do Calgary fans cheer for Tkachuk or the Leafs

Might as well just fold that city at this point
- daeth

they cheer for Vegas

Leafs vs. Panthers 2023 Regular Season:

Tuesday, Jan 17: @Toronto 5, FLA 4 (OT).

Thursday, Mar 23; Toronto 6, @FLA 2.

Wednesday, Mar 29: FLA 3, @Toronto 2 (OT)

Mon, April 10: Toronto 2, @FLA 1 (OT)

Damn, this is closer than I thought.
- Atomic Wedgie

IIRC, they can score and their D like to jump in the play. Three deep lines and their 4th line is junk. And we need to avoid their PP cuz it's good. Good goaltending with some question marks.

Pretty similar stuff to the Leafs except the Leafs have been much better defensively.

That Bennett/Tkachuk line is going to be annoying as (frank).

I wasn't going to post this because I knew I'd get new blogged as soon as I did, but it dovetails in with this nicely:

In the head-to-head match-up with Florida, we are 3-0-1 with a 15-10 advantage in goals. It’s not the cakewalk some might think. Three of these games went to Overtime this year

Game 1: Leafs 5-4 in OT

The Leafs outshot Florida 37-19. Murray was chased after 21 minutes allowing 4 goals on 8 shots. Sammy was perfect in 40 minutes of relief. It was a penalty-fest, and Toronto had a 7-3 advantage in power plays and subsequently outscored Florida 2-1 on the PP as well, although Florida did cash in a short-handed goal. Nylander won the game with this memorable OT goal: https://youtu.be/ecz0OSjyY4k?t=426

Game 2: Leafs 6-2

Murray starts again against the Panthers, but certainly atones for his previous performance, making 33 saves, as the Leafs are outshot 35-27. Many of Florida’s chances in this one were from distance; despite outshooting the Leafs, they gave up far more high danger chances in the game (16-10 for Toronto). Both teams had a power play goal, and the Leafs held the PP advantage 4-3.

Game 3: Florida 3-2 in OT

Six days later, and the Leafs outshot Florida 40-29. Samsonov faced Lyon, and Lyon stole this show. Both teams had 4 power play opportunities and Florida netted 1 while Toronto failed to score. In a reversal of the last game, Florida had 20 HD chances in their 29 shots, and Toronto had 16. It did take a last minute power play goal with the goalie out for Florida to tie it and force the OT, though. The OT featured this early self-made chance by Matthews, https://youtu.be/7DLgyvowGcU?t=416, but ultimately Montour cashed on a 2-on-1.

Game 4: Toronto 2-1 in OT

Less than 2 weeks, and in game 80, the Leafs get absolutely caved in being outshot 46-25 and Sammy steals the game. It should be noted that the Leafs had clinched and Florida was desperate, so one team was certainly more motivated than the other and it showed. Considering that, the HD chances were still fairly even (16-14 in favour of Florida), but the net volume and pure possession in this game goes to Florida. No one scored a PP goal in this one, and power plays were scarce with Florida having a 2-1 advantage. Tavares won it OT with this surprising breakaway – especially after he’d been hemmed in the D zone for over a minute: https://youtu.be/k9XptYiDkeg?t=429

In terms of Leafs skaters, Marner led the way with 6 points (2-4) in 4 games, Matthews 5 goals in 4 games with a 28% shooting percentage, Nylander 3-2 for 5pts in 4 games (-1), and Tavares 1-4 for 5 pts (-2) in his 4 games.

Noteworthy is that Kerfoot had 2 goals against Florida. He only had 10 all season. ZAR had a goal and an assist, and on the less than positive side, Bunting had only 1 point in his 4 games against Florida.

In terms of goalies, Samsonov was 2-0-1 with a .953% and a 1.44 GAA; Murray was 1-0 with an .860% and 4.41 GAA (sad trombone).

In terms of Florida's skaters, Montour had 5 points in 4 games, including 2 goals, but he was -5. Barkov 1-3 for 4pts in 4 games (-2), Reinhart 1-2 for 3 pts in 4 games (-3) and Waterdown’s own Boston killer, Verhaeghe, 1-2 for 3 pts in 4 games (-4).

Noteworthy comments are that Tkachuk only had 1 point in 4 games and also that Sam Bennett only played 1 game this year against the Leafs.

In terms of goalies, Lyon was 1-0-1 with a .938% and a 1.92 GAA; Bobrovsky was 0-1-1 with an .841% and 4.99 GAA (sadder trombone).
- Monkeypunk

Anyone who thought the team who knocked off the bruins would be a cake walk is fooling themselves. They have all the players needed to win another series.

Leafs can certainly do it that's for sure but it won't be easy.

IIRC, they can score and their D like to jump in the play. Three deep lines and their 4th line is junk. And we need to avoid their PP cuz it's good. Good goaltending with some question marks.

Pretty similar stuff to the Leafs except the Leafs have been much better defensively.

That Bennett/Tkachuk line is going to be annoying as (frank).
- The Law

Panthers PP in the first round was junk. Could turn it around

Its been 20ish years since ive actually gotten excited with the possibilities of this playoffs. Only 8 teams left and the leafs are among the best of them.

Its been 20ish years since ive actually gotten excited with the possibilities of this playoffs. Only 8 teams left and the leafs are among the best of them.
- prock

teams that worry me more than average (because all remaining teams are good):

carolina & new york

My phone tells me that Sutter is done in Calgary.

David Portnoy on Twitter:

"I have an honest question for Leafs fans. Is a successful season winning 1 series and then losing to the Bruins in 5? It is right?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH SLURP TILL YOU BURP JAGOFF

So many yummy takes out there.

Panthers PP in the first round was junk. Could turn it around
- Aaron_85

I just snuck a peak - 25% looks pretty good.

There PK in the playoffs and reg season was junk. Leafs need to jump all over that.

More Leafs playoff games probably helps the leagues $$ and next years Cap. More Cap helps the Leafs in particular.

Leafs helping Leafs. GLG!

Maybe that means we should cheer for the Rags tonight too ($$).
- The Law

But then the Panthers making the 2nd round and not allowing non US residents buy home playoff tickets so their own fans can buy them for $5 negates it

IIRC, they can score and their D like to jump in the play. Three deep lines and their 4th line is junk. And we need to avoid their PP cuz it's good. Good goaltending with some question marks.

Pretty similar stuff to the Leafs except the Leafs have been much better defensively.

That Bennett/Tkachuk line is going to be annoying as (frank).
- The Law

Where Toronto could benefit is with their transition game. Florida likes to forecheck feverishly and their defense is part of their arsenal. A quick transition game could force a lot of odd man rushes and more goals. The Bruins played a structured system, but didn't have the ability to play outside of that system. The Leafs can freewheel with the best of them and force turnovers leading to opportunities. This could be a very high scoring series. Like the last series, Samsonov only had to be as good as Vasilevskiy. The same could be said about this series and Bobrovski. Leafs also have more depth and that will play out, later in the series.

what a day to be alive.

My phone tells me that Sutter is done in Calgary.
- Monkeypunk

Things that just make sense.

God, if they could only rewind last summer. I thought that was opportunity to do a quick rebuild. Deal Tkachuk for young building blocks and make some smart signings. Instead they locked into some huge declining contracts.

That said ...if Markstrom rediscovers his talent ..they could make some hay for a couple years before the old guys get really old.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/panthers-restricting-ticket-sales-for-series-against-maple-leafs-to-u-s-residents/
- TheMussel

Tampa pulled the same stunt vs Montreal in the SCF. They are so scared of Canadian fans filling up their building.

i did not win the Jays 50/50, so ill still be posting here with you peasants

Bonsie finally on the road again.

'Bout time.

i did not win the Jays 50/50, so ill still be posting here with you peasants
- senstroll

doesn't winning the 50/50 mean that all you would do is post here with us peasants?

what a day to be alive.
- Lucas.Neilson

David Portnoy on Twitter:

"I have an honest question for Leafs fans. Is a successful season winning 1 series and then losing to the Bruins in 5? It is right?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH SLURP TILL YOU BURP JAGOFF

So many yummy takes out there.
- Zezel

see that donkey step on rakes is icing on this delicious cake

David Portnoy on Twitter:

"I have an honest question for Leafs fans. Is a successful season winning 1 series and then losing to the Bruins in 5? It is right?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH SLURP TILL YOU BURP JAGOFF

So many yummy takes out there.
- Zezel

Ranks right up there with the comment by the ESPN panel that said after a great late season game between Boston and Tampa: That second round series between the Bruins and Panthers is going to be a classic. Maybe, if they're playing in Augusta, Georgia at the Masters.

what a day to be alive.
- Lucas.Neilson

flagged by accident

flagged by accident
- TheMussel

trying to get me in trouble

doesn't winning the 50/50 mean that all you would do is post here with us peasants?
- TheMussel

probably..wish I won 2.8m so I could figure that out

Tampa pulled the same stunt vs Montreal in the SCF. They are so scared of Canadian fans filling up their building.

- Scabeh

It won't matter. There are so many ex-patriot Canadians living in Florida, they'll just grab the tickets instead.

probably..wish I won 2.8m so I could figure that out
- senstroll

i'd settle for a 200k experimental amount