Boston Vs Florida - Who's the better team?
- Thread starter SunDevilHockeyFan
- Start date
pb1300
#CatsAreComing
Cmon man, you can really consider your response trolling. There is no easily between any team in the division, maybe other than Tampa. You are just adding the "easily" to stir the pot with the Bruins fans.
I'm not convinced that 4th is between Boston and Florida. Toronto's defense is not that great and Tampa is an up and down team, this might be their down year unless they buck that trend. I think it is a 4 way fight for all 4 spots.
pb1300
#CatsAreComing
That is probably the fairest answer, with Florida being the least of the four because of their uncertainty in goal.
Paperbagofglory
Registered User
- Nov 15, 2010
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Boston overachieved last year. However they do have a very good starting goaltender, a great number 1 line, a great shut down centre, and an old Chara is still better than half the D men in this league.
They will battle for a wildcard spot or win the division, super hard team to predict.
I do not see how you came to the conclusion that Florida has better coaching. Cassidy's record has been close to the best in the league in his time in Boston. 68-28-13. I'm not saying Florida doesn't have a fin coach, I am saying that Cassidy has been one of the best since he has taken over so I do not see how you can make that argument on anything factual.
I'm not so sure that they "overachieved", I think it is more a case of people not realizing that DeBrusk, Heinen, and McAvoy are as good as they are.
There is also the chance that their goaltending performs at a higher level than expected or that they acquire a goaltender.
I think it is close, Tampa seemingly has the upper hand, Toronto has the hype but besides adding Tavares they lost Bozak and James Van Riemsdyk. Boston and Florida have some question marks but they could have players who unexpectedly make impacts that would put them right at the top too. It is so close with the top 4 that an injury to an important could derail any team I think.
pb1300
#CatsAreComing
Yes, but they are good enough team to be in the conversation in the Atlantic, as are the Panthers, TB, and Toronto. I do believe Tampa is the best team in the division, but I dont see any team being head and shoulders better than the other three mentioned.
Luongo, and Reimer for that matter, were excellent post All-Star break. If the tandem can be around a .920 save%, the Panthers will be in the hunt for the division, barring injuries elsewhere of course. They were .925% after the break, and which is when you saw the team really begin to make their push.
They also have a winning culture which the Panthers do not, do not underestimate this.
Paperbagofglory
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Young players that have a chance of suffering through slumps or crumble under the weight of higher expectations. Like i said they are harder to predict. No doubt their young core is talented but you never want to jump the gun and assume there is linear progress in development.
CupsOverCash
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- Jun 16, 2009
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Honestly think 1-4 in the atlantic could go in any order. Think FL and Boston could easily take the division. Also think its possible that another team jumps in. Possibly Buffalo? I wouldnt bet on it but wouldnt be suprised either. To answer the question by the OP, Ill pick Boston right now. FL is too inconsistent to pick them right now.
I also don't think you want to say they overachieved because you didn't know they were that good.
Paperbagofglory
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Did Bruins fans even know they were that good? and i am not talking about being a usual homer. Did anyone in Boston predict the kind of finish they had?
Sooner or later Buffalo is going to jump up the ranks, they have to right?
That city is cursed.
McAvoy yes, the others no. Maybe a couple of people but no, not generally. I think it is easy to see at this point that DeBrusk is the real deal along with McAvoy, Heinen has been a little up and down since close to the end of the season last year but Heinen is also a good defensive player who is useful in other ways than just for his offense.
Most people had the Bruins pegged for 3rd/4th in the division but there were a few people who seemed to know that there was more to the team than we were giving them credit for. Once people saw the way the kids handled the league and the way they seemed to be progressing slowly but surely as the season went on and the way they earned their time when they were given the chance, it made me a believer anyway.
I still can see them finishing anywhere in the top 4 in their division, all the teams are good and I can't say that I see any team as being so far above the others that an injury or bad performance from a player that they are expecting big things from wouldn't knock them down to everyone else's level or lower. It's that close.
Thread The Needle
I have no strong feelings one way or the other.
ziggyjoe212
Registered User
- Oct 2, 2017
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I am not used to the idea that Florida has good players and may make the playoffs.
To answer the OP, Boston.
To answer the OP, Boston.
zaYG
Nerevarine
I consider them a dark horse to actually win a round or two. I don't think they will, but it won't be a complete shocker to me if they do. They have some serious talent.
