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

[NyQuil]

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

Agreed, this match-up is about as one-sided as it gets.

 

[HockeyVirus]

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.

I mean either game over the weekend are fine examples of what Leaf fans are talking about. Ask Habs or Canes fans how hard it was to get things going for large amounts of the games. Leafs had sticks on every shot and blocked 75% of the shots they were taking. The only shots that were getting through for most of those games were perimeter shots.

There is a level of compete defensively that is different. The Leafs played well defensively before for large stretches, but it was different. If you want to say well the spreadsheet says this, go for it.

What Leaf fans see though is a team with a system that limits high danger chances and blocks a ton of shots. And when the defense breaks down, both goalies have been excellent and holds us in things until we can regroup. The team is nearly undefeated when playing with a lead all season, they've spoken all year about being patient and letting other teams make mistakes. And they have found the right balance of structure but ability to generate offense when breakdowns happen.

I watch a lot of Senators games. They are pretty solid defensively. They hold formation really well in their zone and Ullmark has stood tall for them too. Leafs are just better at it. They are bigger, stronger, more experienced, and more desperate.

 

[Golden_Jet]

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

Ya agree GA it’s a wash, both teams are good defensively.
Sens are leading GA mostly because of shutouts, 10 vs 4.

 

[leafsfan5]

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

This has been the case for pretty much every series since CBJ minus 2022 TB (Leafs played great, just lost a coin flip)

The Leafs biggest enemy are themselves. We'll see if they can push through it, I think they can for R1 but the flaws will catch up to them against a Florida or Tampa

 

[leafsfan5]

I mean either game over the weekend are fine examples of what Leaf fans are talking about. Ask Habs or Canes fans how hard it was to get things going for large amounts of the games. Leafs had sticks on every shot and blocked 75% of the shots they were taking. The only shots that were getting through for most of those games were perimeter shots.

There is a level of compete defensively that is different. The Leafs played well defensively before for large stretches, but it was different. If you want to say well the spreadsheet says this, go for it.

What Leaf fans see though is a team with a system that limits high danger chances and blocks a ton of shots. And when the defense breaks down, both goalies have been excellent and holds us in things until we can regroup. The team is nearly undefeated when playing with a lead all season, they've spoken all year about being patient and letting other teams make mistakes. And they have found the right balance of structure but ability to generate offense when breakdowns happen.

I watch a lot of Senators games. They are pretty solid defensively. They hold formation really well in their zone and Ullmark has stood tall for them too. Leafs are just better at it. They are bigger, stronger, more experienced, and more desperate.

Interestingly, the Leafs since the TDL allow the highest low danger shots/60 while giving up the 3rd least high danger shots against/60

So yeah, it's pretty clear we're a pack the slot and let you spam point shots type of team.

This works incredibly well for Anthony Stolarz, who is great and stopping low danger chances (.978, 1st in the league among goalies with 30+ games). Works less well for Woll who is 21st and has had issues with long-range shots throughout the season. Seems like that is why Stolarz has the better numbers

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

Why do fans post this stuff? Leaf fans have no clue what they are going to do. They were begging for changes to the core at least 5 years straight now.

Most likely if they are out early it is out of their hands as Marner chooses to walk. They re-sign Tavares to be 2C for 3/4 years and Knies and look to UFA to try and add as many forwards as they can with remaining cap space and next season is a retool year.

Not going to even bother thinking about this too much because it is a hypothetical that is unlikely. Casual fans don't watch the Leafs, they haven't seen them growing and changing each year and maturing into a legit team. This is the year they have put it all together.

You think Marner CHOOSES to walk?

I freakin' wish!

Marner is fantastic, but he dictates the play, and that style needs to go away if it doesn't serve us well in the playoffs.

I like Berube and want him as Leafs coach for a long time.

If we don't have the bollocks necessary to make even a decent run this time, the last thing I want is to have Marner at god knows what cap hit for 8 more years.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I mean either game over the weekend are fine examples of what Leaf fans are talking about. Ask Habs or Canes fans how hard it was to get things going for large amounts of the games. Leafs had sticks on every shot and blocked 75% of the shots they were taking. The only shots that were getting through for most of those games were perimeter shots.

There is a level of compete defensively that is different. The Leafs played well defensively before for large stretches, but it was different. If you want to say well the spreadsheet says this, go for it.

What Leaf fans see though is a team with a system that limits high danger chances and blocks a ton of shots. And when the defense breaks down, both goalies have been excellent and holds us in things until we can regroup. The team is nearly undefeated when playing with a lead all season, they've spoken all year about being patient and letting other teams make mistakes. And they have found the right balance of structure but ability to generate offense when breakdowns happen.

I watch a lot of Senators games. They are pretty solid defensively. They hold formation really well in their zone and Ullmark has stood tall for them too. Leafs are just better at it. They are bigger, stronger, more experienced, and more desperate.

I’d say high danger chances against is basically a wash as well. This year to date

Ottawa has given up 652 HDCA
Toronto has given up 663 HDCA

Team Season Totals - Natural Stat Trick

 

[Masked]

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

They're only doing it because they'll bring in lots of money from the two games at the Canadian Tire Centre that will be 90% Leaf fans.

How can the Leafs lose a series in which all the games will be like home games for them?

 

[bert]

I think Stolarz starts because he is the vet and has been more consistent. But the Leafs are a team with two starting goalies. I can almost guarantee Woll plays games and Berube is not hesitant to change it up if Stolarz is not getting it done.

If the guy that starts isnt playing the entire series that is not good news for Toronto. You have explained how this series is a laugher for Toronto so I am a little surprised that you guarantee both will play.

 

[NyQuil]

They're only doing it because they'll bring in lots of money from the two home games that will be 90% Leaf fans.

The other 10% will be people who got lost on their way to the IKEA.

 

[X66]

Of all the sens I’m most worried about it’s Giroux lol.

I know he’s taken a step back but he always dissects the team apart, and he’s a proven playoff performer.

I can also see him diving and getting Domi rattled lol.

 

[SpezDispenser]

They're only doing it because they'll bring in lots of money from the two games at the Canadian Tire Centre that will be 90% Leaf fans.

How can the Leafs lose a series in which all the games will be like home games for them?

They could just forfeit the home games and make it simpler for everyone really. Apparently they're toying with the idea.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Of all the sens I’m most worried about it’s Giroux lol.

I know he’s taken a step back but he always dissects the team apart, and he’s a proven playoff performer.

I can also see him diving and getting Domi rattled lol.

I'm thinking he'll be the calming influence on the PP. He makes such smart passes on the PP that counteract some of the youth getting too excited and overpassing.

 

[NyQuil]

Of all the sens I’m most worried about it’s Giroux lol.

I know he’s taken a step back but he always dissects the team apart, and he’s a proven playoff performer.

I can also see him diving and getting Domi rattled lol.

Where Giroux could potentially do the most damage is in the faceoff dot where he's 1st in the league (among guys who have played most of the games) at 61.4%.

It's interesting that we are now coached by Travis Green when he destroyed us in the dot back in the 2002 series with the Leafs. He went 26 for 32 in the last two games of the series.

 

[Green]

If they don't they should just cancel their organization, but I personally wouldn't be surprised to see them go all the way

 

[Weezeric]

I don’t think the question is if the Leafs will win round 1. I think they will. The question is how many of their players will survive a very physical series. The Leafs have a number of injury prone players and their backend is very old and slow.

 

[Suntouchable13]

If the guy that starts isnt playing the entire series that is not good news for Toronto. You have explained how this series is a laugher for Toronto so I am a little surprised that you guarantee both will play.

I just think Berube won't hesitate to go to the other guy. Like if Leafs lose game 1 and Stolarz wasn't good, then Woll probably starts game 2. Berube won't wait till the team is down 3-1 in a series before changing the goalie.

 

[Juxta Position]

As a Leafs hater, I truly think this is the year they make a push to at least the 3rd round. They've been quietly good.

The Leafs aren't ever "quietly" anything.

 

[HockeyVirus]

If the guy that starts isnt playing the entire series that is not good news for Toronto. You have explained how this series is a laugher for Toronto so I am a little surprised that you guarantee both will play.

I never said this series is a laugher for Toronto. I am also talking about the playoffs in general here over the course of a cup run. Of course who knows how Stolarz plays or his health Woll could appear round 1 who knows. Point is we have 2 guys we have full trust in.

 

[Dirty Mind]

As an outside observer, this series has so much at stake for both franchises lol. The losing fanbase will be so crushed it might take months or even years to recover and I love those kind of stakes MUAHAHA.

For Toronto: I would think that anything less than conference finals would be considered a huge failure. Even fans outside Toronto are recognizing that the Leafs seemed primed for a deep playoff run, even if they won’t admit it.

For Ottawa: winning this series would instantly erase their status as Toronto’s little brother. BOOM. Gone. For the first time since their inaugural season, the Sens finally have the upper hand in the Battle of Ontario.

I would say this playoff series has the most at stake lol

 

[SpezDispenser]

As an outside observer, this series has so much at stake for both franchises lol. The losing fanbase will be so crushed it might take months or even years to recover and I love those kind of stakes MUAHAHA.

For Toronto: I would think that anything less than conference finals would be considered a huge failure. Even fans outside Toronto are recognizing that the Leafs seemed primed for a deep playoff run, even if they won’t admit it.

For Ottawa: winning this series would instantly erase their status as Toronto’s little brother. BOOM. Gone. For the first time since their inaugural season, the Sens finally have the upper hand in the Battle of Ontario.

I would say this playoff series has the most at stake lol

Absolutely not from Ottawa's POV. Not even a little.

 

[BradyTkachucky]

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!

Agreed, we have no chance, just happy to be at the dance. Take it easy on us.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I don’t think the question is if the Leafs will win round 1. I think they will. The question is how many of their players will survive a very physical series. The Leafs have a number of injury prone players and their backend is very old and slow.

Leafs have been playing physically all year. The amount of folks who still picture the Leafs as the 2018 version is staggering

The Leafs aren't ever "quietly" anything.

This thread says otherwise.

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

As an outside observer, this series has so much at stake for both franchises lol. The losing fanbase will be so crushed it might take months or even years to recover and I love those kind of stakes MUAHAHA.

For Toronto: I would think that anything less than conference finals would be considered a huge failure. Even fans outside Toronto are recognizing that the Leafs seemed primed for a deep playoff run, even if they won’t admit it.

For Ottawa: winning this series would instantly erase their status as Toronto’s little brother. BOOM. Gone. For the first time since their inaugural season, the Sens finally have the upper hand in the Battle of Ontario.

I would say this playoff series has the most at stake lol

I don't think Ottawa sees it this way at all.

Of course, every player/fan is disappointed when their team loses in the playoffs. But if you go back to the 2016-17 Leafs, for example, they lost in 6 games to the Capitals. But it was their first rodeo for their current core, making the playoffs and getting their feet wet was an achievement. That's pretty much the Sens at this point.

 

[Seras]

Leafs will make the SCF. They will lead the SCF 3-0 before imploding and being shutout in game 7.

I don't see people trolling other teams fans on this site, is it just a thing against the leafs?