Prediction Contest: Who would you rather face in the first round of the playoffs? (Tampa/Boston)

[CHRoNiCWiLL]

Given the way the standings are currently. It is probably a crapshoot on who will finish 1st and 2nd in the Atlantic.
Which team do you think we match up better against between Tampa and Boston?
Personally I would prefer to face Tampa, as they look like they are currently coming back down to earth and could potentially limp into the playoffs (albeit missing Hedmen). Our offense would probably do slightly better against Tampa, than Boston (given Boston's current GA).
On the flip side, we are 2-1 against Boston so far this season so that might give us the psychological edge going in.

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[HockeyThoughts]

The Boston Bruins may seem unbeatable right now but they are on a hot streak. Just like every other team who has had a mid-season hot streak, they will come crashing back down to earth.

The Tampa Bay Lightning on the other hand are one truly frightening team. They should be among the favorites around the League to win the Stanley Cup this season.

 

[Menzinger]

Bruins.

Tampa is the better team, and Leafs (last game aside) have gotten the best of Boston more games than not over the past couple seasons

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Boston, I think Tampa matches up with us better speed wise, and they have more game breakers than Boston does plus there is that whole 2013 thing, they need to be paid back for that.

also though they are getting old down the middle Bergeron is 32, and Krejci turns 32 in april. Not to mention that if we can end assing Boston, and I still think we can and eventually will that gives us home ice advantage which allows us to keep Matthews away from Bergeron.

 

[rent free]

tampa. our first meeting of the season was a closer game than our last meeting with boston.

 

[ITM]

It doesn't matter is always the right answer.

I'd say, don't be fooled by Tampa's recent lull. It's a simple correction. One's likely coming for Boston as well. That said, I'd rather face Tampa in the first round. I think our styles match better and I like our speed against any team.

Chara and the veteran core of the Bruins are certainly well conditioned, but you can't subtract the aggregate of all the hockey those bodies (and minds) have taken over the years. I think we're a better bet that we're going to be the fresher squad going into the second round vs Boston. The other side of that argument says, best to go in at full strength. Not against Boston. Too much experience, too much strength. A playoff round apart is enough for the likes of Backes and Chara to be whittled down a notch without the expense of one of our guys doing the whittling.

 

[Buds17]

Still early and tough to say for a few reasons, so I'll go with Tampa just because we've never faced them in the playoffs, and the story of a first round series against Boston will take on a life of its own, even though only a handful of Leafs remain from that time. Formidable - but not insurmountable - foe either way though.

 

[Beaumaris]

Both will be really tough,I just have a better feeling facing Tampa.

 

[Bullseye]

It doesn't matter. The Leafs will destroy any and every team in their way to the promised land.

 

[member 262271]

Can't decide, honestly. It's really annoying that Boston can't lose a game though, Vegas all over again.

 

[Suntouchable13]

There is no easy matchup really. If you finish 1st in the divison you get the honour of possibly playing against Pit or Wash. Is that any better? I'll take TB, just because if we face Boston you know they will talk about game 7 ad nauseam. Honestly, it's pick your poison no matter who you face.

 

[rent free]

There is no easy matchup really. If you finish 1st in the divison you get the honour of possibly playing against Pit or Wash. Is that any better? I'll take TB, just because if we face Boston you know they will talk about game 7 ad nauseam. Honestly, it's pick your poison no matter who you face.

1st in the division gets us flyers or blue jackets, actually thats still pretty bad. f***

 

[Cleetus]

thats a tough question, both of those teams are very good and will be tough to get out of the first round regardless, id love to play boston and beat them in 7!, it would be sweet to catch boston and get home ice but looking at both of those teams we will likely stay put at 3rd in the atlantic.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

1st in the division gets us flyers or blue jackets, actually thats still pretty bad. ****

The Leafs would destroy the flyers and likely the jackets too, or the canes whoever gets the spot

 

[MattySnipes]

Personally, to me it doesn't matter. Boston or Tampa will both be great tests for our young team. We still have ways to go, another gear to reach before all that starts so that's why I am not worried. I know the level we can play at when we're firing on all cylinders and Boston will not be able to match that. They're loving it right now, but they'll come back down to earth. No team on such a streak can make it last into and through the playoffs. I believe they've peaked early. But we'll have to wait & see.

Final answer: It Doesn't Matter

 

[Spirit of 67]

I went with Tampa because I think we match up better with them but the reality is, we probably have to play both if we get to where we hope we can. So I don't much care.

 

[Trapper]

The answer is:
If you think we're contenders it doesn't matter.
If you're worried...

 

[rent free]

The Leafs would destroy the flyers and likely the jackets too, or the canes whoever gets the spot

Nah. We shit the bed against flyers and against the blue jackets too.

 

[Mr Hockey]

It doesn't matter, we win either series in 7 games!

 

[PuckMagi]

I want to beat the Bruins so we can move past game 7.

We have to overcome our past to realize our future.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Nah. We **** the bed against flyers and against the blue jackets too.

We are a significantly better team than both, you can base your opinion on one or 2 games if you want I guess, but if you look at the teams the Leafs are better than Philly, Columbus, Carolina, NYI whoever gets that spot

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

It doesn't matter, we win either series in 7 games!

hopefully less than that, game 7's are stressful

 

[Halla]

Boston. they aren't gonna be winning 95% of their games in march/april

 

[Razz]

I want Boston for revenge reasons.

 

[BayStreetBully]

No difference. Whoever we don’t get in the first round, we’ll get in the second.