The Sprint to the 4 Nations

[ACC1224]

Really tough 11 game stretch coming up before the highly anticipated 4 Nations break.

5 at home, 6 on the road against some pretty good teams.
Need to at worse tread water to remain near the top.

Any predictions?

 

[29Potvin]

7-4

 

[mclaren55]

This is usually the time of year these guys take their foot off the pedal and play .500 hockey. My guess is 5-6.

 

[BallardEra]

6-3-2

 

[ACC1224]

Optimist in me says 7-4, pessimist says 4-7.

I'll meet in the middle and go 5-5-1

 

[LeafalCrusader]

5 of our next 7 at home and the road games are just to Ottawa and Montreal. No back to backs. Very light travel schedule.

Hope they take advantage.

 

[ULF_55]

Wins:
Columbus
Calgary
Seattle

 

[keonsbitterness]

11 games? 12-0.

 

[Nineteen67]

A 7-6 or better January And 2-2 in Feb before the break and they should be in great position

 

[ULF_55]

Wins:
Columbus
Calgary
Seattle

Really tough 11 game stretch coming up before the highly anticipated 4 Nations break.

5 at home, 6 on the road against some pretty good teams.
Need to at worse tread water to remain near the top.

Any predictions?

View attachment 960326

0-1

I'm sticking with my 3-8

 

[ACC1224]

0-1

I'm sticking with my 3-8

I think they win the next two, 3/4 or 4/4. (NJ/Montreal/Columbus)
I'm not sure about Tampa on Monday.

 

[The Shadow]

I predict pain and suffering. This team has major issues despite being high in the standings.

They have to be one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. Very rarely do they get games where all their top guys are contributing

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

I predict pain and suffering. This team has major issues despite being high in the standings.

They have to be one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. Very rarely do they get games where all their top guys are contributing

Well, you'd know.

(Edit: I'm delighted a few people got this - thank you 1970s CHUM FM Theatre of the Mind).

 

[mclaren55]

I usually look at goal differential of teams to determine who is a contender vs pretender, it's a decent predictor. We are most definitely in the pretender camp now. I know what some will say; "We're first in our division though!", not for long. I wouldn't be surprised at this rate if we end up in the first wild card spot. When does McCabe get back?

 

[ACC1224]

I usually look at goal differential of teams to determine who is a contender vs pretender, it's a decent predictor. We are most definitely in the pretender camp now. I know what some will say; "We're first in our division though!", not for long. I wouldn't be surprised at this rate if we end up in the first wild card spot. When does McCabe get back?

Think McCabe may play Saturday.

Leafs are there with Minnesota, Colorado and Florida in Goal Differential which I found interesting.

https://www.nhl.com/standings/2025-01-14/league

 

[mclaren55]

Think McCabe may play Saturday.

Leafs are there with Minnesota, Colorado and Florida in Goal Differential which I found interesting.

https://www.nhl.com/standings/2025-01-14/league

So you're telling me there's hope!

 

[ACC1224]

So you're telling me there's hope!

I really don't know anymore.
All we have is belief.

 

[Stephen]

I really don't know anymore.
All we have is belief.

As an Aleafist I’ll go with the eye test and that tells me 4-7 is more likely than 7-4!

 

[ACC1224]

As an Aleafist I’ll go with the eye test and that tells me 4-7 is more likely than 7-4!

Hopefully you're wrong.

 

[Niagara Bill]

I really don't know anymore.
All we have is belief.

When you become concerned it gives us all reason to be extra concerned. You are generally an optimist +++.
There is something wrong in the heads of these players. Seems not about systems or talent, but more about lack of cohesion and heart which generally translates to personal issues among players. Certainly allowing Thorton to come on trip was a huge mistake.
While I do not think this is probable, it is easy to think of 2 and 9. Heck, Leafs once went 0 and 10 and still won a cup.
JT is a popular guy and. I and others are watching to see if AM as captain can make a difference. The first guy he needs to deal with is Domi, then Reaves.
I am praying 6 and 5,

 

[ToneDog]

CBJ 8-2 and Habs 7-2-1 in their last 10. They won't be easy wins. We could easily go 4-7. Maybe they can get a few loser points and come out .500.

 

[ITM]

I think it's too much of a distraction in our room not to be burdensome -- how I hope I'm wrong; Whatever the exact number is, I don't think we come out over .500.

 

[ACC1224]

I think it's too much of a distraction in our room not to be burdensome -- how I hope I'm wrong; Whatever the exact number is, I don't think we come out over .500.

What's too much of a distraction?

 

[ULF_55]

I think they win the next two, 3/4 or 4/4. (NJ/Montreal/Columbus)
I'm not sure about Tampa on Monday.

Habs - Leafs games have usually been a toss-up regardless of standings.

I haven't studied it this year, but I feel one team is flat and the other team is progressing. Go with the confident team.

 

[wingman75]

I'll say they go 5-6, knowing one of those losses has happened already. I think this losing streak has a good chance to grow a little... the upcoming long road trip should be a positive from the "team" aspect.