GDT: Leafs @Jets. 8pm

[The Hanging Jowl]

I am shocked fans are treating this like a nothing game. It is huge if they want to get to a final. There is no part of me that wants anything to do with Colorado / Vegas in the semi's if they make it. I think Pittsburg holds the tiebreaker. It goes to like the 4th tie breaker which is most wins. All they need is one point. Take care of business tonight and let the cards fall where they may.

And home ice against possible matchups against Pitts and/or Florida WHO WILL HAVE FANS IN ATTENDANCE.

Why do people not get this? This game is huge for several reasons.

 

[zeke]

If that's the criteria, I guess no team should be afraid of us either. They'd be wrong, just like you're wrong.

you're right - based on our playoffs performances most every team should be afraid of us, given how well a lesser leafs team played against elite contenders like washington and boston.

Vegas has only ever faced a team of that calibre once in the playoffs - and the Caps handled them easily.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Matty for sure needs to sit it out .. i would play Soup in net because he needs reps and don't want him going into next Thursday rusty ... also keep Wayner out of lineup we don't need him answering da bell for someone and getting hurt ... also I would rest up Brodie and he is key man on defense for us .. hope we can get Nash and Zach in to get some reps .. lets have a total non event game here folks .. don't care about beating Florida as they will not beat Tampa and Canes too tough

 

[saltming]

I don't think anyone is scared of this Leafs team, hopefully we can prove them wrong, but there's a target on us

I think scared is the wrong word but I don't think any team is thinking we are a pushover

 

[A1LeafNation]

If it's me, I tell Andersen he's our #3 and give the reps to Rittich.

Andersen 100% confidence > Rittich 100% confidence

Andersen needs to get his head straight.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Should play Brooks tonight. Local kid and only extra forward on the roster we can play due to the cap.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I don't think anyone is scared of this Leafs team, hopefully we can prove them wrong, but there's a target on us

I've seen a number of MTL fans say they fully expect to lose to us. We've also not won a playoff series in ages, not sure why there would a target on us any more than there would be a target on any number of teams.

you're right - based on our playoffs performances most every team should be afraid of us, given how well a lesser leafs team played against elite contenders like washington and boston.

Vegas has only ever faced a team of that calibre once in the playoffs - and the Caps handled them easily.

You were the one downgrading Vegas because they've never beaten a quality opponent, guess what - neither have we. In any case, teams that win are generally feared more than teams that don't, it's not complicated.

Andersen 100% confidence > Rittich 100% confidence

Andersen needs to get his head straight.

Not sure what to make of this - how do we measure confidence? Andersen's been on a downward trend for some time now so when was the last time he was confident?

And finally - how confident are you that Andersen's confident?

 

[al secord]

My body is ready

 

[zeke]

You were the one downgrading Vegas because they've never beaten a quality opponent, guess what - neither have we. In any case, teams that win are generally feared more than teams that don't, it's not complicated.

correct. playing well and losing to elite opponents is actually a more promising result than beating a bad opponent is.

we've all learned this well this year seeing surprise playoffs teams from last year flop this year, after hoodwinking their management groups into thinking they were on the cusp of contention.

 

[Fogelhund]

I don't care about 4th overall but I care about finishing ahead of PIT so we can avoid COL/LV until the final. I believe we need a point tonight to do that, at least but not sure, perhaps someone else knows better.



If we need a point to finish ahead of PIT then it's pretty important actually. Not crucial or anything but I'd much rather face PIT/WSH/CAR/NYI or whoever in the 3rd round instead of COL/LV.

Agreed, please get at least one point tonight. Yes, it's important.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Should play Brooks tonight. Local kid and only extra forward on the roster we can play due to the cap.

He deserves it based on his play anyhow.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Vegas - 82 Bruins - 73 Leafs - 77 and Tampa -75

Leafs v Tampa - we got a shot here folks as home team with last change

Vegas v Bruins - expect Vegas to come through

Vegas V Leafs for da Cup

 

[CanadasTeam]

This is a game I'd sit Matthews and Marner and maybe all of the big 4, as well as any Dmen that are nursing minor injuries.

Don't want them trying for retribution based on us ragdolling them and being such a "dirty team" last couple times we played. (Wheeler, Ehlers, etc.)

 

[The Iceman]

I think Winnipeg has been grinding hard for a few weeks.

Them more than us will be looking to give some rest to regulars tonight I would think.

 

[Gary Nylund]

correct. playing well and losing to elite opponents is actually a more promising result than beating a bad opponent is.

we've all learned this well this year seeing surprise playoffs teams from last year flop this year, after hoodwinking their management groups into thinking they were on the cusp of contention.

That would depend on whether or not they played well against that bad opponent. Good/bad is also pretty arbitrary, every team that makes the playoffs could be considered to be good depending on the exact criteria.

Anyhow, you're the one who downgraded Vegas because they haven't beaten a quality team in the playoffs (which is just LOL wrong to begin with) and now that I've pointed out that we haven't beaten anyone in the playoffs, you're shifting the goalposts.

The bookies consider Vegas to have a better chance of winning the cup than us, same goes for Colorado. I also happen to think that their opinion (which is backed by lots of money) carries more weight then yours.

 

[Marshy]

How about the big 4 put in 10K each for a win...to be divided by Jack and the goal scorers.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I think Winnipeg has been grinding hard for a few weeks.

Them more than us will be looking to give some rest to regulars tonight I would think.

That's a good point. For them, this game seems to be completely irrelevant which is not the case for us.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Keefe is more concerned with injuries too right now.

 

[TMLeafer]

I saw Boston(?) play with like 16 players a couple of days ago. Maybe do that. Engvall, Kerfoot, Mikheyev play like 26 minutes. Can still dress the big guys but keep them on the bench.

 

[BertCorbeau]

I saw Boston play with like 16 players a couple of days ago. Maybe do that. Engvall, Kerfoot, Mikheyev play like 26 minutes

And give Campbell the first 30 minutes of the game, with Andersen getting the remaining 30 minutes like an exhibition.

 

[Gallagbi]

I've seen a number of MTL fans say they fully expect to lose to us. We've also not won a playoff series in ages, not sure why there would a target on us any more than there would be a target on any number of teams.

Being in the biggest hockey market with 3 $11M players and not winning a playoff series combine for a target on us IMO.

If I was a MTL fan I wouldn't expect to win either, a full 82 game season likely has them out of the playoffs with how they were trending, but this Leafs team needs to prove they're as good as they think they are

 

[zeke]

That would depend on whether or not they played well against that bad opponent.

True, it is all about how well they played and how good their opponents were.

Good/bad is also pretty arbitrary, every team that makes the playoffs could be considered to be good depending on the exact criteria.

nothing arbitrary about it, though it may take skill to judge it properly.

Anyhow, you're the one who downgraded Vegas because they haven't beaten a quality team in the playoffs (which is just LOL wrong to begin with) and now that I've pointed out that we haven't beaten anyone in the playoffs, you're shifting the goalposts.

The bookies consider Vegas to have a better chance of winning the cup than us, same goes for Colorado. I also happen to think that their opinion (which is backed by lots of money) carries more weight then yours.

I downgraded Vegas for a number of reasons in that post, including the fact their playoffs record is actually much less impressive than most seem to think.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

correct. playing well and losing to elite opponents is actually a more promising result than beating a bad opponent is.

we've all learned this well this year seeing surprise playoffs teams from last year flop this year, after hoodwinking their management groups into thinking they were on the cusp of contention.

If losing to elite opponents is better than beating bad opponents, how promising is losing to a bad opponent last year?

Leafs have not performed well in the playoffs, saying otherwise is factually wrong. At the end of the day you gotta win a round regardless of the opponents, that is what quantify success in the playoffs. Winning games. No more excuses this year.

 

[CanadasTeam]

I saw Boston(?) play with like 16 players a couple of days ago. Maybe do that. Engvall, Kerfoot, Mikheyev play like 26 minutes. Can still dress the big guys but keep them on the bench.

You never know --Keefe might just do that.

 

[stickty111]

Maurice said there is a gentlemen's agreement today about no late hits today or whatever.
Good to hear.