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Post-Game Talk: Leafs Beat Panthers and Clinch a Playoff Spot 3-2

Donnie740 said:
I’m not worried about Florida in the playoffs and I’d welcome a Leafs/Panthers match up in the conference finals.

Repeating as Cup champion is incredibly difficult - - even more so than winning it the first time - - because of the physical toll that it takes.

Not only did Florida win it in 2024, they were finalists in 2023. Three years in a row of being in the Cup finals? That’s not happening because Florida just isn’t physically capable of another championship run.
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Tampa beat us in 2022 despite back to back cup wins. Only in 2023 were we able to make it over the hump despite being heavily outplayed by Tampa.
 
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Sypher04 said:
I’m neither a novice or casual observer. I know exactly how much more physical and intense it is vs regular season. I didn’t say 2 months of playoff hockey doesn’t take a toll, I’m saying the physical fatigue from it doesn’t carry over through months of offseason into the following season. It’s a fallacy.

I’m also saying that it’s seemingly only Stanley cup finals teams that get these excuses made, and if you actually look at it, they often don’t play many more games than the other teams nobody makes these same claims about. A 3rd round finish vs a Stanley cup finish doesn’t equal meaningful difference in number of games played.

And again, injuries happen to all teams, some considerably worse than the teams that make the cup finals.

For example, Dallas, across the last two years combined has only played 7 less playoff games than Florida has and quite literally no one makes the same excuses for them.
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Tampa literally won the Cup twice in nine and a bit months, this idea that the physical toll of the year before lasts into next is not it.
 
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tuckerintensity said:
Tampa literally won the Cup twice in nine and a bit months, this idea that the physical toll of the year before lasts into next is not it.
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I agree that too much is made of this. I remember NYI winning 4 cups in a row, including taking out the Oilers in the finals in the 4th year, then making it to the finals again the next year before finally losing to the Oilers. I'm sure it was all physically demanding, but also clearly doable.
 
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Donnie740 said:
I’m not worried about Florida in the playoffs and I’d welcome a Leafs/Panthers match up in the conference finals.

Repeating as Cup champion is incredibly difficult - - even more so than winning it the first time - - because of the physical toll that it takes.

Not only did Florida win it in 2024, they were finalists in 2023. Three years in a row of being in the Cup finals? That’s not happening because Florida just isn’t physically capable of another championship run.
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Uhhh Florida was undermanned and playing their 3rd game in 4 nights with last night being the latter of a back to back. The leafs were rested and healthy. Florida controlled play for many periods during the game. Did we learn nothing from "we want Florida" two years ago? As a leafs fan every team should worry you, we've only made it to the second round once in 8 years.

Leafs have to play whoever is in front of them. But to say you aren't worried about Florida seems way to overconfident for a team with literally nothing to warrant it.
 
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Evilhomer said:
I don't think they have. Their defense is not nearly as good as it was last season, even with Ekblad and Kulikov back, and now that Reinhart and Verhaege have come back down off career years, the team struggles to produce consistent offense. They are going to lose in the playoffs because of those offensive struggles.
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Well I can only say, short 4 major players last night, they looked solid and dangerous.
Take 4 players like Marner, Reilly, McMann, OEL out and we are hurtin'.
 
Niagara Bill said:
Well I can only say, short 4 major players last night, they looked solid and dangerous.
Take 4 players like Marner, Reilly, McMann, OEL out and we are hurtin'.
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No question Florida is a good team, but they just aren't as good as they were last season, and other teams, like the Leafs, have improved.
 
Evilhomer said:
I agree with this. Florida won't reach the final this season not because of the number of games they have played in the past two seasons, but because it takes a tremendous amount of good fortune to get that far and it's extremely difficult to replicate it three years in a row, especially when other teams have improved.
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Why not both reasons?

Anyways, a lot of things to remark upon, but Tavares has been most notable for me. He seems possessed. Just extremely proactive, sharp, engaged, using the body, stickhandling, and making fast and good decisions. I like McMann over Pacioretty on that line too. JT and Patche only work when they can establish possession in the zone, but they CAN'T do it most nights. McMann hasnt been scoring at his old pace, but he's starting to forecheck and dig pucks out with his speed and size.
 
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stats1 said:
it’s my birthday on Saturday and wedding anniversary on Sunday and my wife just surprised me with tickets for Saturday’s game. So pumped!!!
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Nice. I'd suggest Kelly's Landing for pre-game dinner. Had the Moroccan Curry last night, it was fantastic.

Enjoy the game.
 
I didn't get the chance to watch the game due to the power outage, but I caught the highlights. Looked like a game not to miss...........
 
RuudeDog said:
Not directed at you but what’s the leafs record without 34? Injuries happen. Good teams find a way.
This board is something. Lose to a good team. They can’t beat playoff teams.
Lose to a bottom feeder. Have no killer instinct.

Side note. Was at the game. You can really see Laughton has no confidence. He was always the first guy on his line looking for a line change. As a player that happens when you just aren’t feeling it. I do think he will settle in but needs a few good games or even shifts. Very conservative. Needs to get out of his head
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That is always a concern when acquiring a new player. If they don't have a good start it's hard to get back on track.

What's the opposite of fitting in like a glove?
 
Pretty even game, didn't think the Leafs played their best and still got the W.

Bobrovsky makes me nervous if he is playing good hockey... hope he has a stretch like he often has where he stinks and they get bounced easily.

Mess said:
Big win for the Leafs but its going to be a different landscape when Florida gets Barkov, Tkachuk, and Ekblad.
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There is the positive Mess we all know and love.
 
rumman said:
I didn't get the chance to watch the game due to the power outage, but I caught the highlights. Looked like a game not to miss...........
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It was one to watch for sure. Most important game of the year, divisional rival, potential 1st round (or 2nd round) playoff preview, was hoping for a great game and it did not disappoint. It was a hard fought battle from beginning to end ending in a comeback victory for us, can't ask for much more than that. :)
 
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