Nice! We’re gaurneteed a recently new Stanley cup champion

*Considers recent after 2011 *

What if Tampa wins? Cause I think they'll win. They play the right way now. They played the wrong way for the regular season but now the right way.
- PatC80

Is that you Ujesus?

Nice! We’re gaurneteed a recently new Stanley cup champion

*Considers recent after 2011 *
- RickJames77

As long as Washington or Tampa win, I'm fine with it.

Raps just falling apart.

As long as Washington or Tampa win, I'm fine with it.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I’m pulling for Washington

I’m pulling for Washington
- RickJames77

I’m pulling for Washington
- RickJames77

I'd prefer them most, as well.

Although, I'd be glad if Kuznetsov never scores again. Stupidest goal celebration ever.

I'd prefer them most, as well.

Although, I'd be glad if Kuznetsov never scores again. Stupidest goal celebration ever.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Is that you Ujesus?
- RickJames77

Me? No, never.

- Steven_Seagull

Have you seen the awful goal celebration he does?

I’m pulling for Washington
- RickJames77

Anyone but Vegas or Winnipeg or Washington.

Have you seen the awful goal celebration he does?
- GreatGigInTheSky

The flying gull?

The flying gull?
- PatC80

Oh, yeah. He's a bird. Of course he'd like it.

Have you seen the awful goal celebration he does?
- GreatGigInTheSky

The bird?

Oh, yeah. He's a bird. Of course he'd like it.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Not to frighten anyone, but I couldn't help thinking about the Leafs and the 2008-09 Capitals with Ovi, Backstrom, Semin, and drawing parallels to the Leafs: could this be a team that can't compete in the playoffs?

Holy Flipin Forsberg!


Erat was totally worth it.

Hopefully Vegas wins and the league allows teams to protect more players in the next expansion draft.

Hopefully Vegas wins and the league allows teams to protect more players in the next expansion draft.
- HealthyScratch6

Vegas run is the perfect storm, but it'll be an aberration in the grand scheme of things and likely will never happen again.

Jets look awful.

Not to frighten anyone, but I couldn't help thinking about the Leafs and the 2008-09 Capitals with Ovi, Backstrom, Semin, and drawing parallels to the Leafs: could this be a team that can't compete in the playoffs?
- gravyface

Except that nobody on the Leafs is as good as Ovechkin and it's pretty debatable if anyone is as good as Backstrom too. Then you throw in Holtby who is usually a better goalie than Andersen too.

But definitely. I've been saying this for awhile now. The Leafs have a very good if not great young core but they need to be very careful with the way they put together this team and how they play because making the playoffs and succeeding in the playoffs are two different animals.

There is Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago and Pittsburgh (all eliminated now, perhaps a changing of the guard) who have won all the Cups of the past 10 years. And there is Washington, St. Louis, Vancouver, San Jose, New York etc. who had great regular seasons but couldn't finish the job in the playoffs.

Hopefully Vegas wins and the league allows teams to protect more players in the next expansion draft.
- HealthyScratch6

The problem wasn't 100% because of the protection rules. It was at least 50% due to the fact that only one team came in at a time. In the past, it was always two teams at a time which means if Seattle and Vegas came in at the same time, this current Vegas team would be cut in half. There's a lot of factors involved.

Vegas run is the perfect storm, but it'll be an aberration in the grand scheme of things and likely will never happen again.
- gravyface

They'll lose to Nashville or Winnipeg but even if they go to the Finals, they'll be the typical NHL Cinderella team; go to the Finals and lose. The NHL Cinderella teams rarely, if ever, actually win in the end.

Except that nobody on the Leafs is as good as Ovechkin and it's pretty debatable if anyone is as good as Backstrom too. Then you throw in Holtby who is usually a better goalie than Andersen too.

But definitely. I've been saying this for awhile now. The Leafs have a very good if not great young core but they need to be very careful with the way they put together this team and how they play because making the playoffs and succeeding in the playoffs are two different animals.

There is Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago and Pittsburgh (all eliminated now, perhaps a changing of the guard) who have won all the Cups of the past 10 years. And there is Washington, St. Louis, Vancouver, San Jose, New York etc. who had great regular seasons but couldn't finish the job in the playoffs.
- Unholy_Goalie

Except Matthews > Ovechkin (and I think Ovi is a great player, one of best in NHL last 10y)
Marner > Backstrom

Holtby is >>>> Andersen.
But he wasn't on the 2008-2009 Caps, to not sure why you bring him in.

Woll be Leafs starting goalie in 2-3 years from now, and we'll all agree by then that Andersen isn't an elite goalie.

Except Matthews > Ovechkin (and I think Ovi is a great player, one of best in NHL last 10y)
Marner > Backstrom

Holtby is >>>> Andersen.
But he wasn't on the 2008-2009 Caps, to not sure why you bring him in.

Woll be Leafs starting goalie in 2-3 years from now, and we'll all agree by then that Andersen isn't an elite goalie.
- MaximusAurelius

Matthews is better than the only guy in the modern era to lead the NHL in goals 7 times and averages 50 goals a season over his entire career so far? Yeah, right. Keep that dream alive.

Backstrom's first three seasons were 69, 88 and then 101 point seasons and averages 80 points a year over 11 seasons. Lemme know when Marner does that.