The Official LEAFS NATION Hockey thread

[Doc Holliday]

I dont get the new playoff format. If it was to begin today, would the Habs play the Leafs?

They'd play the Senators, as Gaby mentioned. But i wasn't aware that it was a 'new' format. Wasn't it the same format last year?

I know there have been a lot of complaints about this type of format, but it's much better than the old 1 vs 15, 2 vs 14 format from years ago. This current format makes the first round of the playoffs a lot more interesting because it often pits rivalries against one another. Sure, it looks 'stupid' now because a division leader will face one of the best teams in the conference, but no system is perfect. I personally enjoy the current format.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Leafs getting closer to playoffs; Leafs have caught up to Ottawa

Canada's team played their last game at the awful overdated Jerry Lewis Arena last night by clobbering the Red Wings and in the process are now in second place in their respective division after catching up to the ailing Ottawa Senators.

Auston Matthews with his 38th goal of the season was the clincher. Matthews scored two goals, William Nylander with his 22nd and Mitchell Marner with his 18th closed out the Leafs scoring. Matthews will likely win the Calder trophy and there are now whispers that Nylander may actually finish second in the balloting, not Patrick Laine.

For me, the Jack Adams trophy for coach-of-the-year should definitely go to Mike Babcock, who has this very young team already playing like contenders. This was another season where there was supposedly going to be a 'lot of hurting', just like last season on the organization's plan to rebulid the franchise into a contender. Well, this team is already looking like a contender!! It can match up to ANY team on any given night!!

Go Leafs Go!!! :thumb:

 

[str8flash]

the awful overdated Jerry Lewis Arena

What a great boxer he was !!!

 

[jalimon]

Matthews will likely win the Calder trophy and there are now whispers that Nylander may actually finish second in the balloting, not Patrick Laine.

Do not rule out Werenski yet

Cheers,

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

I dont get the new playoff format. If it was to begin today, would the Habs play the Leafs?

Cheers,

I also prefer the conference format where the the top 8 play, #1 plays #8 etc.
Looks like the Habs will be playing the Rangers and the Leafs get to play the sinking Senators.
Flames may play the Oilers which I would prefer in the second round.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I also prefer the conference format where the the top 8 play, #1 plays #8 etc.
Looks like the Habs will be playing the Rangers and the Leafs get to play the sinking Senators.
Flames may play the Oilers which I would prefer in the second round.

The Leafs may wind up playing Washington if the Bruins stay ahead of them in the standings. Or they could wind up playing the Bruins. Who knows, Tampa is hot and could surpass them (or the Bruins) and there's a chance the Leafs, Bruins and Sens all wins up missing the playoffs.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Do not rule out Werenski yet

Cheers,

I am ruling him out.

 

[Doc Holliday]

what a great boxer he was !!!

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[gaby]

The Leafs did it against the Pens...what a game it was....and they are in playoffs....happy for them and their fans who have been waiting since 13 years.....well done...they deserve it.....

 

[Doc Holliday]

The Leafs did it against the Pens...what a game it was....and they are in playoffs....happy for them and their fans who have been waiting since 13 years.....well done...they deserve it.....

It was indeed a heck of a game! Whew! Once Andersen went down, i didn't think they stood much of a chance with Mclhinney in the net. But Mac made a game-saving (playoffs?) save in the final minute on a point blank shot by Sidney Crosby. Wow! What a game!

By the way, the Leafs last played in the playoffs 4 years ago (the infamous collapse against the Bruins in game 7). Down 3 games to 1, they came back to tie the series at were leading 4-1 early in the third period of game 7, only to see the Bruins come back to tie it in the final minute and then win it in overtime.

Good news this morning: Freddie Andersen will be back at practice tomorrow and he's scheduled to start game 1 against either the Capitals or the Senators, depending on the outcome of their game against the Jackets later today. If the Leafs get 1 point, they'll face the Senators. If not, it's the mighty Capitals. Of course, i want them to at least tie the Jackets, whom i suspect will be resting players. The Leafs will go with Curtis Mclhinney and have called up Garrett Sparks on an emergency basis. Sparks will likely be backing up Mac tonight.

It was good to see Kaspari Kapanen get his first NHL goal last night, which tied the game. I can't believe with my own eyes the skill-level on this kid! They got him in the Kessel trade and if Kapanen plays on one of the top 2 lines next season, he may just be the next rookie-of-the-year. By the way, my money's on Auston Matthews easily winning the Calder in a couple of months from now. Easily! Coach-of-the-year?? It has to be Mike Babcock. He took a last-place team and immediately turned them into playoff contenders in just year 2 of the total rebuild! Unbelievable! GM-of-the-year?? As someone who's followed the Leafs for as long as i can remember, i'd give it to Lou Lamoriello. He's done great things for the organizations and his biggest move was trading for goalie Freddie Andersen, whom in my opinion is a top-10 goalie. Andersen has been great for the most-part of this season and a huge reason why the Leafs are now in the playoffs.

 

[gohabsgo]

the Leafs are now in the playoffs.

If not for 15 OT losses (i.e. 'loser points') the Leafs would be nowhere near the playoffs

By the way, the Leafs last played in the playoffs 4 years ago (the infamous collapse against the Bruins in game 7).

By the way, that was also a shortened season and represented the only time Toronto had made the post season in 11 seasons!

2005–06 Did not qualify
2006–07 Did not qualify
2007–08 Did not qualify
2008–09 Did not qualify
2009–10 Did not qualify
2010–11 Did not qualify
2011–12 Did not qualify
2012–13 [shortened season] first round epic choke and fail
2013–14 Did not qualify
2014–15 Did not qualify
2015–16 Did not qualify

 

[Doc Holliday]

Canada's team is opening their series in DC tomorrow night and it's unlikely defencemen Roman Polak and Nikita Zaitsev will be in the lineup after both suffering injuries in their last game against Columbus. Marchenko & Marincin will likely dress up in their place. Yikes!!!!

p.s. Freddie Andersen is expected to get the start.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Ahhh so excited!!! Wish I was in DC right now hehe 8D

I expect many Leafs fans to be in DC since there were still many tickets left and at a fraction of the price of what they'd pay in Toronto. One fan told me that the cost of airfare+hotel+ticket for him to see the Leafs/Caps wouldn't be that much more expensive than attending a game in Toronto. I did consider going but would have stayed at a friend's place near Washington.

I'd like to be more positive, but i have a feeling that the Caps are too big, skilled and deep to lose against the Leafs. Hopefully in the second round i can still cheer for the Sens and maybe every-NHL-team against the habs.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Canada's team is opening their series in DC tomorrow night and it's unlikely defencemen Roman Polak and Nikita Zaitsev will be in the lineup after both suffering injuries in their last game against Columbus. Marchenko & Marincin will likely dress up in their place. Yikes!!!!

p.s. Freddie Andersen is expected to get the start.

Just got word from a friend of mine watching their practice that every Maple Leaf other than Zaitsev practiced. Polak was paired with Jake Gardiner. Marincin with Carrick. Marchenko may be dressed as a 7th defenceman.

 

[gohabsgo]

I expect many Leafs fans to be in DC since there were still many tickets left and at a fraction of the price of what they'd pay in Toronto. One fan told me that the cost of airfare+hotel+ticket for him to see the Leafs/Caps wouldn't be that much more expensive than attending a game in Toronto.

Indeed. I did a random search for a pair of tickets - quite a few available on the resale market starting at $70 (usd) each.

I did consider going but would have stayed at a friend's place near Washington.

This place ?

https://www.trumphotels.com/washington-dc?utm_source=local&utm_campaign=gmb&utm_medium=organic

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

Canada's team

Sorry but no.

 

[jalimon]

Sorry but no.

Agree. Everyone knows Canada's team is the Habs

Cheers,

 

[Halloween Mike]

Well i would say rejoice Leafs fan... second time your team make the playoff in like 20 years... :/ and last time they made the biggest choke in history ... and against... beurk.. the bruins.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Agree. Everyone knows Canada's team is the Habs

Are they still in Canada?

 

[Doc Holliday]

Well i would say rejoice Leafs fan... second time your team make the playoff in like 20 years... :/ and last time they made the biggest choke in history ... and against... beurk.. the bruins.

I was told yesterday that none of the habs players on the team were born the last time the habs won the Cup.