Playoff Race Thread

[Gary Nylund]

Elite teams find a way. Our injuries have also been spread out, nothing extraordinary.

I hate using the injury excuse but at some point when a team has had as many of them as we've had this season, I think it's valid and it doesn't make sense to say they haven't been a factor. Saying injuries don't matter is like saying who's on our roster doesn't matter and that sounds kind of dumb doesn't it?

This weekend we were missing our #1 goalie, our #1 Dman, an elite forward and a couple of other pieces. I think that qualifies as extraordinary.

I was being a bit over the top with my comments.

I've seen tons of posters here throw out the Games in hand argument, which is valid.

However, it seems when Leafs have games in hand those posters consider them to be losses, when other teams have games in hand they are considered wins.

Haha that's pretty dumb for sure. Too many people have an agenda and don't even try to be objective. The teams on the bubble are tightly packed so it's almost pointless saying who's in and who's out when it changes on a daily basis but I guess it's just human nature.

 

[Warden of the North]

Philly win in regulation over Florida is the least of all evils tonight. A three point game would be a disaster

*fully expecting a disaster*

 

[18leafsfan18]

I hate using the injury excuse but at some point when a team has had as many of them as we've had this season, I think it's valid and it doesn't make sense to say they haven't been a factor. Saying injuries don't matter is like saying who's on our roster doesn't matter and that sounds kind of dumb doesn't it?

This weekend we were missing our #1 goalie, our #1 Dman, an elite forward and a couple of other pieces. I think that qualifies as extraordinary.



Haha that's pretty dumb for sure. Too many people have an agenda and don't even try to be objective. The teams on the bubble are tightly packed so it's almost pointless saying who's in and who's out when it changes on a daily places but I guess it's just human nature.

Exactly, changes every day drastically when it's this tight.

If they continue on their pace since Keefe, which I think is reasonable, because they have been a much better team with him as the coach, they are in for sure (Somewhere around 99-100 points).

 

[ManosArriba]

Seth Jones out indefinitely with an ankle injury. It will be interesting to see if the Jackets can keep their roll going without him.

 

[willmma]

Considering what Boston did last year despite being absolutely decimated by injuries, I find the excuse just that.

Boston was an outlier and not the standard.

The truth is our D is not the best in the league and losing our #1D in addition to injured #1 goalie and the other injuries had a huge impact.

That said, we aren't exactly going through a tailspin, we are playing above .600 hockey.

Chances are good for us to make the playoffs. We play the Panthers 2 more times. We own our destiny.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

They have 2 lines at best. Pasta/Berg/Marchand obviously, then you got Krejci/Debrusk and nobody else really after that. Rask is playing phenomenal, their team defence is solid that's basically how they win. They have the best line in hockey right now and a team that knows how to play as a unit with an elite and arguably the best goalie in the league right now. That's more than enough to be a real contender.

I hate to say it because I hate da Bruins and everything associated with them. But we all better pray like mad that we don't match up with them again in round 1. It is a terrible matchup for us - the absolute worst possible one.

 

[DarkKnight]

Boston was an outlier and not the standard.

The truth is our D is not the best in the league and losing our #1D in addition to injured #1 goalie and the other injuries had a huge impact.

That said, we aren't exactly going through a tailspin, we are playing above .600 hockey.

Chances are good for us to make the playoffs. We play the Panthers 2 more times. We own our destiny.

I find this funny since this board was overwhelming trashing Reilly this year as utter trash, now we’re lost without him. Which is it, can’t keep up? Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

PS not you necessarily but...

 

[GoonieFace]

So, just curious. Is everyone ok with this team just sqeaking into the playoffs? Has the bar dropped that low on expectations for this team? I know once the playoffs start, all bets are off, but it seems people have settled into the fact that this team is average and are ok with that.

 

[willmma]

I find this funny since this board was overwhelming trashing Reilly this year as utter trash, now we’re lost without him. Which is it, can’t keep up? Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

PS not you necessarily but...

Somewhat like Gardner last year.

 

[Thqre]

So, just curious. Is everyone ok with this team just sqeaking into the playoffs? Has the bar dropped that low on expectations for this team? I know once the playoffs start, all bets are off, but it seems people have settled into the fact that this team is average and are ok with that.

Coming into the season, I thought the Leafs could miss the playoffs, just because this was year 1 after all the big contracts are signed. A regression is to be expected. However, I did not expect the lack of effort and the abysmal play we see from this team from time to time this year (Only 1 shot last game in the third period in Montreal). Saying that, I don't expect the team to do anything this year, but I want team to be as high in the standings as possible, so Carolina doesn't draft a super star with our pick. It'll be interesting to see happens year 2 into the big contracts, I hope we have a RHD to play with Rielly by that time.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

So, just curious. Is everyone ok with this team just sqeaking into the playoffs? Has the bar dropped that low on expectations for this team? I know once the playoffs start, all bets are off, but it seems people have settled into the fact that this team is average and are ok with that.

Considering where this team was when Babcock was fired, it's more than fine.

Prorate the pace that they've played at under Keefe and they are in comfortably.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I find this funny since this board was overwhelming trashing Reilly this year as utter trash, now we’re lost without him. Which is it, can’t keep up? Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

PS not you necessarily but...

Rielly is really starting to get it this year. Playing with Barrie although terrible on results I think was a real eye opener for him. And he got a lot more practice going back and getting pucks and getting crunched. And learning how to stay up, use the boards, transfer his weight and maintain puck control with his feet. Now unfortunately he strained his hammies and maybe damaged his core muscles too but he will come back even stronger for it. It was a blessing in disguise. He will be much better if and when we face da Bruins again. Those learnings were awesome for him. He will be a much more complete player. Relying on other people to do the dirty work of a defender for him was not helping him. Offense only defense does not win you championships.

 

[willmma]

So, just curious. Is everyone ok with this team just sqeaking into the playoffs? Has the bar dropped that low on expectations for this team? I know once the playoffs start, all bets are off, but it seems people have settled into the fact that this team is average and are ok with that.

Yes, the bar dropped tremendously when we were a sub 500 under Babcock for the first 23 games.

We were disappointed.

But we are a 667pts% team with Keefe, thats, a 109pt season. We are happy with that.

So yes we're ok with the lowered expectations.

 

[ShaneFalco]

So, just curious. Is everyone ok with this team just sqeaking into the playoffs? Has the bar dropped that low on expectations for this team? I know once the playoffs start, all bets are off, but it seems people have settled into the fact that this team is average and are ok with that.

With the start they had, just get in at this point. Some adversity may be good for them too, rather than coasting into the playoffs but playing like hell going into it

 

[TheDoldrums]

I feel like people don't understand we were 25th in the league in PT% under Babcock

25th

Behind every East team except Detroit, Ottawa and NJ. And people are complaining about the idea of just making the playoffs, in a conference where it might take 100 points.

lol

 

[Buds17]

So, just curious. Is everyone ok with this team just sqeaking into the playoffs? Has the bar dropped that low on expectations for this team? I know once the playoffs start, all bets are off, but it seems people have settled into the fact that this team is average and are ok with that.

Going into this season, my hope was for the team to have home ice advantage come playoff time. Realistically, this is still a division with Boston and Tampa in it. Considering the current situation, I'd take yet another third place finish and the chance to make the bigger impact in the playoffs.

 

[hoglund]

So, just curious. Is everyone ok with this team just sqeaking into the playoffs? Has the bar dropped that low on expectations for this team? I know once the playoffs start, all bets are off, but it seems people have settled into the fact that this team is average and are ok with that.

With the slow start and injuries to star players, the bar has definitely lowered, I'll be happy if the Leafs make the playoffs.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

There are only 3 teams in both EAST and WEST which are out of playoffs. So still 25 teams fighting for playoff spots. This is parity at its best (or worst) depending how you view it.

 

[Merrrlin]

I find this funny since this board was overwhelming trashing Reilly this year as utter trash, now we’re lost without him. Which is it, can’t keep up? Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

PS not you necessarily but...

I think the board was trashing his play this year. That doesn't change that he is our #1 and is sorely missed. At his worst, he is still more capable than Ceci/Dermott/Holl/Barrie who are getting his minutes right now.

 

[Hockey Crazy]

CBJ just lost Jones to an extended injury. Should be interesting to see if that slows them down.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I hate to say it because I hate da Bruins and everything associated with them. But we all better pray like mad that we don't match up with them again in round 1. It is a terrible matchup for us - the absolute worst possible one.

BOS and TB are 1st and 3rd overall so we're in for a tough series no matter who we play. My preference depends on which one is healthiest and hottest going in, impossible to say today that TB would be an easier opponent. In fact considering how far back TB was behind BOS at one point, it would seem that they have been in better form most recently.

 

[BlueForever75]

With BOS and TB out of reach, the Leafs need to solely worry about taking over a playoff spot in 3rd or one of the wild card spots. I really don't care where the make it.

With Florida playing in Philly tonight, and then NJ tomorrow night there is a possibility that they lose both as both Philly and NJ have been playing well lately and are both at home.

Columbus just placed Jones on IR who is their top dman. Hard to replace 25+ minutes on your blue line as we know with Reilly. They play TB tonight. Not an easy task.

As long as Florida and Columbus keep losing and we gain points in our next 2 contests against Arizona and Dallas, it will put a gap between us. That's all we can hope for and build from there.

What the Leafs have going for them is an easier schedule down the stretch. Less back to backs and less games against teams we are chasing or are chasing us. Other teams like Florida, Columbus, NYI, Philly, Carolina have tougher schedules. Columbus, NYI and Philly play each other a lot and play a lot of games against TB, BOS, PITT and WAS.

So I believe we will be all good at the end of it all. Our schedule was more difficult at the beginning of the season.

 

[MSZ]

Seth Jones out indefinitely with an ankle injury. It will be interesting to see if the Jackets can keep their roll going without him.

They will be just fine as long as Merzlikins stays healthy.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

BOS and TB are 1st and 3rd overall so we're in for a tough series no matter who we play. My preference depends on which one is healthiest and hottest going in, impossible to say today that TB would be an easier opponent. In fact considering how far back TB was behind BOS at one point, it would seem that they have been in better form most recently.

I don't like us matching up with Bruins defense. Big strong fast nasty guys are not a good matchup for us. Our forwards are easily intimidated.
Tampa we can skate with them and match up with their skill. It would be fast chance vs chance type of series which we have better potential to win. Probably would come down to tenders.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I don't like us matching up with Bruins defense. Big strong fast nasty guys are not a good matchup for us. Our forwards are easily intimidated.
Tampa we can skate with them and match up with their skill. It would be fast chance vs chance type of series which we have better potential to win. Probably would come down to tenders.

Eh, we almost beat them the last couple of years and if we're healthy and Andersen is on his game, we're a better team now.