Last season the Leafs severely outplayed Montreal and were the far better team in the series but Campbell reverted to backup goalie with a sub .900 over the last 3 elimination games and Price did Price things when it counted.
This season the Leafs will face a much tougher task going up against Vasi who is far better than Price and Tampa who is far better than Montreal wishing on a prayer that the same career backup goalie to have different results.
It is insanity to bet this team's success on the prayer that is Jack Campbell matching Vasi save for save when it counts.
Well you are right in a few ways but missing some important points.
Leafs did for the most part outplay Montreal, but the fact is, they are our cryptonite. Year after year no matter which team is better than the other, the Habs play us hard and games are usually pretty close. Always and forever. We could be first overall and they last overall, and games are tight. Some teams just have some teams number, and they seem to have ours. (Ottawa plays us hard too and they suck, see previous statement). Every team has a few of those, don't have the stats in front of me but every really good team has a few bottom feeders that beat them alot. While everyone else was pumped facing Habs first round last year I was terrified, especially with Price going price. Important to note we also lost tavares to a nasty injury... easy to see he could have been a difference maker in 2 different overtimes.
Tampa is obviously very good, but we have played them well and I think we can go toe to toe with them. Vasi is great but beatable. Tampa has allowed 15 fewer goals than us with one less game played, they are hardly a defensive giant compared to us. At the start of the year Campbell was a Vezina candidate, then sucked badly, and it looks like it may have been a lingering rib injury. If he is somewhere between the 2 and provides decent average goaltending, we have a chance against any team in the league, never mind our division.
Leafs are clearly a contender and have a much better D than last year. Looking forward to seeing how it plays out.