Series Talk: Leafs vs Lightning Pre-Playoff Thread

[BallardEra]

Honestly no clue how anyone can be optimistic about this team anymore. Are you all new fans in the past couple years?

People everywhere talking game 7 like its a given we make it that far. I don't see us making it past game 6 this year.

At this point you just hope that it finally clicks with the players. In 2018 I had pretty much given up on the Caps ever winning. Then they went down 2 games to nothing versus Columbus and we know what happened.

Bottom line is we just don't know so go in with low expectations and hope you get pleasantly surprised.

 

[Havoc]

I'm dying man. You run your mouth the most out of everyone but also wholeheartedly and genuinely think Leafs are sweeping Tampa

Wtf

Our top guys are cheat codes and I believe in them 100% and will sink or swim with them.

Not even Dubas' stupidity and the mediocre supporting cast can hold them back if they show up. Tampa will be begging for mercy.

Matthews will eventually take over this league. Why not this year?

 

[Cleetus]

Our top guys are cheat codes and I believe in them 100% and will sink or swim with them.

Not even Dubas' stupidity and the mediocre supporting cast can hold them back if they show up. Tampa will be begging for mercy.

Matthews will eventually take over this league. Why not this year?

hopefully Matthews does this!

 

[Racer88]

I ain't playing this game this post season. Every post season I choose and Leafs find a way to lose in 7. This time I shall not choose and here is hoping for a different result

Wow that sounds just like Dubas’s game plan

 

[Racer88]

Leafs in 7 only because I'm not voting against my team in the playoffs. That's absurd. You have to put it all on the line for the boys in the playoffs and save the shit talking for regular season and off-season.

Realistically though I think we're total ass compared to Tampa as far as playoff hockey is concerned (It's still regular season).

That has to be earned and as of yet they have not earned it. Add in the fact that they are barely a .500 team since the trade deadline doesn’t inspire much confidence

 

[HolyCrap]

At this point you just hope that it finally clicks with the players. In 2018 I had pretty much given up on the Caps ever winning. Then they went down 2 games to nothing versus Columbus and we know what happened.

Bottom line is we just don't know so go in with low expectations and hope you get pleasantly surprised.

 

[Gabriel426]

Nothing will surprise me in this Series.

 

[Leafblooded]

Jinx thread. Gonna be Boston with no home ice

 

[IPS]

He wasn't 100% for the entire series. Game 7 was just the peak.

Muzzin took care of the rest.

This has to be a concern for almost everyone no?

This isn't minor stuff. Point @ 100% and no Muzzin is very serious factors.

No Muzzin definitely worries me to a degree as well but McCabe looks solid enough.

 

[ZEBROA]

Voting against a possible win is not hoping they dont win. Will not change the outcome in any way or form.
If Keefe will manage the players as he has up til now it will be over in game 6. So it is mostly up to Keefe. Get the boys prepared in all the ways nessesary. GIve the 4 best players the best chances to make the team succede. Dont put Tavares with Nylander. Etc Etc....

 

[Racer88]

You’re counting 2 ties as losses?

They are 7-4-2

No such thing as a tie anymore. Every NHL game is played to a win or a loss. They just happen to award a participation point to the loser.

 

[Zybalto]

Still always silly to call gimmick losses "loser points".

I've held this view forever as it's not real hockey and is going to cost actual better hockey teams positions.

Calgary the big loser this year in the sense of how many coin flips havnt gone their way and might miss the playoffs. They have as many actual losses as Tampa this season.

 

[Dekes For Days]

He wasn't 100% for the entire series. Game 7 was just the peak.
Muzzin took care of the rest.
This has to be a concern for almost everyone no?
This isn't minor stuff. Point @ 100% and no Muzzin is very serious factors.

Point was 100% until partway through game 7, and Tampa is the one that didn't replace their departing shutdown defenseman.

 

[The Podium]

No such thing as a tie anymore. Every NHL game is played to a win or a loss. They just happen to award a participation point to the loser.

There actually is ties and just happens to be a gimmick point for the OT/SO winners

 

[Notsince67]

The most important players in this series will be the ones wearing the striped jerseys. Leafs didn't lose to T.B, they lost to the refs and whatever influences leaned on them to ensure such an insulting series.

if the Leafs get the same call benefits in their favour as T.B did last year in their favour, Tampa will be lucky to get to Game Six. That is how.poor the officiating was.

It's the same game in professional fighting. Trying to beat the incumbent through decision is a fools errand. You need to knock the champ out. Take it out of the officials hands.

 

[Jojalu]

According to most, it's all on the players now. GM, coaching, scouting, management have done their jobs. It's on the players.

I would say this is mostly true. Keefe is the only one who can make a difference now.

The players have to get it done past the first 5 games.

 

[Rob Brown]

Honestly no clue how anyone can be optimistic about this team anymore. Are you all new fans in the past couple years?

People everywhere talking game 7 like its a given we make it that far. I don't see us making it past game 6 this year.

What else do you suggest we do? Go into the playoffs whining about the last 6 years? I'm not sure what being negative about it before the first game even happens is going to do for you.

Try to enjoy it, it's a fun time of year.

 

[Nineteen67]

If Murray is out, it removes one of the decisions that management could very easily mess up.

 

[ACC1224]

If Murray is out, it removes one of the decision that management could very easily mess up.

Thought the exact thing. Hate to see a guy hurt but could be a blessing in disguise.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Yeah this is gonna be a problem

 

[ACC1224]

Yeah this is gonna be a problem

How would Jeffler know this?

 

[Nineteen67]

it’s still too early to predict. Got to see how bad the injuries are. Sergachev would be a devastating loss to Tampa.

Special teams are always a factor and Tampa is trending in the right direction.
Keefe's PP = Achilles heel.

 

[Jmo89]

How would Jeffler know this?

Not a fan of his either, but he was just quoting Friedman. He's gotta snag those likes.

 

[1specter]

Leafs are 8-6-2 since March 1st. Now, most of these games are fairly meaningless and it's mostly been for Keefe getting new guys adjusted and experimenting with the lineups, but not exactly hitting a stride going into playoffs. I hope they're just conserving themselves and will be ready to go in a few weeks at full steam.

 

[Jmo89]

I like the idea of JT or ROR being on the third line, but I think Keefe prefers them both in the top 6.

If he does "stack" the top two lines, do you think he should go back to JT-ROR-Marner and put Nylander with Matthews and Jarnkrok?