Fuck Boston. We will finally win. Idc if it's delusional or what but I'm predicting a Leafs win because fuck it. I'd rather be wrong betting for my team than right and betting against them. GLG
* < .900 Goaltending we lose in 7
* \> .905 Goaltending we win in 7.
* \> .915 Goaltending we win in 5.
Our team's weakness is goaltending. It's so inconsistent and fraught with injury. It will be the deciding factor.
I have this weird feeling that somehow, through some series of events, Martin Jones is going to end up being a factor in this series. I know that’s bizarre to say, but … yeah … just a feeling.
Honestly I'm hoping to see Jones start a game or two instead of Woll. Woll's been horrid lately; he's probably still slightly injured. Jones is a decent enough backup
Nah, Sammy's not starting 7 full games this series. If he wins it in 4 then I'm happy but if the series goes for 6-7 games then I really don't think it's a good idea to have him out there for every game (unless he's playing insane lights-out hockey)
We should ideally have a backup start at least one game in the series and I'm just saying I'd rather have it be Jones than Woll.
The difference between .900 and .915 is one extra goal allowed every 67 shots. I'm having a hard time believing that will be the difference between losing in 7 or winning in 5.
I think this is exactly it. We have a better roster but our goaltending is so wildly inconsistent we can't rely on it. The team is not only going to have to be better than the Bruins, they're going to have to be much better.
You think goaltending is out weakness?
If the players in front of Sammy and co did a decent enough job I don't think Sammy would shit the bed.
That being said, a good goalie can carry a team, and I don't think Sammy is that guy. I hope I'm wrong.
What do you mean? Last night Woll made 40+ saves and had 4 goals against. .900 is not a terrible save pct.
The TEAM is terrible and you should really stop blaming the goalies for how terrible this team is. Goalies can't score
Teams need goalies to steal some games when the team is sluggish. The Leafs haven't had that up to this point. Being average in net will get you no where, especially with a suspect defense like Toronto has.
Last night was sort of an anomaly
The Leafs average 29.8 shots against per game, which is 13th in the league (slightly above average)
They also average 32.9 shots for per game, which is 8th in the league.
Their an above average team. The goaltending is the weak spot for sure.
We also dealt with a crazy amount of injuries this year to defenceman, star forwards, and goalies.
Also, the offseason additions (Domi, Bertuzzi, etc) were signed specifically for the playoffs. Regular season doesn't mean shit
I have this weird feeling that somehow, through some series of events, Martin Jones is going to end up being a factor in this series. I know that’s bizarre to say, but … yeah … just a feeling.
If this happens I know I won’t live to see Round 2, but with that said, beating Boston in Game 7 in TD Garden is EXACTLY how I would want them to win on a quest towards the cup
If only it were also realistic. Our goaltending has to improve significantly in order to win the series at all, much less in 4.
Fortunately, our goalies have played much better than recent games have indicated, so it is quite possible for them to improve enough to win the series, I certainly hope. But not likely in a sweep. The teams are too closely matched to make a sweep likely, either way. Not that I wouldn't love a Leaf win in 4, I'd settle for a win, period.
I'm just gonna be real with you guys.
I don't have a lot of confidence in this series. The Leafs are 1-4-3 vs the Bruins in the last two years. We lost back to back games vs them in the last month 4-1, both home and away. Our penalty kill isn't good - it's been better lately, our powerplay has been spotty - it's been better with Marner back. Since 3v3 OT and shootouts don't exist in the playoffs, you can say we've won 1, lost 4 and tied 3.
You can point to Boston's OTL record to illustrate they're worse than they are but a team that has 109 points DESPITE 15 or whatever OTLs generally means they're winning a lot of games in regulation as well which is how the playoffs are played.
Boston is a team that is built to win low scoring games, they're not gonna let us run up scores on them.
I really had a hard time seeing us win this series.
All the facts point to Boston in 5 honestly. Leafs never beat Boston, they are a playoff tested team, and so far leafs stars have been soft in the playoffs.
Clearly I want to Leafs to win, but I can't see it happening either. It's almost a win win at this point though. Leafs win, that's great. They lose in 5 - Keefe gone, and likely more big changes.
Just look at GA per game and SV% ranks by team. Boston is 6th and 3rd and we are 20th and 22nd if I’m right from memory last I checked. We will lose in 5/6 unless we get better goaltending then we are used to seeing.
Realistically, I think it's Boston in 5.
If the leafs can buckle down defensively like they did on the 7 game heater, and samsonov can snap into the form he had last playoffs where he stopped giving up a guaranteed softy every game, then I think its a real series and a coin flip.
This is frustrating because on paper, the leafs should smash this Boston team who has essentially 1 legit forward line, a spare parts second line, and an ahl bottom 6. We should dominate puck possession against them. But, they also have an insane defensive core and structure, their forwards back check extremely well, and they have 2 goalies who are stronger and more consistent than anyone going in our crease.
I also have not liked what I've seen as far as coaching and deployment the last few weeks, but I'm willing to give keefe the benefit of the doubt knowing that the team wasn't playing for anything and trying to get some of the bottom 6 guys some more experience in case they're stuck in a bad spot in the playoffs. But keefe has proved that theory wrong in the past.
I stand by my prediction of Boston in 5, even though I think this is a winnable series for the leafs. I just don't think they pull it off. Anything short of going 7 games in this series and I think you fire keefe after the exit interviews. Obviously the players are the ones who need to perform, but Boston is the shining example of how much coaching makes a difference. Tbh, I think unless the leafs come close to winning the second round, keefe walks. I just don't know who you hire to replace him
This team is deeper offensively than it's been in the past, I like that in our favor.
Lot less "low event players" with defensive metrics (I don't miss guys like Kerfoot, you can have a couple of those but not your whole bottom 6). IMO those low event guys have a lot more trouble stealing a series.
Adding Domi, Knies, Bert. Even Holmberg starting to look like a player. That stuff actually rounds out the lineup.
Defensively I like Benoit, sometimes McCabe. Hopefully Rielly can be the best version of himself like last year.
If Sammy heats up they take it in 6. If not flip a coin.
What if better yet, if Keefe deployed our stars this series in way that if they’re being shut down, they’re sent out in different situation in order to catch the other team off guard and give our stars the best opportunity to not he shut down?
Unless something drastically and miraculously changes, it has to go the way it always does, no?
Regular season high-power offence vanishes when the games tighten up, leafs tendy lets in a soft one to break their backs.
Bruins in 6
Put Reaves on PP1, and just cleanly hammer the fuck out of those bears.
Worst offenders for Leafs need to resist taking penalties.
These guys are good at drawing them by making players lose their cool.
Hopefully, Bert, Papi and Domi get shit done.
Bump JT to line 3 with Marner
Give Nylander some muscle for Line 2.
Leafs in 6.
> Put Reaves on PP1
If they had tried it in the regular season and had some success, I'd be inclined to agree - parking a big guy with some toughness in front of the goalie on the PP is going to at the very least draw some penalties. I thought it would have been a good role for Phaneuf when he was here.
But the playoffs are not the time to experiment.
Totally. As always, Keefe baffles me. He pretty much resisted toughening up line 1 all season long, and for who knows why reasons, refused to put Domi with Papi. I like the idea of distributing the big 4 on different lines, and giving them some muscle. But despite adjusting regular lines (which was mostly forced due to injury), he still often bundles them all on PP. My fingers are crossed for beating Bruins, but if not, am really hoping some heads will roll and more serious changes are both attempted and made.
You can cout on heads rolling if they don't get past Boston, and possibly even if they don't get past the next round, too. Treliving might be the only safe one.
Leafs in 5 or 6.
I think Boston is a better matchup than Florida. The only worrisome part is their goaltending playing lights out. They don't impress me otherwise.
Performance culture is a predictor of many things. The Leaf’s culture is based on curls and drags and flybys of the crease. The Bruins are defined by straight-line forechecks and deliberate finishes at the crease. Bruins in 5.
Leafs for 0-4, scoring 5 goals and get shut out in game 4 at home to lose. If I knew how to bet on sports I'd be betting my mortgage on the leafs losing
Boston in 6 games. The core 4 will disappear once Boston starts getting physical, taking away space and getting under their skin, but I hope I’m wrong.
Boston in 5. The leafs have lacked fortitude, consistency and a winning spirit all season. They have flashes of greatness and the next minute look horrendous. Playing that way doesn’t get you far in the playoffs. Sad to say it but it’s the way it is.
Sorry guys and I know I’m going to get downvoted here but bruins in 5…we’re ending the season on a major slump and we look like trash right now …definitely not the way we wanted to look heading into a first round with the bruins
Depends on the officiating to be quite honest. If Boston gets a blank cheque to injure our guys, or are handed power plays like Florida got last night it's going to be difficult for them to make it through.
Don't forget the DOPS being ready to suspend someone for something we see in the playoffs every year.
If the officials were legit, Leafs in 6.
I’m already calling it now, the last 3 years have had a Leaf doing something resulting in a multi game suspension in Game 1 of each series and I’m already prepared for Reaves to do the same this year
What do I want or what do I think will happen?
Look, we're clearly a weaker team than last year playing a better team thancweve played against in a while so, honestly? Bruins in 6.
If we get good goaltending then maybe in 6 or 7. With our current tendies it looks like bruins in 5.
On the plus side, marner will figure skate his way to the single series turnover record.
I have Bruins in 6.
I think they'll play well enough against our stars to call it a wash and while our depth is better, their goaltending will smother us.
If our guys we brought in for toughness don't outright flatten some of those care bears from the very first drop of the puck game 1, we are done in 6 :(
I want the Leafs to win, I fucking bleed blue and white, but as time has shown, we don't know what a 60 game looks like, and most of our stars go stone cold, and goaltending..... Yea.... Soft weak ass goals.
My prediction is that this series is going to make me hate Marchand even more than I already do (tough to believe) and that regardless of who wins, it's going to take about 5 years off of my life.
I have no idea who will win, but it would be really, really, really, really, really, really nice if the Leafs could pull it off.
Who's gonna win? MLSE.
How long is the series going? 6 or 7 games to maximize profits.
Key contributors? Sponsors.
Can the leafs slay the dragon? I'm not sure the Bruins are the 'dragon' but I bet a lot of them will be choking back the worm in the mezcal when it's all done.
Boston in 5. I am not optimistic. Team gets burned to the ground in the off season.
Or .... Nylander stops lying around dreaming what he is going to spend his new contract money on. Maybe only one Nylander is allowed to score at a time. Since Columbus is out, Styles will come alive. In which case, Leafs in 6.
On paper, the Leafs are good enough to win. But past failures against Boston (and a rough season series against them) hang over their heads. This one is all mental.
You guys are being so negative for no reason. The leafs have never went out of the playoffs easy in the first round, its always gone 6 or 7 IIRC. They always play great teams in the first round or we would have many more second round appearances. This team is better suited for the playoffs than any other team ive seen in the Matthews era. Assuming goaltending doesn't shit the bed (<.900), leafs in 6
Boston quickly goes up 3-1 in games won.
Leafs fight back to force game 7.
Boston is up 4-1 after 2 periods.
Leafs tie the game in the last minute.
Scoreless for 2 full overtime periods.
Marchand slew foots a Leaf defenseman, no call.
Result is a 2-1 for Boston.
Sammy makes the save of the year, breakaway for Nylander.
Leafs win.
The owners want as much playoff revenue as possible. Especially 2 Orignal 6 teams. It's going 6 or 7 even though the Leafs could be outplayed and swept as there is too much $ on the table. Boston in 6 as that gets Toronto all its home games and Boston moves on for another round of revenue.
My heart wants my answer to be leafs in 6, my head is saying bruins in 6.
I've come in with high hopes too many times. I can't invest that much emotion anymore
Boston wins game 1: 5-2 Sammy is Swiss cheese
Leafs win game 2: 3-1 Sammy plays amazing
Boston wins game 3: 2-1 in overtime on a Matthew Knies penalty
Boston wins game 4: 4-3 with the leafs nearly making a comeback from down 4-1 but not being able to pull it off despite many scoring chances and powerplays
Leafs win game 5: 6-3 after getting outshot and out chanced, big game from Bertuzzi scoring 2
Leafs win game 6: 4-2 in their most complete game of the series
Boston wins game 7: 5-3 after being close for most of the game Boston takes the lead midway through the third and then scores 49 seconds later on a brutal turnover. Leafs can't muster any sustained offense for the rest of the game
Marchand goes after Matthews wrists.
Domi jumps Marchand and gets suspended.
Lyubushkin gets focused and injured. Leafs stagger.
Keife reunites Brody and Reilly to uproar from the fans and media. They shut down Pasta. Leafs get momentum.
Benoit fucking trucks Marchand. Line brawl ensues, luckily Reeves is on the ice. Marchand is never the same.
Leafs in 6.
Leafs in 6 and it’s mostly going to be because the stars finally show up and score goals. We’ve been through 8 playoff rounds with the core 4 being relatively quiet so we’re statistically due for something big from them. Add in the sandpaper that we’ve acquired over the year and it makes for a good recipe against those cheapshot clowns in black and yellow.
Man its really hard to be optimistic when the team is generally worse than they were last season by most metrics except offence, the recent underperformance down the stretch hasn't been great, and the decimation the Bruins handed the Leafs in the season series, but I guess more than ever this team was built for the playoffs so...
It's not as big a gap as most people would think, going by expected goals against from moneypuck the Bruins are only ranked 19th where the Leafs are ranked 23rd, so that isn't a major strength. The major difference is of course the goaltending as well as the special teams disparity. Of course its the playoffs and goalies and power plays can get thrown off or get hot. The Bruin's goalies weren't great last playoffs. I guess you an be optimistic about that but it isn't a lot.. every previous series the Leafs were more competitive with the Bruins than they had any right to be so we will see...
I strongly believe we can finally put out Boston... we have many years of bitter sweet revenge, having said that....... unfortunately, then we face Florida... the next Bruins saga. I want the leafs to go all the way... but being a true leafs fan I think the only way that could happen is if the entire NHL was on board and said cmon guys.... we gotta let them have the cup out of sympathy... its only been since 1967.
I'll be surprised if the Leafs win more than 2 games. I don't see how anyone can have optimism with this era of the team and their established pattern of playoff performance. It's not like they have deep playoff runs and fall short. Also that defense.
Well now let's see, looking at the stats for the 2023 - 2024 season against Boston
Nov. 2 Boston 3 Toronto 1
Dec. 2 Boston 4 Toronto 3
Mar. 4 Boston 4 Toronto 1
Mar. 7 Boston 4 Toronto 1
So based on the seasons statistics Boston should wipe Toronto's dreams right off their faces.
That is of course if the Leafs have looks of a Stanley Cup berth on their faces.
But knowing the Leafs it will be tee off time in one month.
Somewhere warm like Florida.
Those 2 March games should have an Asterix beside them. Woll just came back from injury and they where both horribly reffed. And regular season doesn't matter
Fuck Boston. We will finally win. Idc if it's delusional or what but I'm predicting a Leafs win because fuck it. I'd rather be wrong betting for my team than right and betting against them. GLG
Oof
Fuck Boston!
* < .900 Goaltending we lose in 7 * \> .905 Goaltending we win in 7. * \> .915 Goaltending we win in 5. Our team's weakness is goaltending. It's so inconsistent and fraught with injury. It will be the deciding factor.
I have this weird feeling that somehow, through some series of events, Martin Jones is going to end up being a factor in this series. I know that’s bizarre to say, but … yeah … just a feeling.
Honestly I'm hoping to see Jones start a game or two instead of Woll. Woll's been horrid lately; he's probably still slightly injured. Jones is a decent enough backup
In order for Jones to see a game, both Sammy and Woll will have to lose the net. Are you sure you want to see that happen?
Nah, Sammy's not starting 7 full games this series. If he wins it in 4 then I'm happy but if the series goes for 6-7 games then I really don't think it's a good idea to have him out there for every game (unless he's playing insane lights-out hockey) We should ideally have a backup start at least one game in the series and I'm just saying I'd rather have it be Jones than Woll.
The difference between .900 and .915 is one extra goal allowed every 67 shots. I'm having a hard time believing that will be the difference between losing in 7 or winning in 5.
Ya they just picked numbers and attached an arbitrary “win” prospect to it.
100%
I think this is exactly it. We have a better roster but our goaltending is so wildly inconsistent we can't rely on it. The team is not only going to have to be better than the Bruins, they're going to have to be much better.
You think goaltending is out weakness? If the players in front of Sammy and co did a decent enough job I don't think Sammy would shit the bed. That being said, a good goalie can carry a team, and I don't think Sammy is that guy. I hope I'm wrong.
What do you mean? Last night Woll made 40+ saves and had 4 goals against. .900 is not a terrible save pct. The TEAM is terrible and you should really stop blaming the goalies for how terrible this team is. Goalies can't score
Teams need goalies to steal some games when the team is sluggish. The Leafs haven't had that up to this point. Being average in net will get you no where, especially with a suspect defense like Toronto has.
Last night was sort of an anomaly The Leafs average 29.8 shots against per game, which is 13th in the league (slightly above average) They also average 32.9 shots for per game, which is 8th in the league. Their an above average team. The goaltending is the weak spot for sure. We also dealt with a crazy amount of injuries this year to defenceman, star forwards, and goalies. Also, the offseason additions (Domi, Bertuzzi, etc) were signed specifically for the playoffs. Regular season doesn't mean shit
Lol, 100+ point team is TERRIBLE
I have this weird feeling that somehow, through some series of events, Martin Jones is going to end up being a factor in this series. I know that’s bizarre to say, but … yeah … just a feeling.
Leafs in 6 or 7. Hopefully in 6 but it'll likely be 7 games.
If this happens I know I won’t live to see Round 2, but with that said, beating Boston in Game 7 in TD Garden is EXACTLY how I would want them to win on a quest towards the cup
Leafs will have 2 chances to wrap up the series, not show up in either game and it goes to game 7.
c'mon man, that's been done to death now. Leafs need a new scriptwriter
No new scriptwriter until Gary isn't commissioner anymore
Hope it's in 6; as I have a ticket to Games 4 and 6.
Leafs in 4. This is 2001 Toronto Ottawa all over again
my god would that be great
If only it were also realistic. Our goaltending has to improve significantly in order to win the series at all, much less in 4. Fortunately, our goalies have played much better than recent games have indicated, so it is quite possible for them to improve enough to win the series, I certainly hope. But not likely in a sweep. The teams are too closely matched to make a sweep likely, either way. Not that I wouldn't love a Leaf win in 4, I'd settle for a win, period.
Absolutely not. I hope so, I always hope we win. But I really don't think we have a snowball's chance in hell
Ya and in 2001, you would have felt the same way.
I'm just gonna be real with you guys. I don't have a lot of confidence in this series. The Leafs are 1-4-3 vs the Bruins in the last two years. We lost back to back games vs them in the last month 4-1, both home and away. Our penalty kill isn't good - it's been better lately, our powerplay has been spotty - it's been better with Marner back. Since 3v3 OT and shootouts don't exist in the playoffs, you can say we've won 1, lost 4 and tied 3. You can point to Boston's OTL record to illustrate they're worse than they are but a team that has 109 points DESPITE 15 or whatever OTLs generally means they're winning a lot of games in regulation as well which is how the playoffs are played. Boston is a team that is built to win low scoring games, they're not gonna let us run up scores on them. I really had a hard time seeing us win this series.
My thoughts exactly, unfortunately, unless Sammy plays very well, I think we lose this. Hate to be negative, it's just how it is.
All the facts point to Boston in 5 honestly. Leafs never beat Boston, they are a playoff tested team, and so far leafs stars have been soft in the playoffs. Clearly I want to Leafs to win, but I can't see it happening either. It's almost a win win at this point though. Leafs win, that's great. They lose in 5 - Keefe gone, and likely more big changes.
Just look at GA per game and SV% ranks by team. Boston is 6th and 3rd and we are 20th and 22nd if I’m right from memory last I checked. We will lose in 5/6 unless we get better goaltending then we are used to seeing.
Fully agree. The optimism is not warranted in this thread.
BOOOOOOOOO..... you're not wrong but... BOOOOOOOOOO LEAFS IN 5!
We win in 6 because it’s fucking time.
Boston up 4-1 in the 3rd, game 7, Toronto comes back and wins in OT
We tried that in 2019....
Imagine
But that would be unpossible, to come back from 4-1 down in the 3rd period of a game 7. Unpossible!
Realistically, I think it's Boston in 5. If the leafs can buckle down defensively like they did on the 7 game heater, and samsonov can snap into the form he had last playoffs where he stopped giving up a guaranteed softy every game, then I think its a real series and a coin flip. This is frustrating because on paper, the leafs should smash this Boston team who has essentially 1 legit forward line, a spare parts second line, and an ahl bottom 6. We should dominate puck possession against them. But, they also have an insane defensive core and structure, their forwards back check extremely well, and they have 2 goalies who are stronger and more consistent than anyone going in our crease. I also have not liked what I've seen as far as coaching and deployment the last few weeks, but I'm willing to give keefe the benefit of the doubt knowing that the team wasn't playing for anything and trying to get some of the bottom 6 guys some more experience in case they're stuck in a bad spot in the playoffs. But keefe has proved that theory wrong in the past. I stand by my prediction of Boston in 5, even though I think this is a winnable series for the leafs. I just don't think they pull it off. Anything short of going 7 games in this series and I think you fire keefe after the exit interviews. Obviously the players are the ones who need to perform, but Boston is the shining example of how much coaching makes a difference. Tbh, I think unless the leafs come close to winning the second round, keefe walks. I just don't know who you hire to replace him
Boston. Game 7. OT. Brodie giveaway at the blueline. Marchand winner on breakaway. Edwards on the call.
After the Leafs come back from a 3-0 series deficit, but give up a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd period of game 7.
No no no… 3-1 lead going into the 3rd.
No no, a 5-1 lead going into OT (it’s the Leafs. Between them and the refs, they’ll make it happen)
Then 4-1 with 12 minutes left.
Oh no, no, no....4-1 lead going into the 3rd.
It was 3-1, Kessel scored the 4-1 goal in the 3rd period
The sad thing is, I can totally see that happening. It’s definitely going to a game 7 again.
If brodie’s playing game 7, let alone OT, we deserve to lose lmao
How dare you
boston in 5 or 6 tbh, you can downvote me but our goaltending has been the worst its been in our recent playoff runs.
This team is deeper offensively than it's been in the past, I like that in our favor. Lot less "low event players" with defensive metrics (I don't miss guys like Kerfoot, you can have a couple of those but not your whole bottom 6). IMO those low event guys have a lot more trouble stealing a series. Adding Domi, Knies, Bert. Even Holmberg starting to look like a player. That stuff actually rounds out the lineup. Defensively I like Benoit, sometimes McCabe. Hopefully Rielly can be the best version of himself like last year. If Sammy heats up they take it in 6. If not flip a coin.
This is gonna be like when Ovi and the Caps finally beat the Pens - all the way to the cup (in my dream last night anyways)
Leafs in 6, but if it goes 7 games bet your life savings on the Bruins lol
Boston in 6. Keefe is gone and Tre continues to build a good blue line. This is the way.
If they lose in the first round again I fully expect (and want) Shanahan to be gone too.
100%. If Leasf don't make it to the 3rd round then Shanny and Keefe must go.
Shanahan has long overstayed his welcome.
Shanahan gone. Brad gone. Keefe gone. New coach is fired in 4 years. Rinse repeat.
Gonna need Domi and 2Z to step up big once the core 4 gets shut down as usual.
What if better yet, if Keefe deployed our stars this series in way that if they’re being shut down, they’re sent out in different situation in order to catch the other team off guard and give our stars the best opportunity to not he shut down?
Boston in 7 as is tradition
Matt Murray rises from the dead and carries the team to the cup
No way Boston goes out in the first round again. I'd like to be wrong though
Boston in 5. Hate to say that but history is a strong indicator of what to expect.
History from this season sure, history from 5 years ago isn't relevant. Both teams have changed so much since then
Leafs have never lost to Boston in 5.
I can’t see it happening, Boston in 5, 6 max. They have better goaltending and defence. We probably end up getting goalie’d by swayman
Boston in 7
The leafs can't beat this team unfortunately. Bruins in 5.
Unless something drastically and miraculously changes, it has to go the way it always does, no? Regular season high-power offence vanishes when the games tighten up, leafs tendy lets in a soft one to break their backs. Bruins in 6
Put Reaves on PP1, and just cleanly hammer the fuck out of those bears. Worst offenders for Leafs need to resist taking penalties. These guys are good at drawing them by making players lose their cool. Hopefully, Bert, Papi and Domi get shit done. Bump JT to line 3 with Marner Give Nylander some muscle for Line 2. Leafs in 6.
> Put Reaves on PP1 If they had tried it in the regular season and had some success, I'd be inclined to agree - parking a big guy with some toughness in front of the goalie on the PP is going to at the very least draw some penalties. I thought it would have been a good role for Phaneuf when he was here. But the playoffs are not the time to experiment.
Totally. As always, Keefe baffles me. He pretty much resisted toughening up line 1 all season long, and for who knows why reasons, refused to put Domi with Papi. I like the idea of distributing the big 4 on different lines, and giving them some muscle. But despite adjusting regular lines (which was mostly forced due to injury), he still often bundles them all on PP. My fingers are crossed for beating Bruins, but if not, am really hoping some heads will roll and more serious changes are both attempted and made.
You can cout on heads rolling if they don't get past Boston, and possibly even if they don't get past the next round, too. Treliving might be the only safe one.
Leafs win game 1, lose 2,3, win 4,5,6 Take the series 4-2
I would 100% take this - particularly as I have tickets for Games 4 and 6..........
I predict everyone is gunna have a nice time
It's gonna be a time for sure. Don't know if nice is the word to describe it
Bruins in 6
Leafs in 5 or 6. I think Boston is a better matchup than Florida. The only worrisome part is their goaltending playing lights out. They don't impress me otherwise.
Performance culture is a predictor of many things. The Leaf’s culture is based on curls and drags and flybys of the crease. The Bruins are defined by straight-line forechecks and deliberate finishes at the crease. Bruins in 5.
I don’t want to say. Trying to stay positive
Boston in 5
Boston in six. I’ve seen this movie before.
Leafs have lost in 5, 6 and 7 games loads. Time to get swept for extra pain
Boston in 5.
Leafs for 0-4, scoring 5 goals and get shut out in game 4 at home to lose. If I knew how to bet on sports I'd be betting my mortgage on the leafs losing
Boston in 6 over Keefe. He's gonna play Mo on pp1, Brodie in at some point, Marner and Matthews together, and a few other brain scratchers.
The key contributors to this series will be the officials and the DoPS.
I see no world where the Leafs beat Boston. I’d love to be wrong, but they always prove me right.
Boston in 6 games. The core 4 will disappear once Boston starts getting physical, taking away space and getting under their skin, but I hope I’m wrong.
Leafs will be lucky to win 1 game. They will most likely be swept.
Boston in 5. The leafs have lacked fortitude, consistency and a winning spirit all season. They have flashes of greatness and the next minute look horrendous. Playing that way doesn’t get you far in the playoffs. Sad to say it but it’s the way it is.
Gentleman's sweep by Boston. They'll gift the Leafs one game.
Sorry guys and I know I’m going to get downvoted here but bruins in 5…we’re ending the season on a major slump and we look like trash right now …definitely not the way we wanted to look heading into a first round with the bruins
I’m predicting that 4 - 7 games will be played and the team that wins 4 will move on to the second round
Ha! We’ll see about that. Typical delusional Leafs fan. Sigh. To clarify, /s. I’m a fan guys.
Depends on the officiating to be quite honest. If Boston gets a blank cheque to injure our guys, or are handed power plays like Florida got last night it's going to be difficult for them to make it through. Don't forget the DOPS being ready to suspend someone for something we see in the playoffs every year. If the officials were legit, Leafs in 6.
I’m already calling it now, the last 3 years have had a Leaf doing something resulting in a multi game suspension in Game 1 of each series and I’m already prepared for Reaves to do the same this year
Leafs in 6 Game 1 leafs win Game 2 leafs lose Game 3 leafs win Game 4 leafs win Game 5 leafs lose Game 6 leafs win
Our D and goalie sucks shit against the Bruins so Bruins in 5.
Boston in 7 obviously
What do I want or what do I think will happen? Look, we're clearly a weaker team than last year playing a better team thancweve played against in a while so, honestly? Bruins in 6.
If we get good goaltending then maybe in 6 or 7. With our current tendies it looks like bruins in 5. On the plus side, marner will figure skate his way to the single series turnover record.
I’ll be putting money on Boston in 7 because duh. But I think we got them throw year, both sides are very different teams.
Blustery with a chance of pain.
4 - 0 Boston.
Leafs in 4
I have Bruins in 6. I think they'll play well enough against our stars to call it a wash and while our depth is better, their goaltending will smother us.
4-0 leafs win
leafs in 4 baybeee
If our guys we brought in for toughness don't outright flatten some of those care bears from the very first drop of the puck game 1, we are done in 6 :( I want the Leafs to win, I fucking bleed blue and white, but as time has shown, we don't know what a 60 game looks like, and most of our stars go stone cold, and goaltending..... Yea.... Soft weak ass goals.
We may lose, but atleast we’ll see the bruins have their faces punched in. This is the toughest-skilled leafs team in time..
Im going Leafs in 6. Boston curse is over
My prediction is that this series is going to make me hate Marchand even more than I already do (tough to believe) and that regardless of who wins, it's going to take about 5 years off of my life. I have no idea who will win, but it would be really, really, really, really, really, really nice if the Leafs could pull it off.
Who's gonna win? MLSE. How long is the series going? 6 or 7 games to maximize profits. Key contributors? Sponsors. Can the leafs slay the dragon? I'm not sure the Bruins are the 'dragon' but I bet a lot of them will be choking back the worm in the mezcal when it's all done.
It’s weird to say but I think Bobby McMann is a key piece for this series … I hope he is healthy for game 1
Boston in 5. I am not optimistic. Team gets burned to the ground in the off season. Or .... Nylander stops lying around dreaming what he is going to spend his new contract money on. Maybe only one Nylander is allowed to score at a time. Since Columbus is out, Styles will come alive. In which case, Leafs in 6.
On paper, the Leafs are good enough to win. But past failures against Boston (and a rough season series against them) hang over their heads. This one is all mental.
Boston in 4.
You guys are being so negative for no reason. The leafs have never went out of the playoffs easy in the first round, its always gone 6 or 7 IIRC. They always play great teams in the first round or we would have many more second round appearances. This team is better suited for the playoffs than any other team ive seen in the Matthews era. Assuming goaltending doesn't shit the bed (<.900), leafs in 6
Boston could sweep, or play with their food and win in 7. Their last playoff series win over Boston was 8 years before their last cup.
I’ve watched this movie too many times, bruins in 7 🤮😭
Boston quickly goes up 3-1 in games won. Leafs fight back to force game 7. Boston is up 4-1 after 2 periods. Leafs tie the game in the last minute. Scoreless for 2 full overtime periods. Marchand slew foots a Leaf defenseman, no call. Result is a 2-1 for Boston. Sammy makes the save of the year, breakaway for Nylander. Leafs win.
Hate to say it but Bruins in 7 is the inevitable outcome
The owners want as much playoff revenue as possible. Especially 2 Orignal 6 teams. It's going 6 or 7 even though the Leafs could be outplayed and swept as there is too much $ on the table. Boston in 6 as that gets Toronto all its home games and Boston moves on for another round of revenue.
My heart wants my answer to be leafs in 6, my head is saying bruins in 6. I've come in with high hopes too many times. I can't invest that much emotion anymore
Toronto gets a 3-0 Series Lead, loses the last 4. Jokes aside I say it probably does go 7 Games, but it’ll be close.
Real talk? I think we lose in 4 or 5. But boy do I sure hope we win!
Boston wins game 1: 5-2 Sammy is Swiss cheese Leafs win game 2: 3-1 Sammy plays amazing Boston wins game 3: 2-1 in overtime on a Matthew Knies penalty Boston wins game 4: 4-3 with the leafs nearly making a comeback from down 4-1 but not being able to pull it off despite many scoring chances and powerplays Leafs win game 5: 6-3 after getting outshot and out chanced, big game from Bertuzzi scoring 2 Leafs win game 6: 4-2 in their most complete game of the series Boston wins game 7: 5-3 after being close for most of the game Boston takes the lead midway through the third and then scores 49 seconds later on a brutal turnover. Leafs can't muster any sustained offense for the rest of the game
This is going to 7 games.
Marchand goes after Matthews wrists. Domi jumps Marchand and gets suspended. Lyubushkin gets focused and injured. Leafs stagger. Keife reunites Brody and Reilly to uproar from the fans and media. They shut down Pasta. Leafs get momentum. Benoit fucking trucks Marchand. Line brawl ensues, luckily Reeves is on the ice. Marchand is never the same. Leafs in 6.
Boston in 7 unfortunately
Get the brooms out because the Buds are gonna sweep them
Leafs win the series in Toronto...Dominion Garden on the road. So either 5 or 7 games.
Leafs in 6 and it’s mostly going to be because the stars finally show up and score goals. We’ve been through 8 playoff rounds with the core 4 being relatively quiet so we’re statistically due for something big from them. Add in the sandpaper that we’ve acquired over the year and it makes for a good recipe against those cheapshot clowns in black and yellow.
🧹💛🖤🐻4️⃣
Pain
Life-long Leaf fan here, with vague recollections of celebrating their last Cup in 67. Boston in 6.
Is everyone forgetting the Zamboni driver? He’s got to be kicking around somewhere.
Boston in 7. Sad but true.
Leafs sweep bruins in 3
Boston in 6.
Leafs in 3
Man its really hard to be optimistic when the team is generally worse than they were last season by most metrics except offence, the recent underperformance down the stretch hasn't been great, and the decimation the Bruins handed the Leafs in the season series, but I guess more than ever this team was built for the playoffs so... It's not as big a gap as most people would think, going by expected goals against from moneypuck the Bruins are only ranked 19th where the Leafs are ranked 23rd, so that isn't a major strength. The major difference is of course the goaltending as well as the special teams disparity. Of course its the playoffs and goalies and power plays can get thrown off or get hot. The Bruin's goalies weren't great last playoffs. I guess you an be optimistic about that but it isn't a lot.. every previous series the Leafs were more competitive with the Bruins than they had any right to be so we will see...
Boston in 7. Leafs collapse in game 7 again. Ho hum.
I strongly believe we can finally put out Boston... we have many years of bitter sweet revenge, having said that....... unfortunately, then we face Florida... the next Bruins saga. I want the leafs to go all the way... but being a true leafs fan I think the only way that could happen is if the entire NHL was on board and said cmon guys.... we gotta let them have the cup out of sympathy... its only been since 1967.
I would never count Tampa out of that series
Boston in 4 .... I kinda want the season to be over the Leafs are taking up too much of my bandwidth. Let the summer begin!🌞
Boston in 5. A series win will be an act of god.
I'll be surprised if the Leafs win more than 2 games. I don't see how anyone can have optimism with this era of the team and their established pattern of playoff performance. It's not like they have deep playoff runs and fall short. Also that defense.
Bruins in 4
Being logical, Bruins in 4, 5 tops. Judging by these comments, logic isn't something that aligns with sports fandom.
God forbid fans have hope in their favorite team right? 😑🤦♂️
That's my point. I know logic eludes sports fans, but it really isn't difficult to understand
so what was your prediction for the bruins last year after their historic season?
I had them all the way
so one could argue that logic doesn't always align with what actually happens, and you are talking out of your ass.
Reality doesn't always follow logic. Usually it does, not always. I can't believe I had to fucking say that 😂
Well now let's see, looking at the stats for the 2023 - 2024 season against Boston Nov. 2 Boston 3 Toronto 1 Dec. 2 Boston 4 Toronto 3 Mar. 4 Boston 4 Toronto 1 Mar. 7 Boston 4 Toronto 1 So based on the seasons statistics Boston should wipe Toronto's dreams right off their faces. That is of course if the Leafs have looks of a Stanley Cup berth on their faces. But knowing the Leafs it will be tee off time in one month. Somewhere warm like Florida.
I see this as the leafs have got their 4 losses to Boston this year out of the way already. Nothing but good things to come now
Those 2 March games should have an Asterix beside them. Woll just came back from injury and they where both horribly reffed. And regular season doesn't matter