Bobby Ryan's dive for a penalty shot was worse. Kuch touches the top of his hip and his legs splay out like he got corkscrewed.
- AdamFrench

Yeah, holy (frank) that was soft. League should do a better job of fining players for ridiculous dives like that.

On paper they are great.

Playoffs are always different, most teams fire on all cylinders during the playoffs.

The NHL standings system is broken...I get that the NHL needs to make money and the way it is is the best case scenario for that.

But the seeding is not a true representation of how good a team is at all.

I only pay attention to ROW. The extra points and shootout wins are pure trash.
- Santo_44

Some of those ROW's are extra points..

On paper they are great.

Playoffs are always different, most teams fire on all cylinders during the playoffs.

The NHL standings system is broken...I get that the NHL needs to make money and the way it is is the best case scenario for that.

But the seeding is not a true representation of how good a team is at all.

I only pay attention to ROW. The extra points and shootout wins are pure trash.
- Santo_44

I don't like this playoff system at all. I think it's incredibly (frank)ing stupid. The 3rd and 4th place teams in the entire league should not be playing each other in the first damn round. It's a terrible prize for having a good season.

Some of those ROW's are extra points..
- bobbyisno1

A Win is two points.

Ties are just as stupid...as long as the game ends with a team effort it’s a good win.

The shootout is complete luck.

I don't like this playoff system at all. I think it's incredibly (frank)ing stupid. The 3rd and 4th place teams in the entire league should not be playing each other in the first damn round. It's a terrible prize for having a good season.
- GreatGigInTheSky

It makes the league more money.

They want maximum interest from the “casual” fans in the first round which is when the league generates the most interest by far.

TOR/BOS brings the causal fans in to watch.

As much as us diehard fans hate it...we are going to watch regardless. It could be Leafs vs the Newfoundland Growlers and we will still watch.

I'm not as worried about our forward group against that line: whether it's Matthews/Kadri/Tavares matched up against them, likely outcome is that they cancel each other out.

It's our D that worries me; Rielly-Hainsey does fill me with tons of confidence as a shutdown pair.
- gravyface

I think Hainsey gets one game in the playoffs...if he doesn’t preform on that top pair It’s a Muzz/Rielly top pair in game 2.

I think Hainsey gets one game in the playoffs...if he doesn’t preform on that top pair It’s a Muzz/Rielly top pair in game 2.
- Santo_44

I certainly hope so. Because having him #2 in TOi in the entire series is giving Boston a big advantage.

It makes the league more money.

They want maximum interest from the “casual” fans in the first round which is when the league generates the most interest by far.

TOR/BOS brings the causal fans in to watch.

As much as us diehard fans hate it...we are going to watch regardless. It could be Leafs vs the Newfoundland Growlers and we will still watch.
- Santo_44

The networks get that extra commercial endorsements. The NHL does not.

Eventually they will switch it back to 1-8, 2-7 imo.

One of the big issues is, within 3-5 years the non casuals will be bored because it's the same teams every year.

The networks get that extra commercial endorsements. The NHL does not.

Eventually they will switch it back to 1-8, 2-7 imo.

One of the big issues is, within 3-5 years the non casuals will be bored because it's the same teams every year.
- RogerRoeper

More attention to the NHL=more money

More attention to the NHL=more money
- Santo_44

I don't think you completely understand how it works.

I certainly hope so. Because having him #2 in TOi in the entire series is giving Boston a big advantage.
- RogerRoeper

Yeah cause his best plus minus in the league tells that story, there are 20 something other teams that have let in more goals than the Leafs.

I don't think you completely understand how it works.
- TrashPanda

It’s pretty simple.

The more people that watch it the more it is worth.

It’s cool and all that the NHL has TV deals. Awesome. Deals end and new deals need to be made.

Yeah cause his best plus minus in the league tells that story, there are 20 something other teams that have let in more goals than the Leafs.
- bobbyisno1

Ristolainen is a -31.

Ristolainen is a -31.
- walshyleafsfan

I very much enjoyed watching him get owned by Moore for the Petan goal last night...

new blog everyone

I think it's kind of badass that good teams face each other in the first round because of divisional seeding. Like, oh, you had a good season Leafs, Bears, Jets, Preds? Ha ha, (frank) you, now fight each other. It's hardcore. Gotta beat the best to be the best. It's like how in something like World Cup soccer, you could end up in a Group of Death. It's not fair, but (frank) you.

And it gives us this sick Leafs vs. Bruins grudge rematch, that's classic. It had to happen.

OH GOD NO. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I'LL SEE YOU IN HELL MIKE BABCOCK!!!!!!
- Zezel

This is why I love you so