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

[mcleex]

Why do we have to wait till Thurs May 20th for our first game? Makes no sense

 

[Suntouchable13]

Leafs past playoff failures in all honesty are a bit overblown, and one of the bigger reasons for those failures will be on the bench this time around(Andersen).

Teams get to stuck on the Leafs not being able to win a round, that Caps team and those back to back Bruins teams are some of the hardest draws you can get in round 1, that's why I'm not as impressed with these teams that make it to round 2 or 3 but faced a team like Arizona or Vancouver to get there lol.

Last year was different, the Leafs were slight favourites against the Jackets but it was just such a weird year, playing a playoff game after a 5 month layoff, and only a 5 game series at that.

In reality, if the Leafs played the way they played in the last few playoffs, they'd mop the floor with this current Habs teams, the Leafs playoff performances have actually been quite strong outside of goaltending.

BUT, hockey is never that simple, obviously. Habs can totally win this series but it would be a big upset.

This time they are a tough draw for a team instead of the other way around. Anything but a win is a failure and heads should, and will, roll.

 

[bbgobie]

If the leafs chill its not gonna be easy. Teams are really close these days as most elite sports are, there's a very small margin between teams and hockey is such a game of luck.
A 1 goal games outcome is likely based on luck. The Habs are for sure looking to keep the score low, but the leafs also like to play a low chance game when they're playing well. We could've easily won the columbus series with an extra couple goals, this series could be the same.

 

[zeke]

By that definition all pairs of teams are rivals. And let's face it we haven't been very close to superior in the modern era.

Here is the Leafs-Habs in the modern era:
1978 Semifinals: Canadiens, 4–0
1979 Quarterfinals: Canadiens, 4–0


Here is the Habs-Bruins in the modern era:
1968 Quarterfinals: Canadiens won, 4–0
1969 Semifinals: Canadiens won, 4–2
1971 Quarterfinals: Canadiens won, 4–3
1977 Stanley Cup Finals: Canadiens won, 4–0
1978 Stanley Cup Finals: Canadiens won, 4–2
1979 Semifinals: Canadiens won, 4–3
1984 Division Semifinals: Canadiens won, 3–0
1985 Division Semifinals: Canadiens won, 3–2
1986 Division Semifinals: Canadiens won, 3–0
1987 Division Semifinals: Canadiens won, 4–0
1988 Division Finals: Bruins won, 4–1
1989 Division Finals: Canadiens won, 4–1[
1990 Division Finals: Bruins won, 4–1
1991 Division Finals: Bruins won, 4–3
1992 Division Finals: Bruins won, 4–0
1994 Conference Quarterfinals: Bruins won, 4–3
2002 Conference Quarterfinals: Canadiens won, 4–2
2004 Conference Quarterfinals: Canadiens won, 4–3
2008 Conference Quarterfinals: Canadiens won, 4–3
2009 Conference Quarterfinals: Bruins won, 4–0
2011 Conference Quarterfinals: Bruins won, 4–3
2014 Second Round: Canadiens won, 4–3

QED

Despite all this, and despite all their denial, deep down inside there isn't one Habs fan that cares more about beating the Bruins than the leafs.

 

[meefer]

what is a PITA? you mean the flat bread?

PITA = pain in the ass

 

[zeke]

I feel better about almost making it to the finals in 93 instead of losing in the first round. I feel better about beating NYI in 1978 then I do if we had lost. I could go on and on.

It's very telling that you refer only to those times the leafs were plucky underdogs that upset much better teams and not the Sundin teams that won more playoffs rounds.

 

[Mentat]

This is only the first series of the PO´s but i truly expect we make it to the Final 4.
This season, due to the how the NHL has lined up because of the pandemic, the Leafs have an amazing chance to go for a deep run in the PO´s and, with a lot of hard work and a bit of luck maybe even win it all.
It all starts with the Habs, our bitter rival. We need to hit the ground running and prove that we want it more than any other team. We have the talent to go far in the PO´s, we just need to show up every single second of every shift. Maximum effort!
GLG!

 

[robertmac43]

I think a lot of the duration of this series comes down to who and how healthy the Habs are.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Why do we have to wait till Thurs May 20th for our first game? Makes no sense

I feel like every year our series is the last to start.

 

[Gary Nylund]

It's very telling that you refer only to those times the leafs were plucky underdogs that upset much better teams and not the Sundin teams that won more playoffs rounds.

The teams they beat weren't that much better and Sundin teams never won more than two playoff rounds. What's very telling that every person that I have seen express an opinion on the subject prefers winning to losing, except you. As long as you're happy I guess, it's all good.

 

[Trapper]

I feel like every year our series is the last to start.

When it starts is not nearly as important as how it ends.

 

[Mess]

On paper this is the biggest mismatch of the 1st round.

#5 OA ranked Leafs vs #16 (last) OA Canadiens in terms of playoff rankings based on final standings. In fact Montreal is really #18 OA in the standings with 2 teams NYR and Dallas actually finishing ahead of the Habs but didn't even qualify for the playoffs, because of the QofC of the North forcing the 4th place team into the playoffs. If this were under the former structure of top 3 in each Div and 2 X wild cards Montreal would be labelled : Missed the playoffs.

Leafs GF 185 - GA 144 differential is : +41 vs Montreal GF 159 - GA 168 differential is : -9 .... Most teams that qualify for the playoffs in full seasons, have positive goal differentials and score more then they surrender. You're not a serious Cup contender if you give up more goals against then you score.

If the Leafs win tonight against the Jets the Leafs will finish with 79 points and face Montreal with 59 points and a +20 point difference in the final standings.

Leafs season record vs Canadiens is 7-2-1 in the 10 games.

Toronto should make quick work of Montreal in round #1 as it almost unimaginable that Montreal could win 4 of 7 games all things considered, when they couldn't even win 4 of 10 in the regular season.

 

[Gary Nylund]

On paper this is the biggest mismatch of the 1st round.

#5 OA ranked Leafs vs #16 (last) OA Canadiens in terms of playoff rankings based on final standings. In fact Montreal is really #18 OA in the standings with 2 teams NYR and Dallas actually finishing ahead of the Habs but didn't even qualify for the playoffs, because of the QofC of the North forcing the 4th place team into the playoffs. If this were under the former structure of top 3 in each Div and 2 X wild cards Montreal would be labelled : Missed the playoffs.

Leafs GF 185 - GA 144 differential is : +41 vs Montreal GF 159 - GA 168 differential is : -9 .... Most teams that qualify for the playoffs in full seasons, have positive goal differentials and score more then they surrender. You're not a serious Cup contender if you give up more goals against then you score.

If the Leafs win tonight against the Jets the Leafs will finish with 79 points and face Montreal with 59 points and a +20 point difference in the final standings.

Leafs season record vs Canadiens is 7-2-1 in the 10 games.

Toronto should make quick work of Montreal in round #1 as it almost unimaginable that Montreal could win 4 of 7 games all things considered, when they couldn't even win 4 of 10 in the regular season.

Nah, that would be Colorado vs St Louis.

 

[supermann_98]

That Nylander smile get me every time!

 

[X66]

Despite all this, and despite all their denial, deep down inside there isn't one Habs fan that cares more about beating the Bruins than the leafs.

It's so painfully obvious, especially Habs fans that live in the GTA.

And I know dozens of them. They never, ever talk about how much they hate the Bruins, just always taking jabs at the Leafs lol. Even the when the Bruins choked against the Blackhawks and Blues in the cup finals, never a peep from them, no celebration, taunting...nothing lol.

Leafs losing to Columbus in the first round though? They go nuts lol.

 

[supermann_98]

Hopefully Jack can win the first 3 do Freddie can get the 2nd game of the b2b to close it out. If he can't we're still up 3-1 and have 3 more Campbell games to finish the series, which if we can't get done we don't deserve to play the next round anyway.

If it's 2-1 after the 3rd game we got back to Campbell in the 2nd game of the b2b. He's in shape for that I'm sure, just maybe a little concern for his health but not overly concerned unless some clown like Gallagher "accidentally" falls on him in the crease or something

 

[zeke]

The teams they beat weren't that much better and Sundin teams never won more than two playoff rounds. What's very telling that every person that I have seen express an opinion on the subject prefers winning to losing, except you. As long as you're happy I guess, it's all good.

No, what's telling is still that you didn't mention the most playoff-winningest leafs team in our life time.

Especially since you've already clearly expressed that winning the first two rounds this hear isn't even a real accomplishment, so it's hard to see you deriving much joy from that either.

 

[Gary Nylund]

No, what's telling is still that you didn't mention the most playoff-winningest leafs team in our life time.

Especially since you've already clearly expressed that winning the first two rounds this hear isn't even a real accomplishment, so it's hard to see you deriving much joy from that either.

LOL. OK you're so arrogant that you think you can read my mind. OK then Mr. mind reader, what do you think this tells you? This should be good.



Winning the first two rounds is better than winning one, and much better than winning none. It's not complicated.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Hopefully Jack can win the first 3 do Freddie can get the 2nd game of the b2b to close it out. If he can't we're still up 3-1 and have 3 more Campbell games to finish the series, which if we can't get done we don't deserve to play the next round anyway.

If it's 2-1 after the 3rd game we got back to Campbell in the 2nd game of the b2b. He's in shape for that I'm sure, just maybe a little concern for his health but not overly concerned unless some clown like Gallagher "accidentally" falls on him in the crease or something

The fact that so many are assuming Freddie is the backup is a bit scary to me. I mean yoj might be right and I figure we'll get my MTL anyway but if we ever really need our backup to play well, I think I'd choose Rittich at this point.

 

[Mess]

Nah, that would be Colorado vs St Louis.

The 2019 Blues are 2 years removed from a Stanley Cup & the last Montreal win was 1993 (27 years ago).

Both Montreal and Winnipeg are below the Blues in the overall standings. Leafs might face both teams in round #1 and round #2.

Colorado or Vegas are the 2 clear Cup favourites this year, so any teams they face will be a mismatch, so I'll grant you that on a technicality. .

However I would be very nervous is this were a Leafs vs Blues 1st round matchup as ST. Louis is a proven recent winner, so that track record of knowing what it takes to win it all against our Leafs who haven't won a playoff round in 16 year would not give me much confidence. STL record is what it is because they had to play Avs and Knights 9-10 times each this year. Our Leafs never played any teams better than them this regular season.

 

[Marshy]

Got a big kick over on the main board series thread....Habs fans and Leafs fans arguing who is better - Hyman or Gallagher. I mean....they're arguing over whether the Habs best forward is better than our 4th/5th best? Good times!

 

[Gary Nylund]

The 2019 Blues are 2 years removed from a Stanley Cup & the last Montreal win was 1993 (27 years ago).

Both Montreal and Winnipeg are below the Blues in the overall standings. Leafs might face both teams in round #1 and round #2.

Colorado or Vegas are the 2 clear Cup favourites this year, so any teams they face will be a mismatch, so I'll grant you that on a technicality. .

However I would be very nervous is this were a Leafs vs Blues 1st round matchup as ST. Louis is a proven recent winner, so that track record of knowing what it takes to win it all against our Leafs who haven't won a playoff round in 16 year would not give me much confidence. STL record is what it is because they had to play Avs and Knights 9-10 times each this year. Our Leafs never played any teams better than them this regular season.

The bolded is irrelevant, STL ain't the team they were when they won the cup, not even close. Look up the series odds and you'll see that COL is a bigger favourite than the Leafs. Ths bookmakers aren't infallible but they usually have a pretty good idea of what they're doing.

 

[Suntouchable13]

We will probably see Andersen only if we’re in trouble. It’s very questionable move to change goalies in a playoff series when things are going well.

 

[crump]

Rewatched the highlights (low lights) from the Columbus series.

It can’t be stressed enough how a hot goaltender can steal a series. And how a cold one can lose it.

Nash literally showed up in the highlights twice. His shift got scored on once that I could see all series. He just wasn’t in any highlights...it’s true nothing happens when he’s on the ice.

 

[moon111]

You realize the rivalry is mostly born out of English versus French and culture, yes? Don't kid yourself that that is just gone.

Edit - Sorry mod, saw your post after.

What's kind of ironic being someone who lives in Ontario, but not Toronto... you're getting screwed over by both Quebec and the city of Toronto.