So why is it impossible to catch Boston?

[SmoggyTwinkles]

That has nothing to do with what I was discussing - I was commenting on the statement that the Leafs are better than TB.

My bad, I was simply entering the original discussion that and saying there's no way to catch Boston, and I wouldn't want to.

I'll show myself out (yeesh)

 

[leafsfan5]

Alright, here is the absolute longshot:

Boston has 3 more games on their road trip, they play the following teams: Florida, Carolina, Toronto. Let's say it's a disastrous trip and they go 0-3, not unreasonable since Carolina/Toronto are very good, particularly at home. Only big leap is Florida. At this point they will enter the break with 80 points in 51 games

Toronto also has 3 more games left before the break, they play the following: Ottawa, Washington, Boston. Let's say they end off on a high note, going 3-0 with sunshine and rainbows everywhere. At this point they will enter the break with 72 points in 52 games

Now, after the break Boston's first 5 games are against the following: Washington, Dallas, Nashville, NYI, Ottawa. Let's say they go 3-2-0, losing to Dallas and Ottawa, who have their number for some reason. That leaves them with 86 points in 56 games

Toronto's 5 opponents after the all star break are the following: Columbus, Columbus, Chicago, Montreal, Chicago. Now let's assume Toronto doesn't behave like Toronto and beats up on these bottom feeders, going 5-0. That leaves them with 82 points in 55 games



There is your gap cut down to 4 points with a lot of season still left. The likelihood of this occurring? Probably less than 5% or something. We're playing Tampa lol

 

[Gary Nylund]

My bad, I was simply entering the original discussion that and saying there's no way to catch Boston, and I wouldn't want to.

I'll show myself out (yeesh)

Haha, no worries. But now I'm curious, why wouldn't you want to catch Boston?

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

Haha, no worries. But now I'm curious, why wouldn't you want to catch Boston?

Because then we "play down" to whatever wildcard team we have to face.....

But more realistically, let's just be honest about the original post, we are not catching Boston. No one is. They are going to win the presidents cup and everything that comes along with that.

Everything that comes along with winning the Presidents Cup.........I'll leave it there.

Alright, here is the absolute longshot:

Boston has 3 more games on their road trip, they play the following teams: Florida, Carolina, Toronto. Let's say it's a disastrous trip and they go 0-3, not unreasonable since Carolina/Toronto are very good, particularly at home. Only big leap is Florida. At this point they will enter the break with 80 points in 51 games

Toronto also has 3 more games left before the break, they play the following: Ottawa, Washington, Boston. Let's say they end off on a high note, going 3-0 with sunshine and rainbows everywhere. At this point they will enter the break with 72 points in 52 games

Now, after the break Boston's first 5 games are against the following: Washington, Dallas, Nashville, NYI, Ottawa. Let's say they go 3-2-0, losing to Dallas and Ottawa, who have their number for some reason. That leaves them with 86 points in 56 games

Toronto's 5 opponents after the all star break are the following: Columbus, Columbus, Chicago, Montreal, Chicago. Now let's assume Toronto doesn't behave like Toronto and beats up on these bottom feeders, going 5-0. That leaves them with 82 points in 55 games



There is your gap cut down to 4 points with a lot of season still left. The likelihood of this occurring? Probably less than 5% or something. We're playing Tampa lol

Yup we're playing Tampa unless the NHL shuts down for some reason and we have to do a "play in" series against a team that had a 1% chance of making the playoffs.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

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.

Well history is clearly on your side so I understand your position. I still say the Leafs were the better playoff team last year. They had them 10 minutes from elimination in game 6 and without an idiotic, completely needless reach in from behind while already on the PK in the offensive zone by Kerfoot, my argument would be a lot stronger. And now I'm going to bed angry which I'm told I should never do.

 

[Dekes For Days]

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.

I don't know why having great players that provide more value than their cost would drive you nuts. Pay has nothing to do with how many rounds your team has won.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Alright, here is the absolute longshot:

Boston has 3 more games on their road trip, they play the following teams: Florida, Carolina, Toronto. Let's say it's a disastrous trip and they go 0-3, not unreasonable since Carolina/Toronto are very good, particularly at home. Only big leap is Florida. At this point they will enter the break with 80 points in 51 games

Toronto also has 3 more games left before the break, they play the following: Ottawa, Washington, Boston. Let's say they end off on a high note, going 3-0 with sunshine and rainbows everywhere. At this point they will enter the break with 72 points in 52 games

Now, after the break Boston's first 5 games are against the following: Washington, Dallas, Nashville, NYI, Ottawa. Let's say they go 3-2-0, losing to Dallas and Ottawa, who have their number for some reason. That leaves them with 86 points in 56 games

Toronto's 5 opponents after the all star break are the following: Columbus, Columbus, Chicago, Montreal, Chicago. Now let's assume Toronto doesn't behave like Toronto and beats up on these bottom feeders, going 5-0. That leaves them with 82 points in 55 games



There is your gap cut down to 4 points with a lot of season still left. The likelihood of this occurring? Probably less than 5% or something. We're playing Tampa lol

You forgot Toronto has Ottawa tonight, an Ottawa team without Josh Norris

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Were all waiting..but doesn't look like they'll falter enough. They have that cruise control confidence... but who knows. I'd love for them to stumble into the playoffs.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Based on what? The two teams are 4th/5th in the standings and TB has a playoff resume that Toronto can only dream of.

That's fantastic however Palat and McDonough were huge parts of those runs, both are now gone, thus Tampa is weaker than they were, they are weaker than the team that beat the Leafs by quite literally ONE goal.

This Leaf team is arguably better, and certainly no worse than the one that lost by, again quite literally ONE goal.

I still want that extra piece up front, and on the back end, because they are tied for #2 in points in the entire league It's time to load up.

But they are better than Tampa

 

[Racer88]

I don't know why having great players that provide more value than their cost would drive you nuts. Pay has nothing to do with how many rounds your team has won.

Because their cost has taken away from the building of the rest of the team.
great as they may be individually then have accomplished nothing collectively and I know you think they have been good in the playoffs but they have not. Not one of them has provided that big moment at the right time to get us over the hump..

 

[Gary Nylund]

Because then we "play down" to whatever wildcard team we have to face.....

But more realistically, let's just be honest about the original post, we are not catching Boston. No one is. They are going to win the presidents cup and everything that comes along with that.

Everything that comes along with winning the Presidents Cup.........I'll leave it there.

I'd rather play the wildcard myself. Also, if by some miracle we did pass Boston we'd be on a high going in to the playoffs like we've never been on before and having that confidence boost couldn't hurt.

Well history is clearly on your side so I understand your position. I still say the Leafs were the better playoff team last year. They had them 10 minutes from elimination in game 6 and without an idiotic, completely needless reach in from behind while already on the PK in the offensive zone by Kerfoot, my argument would be a lot stronger. And now I'm going to bed angry which I'm told I should never do.

I understand your position as well. I think we can probably agree that the two teams are close and whoever is better, it's not by a lot and therefore it should be a hell of a series.

That's fantastic however Palat and McDonough were huge parts of those runs, both are now gone, thus Tampa is weaker than they were, they are weaker than the team that beat the Leafs by quite literally ONE goal.

This Leaf team is arguably better, and certainly no worse than the one that lost by, again quite literally ONE goal.

I still want that extra piece up front, and on the back end, because they are tied for #2 in points in the entire league It's time to load up.

But they are better than Tampa

You think they're better than Tampa, OK. I still say we need to beat someone in the playoffs before saying things like that. Who knows, maybe this will be the year.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Because their cost has taken away from the building of the rest of the team.

No it hasn't. We have a top tier team, and quality through the rest of the lineup, despite the fact that we had a flat cap limiting external additions and bad drafting pre-2018 limiting internal additions. Our top players bring a ton of surplus value to the team above their cap hits, and we are better off with them at this price than without them - which have always been the only two options. Your argument essentially boils down to being upset that our superstars were so good so young that we couldn't underpay our superstars more than they're already underpaid relative to impact, so get rid of them. That's ridiculous.

great as they may be individually then have accomplished nothing collectively

They've accomplished more than "nothing", even if you choose to only recognize one thing, but I don't see how this is relevant anyway - players are paid for their individual quality, not rounds their team has won.

and I know you think they have been good in the playoffs but they have not. Not one of them has provided that big moment at the right time to get us over the hump..

Not doing the perfect thing you want at the perfect moment to give you the end result you want =/= not been good.
Learn to take the time to understand what happens and why, instead of just arbitrarily blaming your top players and trying to sabotage your potential to win in the future.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

What really sucks for all Leaf fans is our road to a Cup this year appears to be a hardest one since post expansion .. text from a hockey buddy this morning with all da stats behind it .. it has never occurred before post expansion where a SC champ had to beat 2 of top 5 teams (Tampa/Bos) in league to make conference final and then pay another top 5 team in conference final (Car) and then likely last years champ in final (Avs) .. insane route .. never before .. assuming no upsets .. now lets hope Murray can stand on his head like he did for Pens .. it is likely our only hope

 

[Its not your fault]

BOSTON SITS AS OF NOW: 46 games (47 after tonight and yes they are winning) with 78 points
TORONTO SITS AS OF NOW:
48 games and 66 points

BOSTONS UPCOMING GAMES:
At Tampa Thurs jan26th
At Florida Sat jan28th
At Carolina Sunday @ 4pm
break
@Toronto Feb 1st
BIG BREAK
@Home vrs Caps feb 11
@Dallas feb 14
@Nash feb 16th
Home vrs NYI 4pm feb 18th
Home vrs Ottawa

then on the road facing Seattle,Van, Edm, Calgary then home against BUFFALO march 2nd

vrs Leafs schedule
Jan 25th home vrs NYR
Jan 27th home vrs OTT
Jan 29th home vrs Wsh
Feb 1st HOME VRS BOSTON
feb 10th Road vrs Jackets
feb 11th Home vrs Jackets
feb 15th home vrs Chic
Feb 18th Home vrs Habs
feb 19th road vrs CHIC

then face Win in tor and Montreal on the road and HOME against NYI,NYR,OTT,Wash

IMO if we could ever overcome beating bottom dwellers with this schedule it could shake the monkey off the camels back and get us over the hump.

Anybody else see us over taking Boston or at least making it closer than what most think right now?

Yes- the NHL could be renamed and they could call it "GOALIE"

I dunno I just feel we can up our game and beat bottom dwellers at crucial points to give it a go and slide past those nasty Boooooins

I wouldn't worry about that stuff enjoy the percs of an elite regular season team.

 

[Its not your fault]

What really sucks for all Leaf fans is our road to a Cup this year appears to be a hardest one since post expansion .. text from a hockey buddy this morning with all da stats behind it .. it has never occurred before post expansion where a SC champ had to beat 2 of top 5 teams (Tampa/Bos) in league to make conference final and then pay another top 5 team in conference final (Car) and then likely last years champ in final (Avs) .. insane route .. never before .. assuming no upsets .. now lets hope Murray can stand on his head like he did for Pens .. it is likely our only hope

NHL has no bye weeks in the playoffs, see as anyone can be hurt at any moment any team can be the beast or the feast.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

It's impossible to catch Boston because math

 

[mjd1001]

Based on what? The two teams are 4th/5th in the standings and TB has a playoff resume that Toronto can only dream of.

Are the Leafs better team than Tampa? To me they are within 5% of each other. If/when they play in the playoffs, it almost a coin toss. Who is healthier (may not even know who has more bumps/bruises that aren't disclosed)? Who has home ice (really don't think its that big of a deal anymore)? Who has more luck?
Get to the playoffs as healthy and rested as you can. To me that is much more important than positioning. I'd even take the last 2 weeks of the season and cut down on ice time of some of my better players, maybe, MAYBE sit a few of my top line guys if they show ANY signes of fatigue (even the slightest) to be in the best position for round 1.

 

[mydnyte]

Catch them and do what

avoid TB in round 1

 

[Maple Leaf]

Leafs are in big trouble Tampa Boston need some better players

 

[keonsbitterness]

52 years ago……man your reaching. Lol

Not a reach at all. Some recent teams had elite regular seasons but didn΄t go all the way, and the Leafs never had a historically great regular season when they were winning Cups.

It's impossible to catch Boston because math

Pretty much. They'd have to go on an impossible losing streak to make it a race.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Are the Leafs better team than Tampa? To me they are within 5% of each other. If/when they play in the playoffs, it almost a coin toss. Who is healthier (may not even know who has more bumps/bruises that aren't disclosed)? Who has home ice (really don't think its that big of a deal anymore)? Who has more luck?
Get to the playoffs as healthy and rested as you can. To me that is much more important than positioning. I'd even take the last 2 weeks of the season and cut down on ice time of some of my better players, maybe, MAYBE sit a few of my top line guys if they show ANY signes of fatigue (even the slightest) to be in the best position for round 1.

Agree with every word.

 

[Gabriel426]

Nomatter how weak TB looks they still have Vas in net. Vas is the Byatt best goalie in the League and is a tier or two higher than the next goalie, like McD with other players.
If it is down to a Game 7, money will always be on Vas.
As much as I hate to say it, Leafs needs to just constantly crash into Vas and takes cheap shots on him to get him off his game from the start of the series and hopefully finish TB before Game 7.

 

[BlueBaron]

The good news is they have looked human recently with losses to TB and SEA. Unlikely we catch them but I don't mind setting things straight with Tampa before facing our biggest demon.

 

[Niagara Bill]

Why impossible. See latest injury report. Close the thread. End of discussion!

 

[AllDay28]

Reason they won't catch them is cause most teams play .500 hockey so Leafs would have to play 700+ with Boston going on a losing streak to even get close