Best-Worst Scenario

[slapshot]

Of course, most people would like the Leafs to make the playoffs and make some noise, but of these 3 scenarios only, which would be your most favourite and least favourite:

1. Have tight playoff like hockey right down to the wire, but just miss. The young players get the benefit of playing important playoff like games, learn some valuable lessons about making every game count all season long, and get a shot at a higher draft pick, maybe even get lucky in lottery by moving up.

2. Finish in wild card spot, get some actual playoff experience and some buzz around the city, but get bounced quickly by the Capitals, no lottery option.

3. Finish 3rd in their division, but lose to Sens for first time in history in closely contested opening round. No lottery option.

 

[McGarnagle]

I think with the draft projected to being on the weak side, unless there's a good chance of a top 5 pick, I guess I'd prefer a few playoff games. Really they're likely to finish in no-man's land, so no point in chasing picks by one or two up or down at this point.

 

[McGarnagle]

So out of your options, put me down for a #3, so we can start building a rivalry again. 

 

[Kin]

I don't really care as I don't really think the playoff experience matters and the difference in draft picks is likely to be small.

I don't really care about who the Leafs play if they make the playoffs. Getting beat by the Sens wouldn't sting particularly more than anyone else so I guess I'd rather they get to go up against the Caps to get a real test against a contender.

 

[Frank E]

...snip...Getting beat by the Sens wouldn't sting particularly more than anyone else so I guess I'd rather they get to go up against the Caps to get a real test against a contender.

Come on, man.

 

[Kin]

Come on, man.

Have you seen who the other teams in our division are?

 

[WAYNEINIONA]

4 Beat the Sens in the first round and then who cares after that.

 

[Bill_Berg]

4 Beat the Sens in the first round and then who cares after that.

Yep. But of the available options I would say 2.

 

[Frank E]

Come on, man.

Have you seen who the other teams in our division are?

Who's in on these theoretical divisional playoffs?

 

[Kin]

Who's in on these theoretical divisional playoffs?

That's not word good.

 

[disco]

Thanks for laying out the scenarios slapshot.
I'd say 3>2>1. But it's mostly all good, I'm glad we're playing meaningful hockey right down to the wire. I wanna go down to Maple Leaf Square a few times, and we'd have a shot against Ottawa ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6r-WXElkdQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYdzRSXxxwA

 

[Kaberle15]

4 Beat the Sens in the first round and then who cares after that.

This is the best Scenario...  "3 Cheers for Ottawa... the team we already Forgottawa" - always a classic.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Well if the only options are don't make the playoffs or lose in the 1st round to either Washington or Ottawa I'd rank them as follows:  2, 1, 3

I'd take a loss to Washington in the first round above the other two options.  The experience of playing a TRUE cup contender in the playoffs is probably the most valuable thing to me.  Even if its a 4 game sweep. 

I'd rather lose out on a playoff spot than get beat by the Sens in the playoffs.  Having lived in Ottawa for 9 years, from 2000-2009, I know too many Sens fans that are insufferable and don't want to hear about them beating us in the playoffs- EVER.  It's nice to have that over them.

 

[Kaberle15]

We all remember the 98-99/99-2000 Pat Quinn's Leafs, right ? with 3 rookies (Tremblay, Markov, Kaberle) on D, Derek King, Kris King, Mike Johnsson...

They made it. This year's team is way better.