The leafs absolutely have a chance in round one. They are a legitimate Stanley cup contender, as are the Bruins. There’s just not enough room for both of us after round 1. I really hate the playoff format. The leafs could catch the flames and you could wind up with the 2nd and 3rd best teams in the league playing each other in the first round.

Then the winner goes and plays #1. It’s so dumb
- RickJames77

I like the format. Builds more rivalry.

But they're in 4th place?
- Garnie

But they have a ton of talent.

I like the format. Builds more rivalry.
- kaptaan

Will you say that if the same teams play each other 4 straight years though? There is a big risk of fatigue.

its still not "free" I guess if you are paying for the Parking and food and beer ...i mean Id consider it
- senstroll

At the rink? You will need a second mortgage just for that.
6 beers @ 20 each
parking $30 for the event only
food $20 for pizza and popcorn for 2

Leafs win

priceless.

what's in your wallet!.

You're probably right. But at the end of the day, the coach is not playing the game. Players' talent and execution, and a little luck, determines who wins
- BestRapperAlive

Just my opinion but a good coach is very important. All of my good/succesful teams had a good coach and all the teams i played on that were bad (a lot ) had bad coaches.

Practices, lineups, message, player interaction. Over the course of the season you hear your coaches voice as much as you girlfriends so it's pretty important to have the right person.

Like the sens uber video, that stuff happens all the time and especially when it's a bad coach

I literally fired off a tweet 30 seconds ago arguing the exact opposite of this comment

No Leafs want to play for Babs. They play for themselves. Boston plays for their coach
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Source?

If you ain't first, you're last...


- PatC80

But they have a ton of talent.
- RogerRoeper

So do lots of teams...

I think you just have to look at Matt Martin and Leo's ice time at the end of last year and playoffs to know Babs isn't afraid to change things up...JMO

Will you say that if the same teams play each other 4 straight years though? There is a big risk of fatigue.
- RogerRoeper

Yeah I could see that happening. But then it leads to more intense frustration.

I know that when the Canucks finally beat the hawks the 3rd time around it was a huge release of emotion. If you lose to the Broons 3 times and beat them the 4th it'll be awesome.

Yeah I could see that happening. But then it leads to more intense frustration.

I know that when the Canucks finally beat the hawks the 3rd time around it was a huge release of emotion. If you lose to the Broons 3 times and beat them the 4th it'll be awesome.
- kaptaan

Agree, the rivalry is worth it. Playoff rematches trump all other considerations imo.

Yeah I could see that happening. But then it leads to more intense frustration.

I know that when the Canucks finally beat the hawks the 3rd time around it was a huge release of emotion. If you lose to the Broons 3 times and beat them the 4th it'll be awesome.
- kaptaan

Did you miss my post from this morning? I told everyone to book mark it.

LEAFS WILL WIN THE 1ST ROUND THIS YEAR.

Did you miss my post from this morning? I told everyone to book mark it.

LEAFS WILL WIN THE 1ST ROUND THIS YEAR.
- Garnie

Finally someone gets it.

Did you miss my post from this morning? I told everyone to book mark it.

LEAFS WILL WIN THE 1ST ROUND THIS YEAR.
- Garnie

I feel like there is a really big opportunity here for you to 1 up cat poop guy

What will Garnie do if the Leafs make it to the 2nd round.

Agree, the rivalry is worth it. Playoff rematches trump all other considerations imo.
- Zezel

really don't want to turn into the early 2000 sens always losing to one team

I feel like there is a really big opportunity here for you to 1 up cat poop guy

What will Garnie do if the Leafs make it to the 2nd round.
- senstroll

If Leafs make it to the 2nd round, he'll poop on cat poop guy

The Leafs have the highest PDO, which usually points to a Team getting lucky. A few teams have been able to maintain a higher PDO that have elite G and shooting talent. (caps a few years ago) but then you have the 2013 Leafs who imploded, but I see this Leafs team as the former

The Leafs have some good stats in regards to 5v5 (goal diff etc) that is best in the League.

I am more confused as to what is the most meaningful stats when more and more stuff is coming out.
- senstroll

5 on 5 goal differential?

I would go even simpler... Save Percentage, and total goal differential. it is particularly noteworthy for the Leafs who have had so relatively few PP chances and a long stretch of time where the pp was almost completely ineffective.

The problem with Boston is not even physical. It is psychological.

over the years I have turned down many Sens games, If they arnt playing the Leafs I dont even want to go for free.

a few years ago the Sens were doing some promotion and had sparky the cat or whatever he is show up at random locations handing out a free pair of ticket, I walked into CT and they said here are some free tickets and tried to hand me some, I said no thanks..not interested
- senstroll

Agree, the rivalry is worth it. Playoff rematches trump all other considerations imo.
- Zezel

Personally, I think rivalries gain more value when more is earned and more hope is lost. In other words, if two teams continually meet in the final 4, that's where a real hate-on can form.

There's more to gain for _everyone_ if you go back to a conference seeded 1v8, 2v7, etc. format. As a fan, the regular season means more, the first round opponent is properly earned, no matter where you seed, and ideally you end up with the best 2 western teams and the best 2 eastern teams.

I feel like there is a really big opportunity here for you to 1 up cat poop guy

What will Garnie do if the Leafs make it to the 2nd round.
- senstroll

If the Leafs win he will eat cat poop guy's poop.

Personally, I think rivalries gain more value when more is earned and more hope is lost. In other words, if two teams continually meet in the final 4, that's where a real hate-on can form.

There's more to gain for _everyone_ if you go back to a conference seeded 1v8, 2v7, etc. format. As a fan, the regular season means more, the first round opponent is properly earned, no matter where you seed, and ideally you end up with the best 2 western teams and the best 2 eastern teams.
- Monkeypunk

I like the rivalry idea but one of the top 4 is likely automatically out first round, and another one likely automatically out the second round. That is kind of sh1tty.

really don't want to turn into the early 2000 sens always losing to one team
- pparam

Don't you worry pparamsies, this Leafs squad just lost last year in order to learn how to win. Also lol @ Sens

Personally, I think rivalries gain more value when more is earned and more hope is lost. In other words, if two teams continually meet in the final 4, that's where a real hate-on can form.

There's more to gain for _everyone_ if you go back to a conference seeded 1v8, 2v7, etc. format. As a fan, the regular season means more, the first round opponent is properly earned, no matter where you seed, and ideally you end up with the best 2 western teams and the best 2 eastern teams.
- Monkeypunk

Yeah I know I'm in the minority on this, I just like the regional rivalry aspect of divisions.

On the bright side, if the Leafs lose in rd1 that should be about the time Vlad is "ready" for the Majors.

Oh and I guess there is also the Raptors

On the bright side, if the Leafs lose in rd1 that should be about the time Vlad is "ready" for the Majors.

Oh and I guess there is also the Raptors
- senstroll

Vlad Jr won't be with the starting team this year. He'll be starting with the Bisons.

Vlad Jr won't be with the starting team this year. He'll be starting with the Bisons.
- TrashPanda

yes I know, thats why I said "ready", since it will be a few weeks into the Season before they can waste that service time

which would be around the time the 1st round series are ending