Bruins fan here. When the Bruins aren't playing, I watch the Habs or the Leafs. They're both teams that I don't really like much, but I want them to do well. Divisional rivalries are a blast.
I don't think I'm telling any of you anything you don't already know, but from an outsider's point of view, THIS LEAFS TEAM IS FUN TO WATCH. I've said for the last two years that the Leafs would make the playoffs, and each year I've been wrong. All it took was an extended slump and they were done.
The Leafs of the past few years relied on scoring in bunches. They tried to get as many goals against the other teams as quickly as possible while ignoring every other aspect of the game. It didn't work so well.
If you told me in the beginning of this year that Kessel would be playing pretty well but not scoring tons of goals and that Lupul was out and that the goaltending situation hadn't been addressed, I would have told you that the Leafs would be one of the worst teams in the league. Holy cow is this a different team.
Coaching has made an enormous difference. Even when they lose, you can see that your team has an identity. It's a team thing, a teammate thing, a total "we care about the game" thing. If I was a Leafs fan I'd be psyched and proud as hell.
Someone made a stupid "toughest team in the league" post on the main board. It was a bit premature. What is clear, though, is that the Leafs of this year are not the leafs of the past few years.
I'm not going to say that the Leafs are playoff bound this year because I may have jinxed it the last few years. What I will say is this:
1) The Leafs are fun to watch.
2) They are no longer a 1.5 line team and a one trick pony.
3) (this one hurts me) They refuse to be pushed around and will make other teams accountable for their actions.
4) (I was also completely wrong about this) Nazem Kadri might turn out to be a guy who can play an occasional NHL shift
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bruins come in 2nd in the Northeast. Whether that is to the Habs or the Leafs I can't predict. It's a short season so a slump here or there can make all the difference. All I know is that I want the Bruins and you guys and Montreal to make the playoffs. It's unlikely, but I have a little bit of Northeast Division pride that I'd like to see verified.
Come playoff time, we can go back to hating each other. Your team looks great. Keep on keeping on, guys. I hope you make it to the playoffs. And then once you make it to the playoffs, I hope you crash and burn like the Bruins did when they lost to the Flyers after having a 3-0 series lead a few years ago. Maybe you will win the cup the next year? The ups and downs of fandom are important.
Good luck, hockey fans of Toronto. I firmly believe that you are well on your way from being fans of a team that you used to watch with a little bit of quiet shame to being one of the best teams in the league. Kick butt in all of your games except the ones against Boston.