Will Leafs Make the Playoffs?

[Darts]

This is such a ridiculously stupid question that only someone who knows nothing about hockey would ask.
A more interesting and intelligent question would have been can the Leafs get out of the first round and beat Boston.

Leafs made the playoffs last year. Throughout the year they were one of the top teams until they took a dip late in the season and having to play Holl on defense.
Leafs got rid of dead weight. They don't have a Nylander on holdout. They got rid of Sparks. Young core players are 1 year stronger and more experienced. They no longer have players in their late 30's. Spezza hasn't made the team yet. Gauthier looked better in their first exhibition game. The team overall should be better this year so yes whether they make the playoffs is a ridiculously stupid question.

The only reason they would miss the playoffs is due to injuries to key players. Which is what happened to Tampa Bay 2 years ago.

I would say without Gardiner they will beat Boston this year in 7 games and enter unchartered territory into round 2.

They are second overall behind only Tampa Bay as odds on favourite in Vegas to win it all. That alone already answers the question what people think about Leafs making the playoffs.

Of course the Leafs D is a question mark. That's a given. Does that even need to be stated? News for you Leafs are paying 3 forwards average over 11 million each in a salary cap era. How much money does that leave the D?

Of course Kadri is better than Kerfoot. How else to get Barrie.

Matthews and Tavaras line should be fine? They better be more than fine. They better dominate cause that's where they put their money. To compensate for D. Have you seen the Blues top 6 D this year? They very well may repeat. If Matthews plays 80 games I can see him scoring 50 goals. Perhaps even winning the Rocket. Tavaras line will play against other teams first line.

Gauthier has come a long way. His first year he panicked every time he touched the puck. With experience he's gotten a lot better. His skating looks a lot better, faster. But natural talent is what it is so he is limited there.

Of course nothing is a sure bet to make the playoffs. 16 teams make it and 15 don't. But Leafs not making the playoffs would be a huge disappointment. I don't see them not making the playoffs unless injuries to key players. Although they didn't really lose a step when Matthews was injured or when Nylander held out. They did suffer though with injuries to D. They had forward depth to compensate. They don't have that depth in D and if Andersen ever gets hurt forget it.

They got rid of Kadri (back to back suspensions) and Gardiner (back to back game 7 chokes) so that alone should make the Leafs better in round 1.

With all of Dart's ridiculous comments I thought at first he was a 17 year old naïve little kid but the guy must be at least 60

Poll should have been closed the same day it opened. What a meaningless poll

Panthers also lost last night. Looks like neither the Leafs nor the Panthers want 3rd place. If they are not careful, Buffalo and/or Montreal will slide past them.

 

[saxon]

If the Leafs were in the Metropolitan division they would be in 7th place. They should count themselves lucky they have perennial sad sacks Buffalo, Ottawa and Detroit in their division.

 

[Darts]

If the Leafs were in the Metropolitan division they would be in 7th place. They should count themselves lucky they have perennial sad sacks Buffalo, Ottawa and Detroit in their division.

The two wild cards will come from the Metro Division. So, Leafs have to win 3rd in the Atlantic or go home. Next games are against the Lightnings (Tuesday) followed by the Panthers (Thursday) and then Vancouver (who beat the Bruins 9-3) on Saturday.

 

[Darts]

To-night's game versus Tampa Bay could be a playoff preview. 2 more games versus Tampa Bay in March.

The 2 remaining games versus Florida could decide who gets 3rd place.

19 games to go.

3 vs Tampa Bay
2 vs Florida
1 vs Boston
1 vs Montreal

Toronto has a losing record against all 4 so far this season.

 

[glamphotographer]

If the Leafs were in the Metropolitan division they would be in 7th place. They should count themselves lucky they have perennial sad sacks Buffalo, Ottawa and Detroit in their division.

If the Leafs were in the Pacific division they be 4pts out of top spot.

 

[John Wick]

Comparisons of standings between divisions is not really a very useful tool, because in the end, what counts is did you out-perform those in your own division to make it into the playoffs? If you didn't the rest doesn't matter.

It's like the Buffalo Bills complaining that if they weren't behind the Patriots in the AFC East, they'd have been in the playoffs more frequently...doesn't matter, because the reality is that they are in the AFC East and can't find a way to out-perform New England.

 

[shack]

Comparisons of standings between divisions is not really a very useful tool, because in the end, what counts is did you out-perform those in your own division to make it into the playoffs? If you didn't the rest doesn't matter.

As I read this, I was reminded that during the last strike and a shortened season, teams only played within their conference. The Leafs made the playoffs that year and people said it wasn't valid because they didn't play the western conference at all, which at that time was stronger.

 

[glamphotographer]

The magic number for the Leafs to clinch third in the Atlantic division is 30. Any combination of Leafs points gained and Panthers points not gained totaling 30, the Leafs clinch.

 

[glamphotographer]

If the Leafs were in the Metropolitan division they would be in 7th place. They should count themselves lucky they have perennial sad sacks Buffalo, Ottawa and Detroit in their division.

Now the Leafs are 7th in the conference.

 

[Darts]

Now the Leafs are 7th in the conference.

There are 6 teams in the 70's point range so a team can move up or down very quickly. It looks like the Leafs finally got their shit together. Florida is fading and Montreal and Buffalo are 9 and 12 points behind.

https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/standings?season=2019&seasonType=1&grouping=3

 

[superstar_88]

They got it together without Rielly and Muzzin their 2 best defenseman.

 

[shack]

They got it together without Rielly and Muzzin their 2 best defenseman.

Everybody else just has to stick to the "Leafs' system".

 

[catherinetog]

The grit, the grit, the grit!

Cheers to the W and looking forward to more Ws!

Go Leafs Go!

 

[gamer25]

Finally looks like they have act together. I think the game against Carolina was a shock to them and finally realize that they cannot just expect to win. Take a lot of hard work.

Now they also have opened a 6 point lead against Florida, which should allow them to not be afraid to make mistakes.

GO LEAFS GO!!!!!

 

[gcostanza]

The grit, the grit, the grit!

Git pucs depe, be gud pros, keep grinden'.

 

[Darts]

Finally looks like they have act together. I think the game against Carolina was a shock to them and finally realize that they cannot just expect to win. Take a lot of hard work.

Now they also have opened a 6 point lead against Florida, which should allow them to not be afraid to make mistakes.

Even a 5 point lead is not safe. Anything is still possible. It's only 3 wins or losses. For example, who would have thought the Penguins would lose 6 in a row this late in the season. BTW: Stamkos out for 6 weeks and the Leafs have 2 more games against the Lightning.

"The Penguins, playing the second half of a back-to-back, were chum in the water for the rested San Jose Sharks, who beat them, 5-0, at the SAP Center. They have now lost six games in a row for the first time since the 2011-12 season. Mike Sullivan's team has been out-scored, 24-8, during this nightmarish skid.12 hours ago"

 

[gcostanza]

Even a 5 point lead is not safe...

Sure, an 18 wheeler could fall off a cliff.

How are the Habs doing, Rocky?

 

[chuckertmg]

Sure, an 18 wheeler could fall off a cliff.

How are the Habs doing, Rocky?

I hope you're clearing the history on your family's computer so your mom doesn't find out you're on this website....

 

[glamphotographer]

With the Florida loss to Calgary, the Leafs magic number is 28.

 

[shack]

With the Florida loss to Calgary, the Leafs magic number is 28.

If they do make it, hopefully they can do it before the final weekend. A chance to destress a bit before the playoffs begin. Also give a chance for Rielly and Muzzin to get back into the rhythm comfortably. Those two need to be at their best if the Leafs are to have any chance.