Series Talk: North Division Round 1: Leafs (1) vs. Canadiens (4)

[weeweeballs]

ugh we actually have to wait for the nucks and flames to finish their pillow fight?

 

[Sypher04]

One underrated aspect of this playoff opportunity is that for once the team isn't limping in. We have spent the last few years playing prolonged stretches of miserable hockey to close the regular season

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

50/50 odds to win or lose was what the Columbus series was last year. This series is definitely a higher chance of the Leafs advancing than failing. Baggage of past series be damned, we're flat out better than Montreal across the board. Their only chance is that Price finds the fountain of youth and plays out of his mind like Korpisalo did last season.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Was really hoping to watch some of these playoff games on a patio but Ford just extended the lockdown until June 2nd

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Ah f*** it. I don't care to argue this.

 

[Leafsfan74]

I hate to be negative , but everyone here seems crazy optimistic. Regular season means nothing. And when I look at how this team has performed in the playoffs the last couple years, it doesn’t look good. There always seems to be some kind of excuse for this group

The reason for this is that it's a different team. These guys have no interest in the past failures.

Let's also not forget that outside of the Capitals six game series (where Leafs were young and overachieved just to sneak into the playoffs), each series Leafs have gone the limit, twice against a very tough Bruins team that is still strong and both times in which Leafs could have made it (probably do without Kadris suspensions). Last year, the shutdown suffering against the CBJ. Wisely, the Leafs now have two of the key players from that CBJ that smothered them.

Let's consider the big changes: new starting goalie in Campbell, Thornton, Simmonds, Brodie, Bogosian (later if not sooner), Foligno, Nash, Galchenyuk,

Let's assume all of the above started on day one of the playoffs, that is eight new players of 20, or, 40% a different team. Not to mention the Taxi Squad. Not only are the players different, so is their mindset, attitude, lockroom, closeness as a group and expectations. On top of their top players being one year older.

This is not the same team. I boldly predicted the Leafs would lose to CBJ last year in a tight series. I'm not so boldly predicting this Leafs team will make it to the Finals.

This team will elevate their game come post-season, you can book that. I have no doubt that Folgino, Simmonds and Thornton alone will demand it in case this team forgets. The Habs think they are going to roll over this team, it's what they tried all season and failed, it's no secret. It's what all teams have tried this season and failed.

These additions are all here for one purpose: to bring the Cup back to T.O. They aren't going to back down from a team who has relied on Price for all their playoff success the last 10 years and who play to not lose. Don't sell this Leafs team short when they have the motivated and crusty vets that they have.

 

[CDN24]

If you asked people who our biggest rival is, most people will probably say Boston, then probably Ottawa and so on. But try that questionnaire again a few games into this series and I guarantee you there will be more people saying MTL.

Agree completely. Habs fan visiting in Peace until next Thursday at least. Teams can have more than one rival and by the end of any playoff series you are rivals. Habs main rivals in my lifetime have been Bruins, Nordiques and Leafs. In the 70's it was the Bruins, seemed like they met every year. Bruins rivalry continued in the 80's but it paled in comparison to the battle of Qc- that Good Friday match alone was enough. After the Nordiques left bruins regained no 1 billing but through all that any game against the Leafs was special despite not playing each other in the playoffs and despite the fact that they were rarely good in the same year but that didn't matter- they get up for each other.

A hard fought, hopefully close (lets face it as a Habs fan I have to be hoping for close), will make this rivalry burn as hot as the Bruins one. I don't think anything matches that Nordiques one, Mtl -Qc, old guard vs young upstarts, Molson Okeefe.

Enjoy the series

Also my 10 yr old son is a Leaf's fan. I am contractually obligated to cheer for the Leaf's until he goes to bed.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Agree completely. Habs fan visiting in Peace until next Thursday at least. Teams can have more than one rival and by the end of any playoff series you are rivals. Habs main rivals in my lifetime have been Bruins, Nordiques and Leafs. In the 70's it was the Bruins, seemed like they met every year. Bruins rivalry continued in the 80's but it paled in comparison to the battle of Qc- that Good Friday match alone was enough. After the Nordiques left bruins regained no 1 billing but through all that any game against the Leafs was special despite not playing each other in the playoffs and despite the fact that they were rarely good in the same year but that didn't matter- they get up for each other.

A hard fought, hopefully close (lets face it as a Habs fan I have to be hoping for close), will make this rivalry burn as hot as the Bruins one. I don't think anything matches that Nordiques one, Mtl -Qc, old guard vs young upstarts, Molson Okeefe.

Enjoy the series

Also my 10 yr old son is a Leaf's fan. I am contractually obligated to cheer for the Leaf's until he goes to bed.

Outside of the Leafs I always rooted for the Nordiques. Such a talented and fun lineup with Peter Statsny, Goulet, Marois et al. When those two teams met in the playoffs, I always tuned it. What a battle.

That entire Adams Division was always the most talented in the league. If Quebec City could ever support an NHL team (unlikely), it would be excellent.

For all the other rivalries the Leafs have had, which isn't too many really of late, the Habs will always be that team for me. Maybe it's remembering that old cartoon "The Hockey Sweater" that as a kid really angered me, or just the history of the two franchises as I am a bit of a student of the game, or possibly the number of Hab fans in T.O historically that riled us all up. Regardless, HNIC with Leafs vs. Habs was a much-watch.

Enjoy the series. May the best team win.

 

[mrbagina]

I hate to be negative , but everyone here seems crazy optimistic. Regular season means nothing. And when I look at how this team has performed in the playoffs the last couple years, it doesn’t look good. There always seems to be some kind of excuse for this group

Crazy optimistic? That's not what I'm sensing and reading from long time fans. Optimistic yes, and why wouldn't we be. But that optimism comes with a big CAUTIOUSLY in front of it. This is the best leafs team I think Ive ever seen and they seem to have grown/evolved some since last year, however no long time suffering leaf fan has any illusions/delusions about how the leafs will fare this year. I feel like they should do well in these early rounds but do I think they have the ability to shit the bed once again? You betcha.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

This year is the first year where if we lose, it's a series choke. Last year was the only other year we weren't the underdog but it was a best of 5 after a 5 month layoff. No one was game ready. No excuse this year. This one has expectations. Stand and deliver.

 

[Cor]

Will not trust the Leafs to exit round 1 until we exit round 1

 

[Gary Nylund]

Agree completely. Habs fan visiting in Peace until next Thursday at least. Teams can have more than one rival and by the end of any playoff series you are rivals. Habs main rivals in my lifetime have been Bruins, Nordiques and Leafs. In the 70's it was the Bruins, seemed like they met every year. Bruins rivalry continued in the 80's but it paled in comparison to the battle of Qc- that Good Friday match alone was enough. After the Nordiques left bruins regained no 1 billing but through all that any game against the Leafs was special despite not playing each other in the playoffs and despite the fact that they were rarely good in the same year but that didn't matter- they get up for each other.

A hard fought, hopefully close (lets face it as a Habs fan I have to be hoping for close), will make this rivalry burn as hot as the Bruins one. I don't think anything matches that Nordiques one, Mtl -Qc, old guard vs young upstarts, Molson Okeefe.

Enjoy the series

Also my 10 yr old son is a Leaf's fan. I am contractually obligated to cheer for the Leaf's until he goes to bed.

Oh man, those matchups against the Nordiques were something else! The atmosphere in those playoffs ... it's just so unfortunate that that team no longer exists. Now that was a rivalry!!

Rarely good in the same year - yeah that's unfortunately true, also very diplomatic of you considering it was usually the Habs that were a good team while the Leafs were missing the playoffs. But no matter how bad the Leafs were, we always got up to play MTL.

My biggest hope for the near future for any team other then the Leafs is for MTL to be good enough to make the playoffs in coming years so that maybe we can meet again in the playoffs.

Good luck in these playoffs. May the best team win (by best team I mean the Leafs, natch).

Your son is a Leaf fan!

 

[Gary Nylund]

Will not trust the Leafs to exit round 1 until we exit round 1

Oh they'll exit, they exit every year. This year it will just be through a different door is all.

 

[666]

You don't speak for me, brother. Don't lump in all of the original six together, that's six completely different situations. I've never really cared much about the Rangers one way or the other just as an example.

If you asked people who our biggest rival is, most people will probably say Boston, then probably Ottawa and so on. But try that questionnaire again a few games into this series and I guarantee you there will be more people saying MTL.

Actually it's Detroit, but once again it's insignificant like the 16th digit of pi. Ask yourself, how do Habs fans feel? They feel like we feel when Vancouver or Winnipeg fans whine like little bitches. You can't have a real rivalry when of the teams is laughing at the other. They laugh at us and they are right. We are like the Cleveland of football. ( I know absolutely nothing about football so don't even go there but I know what Cleveland is). It's not a rivalry. It's one side that hates the other side because of a past that hasn't meant anything in over 50 years. You are too emotional. Get over it. Be realistic. If we beat this horrible Habs team, great. But it's nothing.

More like 70-30. That's what the bookmakers say and they're right. What's with this irrational pessimism? Too traumatized by the past to be able to think objectively? It's OK man, a couple of weeks from now it will be better.

It's not pessimism it's reality. Last nights game was the perfect example. I'll leave it at that but this team is not a contender and if you don't see it, I can't help you. I'm off for the night. You have the last word.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Actually it's Detroit, but once again it's insignificant like the 16th digit of pi. Ask yourself, how do Habs fans feel? They feel like we feel when Vancouver or Winnipeg fans whine like little bitches. You can't have a real rivalry when of the teams is laughing at the other. They laugh at us and they are right. We are like the Cleveland of football. ( I know absolutely nothing about football so don't even go there but I know what Cleveland is). It's not a rivalry. It's one side that hates the other side because of a past that hasn't meant anything in over 50 years. You are too emotional. Get over it. Be realistic. If we beat this horrible Habs team, great. But it's nothing.

It's not pessimism it's reality. Last nights game was the perfect example. I'll leave it at that but this team is not a contender and if you don't see it, I can't help you. I'm off for the night. You have the last word.

Last night was the perfect example of a meaningless game and if you think this series is 50-50, then you're the one who's being emotional.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

@zeke

Curious to hear what your thoughts are on the Gallagher-Danault-Tatar line. By xG they are the best 5v5 team, but also in terms of just regular goals for %, they are the best in the league. They do lack finishing talent, but their ability to control play is extremely impressive. How worried should the Leafs be with them going head to head with the Matthews line and sawing off even or even winning that matchup?

 

[mix1home]

One underrated aspect of this playoff opportunity is that for once the team isn't limping in. We have spent the last few years playing prolonged stretches of miserable hockey to close the regular season

Yep, and we also played at the edge of our physical limits trying to keep up with other teams as we were never comfortably in. Longer season was a factor too. Our team with not overly physical style in the past was forced to play more physical brand of hockey down the stretch.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Actually it's Detroit, but once again it's insignificant like the 16th digit of pi. Ask yourself, how do Habs fans feel? They feel like we feel when Vancouver or Winnipeg fans whine like little bitches. You can't have a real rivalry when of the teams is laughing at the other. They laugh at us and they are right. We are like the Cleveland of football. ( I know absolutely nothing about football so don't even go there but I know what Cleveland is). It's not a rivalry. It's one side that hates the other side because of a past that hasn't meant anything in over 50 years. You are too emotional. Get over it. Be realistic. If we beat this horrible Habs team, great. But it's nothing.

It's not pessimism it's reality. Last nights game was the perfect example. I'll leave it at that but this team is not a contender and if you don't see it, I can't help you. I'm off for the night. You have the last word.

Last night was the perfect example of a meaningless game and if you think this series is 50-50, then you're the one who's being emotional.

Alright guys, can we stop with this rivalry discussion? It's sidetracking this thread and OT. You're both not going to come to an agreement. Just move on.

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

Theyre not built for the playoffs any more than we are. They may have outhit the hell out of us in the regular season, but thats going to happen when you have the puck almost 60% of the game. In the playoffs i expect the boys to match Montreal's physicality easily. In terms of size, were almost identical with us average 6'1 200 pounds and them averaging 6'1 199 pounds.

In terms of teams targeting Matthews, thats a very brutal double edged sword Montreal might not be ready for. Your hitting Matthews? alright wel hit the hell out of Gallagher who just came back from a broken thumb, Byron who had knee surgery, Danault who just had a concussion- not to mention Weber and Price.

A good slash across the thumb for Gallagher is in order should the Habs get nasty with Papi imho

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

I think Thornton has played well, I would take out Mikheyev myself.

Despite being an offensive black hole, there is no way they take Soup out. Far too valuable on pk and on the checking line.

 

[kb]

Actually it's Detroit, but once again it's insignificant like the 16th digit of pi. Ask yourself, how do Habs fans feel? They feel like we feel when Vancouver or Winnipeg fans whine like little bitches. You can't have a real rivalry when of the teams is laughing at the other. They laugh at us and they are right. We are like the Cleveland of football. ( I know absolutely nothing about football so don't even go there but I know what Cleveland is). It's not a rivalry. It's one side that hates the other side because of a past that hasn't meant anything in over 50 years. You are too emotional. Get over it. Be realistic. If we beat this horrible Habs team, great. But it's nothing.




It's not pessimism it's reality. Last nights game was the perfect example. I'll leave it at that but this team is not a contender and if you don't see it, I can't help you. I'm off for the night. You have the last word.

Screenshotted for future torture.

 

[aresknights]

A good slash across the thumb for Gallagher is in order should the Habs get nasty with Papi imho

Yup that's what the Leafs wanna do.....go one for one on each other's best players lol.
I get standing up for your team but if it gets dragged into cheap shots on each others stars who does it favor?
By get nasty do you mean playing hard within the lines or slashing him like you suggest Leafs do to Gallagher?
Matthews et al will get attention and every opponent they face will want to lean on them n play heavy. Gotta play thru it. If it crosses the line.....score on the PP n it's game over. Get caught up in the BS n it hurts the Leafs. JMO

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

Yup that's what the Leafs wanna do.....go one for one on each other's best players lol.
I get standing up for your team but if it gets dragged into cheap shots on each others stars who does it favor?
By get nasty do you mean playing hard within the lines or slashing him like you suggest Leafs do to Gallagher?
Matthews et al will get attention and every opponent they face will want to lean on them n play heavy. Gotta play thru it. If it crosses the line.....score on the PP n it's game over. Get caught up in the BS n it hurts the Leafs. JMO

That is the way it has always been done in the past. You go after our star player, we will return the favor in kind.

 

[Randman2021]

Leafs in six. Spezza can tell them a thing or two about dominating a regular season series and the show.

 

[Fogelhund]