Panthers vs. Maple Leafs - Apr. 16th, 7:30pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[Redleaf]

How many think Keefe is buying a home in Pittsburgh this summer ?

 

[bustaheims]

As much as I don't have a ton of faith in this team to do much in the playoffs this year, Boston is probably a better match up than Florida. Their record is deceiving - if the Leafs win tonight, they'll have the same number of wins, with the difference 2 or 3 RW and 1 or 2 ROW (depending on how the game ends). They'll also have a very similar goal differential (1 goal difference in Boston's advantage heading into tonight's game).

Overall, the two teams are fairly evenly matched - goaltending is obviously in favour of Boston, but offense is similarly in favour of the Leafs. Boston's defence has a good reputation, but the Bruins' possession numbers are all worse than the Leafs (and in the bottom 1/3 of the league, actually). Special teams does favour Boston, though.

If the Leafs can weather the forecheck at all, it should make for a closer series than I think people expect.

 

[azzurri63]

How many think Keefe is buying a home in Pittsburgh this summer ?

That would be one step in the right direction.

 

[cw]

As much as I don't have a ton of faith in this team to do much in the playoffs this year, Boston is probably a better match up than Florida. Their record is deceiving - if the Leafs win tonight, they'll have the same number of wins, with the difference 2 or 3 RW and 1 or 2 ROW (depending on how the game ends). They'll also have a very similar goal differential (1 goal difference in Boston's advantage heading into tonight's game).

Overall, the two teams are fairly evenly matched - goaltending is obviously in favour of Boston, but offense is similarly in favour of the Leafs. Boston's defence has a good reputation, but the Bruins' possession numbers are all worse than the Leafs (and in the bottom 1/3 of the league, actually). Special teams does favour Boston, though.

If the Leafs can weather the forecheck at all, it should make for a closer series than I think people expect.

Half the league is booking tee times so the glass is half full or better.
I'm not expecting great results either.

I think the Panthers are a cut above in our division - maybe the East/NHL.
I did not want to face them in the 1st round. Last night might have been a blessing for that.

So I too was leaning towards the Bruins as the preferred 1st round match up (in spite of the history). I felt that way for weeks. The Bruins won all four games against the Leafs this season but that is not the playoffs.

This team has its warts.
But I do think they are built better physically for the playoffs than recent teams in their past. They could beat the Bruins.

 

[Bender]

As much as I don't have a ton of faith in this team to do much in the playoffs this year, Boston is probably a better match up than Florida. Their record is deceiving - if the Leafs win tonight, they'll have the same number of wins, with the difference 2 or 3 RW and 1 or 2 ROW (depending on how the game ends). They'll also have a very similar goal differential (1 goal difference in Boston's advantage heading into tonight's game).

Overall, the two teams are fairly evenly matched - goaltending is obviously in favour of Boston, but offense is similarly in favour of the Leafs. Boston's defence has a good reputation, but the Bruins' possession numbers are all worse than the Leafs (and in the bottom 1/3 of the league, actually). Special teams does favour Boston, though.

If the Leafs can weather the forecheck at all, it should make for a closer series than I think people expect.

I think it'll be close but my own personal negativity surrounding the match up is literally just so my spirit doesn't get crushed if they do lose in round 1 again

 

[bustaheims]

I think it'll be close but my own personal negativity surrounding the match up is literally just so my spirit doesn't get crushed if they do lose in round 1 again

At least they're going in as the underdog this year. Easier to not get hopes up.