Yeah but you missed the part where he says "less pressure"
- Not_Yan

thing is, that underdog role can change in a heartbeat and with it, so does the pressure. 2 years ago, Habs went into their first-round series with Boston as the underdog. then they won the first 2 on the road. all of a sudden, pressure shifted, and the Bruins became the underdog with nothing to lose.

so i see the Leafs aren't into that whole "division title" thing either. maybe the second seed should just be vacated this year.
- DoubleDown

The leafs won the corsi battle. They were just unlucky.

You missed the part where he says "less pressure", which concedes that there will be pressure, but not at the same level as a team that is not only expected to win a round, but multiple rounds. Specifically, the higher seeds.
- systemtool

So, the Penguins... and that's about it.

Bruins are a mess.

thing is, that underdog role can change in a heartbeat and with it, so does the pressure. 2 years ago, Habs went into their first-round series with Boston as the underdog. then they won the first 2 on the road. all of a sudden, pressure shifted, and the Bruins became the underdog with nothing to lose.
- DoubleDown

"Less pressure". You missed it.

The leafs won the corsi battle. They were just unlucky.
- burn

lol oh man you guys really hate Yost don't you?

"Less pressure". You missed it.
- Not_Yan

yeah but the thing is, that underdog role can change in a heartbeat and with it, so does the pressure. 2 years ago, Habs went into their first-round series with Boston as the underdog. then they won the first 2 on the road. all of a sudden, pressure shifted, and the Bruins became the underdog with nothing to lose.

thing is, that underdog role can change in a heartbeat and with it, so does the pressure. 2 years ago, Habs went into their first-round series with Boston as the underdog. then they won the first 2 on the road. all of a sudden, pressure shifted, and the Bruins became the underdog with nothing to lose.
- DoubleDown

It all depends on the team and the expectations from that team. For a team that hasn't made the playoffs in almost a decade, there won't be much. Aside from the delusional fan, most of us are just content watching the team in the playoffs and don't actually expect them to do much. We hope they will, but expect little.

Though I do agree expectations can change, as well as the pressure shifting, teams like Toronto and the Islanders will have nothing to lose this spring. Everything from here is gravy. Next year, it will be a different story.

Should the Leafs meet Boston in the first round and go up 2-0, it still would take a fool to think Toronto has all of a sudden become the favourite. Same with the Islanders should they meet the Pens, for example. Regardless of what happens, the Pens will remain the favourites agains't the Islanders. Swap the Islanders with the Rangers and now you have a potential for pressure switches and higher expectations.

Breaking News ‏@BreakingNews 5h

Spain's unemployment rate rose to a new record of 27.2% in the 1st quarter of this year - @Reuters http://trib.in/YTBQ7y


That is a insane number.
- faceto27

Ah yes, the Mediterranean lifestyle, not as romantic as it was once thought to be.

It all depends on the team and the expectations from that team. For a team that hasn't made the playoffs in almost a decade, there won't be much. Aside from the delusional fan, most of us are just content watching the team in the playoffs and don't actually expect them to do much. We hope they will, but expect little.

Though I do agree expectations can change, as well as the pressure shifting, teams like Toronto and the Islanders will have nothing to lose this spring. Everything from here is gravy. Next year, it will be a different story
- systemtool

What about the 15th place habs?

lol oh man you guys really hate Yost don't you?
- DoubleDown

It's hilarious. Leafs suck cause their corsi is terrible..... But so is the sens, but that's irrelevant. dominating the game. Lost 4-1.


I like yost. I think he's a good blogger, I just think he (and others) have gotten caught up in this nonsense. There are just too many holes to take it seriously.

What about the 15th place habs?
- Pecafan Fan

Habs haven't had near the playoff drought and inactivity of the Islanders and Leafs. Their core players are just about the same as the last time they made the playoffs. The majority of the Leafs and Islanders roster have never played a playoff game before.

Can't you see that Dr. WussBeater and I are trying to discuss martial arts here?

I'll have you know my brothers and I watched a lot of Karate Kid back in the day.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Well then I cannot argue with that.
Leeman takes round 1!!!

So, the Penguins... and that's about it.

Bruins are a mess.
- Pecafan Fan

Struggling, but a team with a lot of veterans, experience and a Cup title under their belt. You're thinking regular season, think playoffs. If you feel Boston and Toronto are on par and at the same level of expectations for this years playoffs, you have bigger issues than I can help you with.

I'd rather be the underdog in the playoffs. Less pressure.

Just go for it.
- faceto27

This is the Leafs.....they always have pressure.
Even more now that they've made the playoffs.

Habs haven't had near the playoff drought and inactivity of the Islanders and Leafs. Their core players are just about the same as the last time they made the playoffs. The majority of the Leafs and Islanders roster have never played a playoff game before.
- systemtool

Meh....a good chunk of the team has AHL playoff experience.
Really this whole, "ooh the team has no playoff experience" thing is really overblown.

Today must be the day the human population dismisses the word "less"

Meh....a good chunk of the team has AHL playoff experience.
Really this whole, "ooh the team has no playoff experience" thing is really overblown.
- Fakepartofme

That should go a long way in the NHL.

If you say so. I disagree. It all depends on how much stock you put into experience and learning curves. I put alot into it. Repetition and experience go a long way to achieving optimum results. Not a fool proof formula, but a tried and true method nonetheless.

It's hilarious. Leafs suck cause their corsi is terrible..... But so is the sens, but that's irrelevant. dominating the game. Lost 4-1.


I like yost. I think he's a good blogger, I just think he (and others) have gotten caught up in this nonsense. There are just too many holes to take it seriously.
- burn

good news is he'll be back to verbally masterbating Erik Karlsson now and forget all those silly stats for awhile.

Habs haven't had near the playoff drought and inactivity of the Islanders and Leafs. Their core players are just about the same as the last time they made the playoffs. The majority of the Leafs and Islanders roster have never played a playoff game before.
- systemtool

The majority of Leaf players do have "some" experience. Not much, but they have played a game or two.

Struggling, but a team with a lot of veterans, experience and a Cup title under their belt. You're thinking regular season, think playoffs. If you feel Boston and Toronto are on par and at the same level of expectations for this years playoffs, you have bigger issues than I can help you with.
- systemtool

All I'm saying is Boston is hardly a favorite at this point.

That should go a long way in the NHL.

If you say so. I disagree.
- systemtool

Again they are pros...sure there is more intensity.....but its just another game.
Take it one game at a time.

The majority of Leaf players do have "some" experience. Not much, but they have played a game or two.
- faceto27

Only Liles and Phaneuf on the D. None of our goalies. And about half our forwards. The majority doesn't.

good news is he'll be back to verbally masterbating Erik Karlsson now and forget all those silly stats for awhile.
- BlowMonkey

Is that because his corsi isn't that great?

Only Liles and Phaneuf on the D. None of our goalies. And about half our forwards. The majority doesn't.
- systemtool

Check again.

For starters, include Byrne and Franson on that D list.

Again they are pros...sure there is more intensity.....but its just another game.
Take it one game at a time.
- Fakepartofme

I never said it can't be done. I just said a lack of inexperience is a disadvantage against the experienced team. Its the same with any walk of life.