Senators won the season series against the Leafs. Guess they'd beat the Leafs in the playoffs.


- Unholy_Goalie

If you could kindly remove your black and gold coloured goggles, you'd see that the Leafs do have a chance to beat the Bruins, and could very likely do so. I know, you're a Bruins fan and may not want to hear this, but..

Andersen has a great record in his career against Boston.. We have better depth than Boston, I don't think the Bruins can match the Leafs speed game..

Also Auston is better than Boston

Just a reminder to those of you joining us on the late afternoon shift:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=151876

Get your predictions in by Wednesday at 6:59 pm.

You can't win it if you're not in it.

And Jeff Carter missed most of the season but now he's back and scoring like he normally does. Their first round match-up is Vegas which could be a long series but LA definitely has the experience factor.

In the past 10 years, it's pretty much been Pittsburgh, Chicago, LA and Boston winning Cups. It could just be LA's turn again.
- Unholy_Goalie

the common denominator has been aggressive gm's and having at least one cap circumventing deal on their books. The only exception is pitts' first cup win, when malkin was on an elc.

the tide will shift where teams will need key elc's on their books to win cups, but for now, la (carter), boston (chara) and pitts (crosby) are still benefiting from cap circumventing deals.

The absolute key is to survive the Bergeron line. If the Leafs can do that, then I think the Kadri/Bozak lines can tip the scales offensively for the Leafs.

And of course, get Rask rattled.

the common denominator has been aggressive gm's and having at least one cap circumventing deal on their books. The only exception is pitts' first cup win, when malkin was on an elc.

the tide will shift where teams will need key elc's on their books to win cups, but for now, la (carter), boston (chara) and pitts (crosby) are still benefiting from cap circumventing deals.
- Tumbleweed

Or because they are the best teams, with the best players who play the game in a way that allows them to control games and win championships.

The absolute key is to survive the Bergeron line. If the Leafs can do that, then I think the Kadri/Bozak lines can tip the scales offensively for the Leafs.

And of course, get Rask rattled.
- markmark

Rattle Rask and the powerplay. If the Leafs get powerplays and capitalize on the powerplay, that will help make up for the fact that they get dominated 5 on 5 in pretty much every category.

Or because they are the best teams, with the best players who play the game in a way that allows them to control games and win championships.
- Unholy_Goalie

using cap advantages allowed aggressive gm's to put together a collection of good players. rosters that passive gm's couldn't compete with.

so yes, i agree?

The absolute key is to survive the Bergeron line. If the Leafs can do that, then I think the Kadri/Bozak lines can tip the scales offensively for the Leafs.

And of course, get Rask rattled.
- markmark

I’m assuming komarov will be starting but he has been terrible. And why the hell does he keep getting pp time. Put hyman there instead.

using cap advantages allowed aggressive gm's to put together a collection of good players. rosters that passive gm's couldn't compete with.

so yes, i agree?
- Tumbleweed

It's a small factor. The much bigger factor is drafting and developing the best players and organizing them to play a style that most other teams can't compete with.

The absolute key is to survive the Bergeron line. If the Leafs can do that, then I think the Kadri/Bozak lines can tip the scales offensively for the Leafs.

And of course, get Rask rattled.
- markmark

We need to use our speed.

I was at the game on November 10th, and it really struck me that they were attacking Chara as much as possible - they really wanted to exploit his declining foot speed.

Rattle Rask and the powerplay. If the Leafs get powerplays and capitalize on the powerplay, that will help make up for the fact that they get dominated 5 on 5 in pretty much every category.
- Unholy_Goalie

Leafs were -2 for goals, -8 scoring chances and -10 in shots at 5v5 on the season series. I don't this massive disparity you think seems to exist. Bruins definitely get the edge but I don't think it's anywhere near the cake walk for them that you're painting.

Just a reminder to those of you joining us on the late afternoon shift:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=151876

Get your predictions in by Wednesday at 6:59 pm.

You can't win it if you're not in it.
- Atomic Wedgie

That looks like fun. dt99999 has a similar contest but picks are made after every round.

Leafs were -2 for goals, -8 scoring chances and -10 in shots at 5v5 on the season series. I don't this massive disparity you think seems to exist. Bruins definitely get the edge but I don't think it's anywhere near the cake walk for them that you're painting.
- markmark

Small sample size. Over the bigger picture of games played, the Bruins have definitely posted far more impressive numbers, especially defensively. The game changes in the playoffs and that's an advantage for the Bruins. If the referees start calling everything and the Leafs are constantly on the PP, then it's a different story, but that doesn't usually happen.

Hey Lou,

How about that ref thread?
- AdamFrench

We need a detailed breakdown of what went down.

Including advanced stats on JT's meltdown.

What was his Hissy%?

Thanks

We need to use our speed.

I was at the game on November 10th, and it really struck me that they were attacking Chara as much as possible - they really wanted to exploit his declining foot speed.
- Atomic Wedgie

Which is why Marner, IMO, is going to be the guy to watch in the series. He's got 9pts in 4 games against them this year and only 3 came on the PP.

That looks like fun. dt99999 has a similar contest but picks are made after every round.
- Unholy_Goalie

Why the frank would I care what a Habs fan with a Zack Morris phone does?

The Leafs' predictor thread is where it is at.

Making predictions after each round is Bettman's way of getting more parity, keeping more fans alive in the pool longer.

Leafs were -2 for goals, -8 scoring chances and -10 in shots at 5v5 on the season series. I don't this massive disparity you think seems to exist. Bruins definitely get the edge but I don't think it's anywhere near the cake walk for them that you're painting.
- markmark

Doesn't matter that we beat them during the year...for some reason that doesn't count. I'm glad we're underdogs.

It's a small factor. The much bigger factor is drafting and developing the best players and organizing them to play a style that most other teams can't compete with.
- Unholy_Goalie

margins are so thin in the salary cap nhl.

what separates the cup winners from the also rans that also draft well (blues, wild, sj, caps) over the last 10 years was aggressive cap management.

Small sample size. Over the bigger picture of games played, the Bruins have definitely posted far more impressive numbers, especially defensively. The game changes in the playoffs and that's an advantage for the Bruins. If the referees start calling everything and the Leafs are constantly on the PP, then it's a different story, but that doesn't usually happen.
- Unholy_Goalie

OK, go back 2 years.

7-1 Leafs.

Why the frank would I care what a Habs fan with a Zack Morris phone does?

The Leafs' predictor thread is where it is at.

Making predictions after each round is Bettman's way of getting more parity, keeping more fans alive in the pool longer.
- Atomic Wedgie

His grand prize is better.

And usually whoever has a big first round wins and half the people stop making picks after the 2nd round because they know they lost.

Rattle Rask and the powerplay. If the Leafs get powerplays and capitalize on the powerplay, that will help make up for the fact that they get dominated 5 on 5 in pretty much every category.
- Unholy_Goalie

5-on-5 via Corsica.Hockey
Toronto: 49.85 CF% (17th), 53.96 GF% (5th), .928 SP% (8th), 9.01 SH% (2nd), 101.77 PDO (2nd)

Boston: 53.66 CF% (2nd), 55.07 GF% (3rd), .925 SP% (12th), 7.89 SH% (12th), 100.38 PDO (13th)

dominated...........................no sorry, it is much closer than you think in that category.

Especially when you consider how well the Leafs have played since Babs changed up his lineup.

Doesn't matter that we beat them during the year...for some reason that doesn't count. I'm glad we're underdogs.

- Garnie

The only thing that matters in UG's mind is stats that go his way.

ffs, if 4 games is too small of a sample size then what's a 7 game series? If one team wins in 4 or 5 games does it not count? Nah, too small of a sample size

His grand prize is better.

And usually whoever has a big first round wins and half the people stop making picks after the 2nd round because they know they lost.
- Unholy_Goalie

What's his grand prize?

A phone card?

I'm talking pure HB swag.

We need a detailed breakdown of what went down.

Including advanced stats on JT's meltdown.

What was his Hissy%?

Thanks
- Atomic Wedgie

Did you see what the Van Ref posted in his plus/minus thread.

i'm sure that's what started it

5-on-5 via Corsica.Hockey
Toronto: 49.85 CF% (17th), 53.96 GF% (5th), .928 SP% (8th), 9.01 SH% (2nd), 101.77 PDO (2nd)

Boston: 53.66 CF% (2nd), 55.07 GF% (3rd), .925 SP% (12th), 7.89 SH% (12th), 100.38 PDO (13th)

dominated...........................no sorry, it is much closer than you think in that category.

Especially when you consider how well the Leafs have played since Babs changed up his lineup.
- Santo_44

Toronto Maple Leafs

7th overall in points
10th overall in ROW
1st in SOW
4th overall in GF
20th in GA
2nd on the PP
11th on the PK
14th in Shots For
28th in Shots Against
6th in FO%

5 on 5

17th in CF% - Corsi %
21st in FF% - Fenwick %
23rd in SF% - Shots For %
5th in GF% - Goals for %
8th in SCF% - Scoring Chances %
3rd in SCGF% - Scoring Chances Goals For %
10th in HDCF% - High Danger Scoring Chances For %
8th in MDCF% - Medium Danger Chances For %
27th in LDCF% - Low Danger Chances for %

Boston Bruins

4th overall in points
4th in ROW
20th in SOW
6th in GF
4th in GA
4th on the PP
3rd on the PK
9th in Shots for
2nd in Shots Against
11th in FO%

5 on 5

2nd in CF%
1st in FF%
1st in SF%
4th in GF%
1st in SCF%
4th in SCGF%
9th in HDCF%
1st in MDCF%
5th in LDCF%

Bottom line: Bad match-up for the Leafs.