Defensively who do you think is better clb or Boston?
- burn

I mean, I’m very bias. I think as of now, Seth Jones is the best defenseman on either team. I think McAvoy will be the best. I don’t think the Jackets have a Carlo, who is really one of the best defensive defenseman in the game. Those points, with Chara and in my opinion, a very underrated Grzelyck and Krug (see last playoff run), I’d go Boston.

The issue is Columbus will have to shut the Leafs down to have a shot at winning. this have a huge challenge. The Leafs have fantastic speed and depth. It isn't like it's close, toronto just runs circrles around BJs offensively.
- RogerRoeper

The leafs terrible defense doesn't even have to be top of their game to shut down the clb offense, but no talk about that.

I mean, I’m very bias. I think as of now, Seth Jones is the best defenseman on either team. I think McAvoy will be the best. I don’t think the Jackets have a Carlo, who is really one of the best defensive defenseman in the game. Those points, with Chara and in my opinion, a very underrated Grzelyck and Krug (see last playoff run), I’d go Boston.
- RickJames77

So you won't feel the loss of Kampfer?

So you won't feel the loss of Kampfer?
- PatC80

I think you’re screwing with me, but honestly he’s played some important playoff games for the Bruins and stepped in admirably. I’m pretty bummed, because he’s a great depth option. He’s one of those guys you ship a 4th round pick out for. But, it’s a pandemic even if he didn’t “have and excuse” I’d understand either way.

I mean, I’m very bias. I think as of now, Seth Jones is the best defenseman on either team. I think McAvoy will be the best. I don’t think the Jackets have a Carlo, who is really one of the best defensive defenseman in the game. Those points, with Chara and in my opinion, a very underrated Grzelyck and Krug (see last playoff run), I’d go Boston.
- RickJames77

So Boston is better defense (I think most would agree as of now) and yet Boston didn't really shut the leafs down, so how does a weaker defensive team shut them down?


Clb is undoubtably the weaker offensive team, and are weaker than last year.

The leafs terrible defense doesn't even have to be top of their game to shut down the clb offense, but no talk about that.
- burn

If this series comes down to the Leafs defense against the Jackets offense, it likely means the Leafs forwards are not playing very well. Leafs need to play their game and Andersen needs to be good. That will lead to the Leafs winning the play in round..

I think you’re screwing with me, but honestly he’s played some important playoff games for the Bruins and stepped in admirably. I’m pretty bummed, because he’s a great depth option. He’s one of those guys you ship a 4th round pick out for. But, it’s a pandemic even if he didn’t “have and excuse” I’d understand either way.
- RickJames77

I was. You know I like screwing you.. I mean with you. 😁

So Boston is better defense (I think most would agree as of now) and yet Boston didn't really shut the leafs down, so how does a weaker defensive team shut them down?


Clb is undoubtably the weaker offensive team, and are weaker than last year.
- burn

That’s a fair point, burn. I’m so over getting into massive arguments on here

But yeah that is a good point. I think the jackets buy more into defense from bottom to top and have the players and schemes that could cause problems for the leafs. Like I said, just an opinion. I’m not overly confident in it. I could see the leafs going on a run no problem. Just a feeling, really.

Wasn't Tampa saying the same things about Columbus?... Aren't you selling torts and Columbus short considering their injury situation during the year and that they'll be fully healthy? Many thought merzlikins should get consideration for some hardware at the end of the season... Not sure why Toronto fans are taking them lightly. I'd like to see Toronto win, but I'm very skeptical considering the opponent.
- kaptaan

Leafs had an insane amount on injuries, too.

Only difference, the Leafs players that were hurt are good players. Jones is the only one comparable to the Leafs injuries.

If this series comes down to the Leafs defense against the Jackets offense, it likely means the Leafs forwards are not playing very well. Leafs need to play their game and Andersen needs to be good. That will lead to the Leafs winning the play in round..
- PatC80

The good news with Keefe they will play their game. He will let Matthews/JT/Marner/Tavares loose and play a ton and play their way to score.

I cringe at what Babcock would have done. Probably line match to that horrific Columbus forward group and let the other coach dictate everything.

I was. You know I like screwing you.. I mean with you. 😁
- PatC80

Imagien if Leafs lost all those good players and Panarin from last year. That would be talked about endlessly. Instead, people act like BJs are the same team that beat Tampa.

Leafs had an insane amount on injuries, too.

Only difference, the Leafs players that were hurt are good players. Jones is the only one comparable to the Leafs injuries.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Cam Atkinson? He's no Jagr, but he's still good.

If this series comes down to the Leafs defense against the Jackets offense, it likely means the Leafs forwards are not playing very well. Leafs need to play their game and Andersen needs to be good. That will lead to the Leafs winning the play in round..
- PatC80

I think the leafs forwards vs clb defense is better than clb forwards vs leafs defense..

All I read is favourtism towards Columbus. I think they'll be the favourite.

The good news with Keefe they will play their game. He will let Matthews/JT/Marner/Tavares loose and play a ton and play their way to score.

I cringe at what Babcock would have done. Probably line match to that horrific Columbus forward group and let the other coach dictate everything.
- RogerRoeper

Babcock would have started the 3rd line every game, because Babs is smarter than everyone..

That’s a fair point, burn. I’m so over getting into massive arguments on here

But yeah that is a good point. I think the jackets buy more into defense from bottom to top and have the players and schemes that could cause problems for the leafs. Like I said, just an opinion. I’m not overly confident in it. I could see the leafs going on a run no problem. Just a feeling, really.
- RickJames77

You’re over getting into massive arguments when we say you’re over getting into massive arguments.






Ok, now.

Not going to lie, I’ll be rooting for the leafs if that makes a difference.

I think the leafs forwards vs clb defense is better than clb forwards vs leafs defense..
- burn

That, in my opinion is what this series will come down too. Leafs forwards are better

You’re over getting into massive arguments when we say you’re over getting into massive arguments.






Ok, now.
- Canada Cup

Babcock would have started the 3rd line every game, because Babs is smarter than everyone..
- PatC80

He must let Torts decude who is on the ice by line-matching!!!

And when you have the puck-dump-it! Always GIVE-UP possession!!!

And Austin Matthews with 47 goals in 70 games must not play more than 18 minutes.

He must let Torts decude who is on the ice by line-matching!!!

And when you have the puck-dump-it! Always GIVE-UP possession!!!

And Austin Matthews with 47 goals in 70 games must not play more than 18 minutes.
- RogerRoeper

Yes and then blame Matthews for getting off the ice earlier..

Yes and then blame Matthews for getting off the ice earlier..
- PatC80

Down a goal in game 7? Bring in Freddie the GOAT

That’s a fair point, burn. I’m so over getting into massive arguments on here

But yeah that is a good point. I think the jackets buy more into defense from bottom to top and have the players and schemes that could cause problems for the leafs. Like I said, just an opinion. I’m not overly confident in it. I could see the leafs going on a run no problem. Just a feeling, really.
- RickJames77

I don't think it's sure fire win, it just makes little sense to me when people post stuff like:

"Leafs won't be able to beat the clb defense and physicality."

But they don't talk about how the leafs face Boston and their defense and physicality.

"Clb beat Tampa so it means they beat the leafs cause Tampa is better"

But they don't talk about how this clb team isn't close to the one that beat Tampa last year

Down a goal in game 7? Bring in Freddie the GOAT
- RogerRoeper

When you're line matching on the pp you're over think it.