Every now and then Toronto will remind you that they are still in a rebuild. They are on the cusp of being a Cup contender, and at times they can run with the best teams in the league. But such success is not sustainable (yet) - it's coming, but it's not quite there yet.

Marner, Matthews, and the rest of the Leaf young guns are where Kucherov, Johnson, and Point were a few seasons (and heartbreaks) ago. The talent is there, they just need more seasoning.

I know Toronto fans are chomping at the bit, but any Leafs fan should be happy with the progress of things. Maybe winning the Cup is not realistic just yet, but I think clobbering Boston in the first round is a definite goal to have. Making it past the first round would be a good benchmark and how sweet it would be for the Bruins to be the victim.
- GalacticStone

This. So much this. I agree completely. Except winning against Boston perhaps. I give them 40% chance if they can get healthy by the series.

Missing Dermott is the key here, I think. Gardiner not so much. Add Travis with Rosen or Ozzy and we're good to go. ... But Babcock won't allow that pairing to go too long without inserting Marincin. Just too stubborn to let go of him. At some point, Babs and Dubas will lock horns. Mark my words.
- Leafsmart

I disagree. Not that I think Gardener is a bona tide 1st pair D but they don’t have anyone better than Gardener in the system to play instead of him.

Well I think we've covered this year to death. I'd rather talk about the Cup winning years
- walshyleafsfan

Uhm.

....

This year isn’t don’t yet. Playoffs haven’t even started yet.

Plenty of stuff to talk about in a year that matters.

- RickJames77

- RickJames77

Thus the hockey gods became angry.

Well I think we've covered this year to death. I'd rather talk about the Cup winning years
- walshyleafsfan

2019 then?

Top 5 team

Statistically best Leaf team ever

JT, Matthews, Marner, Reilly, Andersen, Nylander

10 games unil playoffs

And we are talking about 2020-2021?

Oh Leaf fans, don't ever change

Actually do change
- Santo_44

Less points after 72 games than last year though.

- RickJames77

Leafs will be cup champs.

So I guess Winnipeg and Nashville are horrible teams because we’re ahead of them.
- shack67

No one said the Leafs are horrible. But yes, over the last 35 games they are both superior.

Philly and Pittsburgh both challenge the same goal.

And both are gonna win their challenge. (frank)ing amazing.

Has this ever been done before? Hard to imagine it has.

Lol.. probably a bit. Friday night was fun
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Mine too. I wasn't at the Leafs game or nothing but I went to my pub and got wasted. Plus, I'm entered in a draw to win a St. Pats sweater.

Sucks that Sandin's birthday just passed. 'Cause he'd be tied for 1st all time now.

But in a (frank) of a lot less games.

https://www.quanthockey.c...r-old-ahl-defensemen.html

Philly and Pittsburgh both challenge the same goal.

And both are gonna win their challenge. (frank)ing amazing.

Has this ever been done before? Hard to imagine it has.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Wait. How is it possible?

Wait. How is it possible?
- Aaron_85

Rules are rules.

Wait. How is it possible?
- Aaron_85

Philly scored and the ref called it no goal on the ice (goalie interference). Philly challenged and they called it a good goal.

Pittsburgh challenged for offside and it was.

Must have been a (frank)ing roller coaster of emotions in the arena.

Sucks that Sandin's birthday just passed. 'Cause he'd be tied for 1st all time now.

But in a (frank) of a lot less games.

https://www.quanthockey.c...r-old-ahl-defensemen.html
- GreatGigInTheSky

yeah that leaves the Russian wife beater still in 1st spot

Philly and Pittsburgh both challenge the same goal.

And both are gonna win their challenge. (frank)ing amazing.

Has this ever been done before? Hard to imagine it has.
- GreatGigInTheSky

The intermission guys just said this was the first time it's ever happened.

yeah that leaves the Russian wife beater still in 1st spot
- 21peter

If he wasn't a piece of poop human being that should never be allowed back in the NHL, I'd love to have him on my team.

- 21peter

Lmao

yeah that leaves the Russian wife beater still in 1st spot
- 21peter

Putin's kind of guy.

The intermission guys just said this was the first time it's ever happened.
- GreatGigInTheSky

What happened? I'm not watching the game.

Thus the hockey gods became angry.
- TrashPanda

The most appropriate way for the hockey gods to punish the Bruins for their transgressions would be a first round loss to the Maple Leafs.

The most appropriate way for the hockey gods to punish the Bruins for their transgressions would be a first round loss to the Maple Leafs.
- Zezel

I agree!