Saw on twatter that Laffs are 19-3-2 since getting Gio

(not fact checked but it sounds pretty sweet)
- TheMussel

That’s impressive. Probably the best pickup of any team.

Agreed.

Any criticism or skepticism is necessarily equated to pessimism in this forum by some peeps. "How dare you suggest this team will not win! You must not enjoy the sport or the Leafs at all!"


- mjones242

I am not sure I agree with using the term pessimism at all here. Based on the standings two evenly matched teams with Leafs having home ice advantage. Both teams relatively healthy going in. I would lean towards the word expectation, knowing that sports predictions are far from scientific. What I will add, is that the reactions to what some are calling "realistic" or "objective" predictions might have something to do with the heavy troll traffic experienced by Leaf fans. In those cases we can say that the operative word would be "hope". Not dissimilar to Leaf fans hoping the Leafs will win. Because it would not be a huge upset either way the series goes, pessimism and objectivity and realism have little meaning here IMHO.

Im realistically optimistic that I will shank the ball 8 times out of ten.

"shank" is splicing it to the right, correct?

Havent played in years.
- Fakepartofme

A shank is like a bladed ball that goes straight right or straight left into the trees

Saw on twatter that Laffs are 19-3-2 since getting Gio

(not fact checked but it sounds pretty sweet)
- TheMussel

19-3-2 since acquiring Blackwell

This day is taking forever.

A shank is like a bladed ball that goes straight right or straight left into the trees
- bryant

My post said nothing about being a realist or that any optimism was BS. That's not what I said, that's your interpretation.
I didnt say anyone was wrong about the leafs outcome.
I didnt I say I was right cause I was a "realist"

So, not sure what your issue is.

Have a good one.
- Fakepartofme

I'm done with this pointless disagreement and past it.

I have no issue.

Enjoy the game.

Teflon causes cancer.
- Atomic Wedgie

what doesn't cause cancer

Im realistically optimistic that I will shank the ball 8 times out of ten.

"shank" is splicing it to the right, correct?

Havent played in years.
- Fakepartofme

Turn your shoulders 90 degrees - until your front shoulder hits your chin - and you will never hit another shank.

If only there was a way we could magically travel back in time, and see what people said at the very start of the season:

.hockeybuzz.com/boards/175056/thread.php?thread_id=175056
- Atomic Wedgie

Just throwing it out there, but everything I said before the guessing of goals, assists, and points is 100% correct.

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

I love you all.

See ya in the second round.
- Zezel

wait
what

u got banned already!!!!!

Jesus christ, what have you done?
- Scabeh

God help Wedgie.

That's pessimism, man. How dare you!
- mjones242

Great you & Fake please knock off this "oh that's pessimistic how dare you" schtick now?

The horse is dead and there is no need to continue to beat it you can take it right into the glue factory now.

Thx

I predicted Matthews would score 58 goals and he got 60.. I was way off
- PatC80

I got that right

You're right.. The order doesn't matter.. If they beat Tampa, then I could see them getting through to the Cup final. The biggest challenge for them right now, is themselves..

They are capable of beating any team, the past failures, hopefully, they've learned from it.. So, this is on the Leafs players.. Not on the opponent.
- PatC80

The other teams are a pretty big challenge.
Yes, their biggest challenge is themselves. They need to figure out how to play through the idiocy that is the NHL playoffs.

Leafs can beat Tampa and the coast to the cup, I love it.
- TheMussel

That's the hope.
I dont believe it will be a "coast" though
Alot of good teams

Turn your shoulders 90 degrees - until your front shoulder hits your chin - and you will never hit another shank.
- fifty__missions

I'm focusing on my hip rotation at the moment, so please do not confuse me with additional steps.

The other teams are a pretty big challenge.
Yes, their biggest challenge is themselves. They need to figure out how to play through the idiocy that is the NHL playoffs.
- Aetherial

I am not sure I agree with using the term pessimism at all here. Based on the standings two evenly matched teams with Leafs having home ice advantage. Both teams relatively healthy going in. I would lean towards the word expectation, knowing that sports predictions are far from scientific. What I will add, is that the reactions to what some are calling "realistic" or "objective" predictions might have something to do with the heavy troll traffic experienced by Leaf fans. In those cases we can say that the operative word would be "hope". Not dissimilar to Leaf fans hoping the Leafs will win. Because it would not be a huge upset either way the series goes, pessimism and objectivity and realism have little meaning here IMHO.
- winsix

Yes. Realistically, this series is a pick'em.

The biggest difference is goaltending. The defense is not nearly the mismatch some make it out to be and the forward depth is similar.

- Scabeh

not my original
I have no original thoughts.

I think your definition of "shank" is different than mine, but I did hard time in prison.
- Atomic Wedgie

Ah ok.
Understandable.
But did it still involve a driver knocking it to the right?

Bob McCown used to always say, "I'm not from Missouri, but....you gotta show me."

That's where I'm at with this team:

Show me.
- fifty__missions

Yes. Realistically, this series is a pick'em.

The biggest difference is goaltending. The defense is not nearly the mismatch some make it out to be and the forward depth is similar.
- Aetherial

I actually agree.

I picked Tampa because of how lopsided the goaltending situation looks.

Tampa might have a small edge on defense because Hedman is just great at everything and having one of Victor, McDonagh or Sergachev on each pairing makes them all solid.

I am not sure I agree with using the term pessimism at all here. Based on the standings two evenly matched teams with Leafs having home ice advantage. Both teams relatively healthy going in. I would lean towards the word expectation, knowing that sports predictions are far from scientific. What I will add, is that the reactions to what some are calling "realistic" or "objective" predictions might have something to do with the heavy troll traffic experienced by Leaf fans. In those cases we can say that the operative word would be "hope". Not dissimilar to Leaf fans hoping the Leafs will win. Because it would not be a huge upset either way the series goes, pessimism and objectivity and realism have little meaning here IMHO.
- winsix


Yes. Realistically, this series is a pick'em.

The biggest difference is goaltending. The defense is not nearly the mismatch some make it out to be and the forward depth is similar.

Both really good posts. ^.

Just throwing it out there, but everything I said before the guessing of goals, assists, and points is 100% correct.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I don't hate what I wrote.

A few big shanks - I overestimated the Islanders, I underestimated the Leafs. I thought Tavares was going to fade.

I underestimated Mikheyev. Samsies with Engvall.

I thought Rielly would be gone after this year.

Nailed a lot of the players, though.