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

[Summer Rose]

Can TB still catch the Leafs? I thought the Battle of Ontario was a lock to happen?

Toronto would have to lose both of their remaining games in regulation and Tampa Bay would have to win both, with at least one of them being in regulation. That would put them level on points, with the Bolts having at least one extra regulation win (which is the first tiebreaker).

Edit: so, technically possible for the Bolts to still win the division, just kind of unlikely to happen.

 

[AvroArrow]

Can TB still catch the Leafs? I thought the Battle of Ontario was a lock to happen?

Almost a lock, if Leafs get 1 point they clinch

Tampa has to go 2-0-0 and leafs need to go 0-0-2 for it to happen.

 

[NyQuil]

I'm not so sure. I watched the Leafs series last year, I still saw Marner and Nylander avoiding contact, I still saw the same big mistakes that they always make every year. You can learn from that, you have to want to learn though. The question is does the Leafs core players care enough to put aside their egos and learn? Because so far they really haven't.

I guess we'll find out.

 

[AvroArrow]

I'm not so sure. I watched the Leafs series last year, I still saw Marner and Nylander avoiding contact, I still saw the same big mistakes that they always make every year. You can learn from that, you have to want to learn though. The question is does the Leafs core players care enough to put aside their egos and learn? Because so far they really haven't.

Genuine question, how many games have you watched this year ?

Regular season sure, but the entire team has been physical, Marner of all people is getting into scrums and initiating them and being physical, going to the net. I think the way they're playing is the biggest difference this year.

 

[swiftwin]

Almost a lock, if Leafs get 1 point they clinch

Tampa has to go 2-0-0 and leafs need to go 0-0-2 for it to happen.

The Leafs have to go 0-2-0 against Buffalo and Detroit.

Also, Tampa needs to win both against Florida and Rangers, with at least one win in regulation. So, if Tampa wins their last 2 in OT and Toronto loses their last 2 in regulation, we still get the Battle of Ontario.

Right now, most sites have it at 98% chance of happening. TBH, considering Toronto's schedule, it should be higher.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Genuine question, how many games have you watched this year ?

Regular season sure, but the entire team has been physical, Marner of all people is getting into scrums and initiating them and being physical, going to the net. I think the way they're playing is the biggest difference this year.

They haven't had to battle all year, their roster is good enough that they've been comfortably in a playoff spot all season. We haven't really seen this team play against pressure yet this year, and they're about to have a shit ton of pressure put on them. That can make a huge difference.

 

[X66]

They haven't had to battle all year, their roster is good enough that they've been comfortably in a playoff spot all season. We haven't really seen this team play against pressure yet this year, and they're about to have a shit ton of pressure put on them. That can make a huge difference.

In past years yes, but this year they’ve been battling for the division for months.

 

[AvroArrow]

They haven't had to battle all year, their roster is good enough that they've been comfortably in a playoff spot all season. We haven't really seen this team play against pressure yet this year, and they're about to have a shit ton of pressure put on them. That can make a huge difference.

This is just a false statement lol. They just won back to back games right now to maintain the lead over Tampa, had Florida/Tampa back to back prior to this.

So you haven't really watched at all this year, I don't blame you they're not your team. To break it down

1) PP has been on fire for 2-3 months. Historically bad in the playoffs so we'll see

2) Complete team buy in and commitment to a full 2-way game

3) Matthews PKing and actually being really damn good at it

4) Physicality isn't optional, everyone, including Marner, is finishing their checks

5) Goaltending has been phenomenal all year

6) Emergence of Knies as a legitimate top 6 power forward

7) Revamped blue line that is physical and sound defensively. Tanev, Carlo, McCabe (stepped up), OEL have all been really good defensively

8) Emergence of McMann as a good 2LW

9) Most importantly, they aren't just winning games. They've completely changed the way they're playing under Berube, there's a full team commitment to defence and physical play. There was a game earlier in the year where Nylander did that typical floaty shit you'd see in the past, he didn't see the ice in the entire 3rd period. Never again.

Similar roster to the past, completely different blue line, completely different team philosophy.

 

[BradyTkachucky]

The Sens are bigtime underdogs and don't stand a chance. The Leafs are heavy favorites and will likely win the Cup. No pressure for this young Sens team.

 

[jbeck5]

Wasn't last year in the playoffs...

I mean over a large sample size. Ullmark can have bad nights but can also go like 3-4 games barely allowing a goal while making countless big saves...

But the larger the sample, the more ullmark> goalie X of the Leafs.

 

[jbeck5]

Ullmark doesn't have a great playoff record though.

I get it fellow Sens fans, f*** the Leafs, but some of you are gearing yourselves for a huge letdown.

If Toronto doesn't win, it will be one of the biggest choke jobs ever. I'm hoping for it, but I expect us to get crushed.

Toronto is the favourite...but that's not what I'm discussing.

I see Ottawa having less goals against...I'm asking the specific leaf fan, why does Ottawa have less goals against? Is it because better D corps? Is it because better goaltending? Or is it because more defensively responsible forwards?

Or is it another factor that the Leafs are worse in to allow more GA that I haven't even named?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I do like how this has turned into the series discussion thread until the series actually is confirmed lol

 

[leafsfan5]

Woll in his small playoffs sample has been great

Ullmark has not.

Playoffs wise the leafs have the better goal tender.

Regular season wise Ullmark is still ahead of woll (better play) and stolarz (more games at a comparable high level)

We will find out if Ullmark sucked due to Boston system/choking that went on there from 2022 - 2024 (with the leafs R1 matchup being exception lol) or if he does struggle and fall off come playoffs

The Leafs have scored more than 2 goals in a playoff game 1 time in their last 14 playoff games (?!)

The one game in which they did it was game 2 versus Boston - the game Linus Ullmark started

 

[leafsfan5]

Toronto is the favourite...but that's not what I'm discussing.

I see Ottawa having less goals against...I'm asking the specific leaf fan, why does Ottawa have less goals against? Is it because better D corps? Is it because better goaltending? Or is it because more defensively responsible forwards?

Or is it another factor that the Leafs are worse in to allow more GA that I haven't even named?

Ottawa has 225 goals against, Toronto has 228

Ottawa has allowed 14 empty net goals, Toronto has allowed 20

There's the difference

 

[Peasy]

Toronto is the favourite...but that's not what I'm discussing.

I see Ottawa having less goals against...I'm asking the specific leaf fan, why does Ottawa have less goals against? Is it because better D corps? Is it because better goaltending? Or is it because more defensively responsible forwards?

Or is it another factor that the Leafs are worse in to allow more GA that I haven't even named?

Bro, theres a difference of 3 goals against between the two teams... That would literally be within margin of error.

 

[The don godfather]

It's all about linus if he stands on head they can steal it. The end.

 

[umma gumma]

Its Toronto's to lose.

 

[FerrisRox]

You didn't answer his question...

If the Leafs are better at limiting high danger chance against, but have more goals against, does this mean the sens have the better goaltending?

It's a yes or no. If your answer is no, explain the logic.

Not just better goaltending, it would need to be significantly better goaltending to explain such a large discrepancy.

If the Leafs have a much better defense (as he claims) yet somehow allow more goals, it's pretty tough to figure out how that works unless the Leaf goaltending is lousy.

 

[Silky Johnson]

It's all about linus if he stands on head they can steal it. The end.

Really? Because I can see Ullmark being just ok and the leafs core shitting the bed enough for an Ottawa win. I could see the same result with Ullmark being bad and Merilainen or Forsberg stepping up.

I'm not saying that the leafs aren't favourites - because they are. However, both teams have been playing well lately and both teams have the ability to step up their play or shit the bed. To say it's all on Ullmark is not a good take.

 

[FerrisRox]

It's all about linus if he stands on head they can steal it. The end.

I honestly don't think if the Leafs lose it's because Ottawa beat them. The Leafs will lose by beating themselves.

 

[SpezDispenser]

I honestly don't think if the Leafs lose it's because Ottawa beat them. The Leafs will lose by beating themselves.

I don't think Ottawa even needs to suit up to be honest.

 

[Masked]

This is the easiest playoff series the Leafs will ever have. It should be a sweep. The Leafs have a hugely talented team with outstanding goaltending and lots of size going up against an inexperienced, overrated team with dubious playoff goaltending that really shouldn't have even made the playoffs. The Sens got swept in their season series against Buffalo for crying out loud!

 

[HockeyVirus]

They haven't had to battle all year, their roster is good enough that they've been comfortably in a playoff spot all season. We haven't really seen this team play against pressure yet this year, and they're about to have a shit ton of pressure put on them. That can make a huge difference.

Wow so they have nothing to play for but are 11-2-1 in since March 15 against mostly teams gearing up for the playoffs? They must be incredible when they try

 

[Ararana]

I voted no because Steve Dangle isn't fun to watch unless he's suffering.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Wow so they have nothing to play for but are 11-2-1 in since March 15 against mostly teams gearing up for the playoffs? They must be incredible when they try

Yeah you're right man, they'll beat the Sens in 3.