Standings- position

[Zee]

I have to agree with the whole Boston thing.  At some point the Leafs have to be able to beat teams like that, why not challenge yourself right off the bat.  Individual stellar performances can make all the difference, just look at the Habs of a few seasons back knocking off Washington and Pittsburgh on the back of stifling defense and great goaltending from Halak, nobody thought they were capable of it.  I know that a first round playoff series win against Boston would mean a huge deal to the fans -- ok ANY first round series would mean alot, but it would be all the sweeter against a "nemesis" like Boston has been the last few seasons.  In any event, it's a measuring stick of how far they've come, and how far they have yet to go.

 

[Joe S.]

It's just such a shame that after waiting this long to make the playoffs, they'll most likely get Boston in the first round. While I don't think they'll be out in 4, I just can't see the Leafs beating them...

I'd be more confident against Pittsburgh than Boston even...

I don't know, I kind of like the match-up. The odds may be long but I think they would be in just about any first round series and at some point they'll have to start looking at Boston as just another team they can beat. Why not start now?

Maybe this is the 93 series vs the wings...

I know nothing is a forgone conclusion, I just dislike watching games against Boston so much.

On another note, I remember listening to prime time sports before the season started, and they (McCown, Shannon and Cox) were talking about where the Habs and Leafs would finish, and all of them predicted a fight for last in the east.

 

[Zee]

It's just such a shame that after waiting this long to make the playoffs, they'll most likely get Boston in the first round. While I don't think they'll be out in 4, I just can't see the Leafs beating them...

I'd be more confident against Pittsburgh than Boston even...

I don't know, I kind of like the match-up. The odds may be long but I think they would be in just about any first round series and at some point they'll have to start looking at Boston as just another team they can beat. Why not start now?

Maybe this is the 93 series vs the wings...

I know nothing is a forgone conclusion, I just dislike watching games against Boston so much.

On another note, I remember listening to prime time sports before the season started, and they (McCown, Shannon and Cox) were talking about where the Habs and Leafs would finish, and all of them predicted a fight for last in the east.

The 93 thing was different, I don't recall the Wings totally owning the Leafs prior to that series, there were always competitive games against them.  I actually took a road trip with the Leafs booster club at the time down to Detroit for a game, I remember winning it in OT with a Wendel Clark goal, and then the Detroit fans giving our bus the finger as we were waiting to drive back to Toronto.  Good times good times.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

still some hockey to be played..and these next two games against the rangers could have some significantly different outcomes in the standings..so let's not all panic about boston quite yet.  let's still make sure we make the damn playoffs

 

[Zee]

still some hockey to be played..and these next two games against the rangers could have some significantly different outcomes in the standings..so let's not all panic about boston quite yet.  let's still make sure we make the damn playoffs

I think it'll be either Bruins or Habs, I know there's a lot of hockey left but I think the Leafs can hold onto 5th, so that's one of those 2 teams.

 

[Joe S.]

The 93 thing was different, I don't recall the Wings totally owning the Leafs prior to that series, there were always competitive games against them.  I actually took a road trip with the Leafs booster club at the time down to Detroit for a game, I remember winning it in OT with a Wendel Clark goal, and then the Detroit fans giving our bus the finger as we were waiting to drive back to Toronto.  Good times good times.

Here are the regular season games vs the Wings in 92:

L 7-1
W 3-1
W 5-3
T 4-4
L 5-1
W 4-2
L 5-1

Not that this proves anything really, I was just curious to look it up.

 

[Peter D.]

On another note, I remember listening to prime time sports before the season started, and they (McCown, Shannon and Cox) were talking about where the Habs and Leafs would finish, and all of them predicted a fight for last in the east.

I don't think they were alone in that thought, self included.  Although the Leafs finishing from 5th to 8th was a much more realistic proposition than the Canadiens possibly winning the division -- there was no way I would have ever predicted that one.

 

[Zee]

The 93 thing was different, I don't recall the Wings totally owning the Leafs prior to that series, there were always competitive games against them.  I actually took a road trip with the Leafs booster club at the time down to Detroit for a game, I remember winning it in OT with a Wendel Clark goal, and then the Detroit fans giving our bus the finger as we were waiting to drive back to Toronto.  Good times good times.

Here are the regular season games vs the Wings in 92:

L 7-1
W 3-1
W 5-3
T 4-4
L 5-1
W 4-2
L 5-1

Not that this proves anything really, I was just curious to look it up.

None of those games were won in OT, must have been the 93-94 season that I went to a game..where did you look it up?

Found it.  March 4, 1994, Leafs @ Wings -- 6-5 in OT..Clark with a hattrick and the winner.  I was at that game.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=140304005

 

[bustaheims]

I put this in another thread, though, I suppose it really belongs here:


Number of points gained by Leafs or lost by an opponent to eliminate them from being able to pass the Leafs:

Florida - 4
Buffalo - 10 (assuming the Leafs keep the goal differential advantage)
Tampa - 9
Carolina - 11
Winnipeg - 11
Philly - 12
New Jersey - 13
Washington - 15
NYI - 15
NYR - 17

 

[Joe S.]

On another note, I remember listening to prime time sports before the season started, and they (McCown, Shannon and Cox) were talking about where the Habs and Leafs would finish, and all of them predicted a fight for last in the east.

I don't think they were alone in that thought, self included.  Although the Leafs finishing from 5th to 8th was a much more realistic proposition than the Canadiens possibly winning the division -- there was no way I would have ever predicted that one.

Come on neither of them were bad enough to be dead last in the conference - which is what they were predicting... out of the playoffs sure, but last?

 

[Peter D.]

Come on neither of them were bad enough to be dead last in the conference - which is what they were predicting... out of the playoffs sure, but last?

The Leafs, no.  Although 12th/13th like they finished last year wasn't that far-fetched. 

The Habs, yeah, prior to the season I could have seen them fighting for last.  I thought they stunk (even as someone who thinks Price is the best goalie in the league).  I, as many others I'm sure, have been proven completely wrong. 

 

[Optimus Reimer]

Come on neither of them were bad enough to be dead last in the conference - which is what they were predicting... out of the playoffs sure, but last?

The Leafs, no.  Although 12th/13th like they finished last year wasn't that far-fetched. 

The Habs, yeah, prior to the season I could have seen them fighting for last.  I thought they stunk (even as someone who thinks Price is the best goalie in the league).  I, as many others I'm sure, have been proven completely wrong.

I thought for sure the Leafs would be racing for a top 5 pick again.  I was looking at their defensive lineup at the start of the season and thinking it would be a disaster.  It's amazing how the addition of a defensive system has improved the team in one season, compared to the past 10 seasons.  Carlyle definitely has to be considered for coach of the year if he can continue to guide the team into a solid playoff position.

 

[bustaheims]

Come on neither of them were bad enough to be dead last in the conference - which is what they were predicting... out of the playoffs sure, but last?

I don't know. We're talking about the teams that finished 13th and 15th in the conference last season, and, really, the Habs basically made no significant roster moves while the Leafs really only made one.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Come on neither of them were bad enough to be dead last in the conference - which is what they were predicting... out of the playoffs sure, but last?

I don't know. We're talking about the teams that finished 13th and 15th in the conference last season, and, really, the Habs basically made no significant roster moves while the Leafs really only made one.

Depending on how you view, adding Markov, Galchenyuk & Gallagher to the team has turned out to be significant I suppose.

 

[bustaheims]

Depending on how you view, adding Markov, Galchenyuk & Gallagher to the team has turned out to be significant I suppose.

Sure, but coming out of the lockout, no one knew for sure if Galchenyuk or Gallagher would crack the roster or if/when Subban would be signed and no one is ever sure if Markov is going to stay healthy for more than a handful of games - and, really, it's a healthy Markov that has probably been the biggest difference for them.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Depending on how you view, adding Markov, Galchenyuk & Gallagher to the team has turned out to be significant I suppose.

Sure, but coming out of the lockout, no one knew for sure if Galchenyuk or Gallagher would crack the roster or if/when Subban would be signed and no one is ever sure if Markov is going to stay healthy for more than a handful of games - and, really, it's a healthy Markov that has probably been the biggest difference for them.

I know, was just trying to look at it from a hindsight perspective now.

That's okay, you're on the ignore list.

 

[bustaheims]

I know, was just trying to look at it from a hindsight perspective now.

That's okay, you're on the ignore list.

Fair enough. I probably deserve it.

 

[Omallley]

I know, was just trying to look at it from a hindsight perspective now.

That's okay, you're on the ignore list.

Fair enough. I probably deserve it.

Probably?

 

[Kin]

Come on neither of them were bad enough to be dead last in the conference - which is what they were predicting... out of the playoffs sure, but last?

These days though last in the conference doesn't really mean that they're all that terrible. Right now, the last three teams in the conference are Florida, Tampa and Carolina. Florida was a playoff team last year, Tampa has a lot of good players and Carolina was a lot of people's pick to surprise after adding the second Staal and Semin.

Truth is that it's little breaks and bad luck with injuries that separate teams from the playoffs and a top 5 pick these days. If it were an 82 game schedule none of the teams in the East would be out of it.

 

[BC Buds Fan]

still some hockey to be played..and these next two games against the rangers could have some significantly different outcomes in the standings..so let's not all panic about boston quite yet.  let's still make sure we make the damn playoffs

I think it'll be either Bruins or Habs, I know there's a lot of hockey left but I think the Leafs can hold onto 5th, so that's one of those 2 teams.

In my mind, this year the team has a free pass if they can make the playoffs.  Everyone will be (or should be) so excited to finally see some postseason games, who cares how they do?  Sure, they may get creamed by Boston first round, but it'll be experience.  If they can do some damage and win a game or two "Thank you Kessel", even better.