Leafs 2024-2025 Season Thread
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S..88 would believe and proudly quote Stevie Wonder if he said Nylander was the best winger he’d SEEN playing. He probably was punching his keyboard all night long to jack up the yes votes on that poll. lol.
I’d also put Kucherov, and Marner above him. Give Willy credit though, under Berube he’s been playing more responsibly in the defensive zone and has been very effective offensively.
Shortly after I posted my comment. Pasternak had a 3 goal 2 assist game. It's been a bad season for the Bruins yet Pasternak continues to impress and unlike Nylander does not play on a line with Mathews Marner and Tavares. My opinion he's the 3rd/4th best player in the league.
Florida rested both Sams against Detroit, Reinhart and Bennett. Barkov, Tkatchuk, and Ekblad are already out. That's their top 4 forwards and their top defenseman. They've lost 5 in a row. Now only 2 pts up on Ottawa winners of their last 3. At this rate looks likely that Ottawa will pass them. Florida appears to be resting their key players to prepare for the playoffs. If the Leafs beat Florida next game it'll make it even more likely that's who they'll be playing first round.
Ottawa is only 2 points behind Florida and 4 points behind TB. People looking forward to an Ottawa-Toronto first round match might be disappointed.
In today's game against Detroit, the Panthers had $49 million of salary sitting out due to either injury or health scratches.
Edit: I happened to be typing this out when superstar 88 posted his comments above.
In today's game against Detroit, the Panthers had $49 million of salary sitting out due to either injury or health scratches.
Edit: I happened to be typing this out when superstar 88 posted his comments above.
Florida is tanking for a wild card spot to play the Leafs. "We want the Leafs! We want the Leafs!"
As a counter Leafs should rest some of their key players next game against Florida.
The more important game is against TB anyhow.
After all they did injure McCabe with a hit. Kampf was injured that game as well.
If Florida is aiming to play the Leafs first round why not maim a few more of the Leafs players.
Leafs had key players Matthews, Nylander, and McMann injured last playoffs. They should learn from that.
Max P should be ready to play some games.
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Doesn't matter who the Leafs play in the 1st round, there isn't an easy or preferred opponent. In 2021 the Leafs got Montreal and it was supposed to be an easy route the finals and that didn't happen.
It doesn't matter only because Leafs can't beat anyone in the playoffs. Aside from TB once.
I still think TB would be best matchup for Toronto. For whatever reason Leafs seem to score lots on Vasilevsky. They don't score much on Bobrovsky or Ullmark. It'll be either Florida or Ottawa. It all depends on how injured Tkatchuk really is. Barkov also and I suppose the two Sam's as well. No one is thinking Ottawa will be an easy out but a fully loaded Florida will be tougher. Perhaps they'll play TB in round 2.
Leafs were up 3 to 1 that series against Montreal. Leafs lost both games 5 and 6 in overtime. One of them assisted by Galchenyuk. It was that close but of course they are game 7 chokers. Tavares was injured early and Muzzin their key defenseman was injured late in game 6 and didn't play game 7. Montreal made the Finals that year. I don't know who was thinking it was easy street. I've always advocated once the playoffs start how many points you got in the regular season doesn't matter. It's all about the matchup, what the team loaded up with and who's injured. Florida made the Finals as the 16th seed. They were shouting we want Florida when it should have been wanting Boston with both Bergeron and Krejci injured.
Look at what St Louis is doing. They're a wild card team but winners of their last 12 games. They are primed for an upset.
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I was going to make a bold prediction that regardless who they play the Leafs will win the first round, but I refrained from doing so not to jinx them.
Reasons for my optimism are 1) better goaltending and defence and 2) on offence we now have core six and the bottom six can hold their own against any other teams’ bottom six.
Tavares may be older but is playing now as good as any time in his younger years. He and Marner are both in their contract year and a successful playoff will go a long way benefiting them in their next contract negotiations. Knies and McMann have the size and grit to cope with playoff physicality.
As long as Tanev and McCabe can stay healthy they should be able to withstand heavy forechecking. Rielly is the weakest link on defence and needs to contribute more on offensive to offset his vulnerability on defence.
Reasons for my optimism are 1) better goaltending and defence and 2) on offence we now have core six and the bottom six can hold their own against any other teams’ bottom six.
Tavares may be older but is playing now as good as any time in his younger years. He and Marner are both in their contract year and a successful playoff will go a long way benefiting them in their next contract negotiations. Knies and McMann have the size and grit to cope with playoff physicality.
As long as Tanev and McCabe can stay healthy they should be able to withstand heavy forechecking. Rielly is the weakest link on defence and needs to contribute more on offensive to offset his vulnerability on defence.
