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

[1specter]

Who cares. Hagel laid a cheap shot on Barkov, he got it back.

Well it matters because two of the three dirtiest hits by Florida didn't even receive suspension. Ekblad was an easy target because he was already serving a PED ban

 

[GoonieFace]

Well it matters because two of the three dirtiest hits by Florida didn't even receive suspension. Ekblad was an easy target because he was already serving a PED ban

I’m simply saying Hagel can’t whine about the hit on him when he laid a cheap shot on Barkov. The other hits on the series have nothing to do with it

 

[1specter]

They coasted into the playoffs and made short work of Tampa. I don't expect any fatigue.

They know how to win. Unless Bob falls off a cliff, I can't see the Panthers losing this series.

They're also probably all on PEDs lol, Ekblad was the only one who got caught. Nate Schmidt was also busted for it in 2018

 

[Stephen]

Lots of talk about the physicality and relentless forecheck of the Panthers, and it’s all true. BUT, Bob stole the last series. We had no shortage of chances. Need to focus on how we get him off his game and capitalize on our chances. If we can do that, and continue to play good defensive hockey, and play with poise and not get baited by their rats - I like our chances.

People are talking about the Leafs and Panthers playing the same style but I actually don't think it's that similar.

Florida likes to play a lot faster than the Leafs. They move up and down the ice like tight 5 man unit manspreading to the center of the ice in fairly tight east to west between spearhead of forecheck and last defenseman back, and some of their physicality is based on very annoying active sticks and coordinated back pressure. Then they turn it up on you on a counter rush, probably overwhelm you with a guy activated to create an odd man situation.

Toronto plays a very (deliberately?) slow plodding game. I don't think we go up the ice all that aggressively up the ice or on a counter rush, but we red rover you all the way back down the ice with annoying back pressure and then just pack it in until further notice.

Actually think this series could look like a speed game meets a slow game turning into a complete muckfest, first mistake loses type thing.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

So... Stollie the Goalie...

I love me some Stollie..
Bbbbbuuuuuuuut........

Where is everybody on the "he used to play for Florida" train??

Is it an advantage, cuz he knows their tendencies and some of their old systems??

Is it a disadvantage, cuz they know HIS tendencies and some of his weaknesses??

Or is it irrelevant, as a wash of both or neither of those things to you...??

Just thinking about this angle more as Stollie was good, but less than godlike in the 1st Rd - and this might make for a quicker or easier door to Woll if things go funky early.

It's usually bad for the goalie playing his old team because of the many practices they had together. Players know where the goalies weaknesses are and usually exploit them. It's the same with QB's playing their former teams or coaches. Rich Gannon is a good example in the super bowl against Gruden.

 

[Stephen]

They're also probably all on PEDs lol, Ekblad was the only one who got caught. Nate Schmidt was also busted for it in 2018

Nate Schmitt should be one of the primary focuses on the heavy physical forecheck. You gotta find a couple of guys to pick on and he would be one of the softer targets. Ekblad is a snap show and hasn't played in a while so maybe you could go after him and see if he snaps and gives you some PP's.

 

[Stephen]

It's usually bad for the goalie playing his old team because of the many practices they had together. Players know where the goalies weaknesses are and usually exploit them. It's the same with QB's playing their former teams or coaches. Rich Gannon is a good example in the super bowl against Gruden.

First sign of real trouble, you probably turn it over to Woll for a while. He was in net for us in Game 4 of the Florida series in 2023, and that might have been the most flawless game of the whole Dubas/Keefe era.

 

[ToneDog]

Why would it be the last year? The leafs will resign both Marner and Tavares. It will be basically the same team back next season.

No guarantee he wants to resign here, especially if they lose to the Panthers.

 

[Delete1]

No guarantee he wants to resign here, especially if they lose to the Panthers.

Of course no guarantee, but I think the Leafs will just pay him what he wants, and all else being equal he won't have any reason to leave. It's his home, he is about to have a kid here, I presume his wife and her family are from here, and I expect that he will be coming off a Cup final appearance here.

 

[ToneDog]

Of course no guarantee, but I think the Leafs will just pay him what he wants, and all else being equal he won't have any reason to leave. It's his home, he is about to have a kid here, I presume his wife and her family are from here, and I expect that he will be coming off a Cup final appearance here.

The heat he will take if they lose to Florida is one reason he would not want to stay.

 

[The Management]

Have to prepare for a team with a much more tenacious forecheck and counterpunching style than Ottawa. Last time we played them (and they've only become more battled hardened since), they were effective at capitalizing on our breakdowns offensively and getting it back up ice the other way. When they'd get an opportunity, they'd cash in. Hopefully Stolarz is a difference maker.

I expect it'll be a little harder to pin them into their own end, like last time. Hoping our remodeled blueline is the difference. Don't cheat for offense, be patient, and clear the front of the net. Florida is pesky, but they're not really a heavy team, just quick on their feet and fearless.

Don't get baited into playing their game.

 

[Torontonian]

Leafs top 6 > Panthers top 6
Leafs bottom 6 < Panthers bottom 6

Wishful thinking. When you pay 1/2 your cap to 4 forwards, it is on them for me.

Perhaps, Bobby McMann also got 20g this season, Robertson got 15goals this season, Laughton 15goals this season..

They have depth and players who has scored, it's not an excuse for them to take series off, you need depth to win 4 rounds.

 

[Sypher04]

This is going to be a very very hard series. If we win, it’s gonna be a long one. I think it will be either way honestly. Here’s hoping the Leafs find an extra gear.

Winning this series would be a huge turning point I think in the way this team is viewed

 

[Stephen]

Perhaps, Bobby McMann also got 20g this season, Robertson got 15goals this season, Laughton 15goals this season..

They have depth and players who has scored, it's not an excuse for them to take series off, you need depth to win 4 rounds.

The Panthers 2 pack of Lundell and Luostorinen plus Marchand will ass kick any combination of bottom 6 Leafs at the two way game. Whatever matchup we throw at that unit will just have to hang onto dear life.

 

[Ports]

I really don’t like the idea of keeping Matthews-Marner together in this series vs Barkov. Barkov has the potential to completely shut both of them down. If you split them up we’re at least getting one of them away from him. Plus, Matthews and Marner have become so predictable 5 on 5. They just aren’t good enough together at 5 on 5 to justify keeping them together imo.

Switch Marner and Nylander. Matthews who’s no longer as big a scoring threat can feed Nylander and Knies who are and Marner can feed Tavares and McMann.

 

[Suntouchable13]

If the Leafs can get by the Panthers somehow, Washington or Carolina don't scare me. Such a great opportunity to go all the way to the Final if they can just step up their game.

 

[Ports]

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.

Overrated ? McCabe is good. More physical but he doesn’t have Tanev’s stick, positional smarts or poise with the puck. If I could only keep one of the Leafs dman age aside it would be Tanev. But who cares. They are the top pair the Leafs haven’t had in thirty years.

 

[definedMF]

Going to this first game with my brother, hoping the barn is fired up!

First game in 10 years and first ever in the playoffs, hoping the first game is a good battle.

If we can get up 1-0, then we have a fighting chance.

 

[Stephen]

I really don’t like the idea of keeping Matthews-Marner together in this series vs Barkov. Barkov has the potential to completely shut both of them down. If you split them up we’re at least getting one of them away from him. Plus, Matthews and Marner have become so predictable 5 on 5. They just aren’t good enough together at 5 on 5 to justify keeping them together imo.

They might have to break up Matthews and Marner so they can use one as a checking decoy, and the other can live to fight on another line.

 

[Ports]

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.

So that means every Leaf is on PEDs. Marner, Matthews ? Do you consider Creatine a PED ?

 

[Frostitute]

Panthers in 6 is my prediction, unfortunately. I hope we can push through and get to the final 4 but I just don't see it happening against this team. Quite literally the ONLY team in the east I absolutely hated our chances against. Let's hope Ekblad missing game 1 + back to back finals appearances has them fatigued. Also, Bob is unbeatable at times, while others he can't stop a beach ball. I pray he slips into beach mode.

Go Leafs Go! I hope I am wrong! Win this series and I think we have a real chance this year!

 

[Stephen]

Overrated ? McCabe is good. More physical but he doesn’t have Tanev’s stick, positional smarts or poise with the puck. If I could only keep one of the Leafs dman age aside it would be Tanev. But who cares. They are the top pair the Leafs haven’t had in thirty years.

You’re overlooking the key difference and that is who brought whom to Toronto.

 

[Ports]

You’re overlooking the key difference and that is who brought whom to Toronto.

Okay. Dubas’ burner account.

 

[Jmo89]

Looking back at the 2023 series all the scores were pretty close. 4/5 were one goal games (the other was a 4-2 Florida win,) and two were overtime. Now obviously the series wasn't close as Florida won in 5, but I wonder if a big reason for Berube's system and the grinding out leads is/was in preparation of an eventual Florida series.

If they can win the 3-2 and 2-1 games they can win the series. Stolarz needs to be a bit better and stop with the 3rd period goals against. McMann needs to wake up and be a force on the second line. The third line needs to do what they did on the Patches goal.

Florida didn't become a powerhouse until 2023 when they knocked out Boston after that crazy season and then rolled over Toronto and Carolina. Prior to that in 2022 they won the presidents trophy and then got swept by Tampa in round 2. Toronto needs to stop being the team that loses to the team going to the finals. It's their turn to go to the finals and rewrite the book.

Florida lost to Tampa twice in a row before owning then the past two season. I don't care if it's ugly or how good/scary Florida. Leafs need to rise to the occasion and claim the division for real. Then the conference. Then the cup.

 

[ShameOnYouZidlicky]

What lines are you running in game 1?