Not really sure who will win game 7. Tampa doesn’t seem to be the team they have been the last couple of seasons. Vasi certainly isn’t playing that wonderful or even close to what he’s capable of. I’m hoping Tampa wins it. It’ll be hysterical to watch them blow that team up if they don’t make it out of the first round. I can’t stand Dubas love to see him jettisoned into outer space. With that said game 7 can go either way imo…
- Cptmjl

They look absolutely gassed. They couldn't even skate in OT. If it weren't for Vasy this series would probably be over already.

They look absolutely gassed. They couldn't even skate in OT. If it weren't for Vasy this series would probably be over already.
- eichiefs9

He has been great at times and let in some real bad goals at times. I’m sure a lot of that is because of the team in front of him not playing all that great. Really hope they get it together for tomorrows game watching the Leafs not make it out of the first round again would be hysterical beyond words on so many different levels

Edit;
To think if we got this version of the Lightning last playoffs we’re most likely cup champions. Makes me want to barf.

He has been great at times and let in some real bad goals at times. I’m sure a lot of that is because of the team in front of him not playing all that great. Really hope they get it together for tomorrows game watching the Leafs not make it out of the first round again would be hysterical beyond words on so many different levels

Edit;
To think if we got this version of the Lightning last playoffs we’re most likely cup champions. Makes me want to barf.
- Cptmjl

I think they're just fried after two long playoff runs and a shorter-than-normal offseason. Not to mention they got worse when they lost that entire third line. The guys they added (Hagel/Paul) don't seem even close to as good as Goodrow-Gourde-Coleman were

Still hoping that they can gut one out on the road for the same reasons you listed

I really like mathews he's just unreal
- Upstate_isles

He's phenomenal, I just get nauseous every time I have to look at his face

We got the best of the best from Tampa. Isles were not the offensive threat the Leafs are though.
- ses111

No but the last couple of playoffs before this one they were ten times the defensive team the leafs were and are today. It made our series more evenly matched against a way better lightning team. This Tampa team is the worst I’ve seen in years the fact that the leafs haven’t closed this out yet makes it even more funny and if they lose the series forget about it

He's phenomenal, I just get nauseous every time I have to look at his face
- eichiefs9

That pre-pubescent stache’ thing he has going on nauseates the crap out of me.

I think they're just fried after two long playoff runs and a shorter-than-normal offseason. Not to mention they got worse when they lost that entire third line. The guys they added (Hagel/Paul) don't seem even close to as good as Goodrow-Gourde-Coleman were

Still hoping that they can gut one out on the road for the same reasons you listed
- eichiefs9

The amount of pressure that must be on that leafs team has to be incredible to just win a playoff series. Them losing this series will be worth it for the post loss fanbase videos and gifs alone

That pre-pubescent stache’ thing he has going on nauseates the crap out of me.
- Cptmjl

The league should really mandate that he has to wear a bag over his head, in all fairness to hockey players and fans

The amount of pressure that must be on that leafs team has to be incredible to just win a playoff series. Them losing this series will be worth it for the post loss fanbase videos and gifs alone
- Cptmjl

I kinda feel that this one wouldn't quite be as funny as the others. Tampa, although tired and more poorly constructed than the teams we played, is still a really good hockey team and the 2x defending champs. The Leafs have outplayed them for the majority of this series. This wouldn't be "blowing 3-1 series lead to Boston" kind of funny, but I'll still enjoy it

Still very strange in a Cap world when you have Matthews why spend all the money on JT when you can use the money to improve other areas?
- ses111

Because the Leafs. That's why.

Like chief mentioned Tampa has to be gassed with all the extra playoff games the last few years and losing some players. This series is there for the Leafs and then need to clean house if they lose even if Tampa is two time Cup champs.
- ses111

I'm hoping TB beats TOR if for no other reason than to watch Leaf nation implode.

I kinda feel that this one wouldn't quite be as funny as the others. Tampa, although tired and more poorly constructed than the teams we played, is still a really good hockey team and the 2x defending champs. The Leafs have outplayed them for the majority of this series. This wouldn't be "blowing 3-1 series lead to Boston" kind of funny, but I'll still enjoy it
- eichiefs9

Yeah there were some incredible memes that came out of that series

Though if they lose this round there will most likely be a full scale implosion with some changes made to the team which to me will be hysterical.

He has been great at times and let in some real bad goals at times. I’m sure a lot of that is because of the team in front of him not playing all that great. Really hope they get it together for tomorrows game watching the Leafs not make it out of the first round again would be hysterical beyond words on so many different levels

Edit;
To think if we got this version of the Lightning last playoffs we’re most likely cup champions. Makes me want to barf.
- Cptmjl

I said this exact thing to a friend last night. This Tampa team the Isles beat last season, no doubt. Pisses me off.

Yeah there were some incredible memes that came out of that series

Though if they lose this round there will most likely be a full scale implosion with some changes made to the team which to me will be hysterical.
- Cptmjl

Funny, I was just listening to Friedman's 32 Thoughts on the way into work this morning and they were talking about that.

I might agree with him, in that they played the Bolts really well and blowing it all up after that seems unlikely to happen. Another embarrassing loss and maybe they would have, but they're certainly exorcising some of the 1st round demons, if not all of them with a game 7 win.

Funny, I was just listening to Friedman's 32 Thoughts on the way into work this morning and they were talking about that.

I might agree with him, in that they played the Bolts really well and blowing it all up after that seems unlikely to happen. Another embarrassing loss and maybe they would have, but they're certainly exorcising some of the 1st round demons, if not all of them with a game 7 win.
- eichiefs9

IF they were to beat TB, then they would be exorcising a few demons. Personally, for a team that is/has been expected to win the cup, I think unless they make it to the final round, this season is a failure for the Leafs.

IF they were to beat TB, then they would be exorcising a few demons. Personally, for a team that is/has been expected to win the cup, I think unless they make it to the final round, this season is a failure for the Leafs.
- Isleshockeyman

Failure, maybe...but not the end of the world. How long were the Lightning one of the top teams in the league before they finally won a Cup? I just don't think it's the kind of failure that will cause heads to roll.

Failure, maybe...but not the end of the world. How long were the Lightning one of the top teams in the league before they finally won a Cup? I just don't think it's the kind of failure that will cause heads to roll.
- eichiefs9

It's Toronto. How many years has it been since they've won a round? They have been touted as a cup contender for the last 3 or 4 years. With the talent they have (had) to not make it to the final round I would think is a failure. Maybe not heads rolling failure, but certainly enough to make some moves.

You cannot keep losing in the 1st round especially when you have the Leafs talent. I do not care if you are playing the 27 Yankees. It's different when the Isles could not win a round. They did not have the talent or coaching.
- ses111

No they didn't, and we knew that. Pretty sure we all said as much. Like you said, it's different for Toronto. It's a pressure cooker there. Especially given the talent and lack of playoff success.

If Crosby is out the rangers have a good shot at those series as they had no answer for his line

If Crosby is out the rangers have a good shot at those series as they had no answer for his line
- Upstate_isles

Sadly I would have to agree.

I'm not sure but did Tampa have trouble even winning a round? When the Leafs signed JT when they already had Matthews, that pushed up the pressure even more.
- ses111

I mean they got swept by a Columbus team that had literally never won a playoff round ever

It's Toronto. How many years has it been since they've won a round? They have been touted as a cup contender for the last 3 or 4 years. With the talent they have (had) to not make it to the final round I would think is a failure. Maybe not heads rolling failure, but certainly enough to make some moves.
- Isleshockeyman

No argument that it'd be a failure, but blowing things up isn't always the answer. No guarantee that anyone out there to fill an open role is going to do a better job.

No argument that it'd be a failure, but blowing things up isn't always the answer. No guarantee that anyone out there to fill an open role is going to do a better job.
- eichiefs9

The leafs are built pretty well, they have elite offensive players and added grit. I could see them come out of the east if they get by tampa. Personally I'd like to see Florida do it

Funny, I was just listening to Friedman's 32 Thoughts on the way into work this morning and they were talking about that.

I might agree with him, in that they played the Bolts really well and blowing it all up after that seems unlikely to happen. Another embarrassing loss and maybe they would have, but they're certainly exorcising some of the 1st round demons, if not all of them with a game 7 win.
- eichiefs9

Sure if they win game 7. With that said they’re also playing a depleted, under performing Lightning team. I think there will be some changes 100% of they don’t make it past the lightning. Im not saying they’re trading Matthews and Marner but I can see Nylander going and some other assorted players. Maybe Dubas/Keefe also. They won’t stand pat imo. Not a chance.

Down Goes Brown @DownGoesBrown
1m
Here's my daily depressing stat, in advance of Toronto hosting Tampa for tomorrow's Game 7:

The Tampa Bay Lightning have won more playoff games in Toronto in the last two years than the Maple Leafs have in the entire cap era.