Tampa defeats Toronto 4 games to 3

[snowkiddin]

Cool.

I strongly disagree.

I’m curious as to why. I think Carolina matches up with them very well but I think the series would probably be similar to this one where it could go either way. Toronto is better than Boston but I’ve learned to not pick the Leafs over the Bruins in the playoffs. As for Florida, I’m honestly not sure what Toronto has done to be the favourites in a series with them.

 

[WF19]

Thanks Tampa- Wings fan

 

[Maple Leaf]

Not only do I think my team would have beaten the Leafs, I'm sure Florida would have absolutely spanked them in 5.

who is your team

 

[ChuckW]

who is your team

Guess.

 

[FMichael]

Trotz is available…

 

[Canadienna]

Honestly props to both teams. Was the best first round series imo.

 

[BrockLobster]

Chuckles loudly

 

[Strangle]

Trotz is available…

This seems like a likely play

 

[The Price is Right]

Matthews Masrner and Nylander invisible last 2 games... these kids are chokers

 

[notbias]

Honestly props to both teams. Was the best first round series imo.

I do think Leafs fans have a right to be upset with their big guns up front going quiet in another game 7.

Each of the top two lines scored...

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

This is such loser mentality that I now think he’s gotta get fired tonight

I understand he's maybe trying to lift the spirits of his guys, but it's just a terrible look for a head coach to be bringing up moral victories like getting respect in a handshake line when his team just had another unacceptable result after years of unacceptable results.

There's truth that Toronto probably played their best series so far with this core. That's not good enough. "We lost but we were more impressive in defeat this time around" is a horrible mentality to have. That's something a young team that just squeaked into a playoff spot for the first time says, not a team that's supposed to be a top contender in the league.

 

[Lays]

Leafs will go far in the playoffs possibly as soon as next season but I think even if you play this series back the Bolts still find a way to win each time. Leafs did more than hold their own though

 

[SeaChaser]

Can Americans now boo the leafs?

We don’t have too. The Leaf fans, that want to $hit on a very good team, are booing their own team. I expect that core of Leaf fans realize that they have a good team.

 

[Breakers]

Tough loss for the buds
I still dont believe in the "ultra top heavy" lineup structure from Dubas with three 8 figure players.

They could be so well constructed with one of those cap hits dispersed on multiple players.

 

[Nemesis Prime]

How much more of this can Matthews take before he asks for a trade

 

[Mikeshane]

I loved the way Paul played the whole series and it was the perfect ending for him to score both goals in the win.

Vasilevskiy did a heck of a job too. Maybe not his best series ever but he pulled himself out of a regular season funk and went into playoff mode and battled his way to a series win.

 

[BlueOil]

6th straight year going out in the first round or play-in series. how do you just run it back?

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Excuse?
What excuse?
Was it this part that sounds like an excuse?

"However, you play the opponent you're given and have to find the way to win."

Some people are so blinded by hatred for the Leafs they become temporarily illiterate.

But what about the previous paragraphs of the same post, including this gem:

"These 2 teams were 3rd and 4th in the east this year. They shouldn't have played each other."

 

[Gnova]

Trotz is available…

Why would any coach want to step into that career killing blender?

 

[notbias]

I understand he's maybe trying to lift the spirits of his guys, but it's just a terrible look for a head coach to be bringing up moral victories like getting respect in a handshake line when his team just had another unacceptable result after years of unacceptable results.

There's truth that Toronto probably played their best series so far with this core. That's not good enough. "We lost but we were more impressive in defeat this time around" is a horrible mentality to have. That's something a young team that just squeaked into a playoff spot for the first time says, not a team that's supposed to be a top contender in the league.

The full quote isn't there, he basically said something along the lines of we got respect but we aren't in the business of getting respect, we need to win.

 

[EpochLink]

 

[jcs0218]

Toronto had a very good series, and their stars actually showed up for the most part. Even this evening, their stars were responsible for Toronto's only goal.

However, the salaries that are being paid to all of those stars prevents any kind of depth.

Look at the score sheets from Game 4 through Game 7.

Toronto got NOTHING from anyone other than their Big 4 forwards and Rielly.

All of their "slightly above the league minimum" forwards did NOTHING for 4 consecutive games.

This is what happens when you pay 4 forwards $40 million dollars, and fill the other 8 forward slots with a bunch of $1.0 million dollar players.

The 8 forwards making around $1.0 million dollars gave Toronto what Toronto paid for them. Nothing.

 

[KUUUUUUUUCH]

Why did fans in Toronto boo the US National Anthem?

Just curious why disrespecting another country's national anthem is a "thing".

 

[NYR94]

 

[HockeyWooot]

Well played Leafs keep your heads up that was a hard fought series, and this is coming from a Leafs hater.

The team including Matthews and Marner showed way more grit and resolve than in previous outings. That was unequivocally NOT a choke job.

You lost to the defending back to back cup champs, took them to 7 and lost in a close match. Vasi was a literal wall.

I think some roster moves need to happen in the offseason but hardly blow it up. I expect the Leafs will have another season next year.