Series Talk: Round 2 discussion || North vs South || Leafs vs Panthers

[LeafGrief]

Pretty definitively Tanev IMO, so I had to vote other. He is completely steady on the rudder and saved so many goals with his crease defense.

Real yard-stick series coming up here. We're up against the defending champs who whooped us two years ago and our boys, even in their typical nonsense, tend to raise their game against tougher opponents.

 

[Suntouchable13]

We might get our clocks cleaned out, or maybe we goalie them? or maybe one of our skaters gets really hot? Or maybe a whole line gets hot? Maybe Bob shits the bed? Let's not be too negative, just watch and see what happens.

 

[Dayjobdave]

To be the champ, you gotta beat the champ.

 

[sunstersun]

It's a big series. The Leafs only did what's expected of a NORMAL franchise.

We made it out of the 1st round 2 years ago, but got caved in by Florida, if it happens again it's still not good enough.

 

[Burnie97]

Ekblad out the first game too?

Anyway Go Leafs Go

Just trying to enjoy this 1st round won still

f***ing pumped. Wearing the Leafs jersey all day today.

 

[Mentat]

Playtime is over. We´re facing the big boys.
A very physical and very talented roster, with a great coach. The defending champs. It´s going to be a doozy.

I find my own lack of faith disturbing, but alas, Panthers in 6.
Make me eat crow, lads!

 

[34]

Nylander and Knies.

Stolarz really struggled the last few games.

 

[kevsh]

Depth scoring may be an issue but it's not like the Panthers depth guys lit it up in the first round either (3 goals from 2 players).

The Leafs are really going to have to tidy things up, stay structured & disciplined. I was very happy with their overall effort last night but it was sloppy at times - too many odd man rushes against for one.

For Toronto to pull off the sweep (as I boldly predicted because, why not?) all of them are going to have to be competing and focused every night. Special teams have to deliver, the top line can't be marginalized by Barkov, Stolarz has to be a rock and when they get a lead they can't let Florida get back into it like Ottawa was able to too many times.

 

[Delete1]

Depth scoring may be an issue but it's not like the Panthers depth guys lit it up in the first round either (3 goals from 2 players).

The Leafs are really going to have to tidy things up, stay structured & disciplined. I was very happy with their overall effort last night but it was sloppy at times - too many odd man rushes against for one.

For Toronto to pull off the sweep (as I boldly predicted because, why not?) all of them are going to have to be competing and focused every night. Special teams have to deliver, the top line can't be marginalized by Barkov, Stolarz has to be a rock and when they get a lead they can't let Florida get back into it like Ottawa was able to too many times.

I don't think either team is sweeping the other in this series. It will be a lot of close games. The Leafs will win.

 

[Jojalu]

They have that other gear. We are yet to find it.

This is true. We know the 4th line/3rd line has it, the D has it. Knies has it. Willy shows flashes.

Paging the Core. It's time

 

[willmma]

Stolie and Bobsky with identical sv% and gaa, tied for 2nd for all teams in 2nd round.

 

[thusk]

Honestly Tampa didn't look like the team who reached stanley cup 3 year in a row, they was maube the softess team in playpff this post-season and wasn't ready to pay the price

14th in hit
11th in blocking shot
15 th in giveaway
15th in takeaway

No responce at all when hagel got drilled by Ekblad or when girgensons get boarded...

Honestly if Ottawa and Tampa who play against in 1st round the way both team played, i think it would be Ottawa the winner of the series.

 

[Skullz]

I have to go with Tanev for MVP: he was simply outstanding. I remember the playoff days of just dumping it in on our RHD and going to work on the forecheck.

Florida will be a huge matchup. Perhaps the best defensive team in the league. Our PP will need to come up big again.

 

[Zybalto]

Voted Tanev as well just because he is so underrated (so underrated he didnt even make the list).

This year certainly feels like a more complete team which is the big difference from previous years.

 

[notbias]

Voted Tanev as well just because he is so underrated (so underrated he didnt even make the list).

This year certainly feels like a more complete team which is the big difference from previous years.

He is the most overrated player on this board...

He is good, but he gets put head and shoulders above everyone, and McCabe for example was almost identical this year in every way.

 

[ITM]

Nylander…again.

Should add Tanev by name to the poll. Top 5 player this series.

Edit: And McCabe.

 

[sxvnert]

Tavares & the McCabe/Tanev & OEL/Benoit duos are the easy MVPs of the series.

 

[Rob Brown]

When do we start?

Has there been any speculation beyond this? Tomorrow makes zero sense so I'd guess Sunday or Monday but not sure if the NHL will want to wait for the West matchups to be set before announcing the East schedules. Hopefully not.

 

[Zybalto]

He is the most overrated player on this board...

He is good, but he gets put head and shoulders above everyone, and McCabe for example was almost identical this year in every way.

Hard disagree.

He's been a top 3 defensive dman in the league over the last half decade and the lynchpin in Berubes system. When he was out for a while late in the season, it was a firedrill without him in the defensive zone as hes just not replaceable with what he does with his minutes IMO. One of the key players for the next series for sure.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Starting tomorrow would be dumb. Just wait until round 1 is done.

They drag out the regular season.. now they get wonky to shove games in during the playoffs?

 

[sunstersun]

That ain't gonna win vs Florida.

 

[Roo]

I struggle with anyone but Matthews being the MVP for round 1. Big goals for us, huge on faceoffs, getting the toughest minutes. No brainer.

Nylander had a good game last night, but as usual, floats quite a bit. He was making putrid turnovers in the game yesterday, but came through with a big goal early in the 2nd. I noticed him getting hit and pretty pissed off in the 2nd, and then after that was playing with much more emotion and that's exactly what we need all the time!

But this thread is about the Panthers. We're going to be underdogs for sure. That said, 2 years ago, people suggest we were creamed by them. It was only 5 games but a very close series that was stolen by Bob. We're a much better team today, especially defensively and in goal. Hopefully Stolarz is motivated to beat his old team. We're also scoring more greasy goals, which should help us. But this will be a series were we really need the bottom 6 to contribute. Lustorainen put up 4 points in game 5 vs the Lightning. The Panthers get offense from everyone, and we need more than the core to produce.

Lets go!

 

[Roo]

Florida’s 2 pack of Finns Eetu and Anton are so annoying to play against.

Eetu with a 4 point game to clinch their series against the Lightning. That type of bottom 6 production is unheard of. Will be a huge challenge for us.

 

[IPS]

He is the most overrated player on this board...

He is good, but he gets put head and shoulders above everyone, and McCabe for example was almost identical this year in every way.

A true puck-watching take right here.

If you can't see the brilliance Tanev put on display this series ain't no helping you bud.

 

[IPS]

Roids... how can you play multiple seasons of this kind of balls to the wall, deep round hockey..??? Roids, that's how...

Thx for exposing Ekblad. Now test the whole team before Round 2! Cheatin' azz beeches

99.9% of the league is on PED's but the most of the general populace have no idea just how common PED's/steroids are let alone in pro sports.