What is the gain from predicting a Leafs loss? When history suggests predicting any playoff matchup and standing by it is pointless.

Especially when its 2 teams close in the standings.

I am not predicting either to win...but I am a Leaf fan so lets go with the Leafs because they are the reason I am even watching this in the first place.
- Santo_44

I'm the guy who organized the prediction thread, so I kinda painted myself into the corner of having to actually make a prediction.

He picked Vegas to win the cup, before they (and their $92M payroll) got squished out of the race like insects. So he's always right.
- winsix

I thought that was realism

Please tell me how predicting a team to lose is realism.

If anything the NHL has shown to be the most unpredictable playoffs in sports.

What is realism is realizing that predicting either team to win is silly. Its how gambling companies make so much god damn money...preying on people trying to predict when you simply can not.

Do you go to a party or gathering expecting the night to be poopty? Chances are you will have less fun.
- Santo_44

As I stated previously, realism is striving towards truth and objectivity.

It really all depends on how the individual frames their prediction. If someone presents their case with reasonable factors they believe will tilt the series one way or another, that would be an example of a realist approach.

Per your analogy, I don't go to parties expecting to have a great time or a poop time. I go to parties with a balanced perspective: this party could be great or it could be terrible. There are factors at play that drive me to going to a party but trying to convince myself it's going to be wonderful (optmist!) or totally poop (pessimist!) leaves me vulnerable to being wildly disappointed or incredibly surprised.

I'm not into trying to mind(frank) myself one way or another. I take in variables and I make decisions based on those variables.

Having said that, I'm not a (frank)ing robot. I vacillate between a sunnier or cloudier disposition based on myriad factors.

But yeah, there is a large section of Leaf fandom that is deeply skeptical and have anxiety about this team's chances to win. But, secretly, I'll bet most of those "pessimists" are watching the games as intensely as the optimists and are hoping the team will surprise them. If the team loses though, watch out...

I really hope a Cup win will save some lives.

All sports banter aside, this is actually an important truth in life in my experience. Highs and lows come together, you can't filter one out.

Or to put it another way, the mind is velcro for negative and teflon for positive and moving the needle on that spectrum is a worthy practice.
- Zezel

Teflon causes cancer.

You have made the incorrect assumption that those predicting a Leafs loss are going to be smug, gleeful or happy about it.

I really don't think I should have to defend my Leafs fandom - for frank's sake, 34% of my clothing has a franking Leafs logo on it.

But blind devotion isn't required to be a fan of the team.
- Atomic Wedgie

Exactly.

I won't be happy when they lose. I won't be smug either. It should not be difficult to predict.

It is going to be all the same stuff, horrible goaltending, ridiculous refereeing and only one team's stars will show up to play.

I'm the guy who organized the prediction thread, so I kinda painted myself into the corner of having to actually make a prediction.
- Atomic Wedgie

Hey predicting is fun.

But there is nothing realistic about predicting the NHL. History suggests it is a poop show and it has not changed for a long time.

I'm just sayin' the Debbie Downer Leaf fans aren't being realistic.

I've never been realistic on this board, but I've never claimed to be.

Teflon causes cancer.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yeah, but I used to smoke and drink and I still eat hot dogs so other than wearing sunscreen I gotta just let the chips fall where they may.

As I stated previously, realism is striving towards truth and objectivity.

It really all depends on how the individual frames their prediction. If someone presents their case with reasonable factors they believe will tilt the series one way or another, that would be an example of a realist approach.

Per your analogy, I don't go to parties expecting to have a great time or a poop time. I go to parties with a balanced perspective: this party could be great or it could be terrible. There are factors at play that drive me to going to a party but trying to convince myself it's going to be wonderful (optmist!) or totally poop (pessimist!) leaves me vulnerable to being wildly disappointed or incredibly surprised.

I'm not into trying to mind(frank) myself one way or another. I take in variables and I make decisions based on those variables.

Having said that, I'm not a (frank)ing robot. I vacillate between a sunnier or cloudier disposition based on myriad factors.

But yeah, there is a large section of Leaf fandom that is deeply skeptical and have anxiety about this team's chances to win. But, secretly, I'll bet most of those "pessimists" are watching the games as intensely as the optimists and are hoping the team will surprise them. If the team loses though, watch out...

I really hope a Cup win will save some lives.
- mjones242

You can do whatever you wish man.

I used to think like you, I changed my perspective and am happy for it.

I am happy you have found something that works for you personally.

Well, I must enter into the Chamber of Infinite Kool Aid now.

I love you all.

See ya in the second round.

I'm just sayin' the Debbie Downer Leaf fans aren't being realistic.

I've never been realistic on this board, but I've never claimed to be.
- Zezel

Us humans use our skill of prediction a little too much in my opinion.

We have it for survival, not for a man made game that others play for survival.

Imo anyways.

Having no expectations is not a pessimistic view.
Anyone concerned about the leafs choking history is not a pessimistic view.
Anyone apprehensive about this team until they actually win a round is not pessimistic view.
Its BS to suggest it is.

I have no expectations of this team, I wont be surprised either way. I just enjoy watching the games as I watch them...if I have time to watch it.
- Fakepartofme

Right so anyone who had a differing view than yours has the BS view but yours is not to be questioned nor challenged because it's not anything other than what you say it is?

No, that's not how it works, sorry.

You can proclaim your view is a being a realist all you like, it's your opinion and no more 'real' than anyone else's and is subject to being challenged and even called out as being incorrect in the opinion of others.

Saying you have no expectations is interesting, it should be safe to assume then you won't be disappointed if they lose and wont' be on here complaining about how flawed they are etc. right?

Saying your opinion is realism while others is not is the BS here and for the record read what you wrote, the things you are so convinced are not pessimistic are in fact exactly that & they are your opinion whish is fine but don't pretend they aren't.

Hey predicting is fun.

But there is nothing realistic about predicting the NHL. History suggests it is a poop show and it has not changed for a long time.
- Santo_44

This is what I’ve been saying. Predicting is just a guess. No one knows. Doesn’t matter if you’re positive or negative.

Right so anyone who had a differing view than yours has the BS view but yours is not to be questioned nor challenged because it's not anything other than what you say it is?

No, that's not how it works, sorry.

You can proclaim your view is a being a realist all you like, it's your opinion and no more 'real' than anyone else's and is subject to being challenged and even called out as being incorrect in the opinion of others.

Saying you have no expectations is interesting, it should be safe to assume then you won't be disappointed if they lose and wont' be on here complaining about how flawed they are etc. right?

Saying your opinion is realism while others is not is the BS here and for the record read what you wrote, the things you are so convinced are not pessimistic are in fact exactly that & they are your opinion whish is fine but don't pretend they aren't.
- Cush29

You explain things better than me.

Yes

Yeah, but I used to smoke and drink and I still eat hot dogs so other than wearing sunscreen I gotta just let the chips fall where they may.
- Zezel

I like this far more than any adult man should:

Objectivity and optimism (or pessimism for that matter) can completely coexist. Objectivity speaks to your capacity to analyze a given set of facts without favour or bias. Optimism is simply your hope for and confidence in a positive outcome while pessimism is obviously the opposite. You can continue to be hopeful even after objectively determining there’s not a lot of objective grounds for it.
- Canada Cup

Sure, and objectivity can coexist with pessimism as well. The difference is that realists don't allow themselves to be persuaded, nearly as much, positively or negatively to the same degree as optimists and pessimists.

We can argue whether realism detracts from enjoyment but these are all abstract terms anyway with endless gradation.

Though I do find it amusing to think that the only way to get maximum enjoyment of a thing is to be a relentless optimist. As if that's something we should strive to be, especially when it comes to entertainment. (this is a general musing not directed at you specifically)

As I stated previously, realism is striving towards truth and objectivity.

It really all depends on how the individual frames their prediction. If someone presents their case with reasonable factors they believe will tilt the series one way or another, that would be an example of a realist approach.

Per your analogy, I don't go to parties expecting to have a great time or a poop time. I go to parties with a balanced perspective: this party could be great or it could be terrible. There are factors at play that drive me to going to a party but trying to convince myself it's going to be wonderful (optmist!) or totally poop (pessimist!) leaves me vulnerable to being wildly disappointed or incredibly surprised.

I'm not into trying to mind(frank) myself one way or another. I take in variables and I make decisions based on those variables.

Having said that, I'm not a (frank)ing robot. I vacillate between a sunnier or cloudier disposition based on myriad factors.

But yeah, there is a large section of Leaf fandom that is deeply skeptical and have anxiety about this team's chances to win. But, secretly, I'll bet most of those "pessimists" are watching the games as intensely as the optimists and are hoping the team will surprise them. If the team loses though, watch out...

I really hope a Cup win will save some lives.
- mjones242

But you’re confusing realism which is an intellectual process with optimism and pessimism which are emotional states. That’s the huge push/pull with being a sports fan. We can hope for an outcome that we might realistically might believe is attainable.

Being an optimist and striving towards truth are not mutually exclusive. It does make filling out Wedgies (frank)ing pool threads really hard.

It doesn’t cost me anything to be optimistic. Like I said, I’ll be sad when and if they lose. I don’t have to pre-live it now.

This is what I’ve been saying. Predicting is just a guess. No one knows. Doesn’t matter if you’re positive or negative.
- TurdFergeson

Well yes, it is pointless.

There is nothing real about it.

The margins are very thin in the NHL(thanks Bettman)

The only (frank)ing playoff pool I have won in my life is when I picked all LA Kings(8th seed) and Coyotes(6th seed) players back in 2012. I did that by accident because I had a low pick and all the other players were taken from teams I actually thought were winning.

It doesn't take a mathematician to realize the Margins are so (frank)ing thin that it is completely pointless to try and predict. Its fun to try, but also realize at the end of the day it is stupid and you are likely 50% wrong give or take anyways.

You have made the incorrect assumption that those predicting a Leafs loss are going to be smug, gleeful or happy about it.

I really don't think I should have to defend my Leafs fandom - for frank's sake, 34% of my clothing has a franking Leafs logo on it.

But blind devotion isn't required to be a fan of the team.
- Atomic Wedgie

No I have made no such incorrect assumption about all those predicting a Leafs lost but history tells us there are a fraction who will jump on here and state "as I predicted" or "exactly what I knew would happen"& quite honestly it's annoying AF and I'm not the only one who feels this way based on some PM's I've received.

Nobody is asking you to "defend your Leafs fandom" so you can tuck away the dramatic proclamation that I said any such thing, and I never said blind devotion was a requirement so stop putting words into my mouth thanks.

A balanced view with a slant towards optimism doesn't seem to be an unreasonable approach to me, it's what I have but it's clearly not for all and that's fine.

Right so anyone who had a differing view than yours has the BS view but yours is not to be questioned nor challenged because it's not anything other than what you say it is?

No, that's not how it works, sorry.

You can proclaim your view is a being a realist all you like, it's your opinion and no more 'real' than anyone else's and is subject to being challenged and even called out as being incorrect in the opinion of others.

Saying you have no expectations is interesting, it should be safe to assume then you won't be disappointed if they lose and wont' be on here complaining about how flawed they are etc. right?

Saying your opinion is realism while others is not is the BS here and for the record read what you wrote, the things you are so convinced are not pessimistic are in fact exactly that & they are your opinion whish is fine but don't pretend they aren't.
- Cush29

Fake's just doing that, in case the Leafs lose, they'll just say they knew all along

You can do whatever you wish man.

I used to think like you, I changed my perspective and am happy for it.

I am happy you have found something that works for you personally.
- Santo_44

Don't presume that your previous perspective has any relationship or was congruous to the one I have, Santo. Or assume that you are any happier than I am.

Don't presume that your previous perspective has any relationship or was congruous to the one I have, Santo. Or assume that you are any happier than I am.
- mjones242

Not assuming.

I read your post explaining how you are thinking about this. I used to think like that and do not anymore.

I am not assuming anything, just sharing my experience with the information you gave me.

No I have made no such incorrect assumption about all those predicting a Leafs lost but history tells us there are a fraction who will jump on here and state "as I predicted" or "exactly what I knew would happen"& quite honestly it's annoying AF and I'm not the only one who feels this way based on some PM's I've received.

Nobody is asking you to "defend your Leafs fandom" so you can tuck away the dramatic proclamation that I said any such thing, and I never said blind devotion was a requirement so stop putting words into my mouth thanks.

A balanced view with a slant towards optimism doesn't seem to be an unreasonable approach to me, it's what I have but it's clearly not for all and that's fine.
- Cush29

Actually, you did.

Disagree strongly with that statement - the pessimistic, glass half empty view is a lot less enjoyable to many but everyone is entitled to have their own feeling or view on this.

Indeed we will see how things look in 2 weeks.


And others (this isn't directly at you specifically) can continue to proclaim that if the Leafs lose game 1 they are done and then if the Leafs do lose game 1 and the series those folks can stand on top of the soap box and loudly proclaim "See, See I told you" - do what makes you happy in life I guess, I don't see how that would do it (sure wouldn't for me) but maybe being right trumps seeing a team you are supposedly a fan of succeed.

- Cush29

*changes predictions based on EK*

No I have made no such incorrect assumption about all those predicting a Leafs lost but history tells us there are a fraction who will jump on here and state "as I predicted" or "exactly what I knew would happen"& quite honestly it's annoying AF and I'm not the only one who feels this way based on some PM's I've received.

Nobody is asking you to "defend your Leafs fandom" so you can tuck away the dramatic proclamation that I said any such thing, and I never said blind devotion was a requirement so stop putting words into my mouth thanks.

A balanced view with a slant towards optimism doesn't seem to be an unreasonable approach to me, it's what I have but it's clearly not for all and that's fine.
- Cush29

I like Zezel's approach. IMO objectivity has no place in sports fandom