Who would you rather face in the playoffs, Toronto or Ottawa?

[Sens9292]

Contender? Lol what? If they're a contender, than Ottawa would be one as well? What's the statistical criteria for being a contender?

You won’t get a response, just here to get a reaction. That individual really doesn’t have insight.

 

[kevsh]

Ottawa hasn't been to the playoffs in a long time and many of their top players (Stutzle, Tkachuk, etc.) have never played a playoff game.

For all their failures the Leafs at least have playoff game experience, and outside of the Florida series they've not been an easy out for anyone, including a few Stanley Cup winners/finalists.

Not surprisingly the majority have picked Toronto in this poll but if you posed the same question to NHL players I'm pretty sure they'd overwhelming vote Ottawa. Pesky team, sure, probably underrated, but inexperienced and don't have the weapons the Leafs have.

 

[Commander Clueless]

If you're confident you can beat Ottawa in less than 7 games, you might take them. Leafs are guaranteed to take you to 7 for maximum heartbreak potential for us Leaf fans.

Otherwise, history suggests you take Toronto.

 

[byrath]

Ottawa, barely. Hopefully the Leafs win the division and play the Sens in round 1.

 

[GoldenSeal]

Ottawa plays as a team. Toronto is a band of high-priced mercenaries that vanish here and there. Huge difference.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Sens started the year off rough. Once they hit December, they became super streaky. Two 6-game winning streaks and a 5 gamer, and on the other side, had a 6 game losing streak around the 4 nations break, and a 4 gamer around the new year.

But ultimately, since Dec 1 (43/44 GP for most teams), the Sens are 5th in points percentage at .651. The 4 teams ahead of them are Washington, Winnipeg, Colorado and Dallas. The 5 teams right behind them are Tampa, Vegas Edmonton, Florida and Carolina. Leafs are in 13th, just behind LAK and MTL with a .602 points percentage.

I'm not trying to say OTT is the harder matchup, cause I'm admittedly biased. But just to show that the last half of the season or so, OTT has been a little better overall. They have grown a lot since the bad streak in November, their A game is better but their B game is miles ahead.

I'd much rather play Stolarz/Woll over Ullmark in a series, but more importantly Matthews is definitely hurt, if he isn't his normal self, that alone might be enough to take OTT at this point. He's the X factor.

Funny enough, I agree with everything except the bolded. Ullmark, though arguably best goalie in the league statistically last 3 games cumulatively, is entirely unproven in the playoffs.

In fact, a large reason for Ottawa's poor first half outcomes were because of very streaky performance by Ullmark. When he switched it around(at December 1st), the results came.

I'd argue the best "overall play" we have exhibited as a team came in the first half of the season. Firing on all cylinders except goaltending.

It's no coincidence we have THREE GOALIES with almost 3 shutouts each.

 

[Canadiens Ghost]

So it's either a team that phones it in every playoffs or a mystery box team with little playoffs experience.
I would rather play Toronto because I think the Sens will be hungrier.

 

[bobholly39]

I voted Ottawa because they'd be a lot easier to beat.

Technically - as a Habs fan - I'd probably rather face Toronto though, as it would be more fun. But I don't think that was the point of the question.

 

[TruePowerSlave]

Ottawa no doubt. Always pick the worse team.

 

[The90]

Ok.

Marner was good in the final too, for what it's worth.

So was matthews.

 

[The90]

Sens started the year off rough. Once they hit December, they became super streaky. Two 6-game winning streaks and a 5 gamer, and on the other side, had a 6 game losing streak around the 4 nations break, and a 4 gamer around the new year.

But ultimately, since Dec 1 (43/44 GP for most teams), the Sens are 5th in points percentage at .651. The 4 teams ahead of them are Washington, Winnipeg, Colorado and Dallas. The 5 teams right behind them are Tampa, Vegas Edmonton, Florida and Carolina. Leafs are in 13th, just behind LAK and MTL with a .602 points percentage.

I'm not trying to say OTT is the harder matchup, cause I'm admittedly biased. But just to show that the last half of the season or so, OTT has been a little better overall. They have grown a lot since the bad streak in November, their A game is better but their B game is miles ahead.

I'd much rather play Stolarz/Woll over Ullmark in a series, but more importantly Matthews is definitely hurt, if he isn't his normal self, that alone might be enough to take OTT at this point. He's the X factor.

Ullmark has been brutal in the playoffs.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Ullmark has been brutal in the playoffs.

So similar to the leafs team, then, is what your saying.

 

[The90]

So similar to the leafs team, then, is what your saying.

No. I’m saying you can’t say that’s ullmark is the shining outlier, when he’s never been that, in the playoffs.

 

[ViD]

Ottawa with zero play off experience or Toronto that broke the curse of the first round exits?

Ottawa any day

 

[Golden_Jet]

No. I’m saying you can’t say that’s ullmark is the shining outlier, when he’s never been that, in the playoffs.

So similar to the leafs team then.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Other: your mother.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Other: your mother.

You’d rather play your mother than Sens or leafs, ok.

 

[The90]

So similar to the leafs team then.

I mean sure lol. Doesn’t mean I’m wrong or refute anything I said, though. Sweet argument.

 

[The Podium]

The question is asking about the playoffs though. Not who's more likely to get more regular season points over the years 2018-2025. It's asking who will be the tougher out in the very specific 2025 playoffs.

You've got a proven failure against an unknown. A proven failure that is trending down vs an unknown that is trending up.

That alone is enough to have people put their money on Ottawa even if they think the Leafs have a bit more talent or experience at the top of their roster.

In what way is Toronto trending downward?

 

[jbeck5]

In what way is Toronto trending downward?

Long term:

From 115 points to 111 to 102 is trending downwards.

Short term:

they're 5-4-1 in their last 10 which is worse than their season record.

Eye test:

Their roster looks worse than previous years...like they've been losing depth.

Timeline: they've been good for a while and teams typically have ups and downs ...it looks like theyre window could be closing soon.

I'm surprised you objected to me. Go to the Leafs board and it's full of people wondering if their window is soon closing.

 

[Connor McConnor]

I really thought the Leafs had turned the page after getting a 1st round win over Tampa a few years ago but losing against a vulnerable Boston team last year makes me question their ability in a 7 game series.

That said, it's still Ottawa

 

[The Podium]

Long term:

From 115 points to 111 to 102 is trending downwards.

Short term:

they're 5-4-1 in their last 10 which is worse than their season record.

Eye test:

Their roster looks worse than previous years...like they've been losing depth.

Timeline: they've been good for a while and teams typically have ups and downs ...it looks like theyre window could be closing soon.

I'm surprised you objected to me. Go to the Leafs board and it's full of people wondering if their window is soon closing.

This might be the first time in this era that they finish 1st in the division and are also competing for their highest finish in the overall standings. Sure their raw points are going down but relatively they’re actually improving.

If we want to pick fun sample sizes, they are 2-0-0 in their last 2 games.

Their depth is actually better than it’s ever been, as has their D and G. Not sure what depth you’re referring too exactly.

You’re objectively wrong, and the Leafs board is objectively full of idiots.

 

[The90]

Long term:

From 115 points to 111 to 102 is trending downwards.

Short term:

they're 5-4-1 in their last 10 which is worse than their season record.

Eye test:

Their roster looks worse than previous years...like they've been losing depth.

Timeline: they've been good for a while and teams typically have ups and downs ...it looks like theyre window could be closing soon.

I'm surprised you objected to me. Go to the Leafs board and it's full of people wondering if their window is soon closing.

In Reality, they've been great all year, save for the last few weeks. Combine that with fans of teams on hot streaks feeling good about themselves and you get this thread.

 

[AvroArrow]

Long term:

From 115 points to 111 to 102 is trending downwards.

Short term:

they're 5-4-1 in their last 10 which is worse than their season record.

Eye test:

Their roster looks worse than previous years...like they've been losing depth.

Timeline: they've been good for a while and teams typically have ups and downs ...it looks like theyre window could be closing soon.

I'm surprised you objected to me. Go to the Leafs board and it's full of people wondering if their window is soon closing.

There's no way you used the eye test and determined the roster looks worse LOL. This is probably the best team we've had in the Matthews era. Sure the depth scoring is a weak point but the defense + goaltending is the best we have ever had.

I don't think you actually watch the Leafs.

 

[T REX]

I need to change my vote...geez