Do the Leafs catch the Bruins for 2nd and HOME ICE

[JT AM da real deal]

Well the good news from it is the Leafs will not be coasting like last year when we knew we had 3rd place 2 months before season ended. This year we got something to play for HOME ice. Motivation plays a big role. I think we can beat them for 2nd place. I also think it will make the difference in a series between 2 teams who are very close.

 

[Tak7]

I'm saying no. The Bruins are playing some exceptional hockey right now, at the same time of the season where they really elevated their play last season too. Once again, Cassidy has them ramping it up at the right time of the year, and remains one of the most underrated coaches in this league.

Boston did this very thing last year for a long stretch, so this isn't exactly new territory for them.

 

[member 262271]

The first step would be for Boston to lose a game, which seems physically impossible at the moment.

 

[zeke]

Yeah, we got'em.

They just went on an insane streak and couldn't dust us.

 

[member 262271]

I'm saying no. The Bruins are playing some exceptional hockey right now, at the same time of the season where they really elevated their play last season too. Once again, Cassidy has them ramping it up at the right time of the year, and remains one of the most underrated coaches in this league.

Boston did this very thing last year for a long stretch, so this isn't exactly new territory for them.

Exactly, it's last year all over again. Call me pessimistic, but I bet they go 16-0 to close the season.

 

[Suntouchable13]

It's game to game for me. If the Leafs lose tonight, their chance decrease significantly. On the flip, if the Leafs win, the chances improve significantly too. If we win tonight and they lose their next game, now we're talking.

 

[1specter]

Boston did this very thing last year for a long stretch, so this isn't exactly new territory for them.

and the year before that...

 

[FlareKnight]

I'll say no. Boston has been too hot and show no signs of slowing down. We can't afford even a stumble or a small gap turns into a bigger gap in a hurry.

The Leafs are playing well. They have a chance to catch them. But I don't think there's enough time for Boston to cool off and the Leafs to overtake.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Can we finish 2nd in the NHL because that's what its going to take to catch them at this point.

 

[I Believe]

I'll say we have between a 35-40% chance.

Pulled that number straight from my ass

 

[egd27]

They're not gonna be hot this way forever.

Right....so stay hot right up until the regular season ends, and then...............huge slump

 

[Nineteen67]

If Boston goes 8-8 they have 105 points
The Leafs would need to go 9-6-1 to tie them in points and finish 2nd

Doable, but that’s a tough hill to climb.

 

[Nineteen67]

Right....so stay hot right up until the regular season ends, and then...............huge slump

Just Like last year.....

 

[Zizzzzy]

I don't understand the point of a thread pole like this. I'm going to say yes they catch them, because in a hypothetical scenario why wouldn't I pick the most preferred outcome?

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

I think we're all Jackets fans now.

Boston x3 & they're chasing the Habs? All hail the majestic cannon!

 

[LeafSteel]

Not a chance.

Most unlikely they lose another game until playoffs.

Dirty bastards......

 

[Vaive50]

Boston has the tougher schedule, but neither is crazy difficult. It will be crazy if it comes down to the last game against Tampa and they rest all their guys...

No worries, we beat them 4-2 even when all their guys were playing

 

[HamiltonNHL]

why wouldn't I pick the most preferred outcome?

The point is. ... what do you think will happen ? We all want the best outcome

 

[tmlms13]

Better off losing into WC1 than staying put in ATL3


If we do get to a point like last year where we are basically guaranteed the 3rd spot should they start to Load Manage the Core? 44, 34, 16, 91, 31

 

[Jmo89]

It looks like Toronto's slump is behind them. They've been solid since around the Muzzin trade (not saying that's the reason, just that they were on a pretty bad streak before then.)

The question is, does Boston ride this streak to the playoffs or do they hit a bump and slow down a bit? If they slump for even 5-6 games I think Toronto takes them.

 

[Vaive50]

I'll say no. Boston has been too hot and show no signs of slowing down. We can't afford even a stumble or a small gap turns into a bigger gap in a hurry.

The Leafs are playing well. They have a chance to catch them. But I don't think there's enough time for Boston to cool off and the Leafs to overtake.

I do see a sign of them maybe cooling down and that is the same thing that happened with Buffalo. In Feb, 7 of their wins were by one goal (not including empty netters) and 4 of those were OT or SO. Then they have 2 wins in March both by 1 goal so let's hope that the hockey gods turn on them like they did on Buffalo. This is why our goal differential is way higher than theirs. Though they did beat San Jose and Tampa 4-1 but then we've beaten them both also this season.

 

[BallardEra]

I'm confident that they will.

 

[56 Years No Cup]

If Boston goes 8-8 they have 105 points
The Leafs would need to go 9-6-1 to tie them in points and finish 2nd

Doable, but that’s a tough hill to climb.

They have us head to head so we need to be one point ahead of them.

 

[diceman934]

Catch them or not as long as it goes down to the wire and they are over playing their older core it bods well for us and our young core. Last year after we pushed them they lost to Tampa as they were done.

We will win the series this year and easier the longer they have to lean on their core to get home ice.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

They have us head to head so we need to be one point ahead of them.

We have 3 more ROW's so we get the tiebreaker.