GDT: Leafs at Florida Panthers, Tuesday April 8th, 2025, 7pm TSN4

[weems]

Only 6 games remaining and will be playing for keeps in two weeks time.
This is where we need to see our core finally rise up and carry the team to a championship.
Noone league wide really believes they can do that and lets be honest, most of our fanbase doesn't either, so this group needs to go out and take it.
Our desperation and intensity needs to higher than any team we come up against.
I dont think Florida is messing around trying to intentionally set up a matchup against us but regardless, go into their building tonight. lay a beatdown and send a message that this year is different.

 

[rumman]

Leafs better be able to win this one with several Panthers injured…..

 

[Suntouchable13]

Leafs better be able to win this one with several Panthers injured…..

Yea, and then have Ottawa catch them and we end up facing the Panthers anyway. OT win will do just fine here. Give them a point.

 

[ToneDog]

Win tonight and Sens can tie Florida with 92 points with a win over CBJ.

Lose and Tampa can take over 1st in the division tomorrow with a win over the Leafs.

In both cases, odds that you end up with Florida in round 1 increase.

Will be interesting to see what the Panthers bring. Some are thinking they want to avoid Tampa more than play the Leafs in round 1.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Just win and forget about the standings.

I'd like to play Ottawa round 1 too but that's not in our hands to control. Florida has played a ton of hockey over the past two years and are banged up. They may be an easier matchup in the playoffs than most expect but obviously I wouldn't count on it with their pedigree.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Just win and forget about the standings.

I'd like to play Ottawa round 1 too but that's not in our hands to control. Florida has played a ton of hockey over the past two years and are banged up. They may be an easier matchup in the playoffs than most expect but obviously I wouldn't count on it with their pedigree.

There have been several SC champs in recent past who have lost in the 1st round the following season, so it’s definitely not as daunting task as we may think (to take them down)

 

[Tak7]

There have been several SC champs in recent past who have lost in the 1st round the following season, so it’s definitely not as daunting task as we may think (to take them down)

I think they are beatable. I predicted in February that they'd lose in the 1st round.

It would be so damn daunting going up against them though - I would be terrified. I

 

[Gary Nylund]

Just win and forget about the standings.

I'd like to play Ottawa round 1 too but that's not in our hands to control. Florida has played a ton of hockey over the past two years and are banged up. They may be an easier matchup in the playoffs than most expect but obviously I wouldn't count on it with their pedigree.

This. With this core we haven't finished top 3, we haven't won our division and our playoff record is abysmal. Win the division, go into the playoffs on a positive note and don't worry about how everything else falls into place.

 

[The Masters]

big game

 

[Tak7]

Yea, and then have Ottawa catch them and we end up facing the Panthers anyway. OT win will do just fine here. Give them a point.

The Leafs don't have the luxury, or the right, to get cute about the standings.
Win your games, win the division, and see how the chips fall.
I expect the Sens to finish the season strong, as their schedule is really soft. Think it's more important that the Leafs go into the post-season feeling really good about themselves, more-so than trying to get crafty with who they play.

 

[Suntouchable13]

The Leafs don't have the luxury, or the right, to get cute about the standings.
Win your games, win the division, and see how the chips fall.
I expect the Sens to finish the season strong, as their schedule is really soft. Think it's more important that the Leafs go into the post-season feeling really good about themselves, more-so than trying to get crafty with who they play.

No, I definitely agree with you. I guess I just so badly wanna see the Battle of Ontario round 1. Great entertainment to be had for all.

 

[ToneDog]

Yea, and then have Ottawa catch them and we end up facing the Panthers anyway. OT win will do just fine here. Give them a point.

Never considered OT but IMO a point for the Leafs might be the best outcome. Gives them a 3 point lead over Tampa and Florida a 4 point lead over Ottawa.

 

[rumman]

I think they are beatable. I predicted in February that they'd lose in the 1st round.

It would be so damn daunting going up against them though - I would be terrified. I

I don’t underestimate their winning pedigree, that along with their current injuries tells me they are still the team to beat in the east. They know how yo get it done, snd Bob slways shows up come the playoffs……

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Too many potential playoff outcomes now to try to manipulate games at this point .. just play a great solid defensive game like against Columbus on the road and team will be fine .. it wouldn't be terrible to play da right way and lose this game .. and then win tomorrow night against Tampa .. if you play da odds on playoff matchup's that is probably best outcome for our Leafs to play Sens

 

[leafsfan5]

OT win please

 

[Evilhomer]

OT win please

I could see this one going to OT.

 

[1specter]

OT win please

I'll even take the OTL as long as we get the job done tomorrow.

 

[likecheese]

I wonder if Bennett still has any "Bettman-approved get out of jail free slewfoot passes" left over or did he only have the one?
edit: oh he's "injured" now lol, tank away

 

[AvroArrow]

Yea, and then have Ottawa catch them and we end up facing the Panthers anyway. OT win will do just fine here. Give them a point.

Ullmark has been on fire lately, I don't know if I'd want to play Ottawa tbh. Florida looks like they're having some serious injuries. Barkov is banged up, Bennett ruled out for the rest of the regular season, same with Tkachuk.

Fully healthy, hungry Ottawa Senators team with a red hot goalie vs banged up Florida Panthers

Won't be easy regardless of who we get

 

[LeafSteel]

Assuming we are going with the same lineup as last game?

Sure I’m in the minority, but I do not want to play Ottawa in the 1st round.

They always come hyped to play us and outwork us.

 

[bax]

Ullmark has been on fire lately, I don't know if I'd want to play Ottawa tbh. Florida looks like they're having some serious injuries. Barkov is banged up, Bennett ruled out for the rest of the regular season, same with Tkachuk.

Fully healthy, hungry Ottawa Senators team with a red hot goalie vs banged up Florida Panthers

Won't be easy regardless of who we get

Exactly. Fans did this two years ago chanting we want Florida and we all know how that played out. Win the division, play whoever you get and beat them all.

 

[Fogelhund]

Panthers HC Paul Maurice announces Sam Bennett will be rested for the rest of the regular season. Reinhart, Barkov, and Forsling are all slated to return tonight against the Leafs.

 

[MSZ]

Ullmark has been on fire lately, I don't know if I'd want to play Ottawa tbh. Florida looks like they're having some serious injuries. Barkov is banged up, Bennett ruled out for the rest of the regular season, same with Tkachuk.

Fully healthy, hungry Ottawa Senators team with a red hot goalie vs banged up Florida Panthers

Won't be easy regardless of who we get

The Sens won't be fully healthy either, Tkachuk isn't going to be 100% when the playoffs begin.

But Ullmark is definitely a concern.

 

[ACC1224]

Panthers HC Paul Maurice announces Sam Bennett will be rested for the rest of the regular season. Reinhart, Barkov, and Forsling are all slated to return tonight against the Leafs.

So they don't want to lose now?

 

[notDatsyuk]

So they don't want to lose now?

Maybe they saw that Montreal is also in their rearview mirror, and closing fast.