At this point we are playing Tampa .. we can't afford to risk a playoff spot by tanking down to Buffalo and we aren't likely to catch Boston .. so it comes down to who gets home ice .. but as we saw last year it meant nothing .. bottom line in NHL likely will have 3 of top 5 teams playing in playoffs in 1st 2 rounds with only 1 team advancing .. pretty unfair and stupid if you ask me .. i guess it works in US markets somewhere but I am not even sure about that either
So why is it impossible to catch Boston?
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Gary Nylund
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Well, finish can be very important if it gets you an easier matchup in round 1. But in our case, since we're almost certainly playing TB in round 1 that's not an issue and I agree that home advantage isn't a big deal so at this point I would say that the rest of the season is just a big warmup. Try whatever line combos you want, rest the guys that need rest, just make sure that we're ready to go when the music starts.
It's not but It's extremely difficult.
Boston next 4 games are Tampa, Florida,Carolina and Toronto that's about as tough a 4 game set as you will see.
Toronto's next 5 games are Ottawa without Norris, Washington, Boston and then a back to back against Columbus which is odd, you don't usually see a back to back against the same team.
Boston aside, that 5 game stretch isn't that difficult in fact they are entering a pretty soft part of their schedule overall they could make up ground but that would need to go on a heater now.
A slump for Boston HAS to be coming they are on pace to break NHL records surely that won't happen
Boston next 4 games are Tampa, Florida,Carolina and Toronto that's about as tough a 4 game set as you will see.
Toronto's next 5 games are Ottawa without Norris, Washington, Boston and then a back to back against Columbus which is odd, you don't usually see a back to back against the same team.
Boston aside, that 5 game stretch isn't that difficult in fact they are entering a pretty soft part of their schedule overall they could make up ground but that would need to go on a heater now.
A slump for Boston HAS to be coming they are on pace to break NHL records surely that won't happen
The Hanging Jowl
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No chance they catch Boston. All it's about now is positioning themselves above Tampa for home ice (or hope Tampa completely shits the bed and drops down to a WC position - also close to impossible). Given the team's history, I don't even know if home ice matters. They have deeper psychological barriers that matter way more than home ice. The Leafs are a better team than Tampa so it all comes down to burying their inner demons. Just looking at the standings again, it's almost certainly going to be Tampa again this year. Hopefully they don't become our new Boston hurdle.
Racer88
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This right there.
Was it luck or skillful negotiations Or players that understand and want a winning team instead of squeezing every dollar for their pocket
Racer88
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Gary Nylund
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Based on what? The two teams are 4th/5th in the standings and TB has a playoff resume that Toronto can only dream of.
Gary Nylund
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Racer88
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It's none of the above. It's a loophole that lets Boston essentially play above the cap by deferring the majority of their salary for this year's performance to next year.
The only core player Boston couldn't get on a deal was McAvoy. Even then it's not like $9.5M for a top 5 D in the league is that bad.
That's the advantage of having winning culture. It may cost you some superstar level talents with Thornton and Seguin but it always pays dividends in more important aspects.
That's the advantage of having winning culture. It may cost you some superstar level talents with Thornton and Seguin but it always pays dividends in more important aspects.
Racer88
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You have to have players willing to do it.
This is a make or break yr for Boston.
Next yr with Pastas contract which should be a minimum 10 mil (Boston discount) and with Bergeron and Krejci payment they will be in cap hell.
They have players that want a cup so bad for there teammates and city they will do anything . Culture
We will learn alot about what our players want when they negotiate there new contracts, Cup or money.
TB has the same culture as Boston.
TB dumped McDonagh for cap reason and players a still willing to give a deal.
That wouldn't happen in Toronto.
Let's say if Morgan's offence becomes average in the next couple of yrs . What would the backlash be in Toronto if we dumped him like TB did with McDonaugh.
Culture
You can only do it with 35+ players and the only 35+ player we have is already only making 800k without deferral.
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
The answer to this lies with - is it repeatable elsewhere? Once Bergeron/Marchand retire is even Boston going to repeat this?
Unlikely imo (especially if Pasta opts for a big payday in free agency).
The Hanging Jowl
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Well they're higher in the standings right now so there's that. But I also strongly believe they were the better team in last year's playoffs. I didn't think that for any of the series' against Boston.
Gary Nylund
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Not much higher, TB could be ahead of us by the end of the week. TB has the best goalie in the world and they've won 11 playoff series in the last 3 years compared to none for the Leafs, not sure what that's worth, but it's something.
Playoff hockey is different from regular season hockey and some people say that the Leafs aren't built for playoff hockey. I wish I could say I'm certain that they're wrong, but ATM, all I can do is hope that they're wrong. But even if they're wrong, I still can't make a strong case for saying the Leafs are better than TB, the best I can do if I'm being honest is to say that the two teams are close.
No.
And thank goodness. Boston is probably going to get a wildcard, and hopefully that wildcard is just wrong for them.
Give the Bruins some credit, they are on an insane run this season.
We're likely facing Tampa.
Let's do it, and I'm rooting for the wildcard team that plays Boston because I'm tired of losing to them. Next it will be Tampa that I'm tired of losing to?
Lol.
gotta edit: I obviously mean Boston is going to face a wild card team in the first round. Just in case someone wants to nitpick my wording.
It's more about home ice right now between Leafs and Lightning.
The Bruins are GONE (as in out of reach of just about any team)
Racer88
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That’s a good question but they are doing it now and it’s very frustrating when we have been paying our guys and incredible price before they have even won anything.
Fair enough but it drives me nuts. We are paying our 3 highest paid guys a crazy amount of money before they have even won a single round.
Racer88
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This is a make or break year for the Leafs because pretty soon some of our guys are going to make even more then they are now or they will walk
Gary Nylund
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That has nothing to do with what I was discussing - I was commenting on the statement that the Leafs are better than TB.
