It's certainly overblown. But you talk about the Leafs like they've won the past 3 Stanley Cups and are about to win their 4th in a row.
- gergeswillems

Everything about the Leafs is overblown. Every flaw is made 1000x bigger deal than flaws on any other team.

Rielly/Muzzin/Dermott/Ceci/Barrie/Sandin is not the horrific D people make it out to be. They played a big chunk this year without both Rielly and Muzzin.

Everything about the Leafs is overblown. Every flaw is made 1000x bigger deal than flaws on any other team.

Rielly/Muzzin/Dermott/Ceci/Barrie/Sandin is not the horrific D people make it out to be. They played a big chunk this year without both Rielly and Muzzin.
- RogerRoeper

Their D is still bad. Holl is playing. Sandin isn't.

Their D is still bad. Holl is playing. Sandin isn't.
- gergeswillems

Yeah, left out Holl for some reason. That's not nearly as bad of a D as people claim.

Blue Jackets do have a terrible set of forwards though.

Yeah, left out Holl for some reason. That's not nearly as bad of a D as people claim.

Blue Jackets do have a terrible set of forwards though.
- RogerRoeper

I think you're in for a rude awakening. I still think Leafs will win in 5. But you're totally underestimating Columbus. Good thing the Leafs aren't taking them for granted like you are.

I think you're in for a rude awakening. I still think Leafs will win in 5. But you're totally underestimating Columbus. Good thing the Leafs aren't taking them for granted like you are.
- gergeswillems

They were carried by elite goaltending for 7 weeks. They would not even be here. They are badly lacking talent.

It's actually funny the narrative is Leafs are "Carried" by their goalie. It's Columbus who is.

If that 940 % goaltending doesn't come back after 5 months they are done quick.

They were carried by elite goaltending for 7 weeks. They would not even be here. They are badly lacking talent.

It's actually funny the narrative is Leafs are "Carried" by their goalie. It's Columbus who is.
- RogerRoeper

I'm sure Tampa thought the same thing last year. I know. They lost all their best forwards right? Yet they tied the Leafs in points.

I'm sure Tampa thought the same thing last year. I know. They lost all their best players right? Yet they tied the Leafs in points.
- gergeswillems

Leafs played at a 105 point pace once they fired their coach and that's with terrible goaltending and a lot of injuries.

Funny that they did play better defensively once a rookie cocah joined the team than 5 years with Babcock.

I keep hearing Torts is an advantage. Leafs had the experience advantage in coaching last 2 years. Where did that get them?

Leafs played at a 105 point pace once they fired their coach and that's with terrible goaltending and a lot of injuries.
- RogerRoeper

Oh so it was all Babcock's fault? It's hard keeping track of the moving goal posts.

Oh so it was all Babcock's fault? It's hard keeping track of the moving goal posts.
- gergeswillems

Forget about my opinion. All stats and facts say something was up with Babcock. Same roster, far better results witha rookie coach.

Forget about my opinion. All stats and facts say something was up with Babcock. Same roster, far better results witha rookie coach.
- RogerRoeper

Babs needed to go. Leafs players tuned him out. I just get a kick how Keefe is the modern day Scotty Bowman according to you. We'll see.

Babs needed to go. Leafs players tuned him out. I just get a kick how Keefe is the modern day Scotty Bowman according to you. We'll see.
- gergeswillems

I actually think Scotty Bowman is the Phil Jackson of the NHL.

What's next, I think Holl is the next Lidstrom?

I actually think Scotty Bowman is the Phil Jackson of the NHL.

What's next, I think Holl is the next Lidstrom?
- RogerRoeper

Don't be ridiculous! Sandin is the next Lidstrom!

Don't be ridiculous! Sandin is the next Lidstrom! 😂
- gergeswillems

I could have won 9 cups with the teams Bowman coached.

I could have won 9 cups with the teams Bowman coached.
- RogerRoeper

Nah. You would've been too distracted about beating the Isles. They may have won 7 Cups.

His Save % was still poor even when D was healthy.

The defensive numbers were actually the best they've been in years under Keefe.

Andersen is an above average starting goalie. Nothing more.

It is indeed Columbus who were much more reliant on their goalies.
- RogerRoeper

#’s don’t matter when we make it very easy

the Blue Jackets scored 30 goals in the playoffs last year.

10 of those came from Duchene and Panarin.
- BINGO!

In the first round, Duchene had one great game. Besides that, Duchene and Panarin didn't really stand out. They beat the Lightning because everyone showed up.

The gap between last year's Lightning and Blue Jackets is infinitely larger than the gap this year between themselves and the Leafs going into the series.

Everything about the Leafs is overblown. Every flaw is made 1000x bigger deal than flaws on any other team.

Rielly/Muzzin/Dermott/Ceci/Barrie/Sandin is not the horrific D people make it out to be. They played a big chunk this year without both Rielly and Muzzin.
- RogerRoeper

I don’t really pay attention to the Leafs during the regular season, just playoffs. That being said if there is one team that has the choke label it’s them. You could also say Tampa. But I’ll stick with the Leafs. Honest question, do you think the Leafs are headS above better with this new coach ?

How about that Rumor Chart Ek?

Too busy planning the Flyers Parade? LMAO

In the first round, Duchene had one great game. Besides that, Duchene and Panarin didn't really stand out. They beat the Lightning because everyone showed up.

The gap between last year's Lightning and Blue Jackets is infinitely larger than the gap this year between themselves and the Leafs going into the series.
- Hunkulese

WTF? They had 11 points in 10 games and 10 in 10 games. They scored 1-third of Ciolumbus goals.

You are really trying to downplay this.


And BTW, if Vasilevsky doesnm't post a .857save %, Tampa might win that.

I don’t really pay attention to the Leafs during the regular season, just playoffs. That being said if there is one team that has the choke label it’s them. You could also say Tampa. But I’ll stick with the Leafs. Honest question, do you think the Leafs are headS above better with this new coach ?
- Angus4444

Leafs have never been the favourite in the 3 series they've played with this core. They have lost in 6, 7 and 7 games. How is that choking?

Tampa lost in 4 last year. They had one of the top 3 statistical regular seasons ever and were the consensus favourite to win the cup.

In the first round, Duchene had one great game. Besides that, Duchene and Panarin didn't really stand out. They beat the Lightning because everyone showed up.

The gap between last year's Lightning and Blue Jackets is infinitely larger than the gap this year between themselves and the Leafs going into the series.
- Hunkulese

I think its tricky. It takes time to play systems and get it down pat and tighten up to a defensive structure. Last year teams were already playing at full speed, well into the grind, on the heels of playing 82 games when the playoffs started.

This year teams are starting quick, barely had a camp, barely faced opponents, no meaningful games in months. Months off with little time to prepare. Most games early in the get go of a season or start of play are sloppy affairs geared towards offensive teams as opposed to defensive teams. Offense is natural skill. Defensive is something that takes time and commitment to play at a high level.

Yes the Jackets handled the Lightning impressively, but also remember Columbus started this season getting outscored by Toronto and Pittsburgh 11-3 in their first two games. Start like that in a best of 5 and you're in trouble... It's why after a week of hockey to start the season a team like the Sabres were 4-0-1 and the Jackets were 1-3.

Wont know till games start but do we see the Jackets fully prepped and battling like they did after 82 games or the sloppy games or high scoring affairs that come after not playing meaningful games in months?

I think its tricky. It takes time to play systems and get it down pat and tighten up to a defensive structure. Last year teams were already playing at full speed, well into the grind, on the heels of playing 82 games.

This year teams are starting quick, barely had a camp, barely faced opponents, no meaningful games in months. Months off with little time to prepare. Most games early in the get go of a season or start of play are sloppy affairs geared towards offensive teams as opposed to defensive teams. Offense is natural skill. Defensive is something that takes time and commitment to play at a high level.

Yes the Jackets handled the Lightning impressively, but also remember Columbus started this season getting outscored by Toronto and Pittsburgh 11-3 in their first two games. Start like that in a best of 5 and you're in trouble...

Wont know till games start but do we see the Jackets fully prepped and battling like they did after 82 games or the sloppy games and high scoring affairs that come after not playing meaningful games in months?
- systemtool

I agree with this. Stars over system after a long layoff.

If anyone is still uncertain about US tv coverage for games not involving your team, this is the comprehensive coverage guide for the next 4 days (one game on USA!)

https://media.nhl.com/sit...anleyCupQualifiersMBS.xls

Pens go down in qualifiers....win lottery....Alexis Lafreniere is a Pen

WTF? They had 11 points in 10 games and 10 in 10 games. They scored 1-third of Ciolumbus goals.

You are really trying to downplay this.


And BTW, if Vasilevsky doesnm't post a .857save %, Tampa might win that.
- RogerRoeper

The first round was four games for them, and they got production from pretty much everyone.

Four of Duchene's points were from a single blowout.

The first round was four games for them, and they got production from pretty much everyone.

Four of Duchene's points were from a single blowout.
- Hunkulese

I am very critical of Freddy Andesen, but I expect him to be far better this year than Vasilevsky was.

Panarin and Duchene are huge losses. You would feel that way if Leafs lost that talent.