Potential TOR vs FLA playoff matchup: Who do you take?

[SeanMoneyHands]

If Bob goes into god mode again, the Core 4 will have a very difficult time getting pucks past him (regardless how well they play). Even if Samsonov maintains his .910SV%, it likely won't be enough as Bob could easily put up a .940SV% in the series.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

If Bob goes into god mode again, the Core 4 will have a very difficult time getting pucks past him (regardless how well they play). Even if Samsonov maintains his .910SV%, it likely won't be enough as Bob could easily put up a .940SV% in the series.

That is a pretty significant if though. Like yes if any team gets .940 save percentage in a series they will more then likely win that series.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Those costumes look inspired by this classic Leaf attire.

View attachment 848088

quite the outfit for the parade that will never happen.

 

[The90]

That is a pretty significant if though. Like yes if any team gets .940 save percentage in a series they will more then likely win that series.

Then their fans will pretend it’s ‘buying in’ and ‘team defence’ or ‘playing the right way’ that did it. When they did all 3 of those things minus the saves the following series and got smoked without the .940 lol

 

[wintersej]

If I was a betting man, I would put money on Rangers, Carolina, Tampa and Florida making out of round one.

 

[dirtydanglez]

florida is just built better for the playoffs.

 

[Sheppy]

I think it will be a close series. Got a feeling it will go 7 with both teams being pretty banged up for round 2.

 

[tfwnogf]

I say repeat of last year, Florida in 5. They are a really tough matchup for Leafs, maybe even more than Boston would be.

 

[banks]

I know it's easy to vote against the Leafs. It's based on a reputation that they've earned.

But this Leafs team is clicking at the right time (6-1 in their last 7 games), they have a hot goalie (18-3-1 in his last 22 games), and more grit that they've ever had for a playoff run (Boosh, Reaves, Bert, and Domi).

It could go either way, because Florida isn't an easy matchup for anyone. But I'm taking the Leafs in this one.

 

[leafsfan5]

I don’t think results from November and December are very predictive of of the playoffs. That was a long time ago and a lot has changed. Leafs seem to be more in form now which probably shouldn’t be ignored.

Yup, since January 1st the Leafs have turned the corner: 23-13 in regulation, the third most RW in the league

For comparison, Florida is 20-12 in regulation during that time

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

Then their fans will pretend it’s ‘buying in’ and ‘team defence’ or ‘playing the right way’ that did it. When they did all 3 of those things minus the saves the following series and got smoked without the .940 lol

No they did not.

 

[The90]

No they did not.

The best part is they did. They put up similar underlying numbers throughout that last series. They just never got the saves lol

Proofs in the puddin’

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

The best part is they did. They put up similar underlying numbers throughout that last series. They just never got the saves lol

Proofs in the puddin’

Just putting up similar numbers doesn't mean you played the exact same way.

 

[Drytoast]

Leafs fans vote for leafs, everyone else votes for Florida.

Pretty much how these polls go it's pointless

The fact that most of this board hasn't caught on to that is hilarious.

 

[The90]

Just putting up similar numbers doesn't mean you played the exact same way.

No, It means you played a really similar way, and got a different result.

 

[danny90]

I think we match up pretty well against Florida, all will depend on if they get avg goaltending or conn smythe level like Bob last year.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Samsonov and Matthews are the X factors for the Leafs.
Barkov will hound Matthews 5 on 5, FLAs forecheck will wear out the Leafs thin D and direct lots of pressure onto Samsonov.

Panthers have already beat Samsonov twice now.
Bobrovsky doesn't need to be as good as he was last year.
The Leafs have got a bit meaner but Florida's team defense has also taken a massive step forward while TOR has been lacking.

Leafs have a punchers chance for sure but FLA has basically locked up home ice if they play each other now, only needing a single point vs BUF or TOR to do so.

The advantage of Bob and better team defense for FLA edge out TORs offensive advantage IMO.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Panthers coming close to catching bruins

 

[Yorkshire Leaf]

Panthers coming close to catching bruins

Yep, I’m going Leafs in 6……v The Bruins. Tampa will take care of Florida.

 

[Plural]

Leafs are going to the end this year. Going to redeem themselves and the core will finally get the cup.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

No, It means you played a really similar way, and got a different result.

You can play a totally different way and get similar numbers.

 

[ToDavid]

Can’t wait for the most penalized team in the league to repent their sins and play a squeaky clean series against the Leafs again.

 

[The90]

You can play a totally different way and get similar numbers.

Yeah, but not in this case. It’s just inconvenient to the narrative.

 

[Transplanted Caper]

Prepared to convince myself I won't get hurt this time once the series starts, but for now I give the edge to Florida in 6. I just think the Leafs have too many question marks, even with their better play the last ~30 games or so. I don't like their C depth, I don't like the D's ability to move the puck up and out of the zone even if they are heavier than in years past. I don't like their PK, and who knows what the hell the goaltending will be.

 

[bert]

Leafs fans vote for leafs, everyone else votes for Florida.

Pretty much how these polls go it's pointless

So leaf fans dont understand hockey?