Which Canadian Team Will Go the Farthest?

[Coffee]

As a Leafs fan, I have to begrudgingly admit Montreal is the most interesting team, though also the biggest underdog.

Everyone is expecting the Leafs to crash and burn as usual, expectations seem to be lower for Edmonton this year, Winnipeg has its own Leafs-complex of playoff mediocrity to overcome, and Ottawa, I don’t know, does anyone think they’re a dark horse, or just a happy-to-be-there team?

I’m not feeling particularly glowing over any of their chances at a cup, but I also wouldn’t be shocked to see Edmonton or Winnipeg in the finals.

Summary of the year

 

[Hunter368]

Best to worst chance.
1: Jets
We will see what happens tonight against Dallas but every time the Jet play a big game they show up with their A games and dominate the game. If they play their A game throughout the POs they have a good chance to win it all. If not and they go out easily in the first round again, than the Jets have huge questions to answer about their core players going forward.

2: Leafs
This years team is by far the most complete Leaf's team since they signed the big 4. Also the Eastern Conference is not as dominating as it was in the past. If the Leafs are ever going to win or at least go on a long PO run this is the year. If not and they go out in the 1st round again then the Leafs have a "culture" issue, not a talent issue.

3: Oilers
They been mediocre all season but if they can put it all together in the POs they can win it all. Can they turn that switch on a dime is the big question and if they play LA again are the Kings due to defeat them. If the Oilers win the WCF they will win the cup. Last years experience will take them over the top.

4: Habs
I put them over Ottawa simply because the Habs have a history of limping into the POs and then go on a run so I will give them the benefit of doubt but don't think they have much of a chance to get out of the first round. If the Habs do win the first round is this another situation of "here we go again?"

5: Sens
The POs will be new to their young core and no matter what happens this PO season the experience will be very valuable for the team for seasons to come. Can they win a round this year. Yes, but I doubt they will go any further. But the experience should really help the team next season to become a top team in the east.

I agree with the ranking overall, Sens/Habs are about tied for me.

 

[TheOrangeDesk]

Jets:
Hard to argue against these guys as they've clearly been the best team in the league this year. A lot of that is having the best goalie since hasek and I think part of it is jets have played playoff style hockey in regular season but will they still be as good when other teams match that intensity? Hard to say. Deep team but they don't have a game breaker offeanvie player you usually need to win a cup. I love moirrsy, i think hes top5 d in nhl but don't love the rest of their dcore.

Oilers:
Toughest team to rank. Could just as easily lose round 1 as win the cup. They have 2 best players in the league who somehow up their game in playoffs. They've looked off this year but their coach has also told them to save their bodies for playoffs all year so well see if they were just holding back or I'd they are worn down. Getting mcdavid, draisaitl, Kane, Fredrick, ekholm back is an insane add but I'll never trust skinner in net.

Leafs
I know leafs have had a great year but I don't love their team. A lot of their wins are from goaltending stealing games. There isn't much firepower in their forward group, especially with matthews injured, and I see their dcore as old and meh.

Sens:
I actually really like how this team is built. Lots of high end skill and size in their forwards, great puck moving d, great goaltending. I think their lack of experience and the fact their captain is a bit of a doofus will be their undoing. Future is bright here though

Habs:
First round fodder

 

[Hunter368]

Mostly agree. I don't give a damn about Canadian teams carrying some hypothetical flag for each other. Just let MY team win!

That said, the storyline would be off-the-charts funny with an All-Canadian Final Four. Sign me up!

Agreed

Personally I couldn’t care less about other Canadian teams, actually sooner see them lose if my team loses.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Sens are inexperienced and those teams rarely go far on their first try barring some exceptions (Chicago in 2009, Vegas in 2018, Carolina in 2019).

I think our top 4 D and bottom six forwards our better than Toronto's, but their top six has way too much firepower and finish. Stolarz has been better than Ullmark this year.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

...still depends on the eventual matchups and health of the teams going in...

...despite their hot streak lately, I would rather face St. Louis than a fully healthy Minny if I were the Jets and hope Dallas/Colorado kick the living shyte out of each other...imo, that gives the Jets the best opportunity to get out of the Division, at least...

...Edmonton is gonna be in tough against LA, especially if LA gets home ice...if they can make it out, they should be hoping Vegas plays Minny as I think St. Louis would be an "easier" out if Minny is fully healthy...picking the bones from a Vegas/Minny series would be Edmonton's best opportunity to get out of the Division, imo...

...if I'm the Leafs, I wanna play Montreal in the 1st Round (and yes, I'm Habs fan saying this)...this might be Ottawa's first dance in many years, but they have a good young team and Ullmark is a HUGE wild card; he could steal a series...they also want to avoid a Florida team in the 1st Round if possible and hope Florida/Tampa is a long, physical series...I still personally see Florida getting out of the Division, but if the Leafs can catch a tired, beat up Panthers/Bolts in the 2nd Round, it's their best chance to win the Division, imo...

...the Sens fans probably WANT to face the Leafs, but I personally believe Washington (and going through the Metro) would be a better matchup for them, especially if Logan Thompson isn't 100%...imo, Washington has been playing far above its head and, while they play a more "Playoff" style, they will have a hard time with Ottawa's speed, not to mention Ullmark (should he continue his stellar play of this Season)...I don't have much faith in either Carolina or New Jersey and believe Ottawa could beat either...coming out of the Metro wouldn't be as daunting a task as doing it in the Altantic, imo...

...Montreal has to face Washinton if they have any hope of upsetting someone, imo...again, I do not have much faith in the Caps, Canes, or Devils...it's still an extreme long-shot, but I think it's the Habs best chance at a Cinderella Run...

 

[Jetcetera]

I have a feeling the kings beat the oilers rd. 1 this year

 

[Dirty Mind]

If Leafs and Sens met up in the first round and the Sens won? Goodbye HF servers.

 

[MXD]

I think the Jets will come up with the biggest fart of all.

 

[Weezeric]

Talk about setting an unrealistic benchmark.

Just so you know, no team in the history of the NHL has won 5 games, let alone more than five games, in the first round.

It's a mathematical impossibility.

Leafs fans are stuck on five wins because that’s the most they’ve had in 20 years.

 

[viceroy]

You just got called out in the mtl boards for your Charles Hudon being undeniably better than Mesar...

Can't we just agree that they both suck?

The correct answer is the Oilers.
Their stars are well rested and the defense is better this year.

I see you didn't mention their goaltending.

...if I'm the Leafs, I wanna play Montreal in the 1st Round (and yes, I'm Habs fan saying this)...

That's it you're out. Leave your member I.D. on your desk and we'll have Security escort you off the premises.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

That's it you're out. Leave your member I.D. on your desk and we'll have Security escort you off the premises.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Winnipeg or Toronto. Edmonton looks off this year.

 

[Voight]

I think Toronto will at least make the ECF. They seem less reliant on their stars compared to previous years, their defence is worlds better (finally got a Muzzin replacement) and they have two good options in goal. Not to mention a much better coach.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

..if I'm the Leafs, I wanna play Montreal in the 1st Round (and yes, I'm Habs fan saying this)

I fear for your safety

 

[Nicko999]

Toronto and Winnipeg, I do not trust. History has shown they disappoint in the playoffs.
Ottawa is a young team but I expected them to reach round 2 if they Toronto.
Montreal is the same story. I expect us to beat Washington but we will crash in round 2 against the Hurricanes most likely. Ivan Demidov is an unknown but I don't it will matter against the Canes.
That leaves us with Edmonton. I am confident they will once again beat LA but not confident they can go through Vegas.

So my answer would be however out of Montreal, Ottawa and Edmonton pushes their 2nd round series the furthest.

I'll say Ottawa.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

I fear for your safety

 

[nORRis8]

Either Oilers or Sens. Some of the Oiler key guys are rested up. The Sens already play a gritty playoff type hockey. Unlike the Oilers, the Sens know full well who their #1 goalie will be.

Montreal may surprise as well. See how far their depth carries them.

Leafs will likely be out in the first round or second. The playoffs are fast and quite rough. Marner, Matthews Nylander all scared of the rough stuff and thus they disappear.

The Jets...it's all on Hallebucyk. Two years ago in the playoffs who was just average. Last year he was atrocious. See what happens.

 

[Breakers]

I like Toronto

Too analytically built in past seasons
They have some grit finally

 

[NikolaTesla]

Jets have to prove they can win more than 5 games in the first round for me

Is it best of 11 now?

 

[BB79]

None of them

 

[NyQuil]

Jets have to prove they can win more than 5 games in the first round for me

The fifth win being a metaphorical win in a game that takes place entirely between the ears.

 

[Miller Time]

Laffs golf squad has gotta be front runners for longest drive among playoff teams with all the practice they get each spring, no?

 

[Coffee]

Laffs golf squad has gotta be front runners for longest drive among playoff teams with all the practice they get each spring, no?

No because Leafs players are known to play ultimate frisbee in the summer

 

[TruePowerSlave]

The Jets are the best bet. They should advance to the 2nd round. However, I think both Dallas and Colorado are superior teams.