Playoffs is definitely better. The season is part of the tournament and it eliminates half of the teams, the majority of them who suck.

The playoff format is what needs to be fixed.
- JohnFergusonJr

There are just too many weird things that can happen in the span of 4 hockey games to make it at all reliable for evaluating who the "Best" team is.

Columbus wasn't even close to being better than Tampa last season and look what happened there.

There are just too many weird things that can happen in the span of 4 hockey games to make it at all reliable for evaluating who the "Best" team is.

Columbus wasn't even close to being better than Tampa last season and look what happened there.
- BINGO!

There's something special about being able to win in the playoffs. Tampa Bay didn't live up to the hype and when they ran into adversity, choked under the pressure. That's as much their own fault as it is bad luck. The season standings said they were the best but their playoff performance didn't prove it. That's why the playoffs will always be what matters.

Leafs should be able to win this game tonight. They're at home and Tampa Bay hasn't been playing like themselves to start the season.

All I'm saying is the President's Trophy is a better indicator of who the best team in the league is than the Stanley Cup.
- BINGO!

I don’t agree 100%, teams can afford to tinker, wait for the TDL instead of trading earlier etc. If teams were trying to win the Presidents trophy I think they’d do things a little differently during the year. Just my 2 cents.

Leafs should be able to win this game tonight. They're at home and Tampa Bay hasn't been playing like themselves to start the season.
- JohnFergusonJr

Tampa is heavily overrated.
Sure, you can get 120points during the regular season.
but when it really matters, I'd put my money on teams like Nashville, Dallas, Boston before Tampa to win the SC.

I swear this place is (frank)ing Groundhog Day.... are we really talking about the same stuff yet again with the same people who won't accept any opinion other than their own?

I swear this place is (frank)ing Groundhog Day.... are we really talking about the same stuff yet again with the same people who won't accept any opinion other than their own?
- harps43

Hi welcome to the internet

Tampa is heavily overrated.
Sure, you can get 120points during the regular season.
but when it really matters, I'd put my money on teams like Nashville, Dallas, Boston before Tampa to win the SC.
- MaximusAurelius

Tampa Bay last year was Detroit in 1995/1996. They're truly an Yzerman built team.

But we all know what happened from 1997 to 2002.

They have everything they need. Might need to change the coach at some point like the Red Wings did when they brought in Scotty Bowman.

Not the settlement number. They did report on the negotiation a few days ago though. And sure, they could be bullpoop, but sex scandals are often first found by sleazy tabloids. Tiger Woods for example.

But again, the settlement this morning was the Buffalo Chronicle, not Frank. JT's best buddy teacher at the school is in jail on pedo charges. All I'm saying is that if this is a lie, the NDA at 2.25 million, we should get a clear denial from Trudeau himself. If he did do this, then he won't be able to legally deny it, much like Trump could not deny the Daniels settlement.
- aminnes

I'm accurately reporting that you are a franking moron who is easily duped.

E5.

Doesn't it bother you to be so easily manipulated into voting against your own interests?

I guess you are simply too stupid to realize this.

Tampa is heavily overrated.
Sure, you can get 120points during the regular season.
but when it really matters, I'd put my money on teams like Nashville, Dallas, Boston before Tampa to win the SC.
- MaximusAurelius

Last time I checked, tonight is a regular season game.

They are franking loaded with talent.

Tampa is heavily overrated.
Sure, you can get 120points during the regular season.
but when it really matters, I'd put my money on teams like Nashville, Dallas, Boston before Tampa to win the SC.
- MaximusAurelius

I said it in the offseason, the Bolts will have some trouble staying motivated this season.

I don’t think it’s a lock at all that they finish 1st in the league. I could even see as low as 3 or 4.

Tampa Bay last year was Detroit in 1995/1996. They're truly an Yzerman built team.

But we all know what happened from 1997 to 2002.

They have everything they need. Might need to change the coach at some point like the Red Wings did when they brought in Scotty Bowman.
- JohnFergusonJr

Tampa went to the 7th game of the Eastern Conference finals two years ago.

They've finished top of the division the last two years in a row.

I don't know why people want to believe that last year's playoff choke was anything other than an aberration.

They are a good team, loaded with talent on team-friendly contracts.

All I'm saying is the President's Trophy is a better indicator of who the best team in the league is than the Stanley Cup.
- BINGO!

Best team on paper? Absolutely.

Tampa went to the 7th game of the Eastern Conference finals two years ago.

They've finished top of the division the last two years in a row.

I don't know why people want to believe that last year's playoff choke was anything other than an aberration.

They are a good team, loaded with talent on team-friendly contracts.
- Atomic Wedgie

They're definitely stacked in every possible way and they're not far away. They should totally be respected and feared.

Like I said, they're very much like Detroit in the early/mid 90s. And when they put it together in the playoffs, they could be the next "dynasty".

Why do people want to believe last year wasn't an aberration? Because Leafs fans are biased and want to believe it's going to be easier to get past them and win a Cup than it really is.

There's something special about being able to win in the playoffs. Tampa Bay didn't live up to the hype and when they ran into adversity, choked under the pressure. That's as much their own fault as it is bad luck. The season standings said they were the best but their playoff performance didn't prove it. That's why the playoffs will always be what matters.
- JohnFergusonJr

The best team on paper usually wins the presidents trophy.

The best team on paper rarely wins the cup. The Stanley cup is a lot about being hot at the right time and healthy....

The best team on paper usually wins the presidents trophy.

The best team on paper rarely wins the cup. The Stanley cup is a lot about being hot at the right time and healthy....
- Santo_44

Wrong.

President Trophy winners have won the Cup more than any other seed. Statistically, it's the best place to finish the season if you want to win a Cup.

Look it up.

Wrong.

President Trophy winners have won the Cup more than any other seed. Statistically, it's the best place to finish the season if you want to win a Cup.

Look it up.
- JohnFergusonJr

Wrong?

How many times have the president trophy winners won? Is 30% good odds? Have you ever taken grace 9 math?

Wrong?

How many times have the president trophy winners won? Is 30% good odds? Have you ever taken grace 9 math?
- Santo_44

More than any other seed.

Even if it was 30%, it's still better than 1% at lower seeds.

There are also a lot of examples of President Trophy winners going to the Cup Final, Conference Final etc.

Love the Babs and Cooper interview gamesmanship thing, it was actually lighthearted and fun to see.

Going to definitely be a wild one tonight out there. Let the chips fall where they may on this one.

Wrong?

How many times have the president trophy winners won? Is 30% good odds? Have you ever taken grace 9 math?
- Santo_44

Don't feed the in house troll! I mean c'mon... that's below feeding a house hippo!

Love the Babs and Cooper interview gamesmanship thing, it was actually lighthearted and fun to see.

Going to definitely be a wild one tonight out there. Let the chips fall where they may on this one.
- Roadrunner75

The winner of this game is the best team in the league, obviously.

Don't feed the in house troll! I mean c'mon... that's below feeding a house hippo!
- Roadrunner75

(frank)

I enjoy seeing someone talk in circles though

Wrong?

How many times have the president trophy winners won? Is 30% good odds? Have you ever taken grace 9 math?
- Santo_44

I once took grade 9 math.

16 seeds. If odds were equal, each seed would win it 6.25% of the time.

30% is quite a bit better than 6.25%

And 6.25% is quite a bit better than my odds were of getting a date for the school dance.

(frank)

I enjoy seeing someone talk in circles though
- Santo_44

Like watching a 10,000 lap Nascar race... after a while you want someone to just make a right to fack shyte right up, just for something different. Otherwise just the same old tired routine.

I once took grade 9 math.

16 seeds. If odds were equal, each seed would win it 6.25% of the time.

30% is quite a bit better than 6.25%

And 6.25% is quite a bit better than my odds were of getting a date for the school dance.
- Atomic Wedgie

When was I ever talking about the 1st seed winning compared to the 2nd seed?

I said the top team on paper usually wins the presidents trophy.

However, usually doesn’t win the cup.

Losing 70% of the time in the playoffs are not good odds.