want the Leafs to emulate and rarely resort to diving and whining like them quebecois.
Suntouchable13
Registered User
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