Toggle sidebar

Series Talk: Leafs vs Lightning Pre-Playoff Thread

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates

Who wins?

  • Total voters
    482
  • Poll closed .
stats1 said:
By the way I just want to say a big F U to Bettman and these stupid mundane rules on the cap… it’s embarrassing as a league that you have teams that have to sign ATO’s… just total lack of class for a league that wishes it was even close to popularity as the NBA or even MLB. It likes to call itself one of the major 4 leagues but it sure doesn’t act like it
Click to expand...
Agreed, the hard cap has completely ruined this sport, all for the sake of salvaging useless franchises. At least have some relief for signing drafted players etc. You shouldn’t be punished for drafting well, and than lose those players to other teams
 
  • Like
Reactions: HolyCrap, Jimmy Firecracker, OddyOh and 2 others
Two things I'll be watching closely.

1. Samsonov

- I think there's a easy argument that he's the most talented goalie we've had in quite awhile. One stat that he's been near the top of the league pretty much all year has been high danger unblocked shot attempt SV% (40+ games played) whereas Campbell or Freddy weren't anywhere near as good. In the playoffs the games are so closely contested that it's a chance here or there that can change momentum of the entire series and your tender needs to come up with some clutch point blank saves.

Screenshot (728).png


2. Our ability to score in close and score second chance goals/rebound goals especially 5v5

- Over the past 3 playoffs we've scored a total of 2 rebound goals at even strength. This number is extremely low and just for comparisons sake, both TB and COL scored 10 rebounds goal each 5v5 just in last years cup run. NYI had 12 rebound goals 5v5 the playoffs before, so just 2 rebounds goals scored thru 19 games played isn't enough. There will be stretchs where the game tightens and you just need to throw some pucks on the net and drive to the front of the crease and bang in a rebound.

I think we have the better team currently and in theory should have more in the tank than TB considering age and having played far less hockey over the past 3-4 seasons but this group needs finally step up and get the job done.

Leafs in 6
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tufted Titmouse
Jarnkrok Matthews Nylander
Bunting JT Marner
Knies ROR Kerfoot
Lafferty Acciari Kampf

Reilly Brodie
Gio McCabe
Lil Schenn

Samsonov
Woll
 
  • Like
Reactions: WillyC
So... I said Leafs in 4..... kind of as a joke .... but............. :)

weems said:
Two things I'll be watching closely.

1. Samsonov

- I think there's a easy argument that he's the most talented goalie we've had in quite awhile. One stat that he's been near the top of the league pretty much all year has been high danger unblocked shot attempt SV% (40+ games played) whereas Campbell or Freddy weren't anywhere near as good. In the playoffs the games are so closely contested that it's a chance here or there that can change momentum of the entire series and your tender needs to come up with some clutch point blank saves.

View attachment 686038

2. Our ability to score in close and score second chance goals/rebound goals especially 5v5

- Over the past 3 playoffs we've scored a total of 2 rebound goals at even strength. This number is extremely low and just for comparisons sake, both TB and COL scored 10 rebounds goal each 5v5 just in last years cup run. NYI had 12 rebound goals 5v5 the playoffs before, so just 2 rebounds goals scored thru 19 games played isn't enough. There will be stretchs where the game tightens and you just need to throw some pucks on the net and drive to the front of the crease and bang in a rebound.

I think we have the better team currently and in theory should have more in the tank than TB considering age and having played far less hockey over the past 3-4 seasons but this group needs finally step up and get the job done.

Leafs in 6
Click to expand...
Bet ROR gets 2 rebound goals himself this series.
 
  • Like
Reactions: weems
I still believe Tampa Bay and Vasilevsky in particular will dial it up a notch or two in the playoffs. Don't take them lightly.

If we play them hard and Samsonov maintains his form, we should be able to win the series.
 
Tampa thought they were going to get away with garbage between the whistles, and being heavy on us, and found out in a hurry, that we aren’t who they thought we were.

Loved the message sent tonight, and putting 4 by Vasi without two of our best players on the ice. I think Luke Schenn has put to bed any idea that he may not start the playoffs in the lineup. He can beat anyone Tampa has in a scrap, and he plays the style we need.

I fear we’re gonna have to beat the refs, too. We couldn’t do it last year, but this year’s team is different.

Leafs in 5 or 6
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5mokey, willmma, CincoHolio and 1 other person
Clark4Ever said:
I still believe Tampa Bay and Vasilevsky in particular will dial it up a notch or two in the playoffs. Don't take them lightly.

If we play them hard and Samsonov maintains his form, we should be able to win the series.
Click to expand...
Honestly, Tampa looks cooked at this point. They tried dialing it up against Boston a couple weeks ago and again tonight to send a ‘message’ and failed both times because their nasty players are broken shells who are being handled when they try to goon it up.

Maroon held on for dear life against Schenn, and then re-injured himself while attempting a low-key, dirty leg trip on Nylander. Perry tried to step up and couldn’t handle Bunting of all people. Guys like Cirelli, Colton and Sergachev looked far less brave out there as a result.

I’m pretty sure Cooper knew there were issues a few months back, hence the insane overpayment for Jeannot. His post game comments reek of a coach who just realized his guys won’t be able to bully the Leafs again, and who knows they sure as f*** won’t be able to outskill them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Optimist, CincoHolio and crump
Can’t judge the series officiating by that last regular season game against them. They were obviously trying to manage the game but I’m glad the PK is humming along because if there is any nonsense called, we are better equipped to handle it. Bunting is a marked man, for whatever reason, I just hope he can take a Tampa player to the box with him.
 
Peasy said:
More scared of the refs than Tampa at this point tbh.
Click to expand...

If it like yesterday and ref call everytime player trying to give extra punch after whistle, it will be fine

Jacquestrapless said:


I still can't believe he got a penalty for this
Click to expand...


Bunting having reputation to always doing too much, he need to calm down and stop crying after every penalty against him or uncall...or he will NEVER get beneficit of doubt by ref.
 
thusk said:
Bunting having reputation to always doing too much, he need to calm down and stop crying after every penalty against him or uncall...or he will NEVER get beneficit of doubt by ref.
Click to expand...
He literally just grabbed one of the players double-teaming Tavares, and then immediately let go and stood there when the ref came in.
There's nothing Bunting can do if the refs stubbornly refuse to reconsider their position on Bunting, despite him following exactly what they want him to do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: glue and Jimmy Firecracker
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom