http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

1- NYR

2- Detroit

3- Anaheim

I have ended up with the Rangers winning more than any other team.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I f'n love you, man

but, also:

here mirtle tweeted this today

Plecanec - Tavares
JVR-Moore
Bozak - Goat
Polak - Muzzin

id say a net gain overall. but maybe not at much as we think?


- senstroll

I disagree, I think it's a bigger net gain for us.. For one, Brown is off the Matthews line, and more ice time should be given to Kapanen. Secondly, Tavares is a huge upgrade over Plekanec and Bozak combined..

If Kadri doesn't get suspended and Nylander regains some level of confidence..We'll be ok... As long as Ander2en shows up this series.

Yeah, so let's bring up an overstated top heavy argument (last year, as you admit, that was more true) and forget about and or not mention every problem the Leafs have had since December

You saying the Leafs are going to roll the Bruins is just as dumb as the Leafs fans who think they have no shot.
- RickJames77

While regular season is a great time to diagnose problems and fix them, the playoffs is a clean slate. Style of play and enforcement of the rules are entirely different. I'm not saying the Leafs don't have issues (they do), but they improved their roster more than the Bruins since last year.

The wildcard (IMO) is Anderson. If Anderson doesn't have a solid series, then the Leafs are doomed. If Anderson is in the zone and the Leafs win the first game, I think their confidence will skyrocket and the Bruins will be in deep poop. If Anderson comes out and poops the bed, then their confidence will sink and the Bruins likely win the series unless Tavares goes full beast and carries them on his own.

Everyone knows the real winner is Colorado.
- TrashPanda

I'm happy that Colorado is out West. They could/should be a very good team for a long time and this draft is just gonna help them big time.

I f'n love you, man

but, also:

- 21peter

If the Rangers win the lottery tonight I am taking full credit for it.

Outside of Krejci, that line is nothing much to worry about, and he is prone to vanishing for long stretches - although I doubt he will do that this year. Krejci is having a solid year, but he's the most dangerous thing on that line. Shut him down and that entire line is shut down.

The Bruins made themselves less top heavy than last year's squad, but they are still woefully top heavy. After they took the first game from Tampa last year, the Lightning came back and smothered them to death. Krejci was no help that year and their bottom six was dominated. I think the Leafs will do the same thing this year. The Bruins will put up a fight, but barring an insane run from Rask, I see the Leafs taking them out easier than most folks expect.
- GalacticStone

Finally some sensible hockey talk

While regular season is a great time to diagnose problems and fix them, the playoffs is a clean slate. Style of play and enforcement of the rules are entirely different. I'm not saying the Leafs don't have issues (they do), but they improved their roster more than the Bruins since last year.

The wildcard (IMO) is Anderson. If Anderson doesn't have a solid series, then the Leafs are doomed. If Anderson is in the zone and the Leafs win the first game, I think their confidence will skyrocket and the Bruins will be in deep poop. If Anderson comes out and poops the bed, then their confidence will sink and the Bruins likely win the series unless Tavares goes full beast and carries them on his own.
- GalacticStone

*Andersen.

While regular season is a great time to diagnose problems and fix them, the playoffs is a clean slate. Style of play and enforcement of the rules are entirely different. I'm not saying the Leafs don't have issues (they do), but they improved their roster more than the Bruins since last year.

The wildcard (IMO) is Anderson. If Anderson doesn't have a solid series, then the Leafs are doomed. If Anderson is in the zone and the Leafs win the first game, I think their confidence will skyrocket and the Bruins will be in deep poop. If Anderson comes out and poops the bed, then their confidence will sink and the Bruins likely win the series unless Tavares goes full beast and carries them on his own.
- GalacticStone

It always amazes me of how you are an expert on everything Leafs but can't manage to spell the player's names properly.

While regular season is a great time to diagnose problems and fix them, the playoffs is a clean slate. Style of play and enforcement of the rules are entirely different. I'm not saying the Leafs don't have issues (they do), but they improved their roster more than the Bruins since last year.

The wildcard (IMO) is Anderson. If Anderson doesn't have a solid series, then the Leafs are doomed. If Anderson is in the zone and the Leafs win the first game, I think their confidence will skyrocket and the Bruins will be in deep poop. If Anderson comes out and poops the bed, then their confidence will sink and the Bruins likely win the series unless Tavares goes full beast and carries them on his own.
- GalacticStone

I don't think this is a wild card for just this series. I think it's a wild card for every series.

If the Rangers win the lottery tonight I am taking full credit for it.
- GreatGigInTheSky

If so, a small token is coming your way

I disagree, I think it's a bigger net gain for us.. For one, Brown is off the Matthews line, and more ice time should be given to Kapanen. Secondly, Tavares is a huge upgrade over Plekanec and Bozak combined..

If Kadri doesn't get suspended and Nylander regains some level of confidence..We'll be ok... As long as Ander2en shows up this series.
- PatC80

Yeah, adding better players is always more than just adding them. It pushes other guys, who are still really good/good/decent, down a spot, strengthening the entire roster.

If the main guys on the Leafs play as well as they can and aren't awful/suspended (like they were last playoffs), I like the Leafs chances. Not saying it's a guaranteed win or anything, just that I like their chances.

While regular season is a great time to diagnose problems and fix them, the playoffs is a clean slate. Style of play and enforcement of the rules are entirely different. I'm not saying the Leafs don't have issues (they do), but they improved their roster more than the Bruins since last year.

The wildcard (IMO) is Anderson. If Anderson doesn't have a solid series, then the Leafs are doomed. If Anderson is in the zone and the Leafs win the first game, I think their confidence will skyrocket and the Bruins will be in deep poop. If Anderson comes out and poops the bed, then their confidence will sink and the Bruins likely win the series unless Tavares goes full beast and carries them on his own.
- GalacticStone

I tend to agree. This series will come down to Rask v. Andersen. I have a feeling we will see the best of Andersen

These teams are pretty evenly matched;

Tavares - Bergeron
Marner- Marchand
Matthews- Pastrnak
Kadri- Krejci
Nylander- DeBrusk
Rielly - Krug

I don't think this is a wild card for just this series. I think it's a wild card for every series.
- RickJames77

If the goaltender plays well, he might make the difference.

Hot take right there.

I don't think this is a wild card for just this series. I think it's a wild card for every series.
- RickJames77

every series of every playoff, ever.. Goaltending can win a series.. We need Ander2en to beat Boston.. If he gives up 3 goals on 5 shots like in Game 2 last year, or a repeat of the 3rd period of Game 7, we will be in tough.

If so, a small token is coming your way

- 21peter

I accept! Go Rangers!

I can live with the Rangers, Avalanche, and Ducks with the top 3 picks.

Yeah, adding better players is always more than just adding them. It pushes other guys, who are still really good/good/decent, down a spot, strengthening the entire roster.

If the main guys on the Leafs play as well as they can and aren't awful/suspended (like they were last playoffs), I like the Leafs chances. Not saying it's a guaranteed win or anything, just that I like their chances.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Brown not playing with Matthews is an upgrade in and of itself.. For poops sake, we were relying on Plekanec last season..

If the goaltender plays well, he might make the difference.

Hot take right there.
- Scabeh

Seriously and I'm not even trying to be a jerk here - how can you say in one statement I think the Leafs can handle the Bruins much easier than most people think and then in your next post say well I think if Anderson ( ) plays well and really gets in their head the Leafs can win the series. You're predicating a series win on hot goaltending, which has been known to happen since forever.

Brown not playing with Matthews is an upgrade in and of itself.. For poops sake, we were relying on Plekanec last season..
- PatC80

who was it that wanted the leafs to trade draft picks for a 4th line upgrade again this year?

whoever it was: (frank) you

I disagree, I think it's a bigger net gain for us.. For one, Brown is off the Matthews line, and more ice time should be given to Kapanen. Secondly, Tavares is a huge upgrade over Plekanec and Bozak combined..

If Kadri doesn't get suspended and Nylander regains some level of confidence..We'll be ok... As long as Ander2en shows up this series.
- PatC80

thats fair
some other considerations. Johnsson and Kap are a bit better 1 year later

Pat Marlow has declined (hopefully less ice time) maybe a scratch since his streak dont count in the playoffs

Seriously and I'm not even trying to be a jerk here - how can you say in one statement I think the Leafs can handle the Bruins much easier than most people think and then in your next post say well I think if Anderson ( ) plays well and really gets in their head the Leafs can win the series. You're predicating a series win on hot goaltending, which has been known to happen since forever.
- RickJames77

Two reasons;

1- Andersen needs to outplay Rask
2- Frank you, that's why.. Why do the Bruins always have to beat us?

who was it that wanted the leafs to trade draft picks for a 4th line upgrade again this year?

whoever it was: (frank) you
- daeth

Wasn't that UG?

It always amazes me of how you are an expert on everything Leafs but can't manage to spell the player's names properly.
- TrashPanda

I'm a dyslexic clusterphuck. LOL.

Wasn't that UG?
- PatC80

Lol no I think it was from someone totally sane which was surprising

Seriously and I'm not even trying to be a jerk here - how can you say in one statement I think the Leafs can handle the Bruins much easier than most people think and then in your next post say well I think if Anderson ( ) plays well and really gets in their head the Leafs can win the series. You're predicating a series win on hot goaltending, which has been known to happen since forever.
- RickJames77

Because all other things being equal, it comes down to AndersEn versus Rask. But all other things are not equal, and the goalie battle doesn't happen in a vacuum. A lot of other things can go right or wrong and take the onus off the goalies for a game or two. If both goalies play an equal game, then it falls on the rest of the squad - if the latter is the case, then I think the Leafs win this series more easily.

Lol no I think it was from someone totally sane which was surprising
- daeth

so, not from a Leafs fan?