Who would you prefer in the first round?

[Leafsfan74]

Washington or Boston would be ideal right now.

Their defense and goaltending is far from intimidating, and I think we can easily match up or exceed their offenses.

Then probably PIT. They are not the best team on the list, and have sucked in the playoffs since they have won the Cups, but we just always suck against them for some reason. Doesn't even matter if they are icing a **** team.

Then the Rangers. Shestyerkin can steal the show, but their defense is one of the worst in the league and that will sink them in the playoffs. Their offense is also not one of the better ones on this list, so they really are just another Montreal with a better offense and a worse defense.

Then it would be Carolina/Florida, but obviously they have had more overall success than Washington/Boston (mostly due to goaltending differences). I would bet on Andersen and Bobrovsky choking more than Vasilevsky and Shestyerkin though, but the difference in quality between those two and the Rangers makes me want to play the Rangers more.

Then Tampa because of their goalie being able to steal the show and having a better team than most others on this list. But ultimately I think we can beat them. We just need to limit our mistakes and hope Campbell doesn't let in softies... Because as good as Vasilevsky is, he is beatable.

The Leafs are their own worst enemy, as it has been the case the past 3 years. I am not scared of any of these teams right now. I am just scared the Leafs will let in crap goals and they will get goalied again despite outplaying the other team.

I agree that Boston or Caps would probably be the best matchup of what will all be tough matchups. This is assuming these team don't make big splashes at the deadline and shift the playoff balance (all smart teams build playoff lineups, not just to be regular season heroes)

Leafs need to go hard yet again at the deadline regardless.

Ultimately, Leaf players either find their competitiveness and hatred for their opponent in the postseason, or, it won't matter who they meet, they will lose.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

Such a good question. Wish i had a good answer.
The way things stand my only preference is not facing T.B. They're looking at a chance for a modern day dynasty.
Maybe as the season progresses a favorable opponent will emerge but right now bring any of the others on.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Bobrovsky is having a great season which is covering up many of their defensive flaws.

Going by shots against/xGA/etc.., they are middlish of the pack defensively. Oilers/Nashville/Ducks level D.

So what? Isn't that our thing - lose in the 1st round and say we're such an awesome, we just have bad luck to run into great goaltending?

Boston. Not only do I think they are one of the weaker teams, but we clearly have some mental issues we need to get over in the playoffs.

if we can exercise our demons against Boston, I believe there will be no stopping us afterwards.

I like the idea of Boston. But this idea of being unstoppable, that's just fantasy. People love to think that as soon as we "get the monkey off our backs" we'll just steamroll everyone but there is zero reason to believe this is actually true. Beat Boston, then lose in 5 to TB could easily happen.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Washington or Boston would be ideal right now.

Their defense and goaltending is far from intimidating, and I think we can easily match up or exceed their offenses.

Then probably PIT. They are not the best team on the list, and have sucked in the playoffs since they have won the Cups, but we just always suck against them for some reason. Doesn't even matter if they are icing a **** team.

Then the Rangers. Shestyerkin can steal the show, but their defense is one of the worst in the league and that will sink them in the playoffs. Their offense is also not one of the better ones on this list, so they really are just another Montreal with a better offense and a worse defense.

Then it would be Carolina/Florida, but obviously they have had more overall success than Washington/Boston (mostly due to goaltending differences). I would bet on Andersen and Bobrovsky choking more than Vasilevsky and Shestyerkin though, but the difference in quality between those two and the Rangers makes me want to play the Rangers more.

Then Tampa because of their goalie being able to steal the show and having a better team than most others on this list. But ultimately I think we can beat them. We just need to limit our mistakes and hope Campbell doesn't let in softies... Because as good as Vasilevsky is, he is beatable.

The Leafs are their own worst enemy, as it has been the case the past 3 years. I am not scared of any of these teams right now. I am just scared the Leafs will let in crap goals and they will get goalied again despite outplaying the other team.

I think I agree with all of this. Nice post!

 

[AvroArrow]

Boston

I think they're the weakest team out of the 8 playoff teams. They're not what they used to be. Took a huge hit at every position pretty much. Lost Rask, Chara, Krug, Krejci. Hall has been a good addition but I don't think they're anywhere close to the team they used to be. They became soft almost instantly after Chara left. It's crazy how much of an impact one guy like that can have, totally different identity.

And if we were to beat them in the 1st round it would be a massive confidence boost after having lost to them twice in the first round already. Two monkeys off the back. Boston + 1st round.

Also I think it's something we need as fans. Three game 7 losses to the B's, would be a huge opportunity.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Boston.

If it's between the Florida teams, I think the Panthers are a better matchup. They seem more likely to struggle in the playoffs compared to Tampa.

 

[Enniskillen]

Boston or Tampa. Nemesis from recent history or the best team in the league. Grit wins. Question is if Leafs have grown the balls to be a gritty team.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Does it really matter? No team is just going to lay down and lose to us.
Im not worried about a single teams bring it on
If we can't beat the best how we ever going to win?

 

[AvroArrow]

Does it really matter? No team is just going to lay down and lose to us.
Im not worried about a single teams bring it on
If we can't beat the best how we ever going to win?

Yup, we'll have to play every game like its game 7 of the cup finals.

Some teams get lucky on the way to the finals, they have an opponent upset the heavy favorite/juggernaut. We have no choice but to play through them. We are going to have to be the underdog that knocks them off if we ever want to win.

 

[MapleLeafs94]

Does it really matter? No team is just going to lay down and lose to us.
Im not worried about a single teams bring it on
If we can't beat the best how we ever going to win?

I agree with your post man. If we lose in the 1st round or the 3rd. What does it matter? We're still losers.

But the question isn't who you think is the best match-up with the best chance of winning. I don't know about you but playing a offensive powerhouse with questionable defense like this year's Panthers team sounds like a more enjoyable viewing experience rather than a low scoring clutch and grab slog against last years Islanders team.

Many ways you can interpret the question. I guess for you I got to ask which team would be the most fun to face off against in a 7 game series.

 

[ACC1224]

Does it really matter? No team is just going to lay down and lose to us.
Im not worried about a single teams bring it on
If we can't beat the best how we ever going to win?

I wonder how many teams would choose to pick the Leafs?

 

[Racer88]

Boston. A friend of mine is a Boston fan and I need to shut him up

 

[Racer88]

I wonder how many teams would choose to pick the Leafs?

Using historical statistics like so many here like to do I’m guessing all of them would pick the Leafs.
I think the only way the Leafs earn any respect is by going deep and as that has not happened in decades I don’t think they strike fear in anyone

 

[kevsh]

Scary thought that only one of those listed teams I'd be pretty confident in the Leafs beating (Boston). And considering how confident most of us were that they'd toss the Habs aside, I am not even overly confident they'd get by Boston without at the very least making it as excruciating as possible for Leafs fans.

After that I'd say Carolina only because I think their blue line can be exposed to a degree by the Leafs skill/speed. This would be a fantastic series in any case. Washington next. After those three my confidence craters, which is concerning considering that they'll have to get by 3 of the 7 teams listed to get the final and it's highly unlikely that path will be Boston, Canes & Caps.

To flip the question, I want no part of Florida or the Rangers. New York because their style of heavy forechecking made the Leafs blueline look really soft and mistake-prone. I know one game doesn't tell the whole story and Sandin/Liljegren were given a bigger responsibility than usual, but that was ugly. Think the Blue Jackets will more offense. TB of course will be tough but a tiny bit less so with so many departures from last season. Pens, ugh. No thanks.

 

[Aashir]

Washington is my pick:

we have them beat every where

goaltending: Campbell easily

Defence:
individually
Rielly >= Carlson

Carlson is usually better offensively, not this year. Rielly is much better defensively then him

brodie == Orlov
Both stud top 4 dman. I like orlov a lot so I may be a bit biased but I still have both of them as real solid players

Muzzin >= Fehervary

muzzin has regressed as of now, but I still think he can be better then Fehervary, who’s been not amazing 5v5 on the top pairing

Holl < Jensen

holl really amazes me as to how a man mountain can be as physical as a cardboard cutout. Holl has been ok with Sandin but he gotta be better still. Jensen is a solid middle pairer who has played well this season

Sandin == Schultz
Sandin has a lot of potential. He is probably around equal offensively and even defensively equal or on par. Sandin is a bit weak on the boards and makes bad plays from time to time. He needs to reign it back on the pinches at times. Schultz provides decent offence of the bottom pairing. Has similar problems but is a bit bigger. This one’s a crapshoot


dermott < TVR
Dermott is so polarizing. He looks like he can break out, but he never does. He also makes stupid mistakes that are very costly. TVR from the stats has been a solid bottom pairing defencemen, now whilst dermott is too, I think dermotts braindead plays like game 6 scare me too much

all in all, I take our defence cuz you gotta remember structure, which the caps have none of

forward core I like ours. I think our forwards can really shine against their d and goaltending. The big 4 should thrive and our shutdown line should be able to surpress their matchups. I’m looking at Simmonds and Ritchie, if in the lineup, to bring the intensity and for Spezza to bring the creative stuff.

 

[Metroid]

Whoever would be our toughest match. Let's slay our demons epic styles. (I picked Boston before thinking of this post)

 

[HolyCrap]

Boston. A friend of mine is a Boston fan and I need to shut him up

Good on you for still being his friend. Lol

 

[Jojalu]

Wash first round
TB next round
Bos third round.

Who better to beat first round than the team that underacheived for years before finally breaking through.

TB because you have to beat Cup Champs

Bos is obvious for so many reasons. After they dispose of Carolina and Pitt thwy can cross back over and get swept!

Col for the Cup as that woukd be one hell of an entertaining finals

 

[Knies iT]

1, Boston. Smaller team with a worse blueline and their vet core slowly leaving (Krejci, Rask, etc.). No better time to exorcise those demons.

2, Florida. Their D is molasses slow between Ekblad, Forsling, Gudas, etc. Bobrovsky and his .920sv% have masked a lot of their defensive shortcomings, but how long can 33 year old Bob hold up for. I think their offense punches way above it's weight.

 

[NinjaKick]

I want to face the toughest opponent. lets see what this team is made of.

obviously going with tampa

 

[Arthur Morgan]

I agree with your post man. If we lose in the 1st round or the 3rd. What does it matter? We're still losers.

But the question isn't who you think is the best match-up with the best chance of winning. I don't know about you but playing a offensive powerhouse with questionable defense like this year's Panthers team sounds like a more enjoyable viewing experience rather than a low scoring clutch and grab slog against last years Islanders team.

Many ways you can interpret the question. I guess for you I got to ask which team would be the most fun to face off against in a 7 game series.

I used to be able to answer these questions but losing to the Habs like that made me think I know nothing

 

[Arthur Morgan]

I wonder how many teams would choose to pick the Leafs?

That's okay. be nice if teams under estimate us

 

[egd27]

Preference is to finish first in the Conference and face the weakest team that qualifies.

Like Montreal ?

 

[Stephen]

My ideal storyline would be the Leafs getting stronger and stronger down the strength, make some serious upgrades and take down the biggest dog in the conference. Exorcise demons in 4 or 5 games, get that momentum and cruise to the finals, where they lay a beating on the Colorado Avalanche.

 

[Madap]

So what? Isn't that our thing - lose in the 1st round and say we're such an awesome, we just have bad luck to run into great goaltending?



I like the idea of Boston. But this idea of being unstoppable, that's just fantasy. People love to think that as soon as we "get the monkey off our backs" we'll just steamroll everyone but there is zero reason to believe this is actually true. Beat Boston, then lose in 5 to TB could easily happen.

Of course I’m exaggerating a bit, I don’t think we’d easily win the cup. But I think if we played to our potential in the playoffs, we’re not losing in 5 games to anyone, even Tampa. We just always play like dogsh*t due to nerves or something, and I think beating Boston would go a long way for our confidence.