Are the Leafs Tough Enough for Playoffs

[WetcoastOrca]

No I don’t think they are tough enough and that will be something other teams will try to exploit as you don’t want to play run and gun against the Leafs.
People saying Pitts weren’t tough need to realize that the Pens two stars, Malkin and Crosby are both tough players who can dish it out and take it. They also had some tough defenders and role players.
The big advantage this Leafs club has over last years is that it will be harder to shut down all of the offensive weapons. Last year the Bruins hit Nylander and Matthews into submission and the team couldn’t generate offense. It will be harder to do that this year but that will still be the strategy in the playoffs I suspect.

 

[TheMule93]

Toughness is so overrated, theyre fine

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

OK but ur assuming they rely on the pp which they don't.

In the playoffs they will if they shy away from hits is my point.

I do not think they are tough enough unless players like Marner and Gardiner become willing to take a hit.

 

[Cotton]

In the playoffs they will if they shy away from hits is my point.

I do not think they are tough enough unless players like Marner and Gardiner become willing to take a hit.

This is too much coming from a Bruins fan, you guys squeaked out of the 1st round by the skin of your teeth and were the team that relied on the PP.

Marner was targeted the whole series, he didnt shy away and it didnt stop him from producing.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

This is too much coming from a Bruins fan, you guys squeaked out of the 1st round by the skin of your teeth and were the team that relied on the PP.

Marner was targeted the whole series, he didnt shy away and it didnt stop him from producing.

He absolutely shied away. It was Nylander if anyone who battled through the hits. I vividly recall Marner bailing on plays because a hit was coming.

Winning a round is winning a round by the way... same with losing.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

No not at all, soft as butter, Tampa will have fun with them. Hope Andersen stays healthy too without him they are dead in the water.

 

[Cotton]

He absolutely shied away. It was Nylander if anyone who battled through the hits. I vividly recall Marner bailing on plays because a hit was coming.

Winning a round is winning a round by the way... same with losing.

You are confusing the two. Marner was the one who had Marchand following him around and who led the Leafs with 9pts, Nylander was invisible that series and who plays with Matthews.

It is, but there us a difference between dominating an opponent and squeaking out the win. It's just about respecting reality vs Hollywood'ing the retelling.

 

[Iapyi]

The Leafs are a soft team and it will catch up to us in the playoffs. We need some more grit.

 

[swint]

Unless they reformat the league and begin deciding games based on which team has more hits at the end of the night.... I think the Leafs will be juuuuuuuust fine

 

[Matty Sundin]

They tried the tough team to play against style under Burke and Nonis and it failed.

 

[Lahey]

The OP is a known leafs hater, doesn’t surprise me he started this to try to throw shade

 

[middletoe]

I think they’re better off than last years playoffs.

Against Boston they weren’t prepared for cross-checking to the back to be legal I think. Now they will be ready for it ... if it’s still considered acceptable play that is.

The sooner they figure out the officiating come playoff time the better. They should have a department just for that maybe. The officiating science & psychology department.

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

In the playoffs they will if they shy away from hits is my point.

I do not think they are tough enough unless players like Marner and Gardiner become willing to take a hit.

it depends against boston last year we were very soft, but the year before we were pretty mean given the circumstances against Washington.

also marner was fine last year, you cant catch him, he goes into the dirty areas too.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Someone ought to teach that Kronwall kid he can't play that way in this league. Imagine if he thinks it's acceptable to hit players hard and they name a hit after him? Better get a 4th liner out there to fight him before he gets any ideas.

 

[Goose]

10 years ago, yes Leafs toughness is a real problem.

Today? Maybe... maybe not though. I’d rather have slightly better defence than slightly better team toughness if given the choice for this team.

 

[Canadian Finn]

no, right?

the answer is no.

I'm getting good at HF boarding.

 

[Howie Hodge]

I disagree.

Teams cant go into a game thinking they can do whatever they want to mathews marner etc.

Right or wrong, Mike Babcock disagrees with you.....

"Our toughness is our power play. Take all the penalties you want."

We shall see.

 

[Rubi]

I don't know about the Leafs but their fans on HF certainly are.

 

[pabst blue ribbon]

So were the 2010, 2013, and 2015 Blackhawks,.

Also the 2007 Champion Red Wings

 

[Peggy]

I'm not questioning their toughness

I question their defense

 

[All Mod Cons]

Are you suggesting the Leafs should fight in the playoffs?

 

[NinjaKick]

they're so talented that I don't think toughness even matters

 

[tntkid]

Hopefully The Leafs play the Bruins and get bounced in the first round.

 

[hizzoner]

No need for Leafs to fight. They will need to accept and fight through tougher playoff checking and finish their own checks. They did not last year and it cost them. The power play will cool any stupid ideas the other team might have about roughing up the Leafs.

 

[Canadian Finn]

hopefully...