Scheduled to be an RFA, but would not surprise me if they let him walk.
- Atomic Wedgie

May as well let him walk. Not gonna be protected for the e-draft anyways.

The Leafs took 3 out of a possible 4 pts against Columbus this season. That "better defense" let in 7 goals against the Leafs offense.
- mjones242

Would you take the Leafs or Jackets defense?

I'd rate him 4th or 5th best.
- GreatGigInTheSky

When someone is playing through a serious injury I usually cut them some slack...

In regular times, that would make sense. But this is gonna be like the beginning of the season type hockey. And beginning of the season hockey is shoddy defensively. It's a time when offense shines.

Unless goaltending stands on it's head, I think (for every series, not just the Leafs series) there's gonna be a lot of high scoring games. And the Leafs wash Columbus offensively, which is why I see them winning.
- GreatGigInTheSky

The beginning of the season argument by both you and Santo is a good one, but then shoddy defense can go both ways. I would say that piece does lean in favor of the a leafs though.

You are omitting one significant factor. Leafs were 4 and 10 with their backup goalies until they traded for Campbell. Even a mediocre backup probably results in 10-12 more points for the season.
- winsix

Also a good point

Would you take the Leafs or Jackets defense?
- RickJames77

The Leafs weren't especially bothered by the CBJ's defense this season. What makes you think they will be now?

The reason people pick clb over the leafs is:

They’re a physical defense first team and they think they’ll shutdown the leafs. But last year was supposed to be the same for the bruins. And they didn’t physically dominate and shut the leafs down.

Cause they beat Tampa last year. But their 2 best forwards are gone and their goalie. This isn’t the same team that beat Tampa last year

To all the replies to my CBJ comment, I get it, the leafs have a better team on paper. The two teams also had the same amount of points in the regular season and even Vegas has it as a relatively close series. I wouldn’t sleep on them. I could easily see the Leafs winning, but I think it’s close and I’ll take the better defense.
- RickJames77

If the playoffs are anything like the beginning of the season, I expect a lack of structure and commitment to defence. Teams with more pure skill would do better.

Leafs beat the Jackets, win Round 1, maybe Round 2.

The beginning of the season argument by both you and Santo is a good one, but then shoddy defense can go both ways. I would say that piece does lean in favor of the a leafs though.
- RickJames77

IMO the leafs don’t have to play air tight d to win the series. There’s really no threats to shut down on Columbus.

Leafs will score a lot and I don’t think clb can score enough to overcome if it leafs play shoddy d

To all the replies to my CBJ comment, I get it, the leafs have a better team on paper. The two teams also had the same amount of points in the regular season and even Vegas has it as a relatively close series. I wouldn’t sleep on them. I could easily see the Leafs winning, but I think it’s close and I’ll take the better defense.
- RickJames77

This won't even be close.

I hope the Leafs purposely tank the first game, just so they get in some extra practice.

Hell, tank the first two.

I won't even worry if they start slow in game three.

In the bag.

Commence parade planning.

I hope the boys get out on the town in between games to party. They deserve it.

You are omitting one significant factor. Leafs were 4 and 10 with their backup goalies until they traded for Campbell. Even a mediocre backup probably results in 10-12 more points for the season.
- winsix

So a backup would’ve gone 9-5 or 10-4?
If that’s what a mediocre goalie does no team should lose if a starter is in net. Shoot out city every night.

I like the Leafs in the series too.

but man, some of you guys are acting like there is like a 95% chance of success here.

5 game series. Anything can happen.
- Leafs43

Leafs get the edge but that’s why they play the games. Going 5 imo 👍

Would you take the Leafs or Jackets defense?
- RickJames77

Columbus defense.

Would you take leafs or jackets offence?

The reason people pick clb over the leafs is:

They’re a physical defense first team and they think they’ll shutdown the leafs. But last year was supposed to be the same for the bruins. And they didn’t physically dominate and shut the leafs down.

Cause they beat Tampa last year. But their 2 best forwards are gone and their goalie. This isn’t the same team that beat Tampa last year
- burn

Imagine the Leafs lost Marner, Nylander and Freddy.

Leafs get the edge but that’s why they play the games. Going 5 imo 👍
- Nighthawk

24 teams are coming back after four months off.

Every series is a coin flip.

24 teams are coming back after four months off.

Every series is a coin flip.
- Atomic Wedgie

Disagree.

It’s not a coin flip at the start of the season.

Talent wins.

This won't even be close.

I hope the Leafs purposely tank the first game, just so they get in some extra practice.

Hell, tank the first two.

I won't even worry if they start slow in game three.

In the bag.

Commence parade planning.

I hope the boys get out on the town in between games to party. They deserve it.
- Atomic Wedgie

Some girl was already tweeting that she was invited into the nba bubble.

They are screwed

So a backup would’ve gone 9-5 or 10-4?
If that’s what a mediocre goalie does no team should lose if a starter is in net. Shoot out city every night.
- Nighthawk

The Leafs weren't especially bothered by the CBJ's defense this season. What makes you think they will be now?
- mjones242

Same could be said about teams against the Leafs D. Classic match up of O vs D.

Would you take the Leafs or Jackets defense?
- RickJames77

Leafs d is a lot closer to clb than clb forwards are to leafs.

Some girl was already tweeting that she was invited into the nba bubble.

They are screwed
- bryant

They need to strictly monitor - only one prostitute per player.

Be safe.

24 teams are coming back after four months off.

Every series is a coin flip.
- Atomic Wedgie

No argument here. It’s wide open.

They need to strictly monitor - only one prostitute per player.

Be safe.
- Atomic Wedgie

Some girl was already tweeting that she was invited into the nba bubble.

They are screwed
- bryant

Sounds like she’s gonna be screwed.




*I’m assuming by “girl” you mean young woman*

Once the leafs learned how to play the islanders they just shut them down. They played to the islanders style and then capitalized when they could. Leafs have more dangerous threats when it comes to goal scorers.


I honestly think it’s an easy series for the leafs.
- bryant

You could be correct.. The Leafs F advantage is negated by the Cbus D advantage..I will say Dubois can hold his own against any C in this league.. That kid is a monster. But AM and JT is going to be a real load for Cbus.

And lets not start with the Leafs D is really actually quite close to Cbus.. just don't, because it's not.

And Cbus never takes a shift off. I don't know what it is about Torts, but his teams just absolutely play their ass off for him..

I hope that the Leafs have been watching that Tampa series from last year on a Loop for the last month or so.

It's gonna be a helluva series.. I can't wait for it to start.