Fact is more that they were in the 2nd spot of the division for most of the season and almost first until the last 2-3 weeks of the season when a bunch of their best players got hurt (Karlsson, Stone, Ryan, Methot, etc...) and then weren't performing as good...
- Raven33

The fact remains that Ottawa also squeaked into the playoffs by a mere four points and finished second in the Atlantic by even less.

Considering that both Toronto and Ottawa both squeaked in, under the circumstances Ottawa is LUCKY to have finished where they did.

I don't see the relevance of this to a Senators blog concerning an NYR v OTT playoff game.
The Senators are in the second round and the Leafs are not.
The Senators blog discussed our victory over NYR.
The Leafs blog is about hunting for more talent at the worlds.
Enjoy your blogs.
We are enjoying watching our team playing meaningful hockey!
- SensFan25

Don't overreact. It is just a bitter group of Leaf fans trying to soothe the pain of their first round demise at the hands of the Caps. You will see how their bitterness turns to a broadly based resentment and constant whining.

The fact remains that Ottawa also squeaked into the playoffs by a mere four points and finished second in the Atlantic by even less.

Considering that both Toronto and Ottawa both squeaked in, under the circumstances Ottawa is LUCKY to have finished where they did.
- As_I_See_It

Ottawa is fortunate. Lucky would suggest that the skill and effort put forward by the team played no role in the outcome.

Don't overreact. It is just a bitter group of Leaf fans trying to soothe the pain of their first round demise at the hands of the Caps. You will see how their bitterness turns to a broadly based resentment and constant whining.
- spatso

No worries. Just playing whack-a-mole with Leafs posters!

Ottawa is fortunate. Lucky would suggest that the skill and effort put forward by the team played no role in the outcome.
- SensFan25

You're right, it wasn't lucky at all the Ottawa got in. The only luck they had in that last two weeks was bad luck. With injuries to the top three defensemen it would be tough to blame them if they lost their last 5 and missed the playoffs completely.

But he's got a point, if Toronto squeaked in then Ottawa limped in at best. And there's nothing wrong with that. They managed to keep their heads above water until they could get some players back and that's commendable.

Likewise, Toronto did just enough to get through a nightmare schedule down the stretch that would have sunken a lot of teams. If that's squeaking in, I'll take it.

What planet do you live on? People 25-40 have the least expendable money. Let's see. Those in the younger bracket have student loans and car payments. Those in the higher bracket have mortgages, car payments, and kids.

It's one thing to have expendable money to pay $40 for the CFL, or a regular season Sens game, but when we are talking about over $100 bucks (plus, plus, plus), we are at a totally different level.

There are no $50 playoff tickets. $100 is the min.

The people over 50 are the ones with 'expendable money'. Many of those are mortgage free and their kids have moved out... AND they are making the most they will make in their lives.

Listen, I am one of the people who has gone to the games, but I can't afford to do more than 2 games. My wife and I have already dropped almost a grand.

The 20-40 age group will never be the main people supporting any sports franchise. Again, look at the lower bowl of any hockey game and tell me who you see there.
- Charliebox

lower bowl is usually owned by businesses...so yes its usually a crowd of 35 plus.

yes games are expensive, obviously. But to not sell out a 2nd round playoff game in Canada....is sad.

You're absolutely right, "inconvenience" is no excuse. Most of the people in the ACC from night to night are coming in from the suburbs.
- Jeffmt

You're talking about a suburban GTA crowd coming into the city - that's a very different issue than trying to get urban crowds in a smaller city to drive out to the middle of nowhere. The location of the stadium in Ottawa is a major problem... building it out in Kanata made sense for about 15 minutes back in the late 90's when companies like Nortel were booming, but 20 years later it's proven to be something of a disaster.

This issue is not limited to Ottawa. Here in Vancouver, they recently decided to move their WHL team from the old Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver out to a stadium in Langley, which is a ~45min suburb from downtown located on the other side of Surrey. And what happened? In spite of market research telling them that a critical mass of their fan base lived in that area, their average attendance has dropped by more than 25% in the first year. Why? They lost the urban segment of their fanbase, who had no willingness to drive for 45min to watch junior hockey.

All of that said, this is the NHL playoffs we're talking about. It's one thing to be in the bottom 1/3 of NHL attendance and not sell out a mid-week game in January when it's -20 degrees and pitch black at 4:30pm... but another thing entirely to not sell out the first 2nd round playoff home game the team has had in 4 years.

So the Leafs "squeaked into the playoffs" with 95 pts. and a team full of rookies, but the Sens SAILED into the playoffs with 98 pts., a team full of vets and the best D in the league.

A difference of 3 pts. Wow.
- As_I_See_It

lmao, I bet you were really mad typing that eh?
Yes I'm a big stupid poopy head.

I never said anything about Sens being better than the Leafs you're the one coming in here trying to start that argument. I think it's hilarious how people keep saying how that series was such a big success. You brought up the subject matter because you want to throw the retort "the Sens would be lucky to lose in 6 to the Caps". Look it was so obvious you were trying to do that anyone with half a brain spotted it.
- Stalemate

Leave Sens Army fan alone. He's all over the place

Snuck into the playoffs? Yes, the young team also finished a massive 3 points behind the older Senators

The Sens beat the Providence Bruins in six games. All by one goal. The Leafs lost to the President's trophy winning Caps in six games, all by one goal (3 in OT)

Yes, outside of about 10 years collectively, the last 50 years of the Maple Leafs has been bad. No Leaf fan will argue that. Sens fans pick and choose their history. In their 25 years in the league, they have been to one more Cup final than Leafs. Leafs undefeated versus Sens in Playoff Series. Not that it matter. But it seems to you it does.

Leafs have a bright future. Great leadership, HOF Manager. HOF Coach. Great young NHL talent. Great farm system. More resources than any other team in the NHL. and they sell out

You're talking about a suburban GTA crowd coming into the city - that's a very different issue than trying to get urban crowds in a smaller city to drive out to the middle of nowhere. The location of the stadium in Ottawa is a major problem... building it out in Kanata made sense for about 15 minutes back in the late 90's when companies like Nortel were booming, but 20 years later it's proven to be something of a disaster.

This issue is not limited to Ottawa. Here in Vancouver, they recently decided to move their WHL team from the old Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver out to a stadium in Langley, which is a ~45min suburb from downtown located on the other side of Surrey. And what happened? In spite of market research telling them that a critical mass of their fan base lived in that area, their average attendance has dropped by more than 25% in the first year. Why? They lost the urban segment of their fanbase, who had no willingness to drive for 45min to watch junior hockey.

All of that said, this is the NHL playoffs we're talking about. It's one thing to be in the bottom 1/3 of NHL attendance and not sell out a mid-week game in January when it's -20 degrees and pitch black at 4:30pm... but another thing entirely to not sell out the first 2nd round playoff home game the team has had in 4 years.
- khawk

These are all good points.

You're talking about a suburban GTA crowd coming into the city - that's a very different issue than trying to get urban crowds in a smaller city to drive out to the middle of nowhere. The location of the stadium in Ottawa is a major problem... building it out in Kanata made sense for about 15 minutes back in the late 90's when companies like Nortel were booming, but 20 years later it's proven to be something of a disaster.

This issue is not limited to Ottawa. Here in Vancouver, they recently decided to move their WHL team from the old Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver out to a stadium in Langley, which is a ~45min suburb from downtown located on the other side of Surrey. And what happened? In spite of market research telling them that a critical mass of their fan base lived in that area, their average attendance has dropped by more than 25% in the first year. Why? They lost the urban segment of their fanbase, who had no willingness to drive for 45min to watch junior hockey.

All of that said, this is the NHL playoffs we're talking about. It's one thing to be in the bottom 1/3 of NHL attendance and not sell out a mid-week game in January when it's -20 degrees and pitch black at 4:30pm... but another thing entirely to not sell out the first 2nd round playoff home game the team has had in 4 years.
- khawk

Its a 25 minute drive. Give me a break.
That is a nothing drive.

Don't overreact. It is just a bitter group of Leaf fans trying to soothe the pain of their first round demise at the hands of the Caps. You will see how their bitterness turns to a broadly based resentment and constant whining.
- spatso

And there he is, the guy who couldn't be more wrong about Matthews and the Leafs, and there's documented proof of it!

Actually, if you've been following the Leafs blogs and Toronto sports media, while we obviously wished we were still playing, everyone from the top of the organization to the Leafs' fan base is ecstatic about the progress this team has made in such a short period and are looking forward to dominating the Atlantic for years to come in the not too distant future.

The days of pissing on the Leafs is over!

Who do you guys think you'll be targeting with the 20th to 29th pick?

The fact remains that Ottawa also squeaked into the playoffs by a mere four points and finished second in the Atlantic by even less.

Considering that both Toronto and Ottawa both squeaked in, under the circumstances Ottawa is LUCKY to have finished where they did.
- As_I_See_It

Toronto was LUCKY to go through the year with the least number of injuries of any team in the league. What Marner missed 5 games? And Bozak 4? Wow.

The Sens played half the year without their starting goalie for god sakes! And that's not to mention the games missed by our other impact players (EK, Stone, Ryan, Methot, Hoffman, Smith etc)

Toronto is also LUCKY to have collected the most loser points of any team in the NHL.

Technically, the Leafs were the luckiest team in the league this season so it makes you look really ridiculous to be talking about other teams being lucky this season.

Toronto was far luckier than Ottawa was to be in the playoffs this season.

Dumbest post of the day. Congrats.

And there he is, the guy who couldn't be more wrong about Matthews and the Leafs, and there's documented proof of it!

Actually, if you've been following the Leafs blogs and Toronto sports media, while we obviously wished we were still playing, everyone from the top of the organization to the Leafs' fan base is ecstatic about the progress this team has made in such a short period and are looking forward to dominating the Atlantic for years to come in the not too distant future.

The days of pissing on the Leafs is over!

Who do you guys think you'll be targeting with the 20th to 29th pick?
- As_I_See_It

Not sure why any leaf fan would be bitter.
The leafs had a good season, played in one of if the best 1st round series, ahead of schedule in rebuild...have a bright future.
Who's bitter.
ITs just funny that a playoff game in Canada was 2000 people below a sell out.

Toronto was LUCKY to go through the year with the least number of injuries of any team in the league. What Marner missed 5 games? And Bozak 4? Wow.

The Sens played half the year without their starting goalie for god sakes! And that's not to mention the games missed by our other impact players (EK, Stone, Ryan, Methot, Hoffman, Smith etc)

Toronto is also LUCKY to have collected the most loser points of any team in the NHL.

Technically, the Leafs were the luckiest team in the league this season so it makes you look really ridiculous to be talking other teams being lucky this season.

Toronto was far luckier than Ottawa was to be in the playoffs this season.

Dumbest post of the day. Congrats.
- Charliebox

No no.

You just took home the gold..

Great job!

No no.

You just took home the gold..

Great job!
- Fakepartofme

Injuries are good/bad luck.

Toronto had the least number of injuries in the league; therefore, they were the luckiest.

Your post of "I know you are, but what am I" was really nice though.

Toronto was LUCKY to go through the year with the least number of injuries of any team in the league. What Marner missed 5 games? And Bozak 4? Wow.

The Sens played half the year without their starting goalie for god sakes! And that's not to mention the games missed by our other impact players (EK, Stone, Ryan, Methot, Hoffman, Smith etc)

Toronto is also LUCKY to have collected the most loser points of any team in the NHL.

Technically, the Leafs were the luckiest team in the league this season so it makes you look really ridiculous to be talking other teams being lucky this season.

Toronto was far luckier than Ottawa was to be in the playoffs this season.

Dumbest post of the day. Congrats.
- Charliebox

That's not luck. There's nothing lucky about keeping games close enough to get to overtime. All of those "loser point" games could have been lost in regulation and they'd get 0 points.

This isn't a subjective thing I'm talking about.

There is a way to quantify 'luck' and Toronto won that. All the analysts are talking about how lucky Toronto was to stay healthy this season.

A few more injuries to impact players, and they are on the outside.

But ya know, I'm a Sens fan so whatever....

Injuries are good/bad luck.

Toronto had the least number of injuries in the league; therefore, they were the luckiest.

Your post of "I know you are, but what am I" was really nice though.

- Charliebox

oh.

Is that what that was?



ok

This isn't a subjective thing I'm talking about.

There is a way to quantify 'luck' and Toronto won that. All the analysts are talking about how lucky Toronto was to stay healthy this season.

A few more injuries to impact players, and they are on the outside.

But ya know, I'm a Sens fan so whatever....
- Charliebox

oh boy.


Ok peeps have a good weekend and good luck on saturday!

This isn't a subjective thing I'm talking about.

There is a way to quantify 'luck' and Toronto won that. All the analysts are talking about how lucky Toronto was to stay healthy this season.

A few more injuries to impact players, and they are on the outside.

But ya know, I'm a Sens fan so whatever....
- Charliebox

Precisely.

Ottawa was a Karlsson injury away from finishing 9th or lower. See how that works?

We can play that game too... WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

And there he is, the guy who couldn't be more wrong about Matthews and the Leafs, and there's documented proof of it!

Actually, if you've been following the Leafs blogs and Toronto sports media, while we obviously wished we were still playing, everyone from the top of the organization to the Leafs' fan base is ecstatic about the progress this team has made in such a short period and are looking forward to dominating the Atlantic for years to come in the not too distant future.

The days of pissing on the Leafs is over!

Who do you guys think you'll be targeting with the 20th to 29th pick?
- As_I_See_It

The Sens have made the playoffs in 16 of the last 20 years. The only teams in the entire league to be better over that stretch are San Jose and Detroit.

Guys like you have nothing to say about the Sens actual on ice performance so you grasp at things to find a way to troll.

The Senators have turned over their entire roster from the contending days without missing the playoffs in two consecutive years over that stretch. No other team in the NHL, other than Detroit and San Jose were able to do that.

In fact, Ottawa has been one of the best managed teams in the league for two decades. The facts speak for themselves. Our drafting record speaks for itself.

Yes, the Leafs are going to be good. That much is obvious. I don't think there are too many Sens fans on here claiming otherwise.

Thing is, Toronto is going to be good because they sucked...not because they were well managed. They are being rewarded for sucking balls.

Toronto is following the Pittsburgh, Chicago, Washington, Edmonton model of being a joke of a team for years and getting 1st overalls. I don't respect those teams when they win cups.

The teams that deserve respect are the teams like Detroit and Boston who won cups without being handed the best players in the league.

Precisely.

Ottawa was a Karlsson injury away from finishing 9th or lower.

See how that works?
- As_I_See_It

The Leafs are 1 Matthews DUI away from finishing 31st in the NHL next year...

See how that works?

Precisely.

Ottawa was a Karlsson injury away from finishing 9th or lower. See how that works?

We can play that game too... WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

- As_I_See_It

Karlsson did get hurt dumbass. He missed 5 games and played 5 more while hurt.

How many did Matthews miss?

Well, to be honest, the Leafs fans don't really have anything else to talk about right now.
- bodiva88

Says a Flyers fan