Game 1 ECQF: Toronto Maple Leafs (3) at Boston Bruins (2) 7 PM ET | NBCSN, CBC, TVAS, NESN

[wintersej]

McAvoy looks good but Matthews is a Calder winning rookie who put up 40 goals centering what became the Leafs top line that was made up entirely of rookies.

It’s not really a slight to suggest he’s not on Matthews level. He looks really good but Matthews is clearly a better player.

Lets talk at the end of the series . I wish employers would just give us the playoffs off to argue on hfboards!

 

[HomeAndHome]

Should be a good game tonight, hopefully it's a little more competitive than the Pits/Phi game yesterday!

 

[LeafFever]

Not sure why we are comparing a DMan to a centre? McAvoy and Matthews both are fantastic.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Lets talk at the end of the series . I wish employers would just give us the playoffs off to argue on hfboards!

A series win or loss doesn’t really mean anything. That’s why you have Conn Smythe winners sometimes who just got hot at the right time.

 

[3rdLiner]

McAvoy looks good but Matthews is a Calder winning rookie who put up 40 goals centering what became the Leafs top line that was made up entirely of rookies.

It’s not really a slight to suggest he’s not on Matthews level. He looks really good but Matthews is clearly a better player.

Mcavoy was the #1 dman much of the season on a 110 point team. As a rookie too.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Mcavoy was the #1 dman much of the season on a 110 point team. As a rookie too.

I think you can go around and around in circles trying compare a centre to a defensemen and in the end it is kind of pointless because they play completely different positions. Mcavoy is probably my favorite young defensemen in hockey. Does that mean he is a Matthews level player? I don't know and it probably doesn't matter either.

 

[LeafFever]

I think you can go around and around in circles trying compare a centre to a defensemen and in the end it is kind of pointless because they play completely different positions. Mcavoy is probably my favorite young defensemen in hockey. Does that mean he is a Matthews level player? I don't know and it probably doesn't matter either.

This. I'm confused as Matthews is not a Dman.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Mcavoy was the #1 dman much of the season on a 110 point team. As a rookie too.

I'm not saying he's a bad player, he looks like a steal so far but out of 31 teams if Matthews and McAvoy were available would pick McAvoy?

 

[3rdLiner]

I'm not saying he's a bad player, he looks like a steal so far but out of 31 teams if Matthews and McAvoy were available would pick McAvoy?

Pretty close tbh.

 

[Cotton]

This series will be the most bitter series to lose. 2 100+ pts teams and one will be guaranteed to be gone by rd 2.

Impossible.

 

[MattySnipes]

McAvoy is a Matthews level talent

What are you smokin dude?

McAvoy is a great kid and player..but he's not a "Matthews level talent"....get real

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Pretty close tbh.

doubt it.
Why not compare McAvoy to Rielly or something though? that makes more sense

 

[Just Rude]

Pretty close tbh.

Good God. And Leaf fans overhype their players?

That isn't selling McAvoy short - he's fantastic - but really?

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Impossible.

It's unfortunate. But one team despite the 100+ pts this season due to the playoff format will be ousted before rd 2. It's a good playoff format as divisional rivalries are created. But it is not fair also as it does not reward having a good season. I see both views. This series feels like there is a lot more on the line because of this.

 

[MapleLeafistan]

Win one of two on the road and we're gravy. GO LEAFS GO!

Pretty much this...if the Leafs pull off game 1 or 2 in Boston, and then don't screw up games 3 and 4 (like they did in 2013), they'll win the series.

 

[Saidin]

Game time bois

Leafs in 3

Marner = Gohan, Matthews = Goku, Nylander = Trunks?

Oh and a side note, I love Dragon Ball, and this animation rocks.

 

[93gilmour93]

From Paul Hendrick....

If you’re into numbers and quirky stats-stuff.....this is the 67th playoff appearance for the Leafs all time, and head to head with Boston in the Post Season the Leafs have a win /loss record of 34-34. Read into such as you will. #tmltalk

 

[Bear Claws]

Pretty much this...if the Leafs pull off game 1 or 2 in Boston, and then don't screw up games 3 and 4 (like they did in 2013), they'll win the series.

Really?
There is a saying in Sports that holds very true " It's never over till it's over " So put away your 8 ball

 

[93gilmour93]

 

[MattySnipes]

From Paul Hendrick....

If you’re into numbers and quirky stats-stuff.....this is the 67th playoff appearance for the Leafs all time, and head to head with Boston in the Post Season the Leafs have a win /loss record of 34-34. Read into such as you will. #tmltalk

 

[Pi]

This format is terrible. Two teams that finished lower than both the Bruins and Leafs play each other but these two 100+ point teams have to play each other. Not fair that the Penguins get to play a team that has no goalie.

 

[Plub]

Mcavoy was the #1 dman much of the season on a 110 point team. As a rookie too.

He's great, no doubt about it. But I don't see him in the same tier as Matthews.

 

[93gilmour93]

Matty I think the hockey gods are talking to us

 

[Just Rude]

The matchups in Boston will be interesting. I am assuming that because the B's have last change, Cassidy will try to get the Bergeron line against Matthews?

I'm guessing in Toronto Babcock will get Kadri (or maybe Plekanec) against that top line, a luxury he won't have in Boston.

 

[Liferleafer]

This format is terrible. Two teams that finished lower than both the Bruins and Leafs play each other but these two 100+ point teams have to play each other. Not fair that the Penguins get to play a team that has no goalie.

I posted this before....game 82 between Boston and Florida meant the exact same thing to the team 3rd in the East, 7th overall (Toronto) and the team 8th in the East and 15th overall (Jersey)....so what was the point in finishing higher?