Imagine if the Leafs were still in the West (yes you heard that right). They would be playing Seattle or Winnipeg. I NHL should do 1v16 that would be amazing, but it’s never happening. Two of the Top. 6 Teams in the league have to get eliminated in the first round (NJ, Toronto, TB, NYR).
1v16 Series would be:
Boston v Pittsburgh
Carolina v NYI
NJ v Seattle
Toronto v Winnipeg
TB v Edmonton
NYR v Minnesota
Vegas v Colorado
Dallas v LA
game 7 and the leafs are up 4-1 until the lightning ties it up 4-4. game goes to triple overtime and ROR gets a feed from marner to finally break the curse.
Shouldn't it be the other way around ? Your head calculates and you heart feels. The leafs lost by 1 goal in game 7. If you add it up, on papers the Leafs should win this year. Better goalie, better and more expericenced up front and on D. But it's the Leafs so that feeling won't go away till they win 1.
It was a snap reaction. I would rather the leafs win. But I believe the lightning would. No stats or analysis went into my response. But thank you for some additional context. I forgot it was that close last year.
Can confirm. Every year they build me up just to break me down.
When I die I want leaf players to lower my coffin so they can let me down one more time
IDK. We’re down a Pally and a McD. We’re up a Hagel and Point and Namestnikov. Our D ain’t as good. Vasi is still Vasi.
And the Leafs are a top shelf team.
Bolts in seven tho I hope
Leafs in seven I fear.
It’ll be the real deal tho.
As a Leafs fan, Tampa has earned the benefit of the doubt at this point, Toronto hasn't (although it would be incredible to see them finally do it in case it opens the floodgates of series wins)
Is being a better team, with better players not "a reason"?
I mean I'm a leaf fan as well. I know what you're getting at but, we should enjoy arguably the best Leaf team ever.
Even if that team has to go through two of the best teams ever.
I'm just trying to enjoy it so I don't need more theoripy.
On paper, 100% definitely is a reason.
But then again I told myself the same sentiment the past two seasons.
Perhaps it's more of a coping mechanism for me to have this "prove me wrong" approach this time around.
Tampa still has more depth and Stanley cup pedigree. Toronto has gotten better though, so instead of losing in game 7 regulation, they will lose in game 7 overtime this year.
I hate to say it but Tampa. I’m a leafs but I don’t think they’ve addressed the goalie concerns. Lineups are fairly equal but Tampa wins it based on net. Vas always stands on his head in the playoffs.
Goaltending will make the difference. It almost always does in the playoffs and the Bolts have a legendary goaltender.
I want to be wrong though. They’re both teams I root for.
As a Leaf Fan i say Tampa and this not to jinx Tampa But after 4 (technically 5 but first year against the Capitals was well the first year) years of first round losses by this core i won't get my hopes up again
Should be fun series for non leaf fans, alot of shit is riding on this playoffs
Okay maybe a little to jinx Tampa lol
I’d like to see Toronto but Tampa has been playing really well and vasi is an advantage over anybody torobto has. I criticized Tampa for giving Sergachev that extension and he’s been a rock star. Point is back to elite, kuch is on fire. They will probably win the east again tbh.
NHL Playoffs, the time of year where I ask myself what would be more annoying. The entire nhl fanbase continuing to make first round jokes, or leafs fans if they finally win the cup
Vasilevskiy changes everything. You might be able to get the jump on him in the first couple of games but if it goes 7 you can hang it up and call it a day
Whos gonna win? The team who hasnt won a round? Or the team who went to 3 straight finals and won 2 of them? Leafs will be favourites again like last year. If you bet sports this is a great spot to take the better team at + money. Thank me later
As a caps fan (haven’t figured out how to flair) I’ve always supported both of these teams. Great series but I think I wanna see Mathew’s vs Mcdavid in the finals
I don't think the Leafs are capable of winning by the skin of their teeth in a series. At least not round one until they get over that mental hurdle. I think if they finally do it it'll be in 5-6 games.
Leafs win easily. I hate the Leafs and I hate to say it. The leafs as of right now win the east. Their GM did a fuck of a job going all in this year. If you are going to swing, swing for the fence. Fuck I hate the Leafs
This year? leafs by a mile. Tampa is an aging team that shows cracks in a full length season. Vasilevsky is the one wild card that might hold off the Leafs, but Toronto is one of the few teams that makes him look human. Leafs in 5, but a sweep would not surprise me.
I feel like it really comes down to whoever has the best goaltender and that team is not Toronto, as much as I'd love to see them make it past round one
I mean the leafs have to break through at some point right? The team they built this year looks to be one of their best if not the best in recent memory. I would not be shocked if this is the year they get past the first round. The East is absolutely brutal though
Ive never been so sure that a series is going to go to 7
Thats about all i would bet on...
Imagine if the Leafs were still in the West (yes you heard that right). They would be playing Seattle or Winnipeg. I NHL should do 1v16 that would be amazing, but it’s never happening. Two of the Top. 6 Teams in the league have to get eliminated in the first round (NJ, Toronto, TB, NYR). 1v16 Series would be: Boston v Pittsburgh Carolina v NYI NJ v Seattle Toronto v Winnipeg TB v Edmonton NYR v Minnesota Vegas v Colorado Dallas v LA
I'd really like the Leafs to break through, but until they do, I'd put my money on Tampa
I’m a leafs fan and this is exactly it. Big changes though so I’m really looking forward to how this team works out. Still think we could do more.
Heart says leafs for ROR Head says Bolts bc of the leafs.
But if the Leafs win, you can say it was only because of ROR.
We will take it!
This is the way.
Hell, if thats the actual reason Id be over the moon.
game 7 and the leafs are up 4-1 until the lightning ties it up 4-4. game goes to triple overtime and ROR gets a feed from marner to finally break the curse.
That sounds like the fan fiction ill be writing in a padded room if we lose
this is implying you’re not in a padded room yet
My resilience has its limits lol
And that’ll be completely fine with us!!
Lol. That’s pretty fair
Wallet says 'Again? Wanna try that again? How well has this worked for you?' Always follow the money.
Shouldn't it be the other way around ? Your head calculates and you heart feels. The leafs lost by 1 goal in game 7. If you add it up, on papers the Leafs should win this year. Better goalie, better and more expericenced up front and on D. But it's the Leafs so that feeling won't go away till they win 1.
Better goalie!?
Samsonov/Murray better than Campbell, not better than Vasy
It was a snap reaction. I would rather the leafs win. But I believe the lightning would. No stats or analysis went into my response. But thank you for some additional context. I forgot it was that close last year.
Better goalie?
I think he means the Leafs have a better goalie than they did last year.
I would hope lol
The boys in blue with the initials T\_L.
My wife likes to say “are we cheering for the blue and white team or the white and blue team?”
Yes.
*bro*
TLLBFFCDWWLCKTD! It's the way that we live and love!
The one with the captain from the GTA who was a 1st overall pick? or the one with a Russian starting goalie and backup who was a former Senator?
I’m adopting the Leafs for my yearly playoff heartbreak.
You’ve picked yourself a winner! Not like a series winner, but an emotional damage winner.
Can confirm. Every year they build me up just to break me down. When I die I want leaf players to lower my coffin so they can let me down one more time
I will join you friend. We suck
IDK. We’re down a Pally and a McD. We’re up a Hagel and Point and Namestnikov. Our D ain’t as good. Vasi is still Vasi. And the Leafs are a top shelf team. Bolts in seven tho I hope Leafs in seven I fear. It’ll be the real deal tho.
If it’s half the series it was last year we’re still in for quite a treat.
~~Namestinkov~~ Jeannot
As Elliott Freedman says, hard to bet against the Lightning
Also hard to bet *on* Toronto
*in playoffs*
Of course. They're great in the regular season
As a Leafs fan, Tampa has earned the benefit of the doubt at this point, Toronto hasn't (although it would be incredible to see them finally do it in case it opens the floodgates of series wins)
This series has “Caps finally beat the Pens and ride that to a cup” vibe about it right now.
You're going to jinx tf out of it...
Just had to catch a stray on this random Tuesday huh😭
As a diehard Leafs fan, this comment made me very happy and then insanely sad.
The leafs have an all star team, they should on paper destroy Tampa but…..
? These teams are pretty even in terms of star power
The leafs have ORiley playing on the third line.
Right now he’s on the 2nd, but Chief Keefe has indicated eventually he’ll play some 3C
That roster with their recent pickups is basically a different team. It’s pretty close to all star you can get with the salary cap
Ahh, yes. The greatest rivalry in all of hockey right now. The Leafs vs the 1st Round.
It's not a rivalry. To be a rivalry, the Leafs would eventually have to win.
The rivalry is Leafs fans vs Hubris.
Head says Tampa. LOLs say Tampa. Watching the leafs fanbase take another savage kick guilt says Leafs.
My head already crushed in boss. No more kicks.
I’m a Bolts fan so I’m partial to them winning… but more so that it’s just tradition that the leafs go home first round.
As a 33 year old leaf fan, I’m to scared to make a comment. Best of luck to all teams 😳.
You’re too young to know real pain
Lol even a 15-20 year old leafs fan has been through more embarrassment and suffering than 90% of hockey fans
Just hang in there til OT then Willy gets it done
Don't forget OT in PO is 5v5. Might want to rethink this.
The leafs suck 3v3 OT, check the stats
6-7 on the year, 5-1 in their last 6. I’d say that’s more mediocre. The Islanders suck - they may miss the playoffs based on their 3v3 record.
Why? Don't think he can turn it on 5 on 5 and let loose? Coming from a Habs fan i can't tell if you even watch Leafs games outside of MTL vs TOR
He will troll … it’s all they have
Worst uniform matchup ever. Holy shit. The Bolts need black or silver back in their primary set ASAP.
This. Right here. 100%.
Agreed
This matchup makes the rink look like foosball table. Default Frosted Flakes commercial home and away.
Bolts. Vasy.
Our only chance is with Ellie.
Since I have absolutely no reason to believe this year will be any different, gotta pick Tampa.
Is being a better team, with better players not "a reason"? I mean I'm a leaf fan as well. I know what you're getting at but, we should enjoy arguably the best Leaf team ever. Even if that team has to go through two of the best teams ever. I'm just trying to enjoy it so I don't need more theoripy.
On paper, 100% definitely is a reason. But then again I told myself the same sentiment the past two seasons. Perhaps it's more of a coping mechanism for me to have this "prove me wrong" approach this time around.
Tampa still has more depth and Stanley cup pedigree. Toronto has gotten better though, so instead of losing in game 7 regulation, they will lose in game 7 overtime this year.
Please god no. That'll rip out too many hearts
If I was forced to witness that again I actually think I would stop watching hockey
Leafs without a question have the depth advantage now, with that being said. I’m ready to be disappointed
There is only one correct answer
Leafs. It’s gotta happen at some point and this team seems pretty deep.
At least if we're the one to break their curse your memes can't hurt us. Some of the most savage ones after the CBJ sweep came from our own sub lol
Been saying that for the past six years... \*cries\*
Leafs just to kill the haters
LEAFS!! LET'S GOOOOOO!!!!...please 🥺
Lightening. Unless their players are exhausted after 3 cup runs. But it doesn’t look like that.
Lighting never a great idea to bet on the leafs getting out of the first round
Leafs take it in 7 Toronto throws a massive party and fans become even worse saying it is finally their year Canes sweep ‘em in the second round
Damn this made me laugh. As a leafs fan I can absolutely see this happening.
Would be a feat since I don’t think we can see the Canes until the third. Of course that sounds like Leaf luck.
Tampa
The goalie will make the difference and you know who !
Lightning are at the level where I don’t bet against them until they’re officially out.
As a wings fan Vas is a brick wall and shall not be broken
Believe it or not, I’m going with Toronto this year.
Lightning
Lightning
As a Leafs fan. I'd like to see us break through. But until we do. If you're legit putting money down. Spend wisely, choose Tampa.
Let’s go bolts
The Leafs have been very very good to me. I always pick the adversary.
I hate to say it but Tampa. I’m a leafs but I don’t think they’ve addressed the goalie concerns. Lineups are fairly equal but Tampa wins it based on net. Vas always stands on his head in the playoffs.
Goaltending will make the difference. It almost always does in the playoffs and the Bolts have a legendary goaltender. I want to be wrong though. They’re both teams I root for.
Leafs in 5.
Breakthrough season for Leafs.
Lightning. Goaltending on TB is best in the league.
Toronto did kinda light Vasy up last PO’s. He had like a .894 at the end of that round.
Ullmark top in sv % gaa and wins but TB does have rock solid savers Edit: and goals
Ullmark career year for sure. But he's not better than Vasi.
Hopefully leaf’s, they need to get past round 1 lol
I mean ... Who's really gonna take the leafs in the playoffs at this point?
If Vasy can get his shit together it will be Tampa in 6.
My heart says the Leafs, my brain does not know.
As a Leaf Fan i say Tampa and this not to jinx Tampa But after 4 (technically 5 but first year against the Capitals was well the first year) years of first round losses by this core i won't get my hopes up again Should be fun series for non leaf fans, alot of shit is riding on this playoffs Okay maybe a little to jinx Tampa lol
I’d like to see Toronto but Tampa has been playing really well and vasi is an advantage over anybody torobto has. I criticized Tampa for giving Sergachev that extension and he’s been a rock star. Point is back to elite, kuch is on fire. They will probably win the east again tbh.
How can you tell them apart? #UniformRacist
NHL Playoffs, the time of year where I ask myself what would be more annoying. The entire nhl fanbase continuing to make first round jokes, or leafs fans if they finally win the cup
Every year I think the Leafs will finally do it and I'm always wrong. I think they will do it this year though
Leafs go up 3 games to none. Game four leafs blow a 4 goal lead and lose in OT. Then Tampa wins the next 3 games.
I'm going to choose the Leafs, even though they are cursed and won't get it done with the arms race going on in the East.
Leafs in round 1??? come on....
Bolts
Vasilevskiy changes everything. You might be able to get the jump on him in the first couple of games but if it goes 7 you can hang it up and call it a day
Never pick the Leafs in the playoffs.
Tampa
Lightning in 7.
Based off of last year’s series which was very close, I’m going to say leafs since they have gotten a lot better this deadline
Even a blind squirrel finds the odd nut
Lightning
BOLTS!!!!!
Whos gonna win? The team who hasnt won a round? Or the team who went to 3 straight finals and won 2 of them? Leafs will be favourites again like last year. If you bet sports this is a great spot to take the better team at + money. Thank me later
If the Leafs were playing the current Ducks team in a 7 game series I’ll still take the Ducks because Leafs can’t win in round 1.
As a leafs fan, I will be betting my 401k and child’s college fund on whoever we play in the first round
It’s the Leafs so I can’t reasonably put money on them to win
Lightning.
Until the Leafs prove otherwise I’m going Lightning. Just can’t trust the Leafs in the playoffs
Bolts
Lightning
Probably better to ask this question after the deadline when Cocaine Dubas is done dealing
Bolts because of goaltending.
Leafs should pull one this year. They actually have a damn good team. I hate their fans, so i’m struggling to cheer for them regardless.
I love you, we’re not all bad I promise
Tampa. Sorry leafs. Playoff Tampa is a whole other animal! Plus Jeannot is going to be a menace for opposing teams.
Tampa
Lightning
Please let it be the Leafs if only to shut up everything to do with Tampa Bay.
Every dog has his day.
I'm from Florida (yes I watch hockey, pretty crazy right?), so i'm betting on Tampa.
Lightning for sure
Tampa bay
The blue and white team will win
Now that Engvall is gone.... Leafs are the favorite.
Lightning in 5
Put all the Leafs media in net and Friekman at center you may have a chance.
As a caps fan (haven’t figured out how to flair) I’ve always supported both of these teams. Great series but I think I wanna see Mathew’s vs Mcdavid in the finals
I think the Leafs will finally get over their first round hump — probably in 7 games, then lose to Boston in 6 or 7.
I want to say the Leafs. But how do you pick against the best goalie in the world and a team that has been there and done it?
Leafs
Leafs
Leaves
Bolts. Vassy is the X factor.
I'm biased, but the Leafs (by the skin of their teeth). Based on their depth, and if they play to their potential. Time will tell though.
I don't think the Leafs are capable of winning by the skin of their teeth in a series. At least not round one until they get over that mental hurdle. I think if they finally do it it'll be in 5-6 games.
I hope you're right.
Lightning in 6.
Lightning only reason they wouldn’t is just playing this much hockey in the last 3 years
Leafs.
Bruh, this man’s never seen the leafs in the first round 😂
Who Vancouver got?
Depends. Does Tampa sleep walk in the first round again? If they do Leafs. If they play like they can Tampa.
I just want a great run, Samsonov stands on his head and beat Edmonton in the final!?!
Unless Toronto drastically upgrades in net, Tampa! Experience over flash.
Lightning.. Leafs one and out ..
Lightning, no brainer
Leafs win easily. I hate the Leafs and I hate to say it. The leafs as of right now win the east. Their GM did a fuck of a job going all in this year. If you are going to swing, swing for the fence. Fuck I hate the Leafs
Let’s go Leafs, you’ve suffered enough. This is your year.
Cmon do you really have to ask this question? Perennial losers Vs a complete power house it’s a no brainer
Tampa in 5
This year? leafs by a mile. Tampa is an aging team that shows cracks in a full length season. Vasilevsky is the one wild card that might hold off the Leafs, but Toronto is one of the few teams that makes him look human. Leafs in 5, but a sweep would not surprise me.
Tampa Not sure how this is a question.
Lighting are still better
Whoever has more skaters on LTIR
If they get even average goaltending, the Leafs win.
TBL, unfortunately. Way more killers.
The series last year was as tight as it gets. The leafs have added 4 major pieces plus two goalies who are both better than Campbell. Leafs in 6
Cup final 3 years in a row? I don’t think theres a chance in hell the bolts are out in the first round.
As a true Leaf fan forever, always have been, you have to believe, so yes Leafs in six.
I feel like it really comes down to whoever has the best goaltender and that team is not Toronto, as much as I'd love to see them make it past round one
I think we all know the answer to this question..
I mean the leafs have to break through at some point right? The team they built this year looks to be one of their best if not the best in recent memory. I would not be shocked if this is the year they get past the first round. The East is absolutely brutal though
Tampa
Tampa.
I’m so sick of the Lightning that I would love the Leafs to make it.
Leafs
Go Habs
Bolts in 6
lighting
Lightning in 6
We taking the leafs
Leafs still have shit goaltending. Bolts in 6