Yeah, it is huge. If the Leafs' core goes into the next series with some swagger it means a lot. A guy like Marner in particular, I think when he's playing a daring game he's at his most dangerous.
- Zezel

The Panthers beat the Bruins because they couldn't adjust from their game plan. Too much structure and not enough creativity. Florida beat them on will and the ability to change their game. It will be different with the Leafs. The Leafs don't really have a structured game. They like to trade chances and when defending, block shots and clog up the middle. Tampa owned the boards most nights, but were forced into making cross ice passes to get their scoring chances. If Florida tries to forecheck aggressively, they'll be prone to turnovers and a quick transition game from the Leafs. They might not want to go down that road because the Leafs can kill you with 3 lines of offense.

wut
- senstroll

There's a pretty good GM named Yzerman who built that team

I am saying the GM that came in has been crap

I agree, but people said that this past offseason saying they might even miss the playoffs...*check the standings*
- AdamFrench

I don't think they'll miss the playoffs...but they could take a big step back and finish with 100 points.

I agree, but people said that this past offseason saying they might even miss the playoffs...*check the standings*
- AdamFrench

Every non Leaf fan said they wouldn't get out of the 1st round

Have to be right eventually

The Panthers beat the Bruins because they couldn't adjust from their game plan. Too much structure and not enough creativity. Florida beat them on will and the ability to change their game. It will be different with the Leafs. The Leafs don't really have a structured game. They like to trade chances and when defending, block shots and clog up the middle. Tampa owned the boards most nights, but were forced into making cross ice passes to get their scoring chances. If Florida tries to forecheck aggressively, they'll be prone to turnovers and a quick transition game from the Leafs. They might not want to go down that road because the Leafs can kill you with 3 lines of offense.
- PrinceLH

I hope Florida opens it up with Toronto, because they can't win that game.

waaaa

waaaa
- Santo_44

I like how this is your defense when proven wrong with facts. I guess your mom took away your screentime early last night and you're crying about it? Sorry kid. Can't help you.

In some aspects, yes. However, Tampa was only able to sustain their forecheck for about 40 minutes each game. As the third periods unfolded, the Leafs would look stronger. By the time overtime got past the first 5 minutes, you could see the Lightning slowing down and the Leafs passing game accelerating. A lot of the Leafs good favour came from having Samsonov being stellar when they needed him. He wasn't great, early in the series, but was better as the series went on. Another issue was the play of Justin Holl. If the Leafs had benched him sooner, this might have ended in 5.
- PrinceLH

Losing that Goodrow-Gourde-Coleman line tanked the bottom six. After that, the Lightning couldn't roll four lines any more. Vasi and Nick Friggin Paul willed us past the Leafs last year. But without McDonagh and that Gourde line, the Avs rolled over them. Palat leaving was the canary in the coal mine. Too many vital pieces left. Briesbois' cap games were going to end eventually.

I like how this is your defense when proven wrong with facts. I guess your mom took away your screentime early last night and you're crying about it? Sorry kid. Can't help you.
- Aaron_85

I just do it to you because you cry at everything I say so cry some more for me

But yep thats exactly what happened, you are right. I just asked mom if I can get it back.

There's a pretty good GM named Yzerman who built that team

I am saying the GM that came in has been crap
- Santo_44

i guess if you want to nit pick about poop.
Was Yzerman the GM when Hedman was drafted? rhetorical question..dont answer.

Sergachev, Vasi, and Kuch still have some tread on the tires yet, so I think that's a good core to make a run on. Assuming Cup Vasi shows up. Point isn't a geezer and neither is Cirelli. So that's a 1D, 1C, elite goalie (or average starter at worst), Top-3 league winger, and a 2C. Most teams would blow things up to get to that point.

I honestly wouldn't blow it up yet. I think the Bolts are still contenders, but Briesbois has some serious to work to do. He might be out of time and runway. You might be right. I hope you are wrong though.
- GalacticStone

I agree that you can't just rebuild. Not how sports work. Tampa gets some bounces in THREE overtime games and they are in the 2nd round.

Sure maybe some savvy moves need to be made or maybe it's just going with the team as it is and seeing what happens. These guys should essentially be told, it's on you, you're stars, let's see what can happen. You have two cups in 4 years.

Did the GM that made the Jeannot trade win any cups?
- Santo_44

Only two

i guess if you want to nit pick about poop.
Was Yzerman the GM when Hedman was drafted? rhetorical question..dont answer.
- senstroll

Dubas got us to the 2nd round, not Lou because he drafted Nylander and Marner

I just do it to you because you cry at everything I say so cry some more for me :p

But yep thats exactly what happened, you are right. I just asked mom if I can get it back.
- Santo_44

If you think I'm crying then I'm sorry you don't understand the english language. You clearly miss the cues of sarcasm and other parts of it. I guess I should stop taking shots at those with lower IQ. Don't forget your ADHD meds though!

Losing that Goodrow-Gourde-Coleman line tanked the bottom six. After that, the Lightning couldn't roll four lines any more. Vasi and Nick Friggin Paul willed us past the Leafs last year. But without McDonagh and that Gourde line, the Avs rolled over them. Palat leaving was the canary in the coal mine. Too many vital pieces left. Briesbois' cap games were going to end eventually.
- GalacticStone

Yeah Goodrow and Coleman were STEALS and Jeannot didn't turn out to be one of those.

If you think I'm crying then I'm sorry you don't understand the english language. You clearly miss the cues of sarcasm and other parts of it. I guess I should stop taking shots at those with lower IQ.
- Aaron_85

I don't understand the English language.

And yes you absolutely should stop, good idea.

Dubas got us to the 2nd round, not Lou because he drafted Nylander and Marner
- Santo_44

dubas didnt draft Rielly, Matthews, Nylander and Marner..

anyways, im not into dumb arguments today

Jonas Siegel
@jonassiegel
·
21m
Leafs’ projected lineup in Game 1:

Knies — Matthews — Nylander
Järnkrok — Tavares — Marner
Bunting — O’Reilly — Acciari
Aston-Reese — Kämpf — Kerfoot

McCabe — Brodie
Rielly — Schenn
Giordano — Liljegren

Samsonov

I don't understand the English language.

And yes you absolutely should stop, good idea.
- Santo_44

Don't forget to take your ADHD meds

Jonas Siegel
@jonassiegel
·
21m
Leafs’ projected lineup in Game 1:

Knies — Matthews — Nylander
Järnkrok — Tavares — Marner
Bunting — O’Reilly — Acciari
Aston-Reese — Kämpf — Kerfoot

McCabe — Brodie
Rielly — Schenn
Giordano — Liljegren

Samsonov
- gravyface

I think I'd swap Knies for Jarnkrok to improve the defensive side of our top line.

dubas didnt draft Rielly, Matthews, Nylander and Marner..

anyways, im not into dumb arguments today
- senstroll

Lou should get his name on the cup for drafting those players

Santo and Aaron either start being decent to each other/or stop replying to each other or neither of you will be posting during the game tonight.

Don't forget to take your ADHD meds
- Aaron_85

Will do buddy

Santo and Aaron either start being decent to each other/or stop replying to each other or neither of you will be posting during the game tonight.
- Dozzer

Thank you

After watching the Devils take out the Rangers, I'm guessing they're also going to take out Carolina. The Hurricane play similarly like Boston, all structure and low creativity. Both teams have suspect goaltending, but one has a more dynamic offense. I'm figuring Devils in 6.

My biggest hope, tonight, is seeing the Leafs win the first game and taking the pressure off for game 2. Game 2 against Tampa, after dropping the first one was a lot of pressure. I'm guessing Florida will come out quickly, but haven't had much opportunity to prepare for the Leafs. The extra day of practice and film should give the Leafs an advantage, knowing Florida had to travel from Boston to Toronto, likely yesterday.

These are Ullmark's numbers in Boston: In 8 post-season games with Bruins Ulmark has 3 wins, 3.54 GAA and SV% 0.888.

I'd really like the talking heads to sucking off Boston for finding such an amazing goalie. He is another Hamburgler.
- Aaron_85

Do any goalies have good numbers from round 1?
Carolina's and new jerseys maybe?
I honestly dont know