[POLL] Is Toronto going to make it out of the first round?

[Commander Clueless]

I’m no Leafs fan but I think they’re better equipped to go further into the playoffs this year- adding Berbube as coach, Tanev and Carlo on d is a big difference imo

Agreed but who cares about the on ice product? The real deciding factor is the ancient rules of dark magic. They still haven't found the witch that cursed the team.

It'll be a Sens comeback win in 7 (similar to Montreal a few years back) or a Sens sweep, whichever is calculated as the maximum pain by the runic algorithm.

If by some miracle of the ancient rules of magic Ottawa's curse overpowers Toronto and the Leafs win, then if the Lightning beat the Panthers, Nick Paul is injured and Matthew Knies isn't, Knies' pure rage against Tampa might overpower the curse and actually give them a fighting chance to make the ECF.

Occult fans are in for a treat.

 

[KevinRedkey]

0 reason they shouldn't. They are the better, more experienced team no matter if they face Habs or Sens. I'll take either team in the first round. Should expect high energy from those teams but that will wear off as the series goes on.

I have them in the ECF at a minimum. Would be mind boggling to not make it that far.

You say the same thing every year.

 

[FerrisRox]

No to both your questions. The Leafs will run over both those clubs. They are just a lot better than those two teams at limiting high danger chances, while still playing a creative offensive game. Imo the Habs and Sens are somewhat immature in their playing style. They are fun to watch, because of their attacking play, but they give up a lot at the other end as a result.
The Leafs will keep the chances against down and best either of those clubs in 4 or 5 games.

The Senators have played one more game than the Leafs, but have allowed five less goals.

If the Leafs are "a lot better" at limiting high danger chances, that must mean that the Senators have significantly better goaltending than the Maple Leafs, right?

 

[Chaos2k7]

They aren't a shoo in against anyone. They need a miracle to get out of the Atlantic let alone the East.

Every year the disappointed fans expect huge changes after losing out, then when the team doubles down on the roster again, the cope leads to renewed optimism.

Rinse and repeat. I am ready for another fantastic meltdown.

 

[HockeyVirus]

You say the same thing every year.

I've already posted elsewhere why this year is different. Coaching and roster construction / how they win is why

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Step 1. Avoid a state of Florida team. Check!

 

[Fatass]

The Senators have played one more game than the Leafs, but have allowed five less goals.

If the Leafs are "a lot better" at limiting high danger chances, that must mean that the Senators have significantly better goaltending than the Maple Leafs, right?

Leafs v Sens I will be hoping the Leafs lose, but expecting they will roll through in 4 or 5. They will clamp it down into a mature structure in a way the Sens can’t.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Leafs v Sens I will be hoping the Leafs lose, but expecting they will roll through in 4 or 5. They will clamp it down into a mature structure in a way the Sens can’t.

You haven’t explained why the Sens can’t yet though, when they’ve been better keeping goals out this year.

 

[Fatass]

You haven’t explained why the Sens can’t yet though, when they’ve been better keeping goals out this year.

The Leafs are a mature club and the playoffs are a different game than the regular season. They have the experience and elite players to commit to very good structure, when important. Thats why they’re the top team in their division. The Sens are still developing that kind of game. IMO the Leafs can lock down a game (and still score) when needed while the Sens are still learning that type of game.

 

[Golden_Jet]

The Leafs are a mature club and the playoffs are a different game than the regular season. They have the experience and elite players to commit to very good structure, when important. Thats why they’re the top team in their division. The Sens are still developing that kind of game. IMO the Leafs can lock down a game (and still score) when needed while the Sens are still learning that type of game.

Senators have played the most 1 goal games in the league, they are always in most games.

 

[Fatass]

Senators have played the most 1 goal games in the league, they are always in most games.

I hope you’re right and the Sens can match up with the Leafs. I don’t have your level of confidence though.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

I've already posted elsewhere why this year is different. Coaching and roster construction / how they win is why

I agree with you that the coaching is better, the roster construction is better, and the Leafs have finally shown a grittiness at some levels that has been missing for a long while. I grant you all of that.

At the same time, it remains to be seen whether the Leafs' Core 4 can finally come through against a hard-hitting and very physical opponent. Too many times have we seen the Core 4 simply disappear when things get rough. It's not just about throwing hits, it is about being able to play that style of game AND still be successful. That is where the lingering doubts still exist and they will remain valid doubts until proven otherwise.

But, hey, in about 7 days they get to show us. Put up or shut up time for both proponents and detractors.

 

[FerrisRox]

Leafs v Sens I will be hoping the Leafs lose, but expecting they will roll through in 4 or 5. They will clamp it down into a mature structure in a way the Sens can’t.

You seemingly ignored my question.

Read the question again.

 

[State of Hockey]

Toronto's possession stats are so bad I have to say Ottawa will beat them. But even if they manage to squeak by, they're toast in the 2nd round.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Toronto's possession stats are so bad I have to say Ottawa will beat them. But even if they manage to squeak by, they're toast in the 2nd round.

Toronto always had good analytics under Keefe and got nowhere. They’re trying the unga bunga stats are for nerds approach now, we’ll see how it goes

 

[IdleTraveller]

I'd say 80% yes. 20% no because hockey is one of the most random sports out there. I really like Ottawa and how they play (similar to our style in many ways), and have no doubt they would make things incredibly difficult for the Leafs. But in the end, this is their first time in the playoffs in a while and their contending window is in the future. And the Leafs are undeniably talented, have great goaltending [miss you, Stolie] and are playing a lot more of a structured game then they have in previous years.

Maybe it's because I haven't grown up as a hockey fan but I do find it a bit hilarious how down on the Leafs people are, even (especially?) Leaf fans. Terrible match ups, injuries and bad bounces are things in hockey, and it feels like the Leafs have had more than their fair share of them. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy the media circus whenever the Leafs go out in the first round along with the rest of the hockey world, and far be it for me to want to break with that hallowed tradition. But at some point, this "curse" or whatever it is has to end...

 

[Strangle]

Regular season success vs a team means absolutely nothing in the playoffs.

Sens used to beat the Leafs in the regular season and lost every playoff series.

Leafs beat the Bruins in the 2017 season series

Leafs crushed the Habs in the 2021 season series

Leafs were 3-0-1 vs the Panthers in 2022

None of it matters when there are too many variables in a series.

Brand new season

 

[Strangle]

I'd say 80% yes. 20% no because hockey is one of the most random sports out there. I really like Ottawa and how they play (similar to our style in many ways), and have no doubt they would make things incredibly difficult for the Leafs. But in the end, this is their first time in the playoffs in a while and their contending window is in the future. And the Leafs are undeniably talented, have great goaltending [miss you, Stolie] and are playing a lot more of a structured game then they have in previous years.

Maybe it's because I haven't grown up as a hockey fan but I do find it a bit hilarious how down on the Leafs people are, even (especially?) Leaf fans. Terrible match ups, injuries and bad bounces are things in hockey, and it feels like the Leafs have had more than their fair share of them. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy the media circus whenever the Leafs go out in the first round along with the rest of the hockey world, and far be it for me to want to break with that hallowed tradition. But at some point, this "curse" or whatever it is has to end...

I am a life long hockey fan, and a life long leaf fan. I’ve been saying “this curse has to end…..” for 40 years

But the good thing is that I know Ottawa fans haven’t seen a Stanley cup in their lifetime either

 

[Enniskillen]

The core players can’t play physical game, when Ottawa starts pounding Matthews and co will wilt as usual. Marleau was a good teacher, but at least he played in the SCF.

 

[ole ole]

Alright so the playoffs are once again here and once again the Leafs have a chance to win the Stanley Cup, but are they going to get out of the first round?

VOTE NOW!

I'll give them the 1st rd.

 

[IdleTraveller]

I am a life long hockey fan, and a life long leaf fan. I’ve been saying “this curse has to end…..” for 40 years

But the good thing is that I know Ottawa fans haven’t seen a Stanley cup in their lifetime either

Hey, I'm a lifelong football (soccer) and England fan. I get it. Our main anthem is all about decades of hurt and how long it's been since we've won anything...

I think there's a definite path for the Leafs to get to at least the ECF this year. If we're "playoff healthy" with all our parts working together, then I like our chances against you in a series [#sorrynotsorry], but that's a big if. And you seem to have Tampa's number, for whatever reason.

 

[The Panther]

I have them in the ECF at a minimum. Would be mind boggling to not make it that far.

The last time the Leafs were in the ECF was almost a quarter-century ago, and the last time they won three rounds was 1932. So, I'm not sure "mind-boggling" is the right description...

But I think either Toronto or Winnipeg goes deep this year. I have a nagging feeling on that.

 

[HockeyVirus]

The last time the Leafs were in the ECF was almost a quarter-century ago, and the last time they won three rounds was 1932. So, I'm not sure "mind-boggling" is the right description...

But I think either Toronto or Winnipeg goes deep this year. I have a nagging feeling on that.

If we are allowed to use history, then we are allowed to point out the Sens have never won a playoff series against the Leafs. Depending on how the playoffs go, the Leafs could face the Sens, then the Lightning who they beat in a playoff series just 2 years ago AND have consistently beaten since.

That is ECF minimum.

 

[Mez]

I could see them going to the ECF this year.

 

[The Panther]

If we are allowed to use history, then we are allowed to point out the Sens have never won a playoff series against the Leafs. Depending on how the playoffs go, the Leafs could face the Sens, then the Lightning who they beat in a playoff series just 2 years ago AND have consistently beaten since.

That is ECF minimum.

Are you aware that arguing for the Leafs making the third round with any kind of certainty is diagnosed as insanity in Ontario by all psychology professionals?