This team FINALLY looks playoff hungry!

[SoftDumpNtheCorner88]

Now id like to start off by saying nothing is guaranteed, and we've seen this team fold before in the playoffs... BUT..

I have watched every game last year and every game this year (Covid helped).

This year they look like they KNOW the formula and what to expect come post season.. they are gradually turning it up the closer we get. They are waking up and playing top teams hard and unfortunately look disinterested when playing non play off teams.. some might get frustrated with this and understandably but I'd rather take the team that rises to the challenge.

These last few months we have seen Matthews turn a gear and actually use his body and show he can get angry. Even MITCH is throwing checks and landing them pretty good... This team isn't shying away from goonish behavior and instead giving it back and doing it just enough to hold their ground.

We still need to iron out the edges with the lead and infront of the net.. but we are tinkering with every combination possible to give these players a taste of every scenario. Both with heavy teams and skilled... We seem to be able to compete with them all.

This team looks to be done with the regular season and just wants to get it over with come play offs.


I can actually say that I WANT THE BRUINS IN THE FIRST ROUND. If we BOTH monkeys off our back we will be playing with house money... And pressure will come off and confidence will grow after the first round... We've seen what that could do to teams that have no business being in the finals... They over come odds and then just push ahead.. this team can do real damage, they just need the pressure taking off them and the first round curse... Doing it against Boston (which we SHOULD BE BETTER THAN) Would shoot these players straight to the eastern Conference finals.

This year it just looks like they're built different.

Click to read more...

 

[ShaneFalco]

Now id like to start off by saying nothing is guaranteed, and we've seen this team fold before in the playoffs... BUT..

I have watched every game last year and every game this year (Covid helped).

This year they look like they KNOW the formula and what to expect come post season.. they are gradually turning it up the closer we get. They are waking up and playing top teams hard and unfortunately look disinterested when playing non play off teams.. some might get frustrated with this and understandably but I'd rather take the team that rises to the challenge.

These last few months we have seen Matthews turn a gear and actually use his body and show he can get angry. Even MITCH is throwing checks and landing them pretty good... This team isn't shying away from goonish behavior and instead giving it back and doing it just enough to hold their ground.

We still need to iron out the edges with the lead and infront of the net.. but we are tinkering with every combination possible to give these players a taste of every scenario. Both with heavy teams and skilled... We seem to be able to compete with them all.

This team looks to be done with the regular season and just wants to get it over with come play offs.


I can actually say that I WANT THE BRUINS IN THE FIRST ROUND. If we BOTH monkeys off our back we will be playing with house money... And pressure will come off and confidence will grow after the first round... We've seen what that could do to teams that have no business being in the finals... They over come odds and then just push ahead.. this team can do real damage, they just need the pressure taking off them and the first round curse... Doing it against Boston (which we SHOULD BE BETTER THAN) Would shoot these players straight to the eastern Conference finals.

This year it just looks like they're built different.

Bruins get away with everything otherwise, yes, them

 

[Apotheosis]

I am cautiously optimistic only because in the physical games down the stretch, they did not seem to turtle. The major question mark will obviously be goaltending.

 

[TimeZone]

Lol I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Killer Orcas]

Never really thought about this but OP on to something if they meet Bruins first. Would be hell of a series and to go head to head and prevail against Bergeron and the rest of Bruins would really go a long way in Leafs confidence level. If Matthews can succeed against Bergeron then really can he get any more confident? Would be hell of a series to watch and the fans would make that series epic on both sides.

 

[Peace Frog]

I too want the Leafs to face the Bruins in the first round, for exactly the same reason. Slay two dragons at the same time: Beating the Bruins, and getting past the first round. Really hope they can do it this time!

I ask you all this one question:

If the Leafs get through the first round, would there be any team more dangerous then the Buds?

I would have to think there wouldn’t be a single team that would want to tangle with the Leafs in the second round. Demons exorcised and dragons slayed!

 

[horner]

Never really thought about this but OP on to something if they meet Bruins first. Would be hell of a series and to go head to head and prevail against Bergeron and the rest of Bruins would really go a long way in Leafs confidence level. If Matthews can succeed against Bergeron then really can he get any more confident? Would be hell of a series to watch and the fans would make that series epic on both sides.

My only worry about playing is they are a dirty team and the refs let them get away with it .
They will do something stupid against mathews or marner especially if they are losing .
It's a shame because we will have to play Clifford and Simmons to keep these idiots in check.
Hopefully the refs will call any kind of bullshit.

 

[hotpaws]

this team looks like it's two stars have upped their game even higher and are dragging the rest of the team up with them

 

[Eternal Leaf]

This team is indeed much better than previous editions.

The new additions have made them a lot more well-rounded, plus the growth of existing players such as Matthews, Marner, Engvall, and Mikheyev. Even Liljegren.

But two serious hurdles exist.

The goaltending and the tough path to a cup. Boston, Tampa, Florida, and Carolina are all formidable opponents. Each round is going to be a battle even if they manage to get out of the first round.

 

[SprDaVE]

They are peaking at a better time for sure... but that doesn't matter.

The Leafs have failed in the last couple playoffs because of their top players failed to show up. Nothing matters until they do.

 

[Frostitute]

I too want the Bruins. Slaying 2 dragons is nice but I believe most of us have a friend who is a Bruins fan and that's a monkey off of ALL our backs as well. Get'em boys! GO LEAFS GO! TRIPLE Dragons!

 

[Killer Orcas]

My only worry about playing is they are a dirty team and the refs let them get away with it .
They will do something stupid against mathews or marner especially if they are losing .
It's a shame because we will have to play Clifford and Simmons to keep these idiots in check.
Hopefully the refs will call any kind of bullshit.

Yes I agree hate Bruins myself but imagine the Leafs young players morale beating them. That my friend is something that could carry this bunch all the way. You guys have all the talent just need the playoff confidence and even average goaltending. Goodluck.

 

[RealisticLeaf55]

Don't you dare get my hopes up again.

 

[Nooodles]

Anyone but the Bruins please. I have said this aleady. Not because we wouldnt be able to beat them, we are the better team. I just dont want to go through another series with the horrible officiating thanks to the Jacobs-Bettman corrupt circle jerk. We have seen that already, even this regular season. Enough is enough.

 

[al secord]

I'm Korean food hungry

 

[horner]

Yes I agree hate Bruins myself but imagine the Leafs young players morale beating them. That my friend is something that could carry this bunch all the way. You guys have all the talent just need the playoff confidence and even average goaltending. Goodluck.

All this team needs is to win one playoff , get the thirst and the I think we will be gold.
We have proven against the top teams we can beat them.
This I see something different in the grit and heart department.
Mathews and Marner leading the way.

 

[ER89]

I am cautiously optimistic only because in the physical games down the stretch, they did not seem to turtle. The major question mark will obviously be goaltending.

Yep, biggest question is goaltending. Second biggest is willl M&M show up in the playoffs? And if not can we create a balanced scoring attack with william and JT stepping up to ease some pressure for them allowing them to produce later on in the series.

I guess it helps we have the giraffe, mikhy, kase, bunting and kerf for secondary scoring, something we lacked last year in MTL ( and technically JT lol).

 

[Gary Nylund]

Yep, biggest question is goaltending. Second biggest is willl M&M show up in the playoffs? And if not can we create a balanced scoring attack with william and JT stepping up to ease some pressure for them allowing them to produce later on in the series.

I guess it helps we have the giraffe, mikhy, kase, bunting and kerf for secondary scoring, something we lacked last year in MTL ( and technically JT lol).

Biggest question is goaltending for sure, if that doesn't pan out we're toast no matter who we face. I'm quite confident that M&M will show up, my second biggest is what kind of team will show up if we go to game 7 again? The way we seem to save our worst for game 7 and look the opposite of hungry in those all important games is weird, I can't explain it and it scares me.

I don't think it matters much who we play. All these teams will be tough and it's not like if we beat one, we're cruising, the next team will be just as tough if not tougher. It's one thing to finally won one series, winning 4 series is exponentially harder. We'll see. Boston, TB, whatever. As long as we show up and Campbell is on his game we'll be a tough out for any team.

 

[DarkKnight]

It doesn’t mean anything yet, but there is simply no question that Matthews and Marner are more complete players, that alone is a plus. We have the best D core we’ve had and the best mix of skill, augmented with some grit. The question is goaltending, but I feel confident we don’t see a repeat of last year”s” in terms of not showing up when it matters.

 

[Gary Nylund]

It doesn’t mean anything yet, but there is simply no question that Matthews and Marner are more complete players, that alone is a plus. We have the best D core we’ve had and the best mix of skill, augmented with some grit. The question is goaltending, but I feel confident we don’t see a repeat of last year”s” in terms of not showing up when it matters.

All true and I also feel pretty confident we show up when it matters. Still, with our game 7 history I'd be lying if there wasn't a bit of concern somewhere in the back of my mind. I was confident last season too, and the season before that, and the season before that etc. Especially last season, we were so consistent all season long, the way we faded at the end was a shock to my system.

We need a series win bad, at least I do!

 

[axlrose87]

They have looked “playoff hungry” in the regular season for years now.
If that hunger leads to nothing again this year, the team and management needs to be blown up.

 

[A1LeafNation]

3rd overall is currently ours to lose with Canes loss in regulation.

Let's go!!!

 

[Buds17]

Another season of experience for the core. Consider me cautiously optimistic.

 

[Tak7]

While most of you were ripping them apart for blowing it in Florida, I was focused on how they didn't let their heads drop & pull the whole "deer caught in the headlights" thing when they went 6-5 down.

I also expected a drop off last night - they just got over their toughest part of the schedule, gave a lot, last game of the road trip. And they just kept bringing it all night long, even when they somehow got taken to OT.

There's lots of really good signs from this team right now.

Let's hope they are peaking at JUST the right time.

 

[The Shadow]

Potential for Tampa and Carolina first round which would eliminate one of them

It’s Toronto’s time to shine. Mathews and Marner have taken their games to the elite level. It comes down to those two and goaltending