Leafs '22/'23 Thread
- Thread starter shack
- Start date
Yes but Winnipeg can make a Wild Card. You are looking strictly at Conference seeding. Remember the NHL playoffs are not structured like the NBA: "Top 8 in the Conference Qualify format". In the NHL its the Top 3 in each Division get in plus the next two best Conference wide, so you can have both wild cards came from the same division as did last year with both WCs coming from the Central. I can see Jets sneaking in as a WC but yes you are correct they need to get back on track fast
Don't know why you feel the need for a lesson on how the NHL playoff structure works. The top 8 in the Western Conference just so happens to be 4 from each Division as it currently sits. Jets could also end up 9th and be out of the playoffs. There's your Cinderella story.
I thought it was you in fact that needed the lesson considering you thought Edmonton and Colorado was on a 1st round collision course. Edmonton is more likely to end up playing either Vegas, LA, or Seattle than Colorado first round. For Edmonton to play a team in their Division they'll need to end up 2nd or 3rd. Winning the Division they may still play a team from their own Division. In order to play Colorado Edmonton would need to win the Division and Colorado would need to be a wild card team and even that doesn't guarantee a match up. Hence not a collision course.
The definition of a collision course first round is Toronto TB. That is what constitutes extremely likely on the cusp of slam dunk guarantee.
Last edited:
I'm aware Colorado and Edmonton are in different divisions however, last year 5 teams made it from the Central and 3 from the Pacific. Therefore Calgary played Dallas in the First round so a Crossover is still possible this year. Going by the NBA format, as it is at this moment:
1. Vegas
2. Dallas
3. L.A.
4, 5, 6. Minnesota, Seattle and Edmonton tied
7. Colorado
8. Winnipeg
So Vegas would host Winnipeg and Dallas would host Colorado, the other matchups between L.A., Seattle, Minnesota and Edmonton but this is the NBA model 1 to 8.
1. Vegas
2. Dallas
3. L.A.
4, 5, 6. Minnesota, Seattle and Edmonton tied
7. Colorado
8. Winnipeg
So Vegas would host Winnipeg and Dallas would host Colorado, the other matchups between L.A., Seattle, Minnesota and Edmonton but this is the NBA model 1 to 8.
Last edited:
You do not need a 5 to 3 split to have crossover. 4 and 4 can still have crossover. Wild card teams are ranked by points.
We're all aware of crossovers. We're all aware Edmonton can play Colorado first round. What we weren't aware of is that they were on a collision course to play first round because quite simply they are not on a collision course to play first round.
Possible does not mean likely.
Last edited:
There have been years recently where the East is a bit better (arguably) than the West. But its been a long time (I think) since the East was the far superior conference to the West. I honestly can't remember any such years since 2010.
There were years fairly recently where the West was the far superior conference, but not the East.
Add in the fact that the East seemed to load up more at the deadline than the West, and it makes it that much tougher this year for some really good Eastern teams to get through.
There were years fairly recently where the West was the far superior conference, but not the East.
Add in the fact that the East seemed to load up more at the deadline than the West, and it makes it that much tougher this year for some really good Eastern teams to get through.
Adding grit is all good and should make them harder to play, but looking at the big picture, I would’ve been a lot more positive if they had gotten Chychrun instead. It’s possible that with all they’ve given up might not have been enough but a d man with high end skills to match their offensive talent is what is holding them from becoming a real serious contender and Chychrun might have been that piece.
The Leafs just lost 4:1 to the Canucks. The most shameful was losing 2 consecutive short handed goals. WTF, not only they didn’t score in power plays but also let the opposing team score.
All those trades did them not a bit of good. They might as well pack up, go home and save a lot of $$.
CP
All those trades did them not a bit of good. They might as well pack up, go home and save a lot of $$.
CP
The Leafs should save all these blocked shots for the playoffs. Tampa’s ability and willingness to block shots was a big reason why Tampa was able to win the series. In the regular season where the Leafs’ playoff position is essentially locked down, it’s not worthy of a broken bone to key players. With that said, I don’t think the shots that hit O’Reilly and Matthews were “intentional blocks”, they just happened to play their positions right and the shots hit them.
He can do that because he has coached cup champions, while Keefe had to walk back on his criticism of his star players after a loss.
Yes, I also wonder if he is resting his star players for the playoffs. Why risk an injury to a key player(s).
And your explanation of Matthews having trouble handling the puck for 2 games is that of a "youknowwhat".
No excuse but why did the NHL schedule the Leafs to go out west to Seattle (3 hrs behind), then go to Alberta (another time zone) and back to Vancouver (3 games in 4 nights), then end the 5-game road trip in NJ. The Leafs look tired but it is what is.
Still plenty of games left to drop to 1st wild card to play Carolina. Ottawa is the second-hottest team in the NHL. If Andersen is the starting goalie, I like the Leafs chances vs Carolina, the Leafs played well against Andersen.
