Capitals @ Leafs - Apr. 4th, 7:30pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Boyle will not return.

*sees who's up next on the centre depth chart*

No. NOOooooo. NOOOOOOOOOO

If Boyle can't go I think I'd rather sit Martin for the playoffs, give Nylander his own line with some scoring wingers and try and kill teams with relentless attack in the playoffs.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If Boyle is out for any amount of time, I mean even for just 1 game, I'd call up Colin Greening to replace him. Ben Smith has absolutely no business being in a NHL line-up. Gauthier was decent in his time here but it's not enough for a playoff-bound team. Greening's been playing centre in the AHL and has apparently been performing well lately. And of the 3 vets that were sent down to the Marlies he seems to be the only one who actually took it in stride. Might be a good idea to reward that type of behavior.

 

[Zee]

Leafs drop to 8th tonight if these scores hold up

 

[ZBBM]

Leafs drop to 8th tonight if these scores hold up

Looking probable.

 

[herman]

Not a good pass at all from Gardiner.

 

[azzurri63]

Gardiner no idea sometimes what he's thinking.

 

[herman]

Is that Marner cantering Martin and Kapanen?

 

[barney_rebel]

We stink BTW...

 

[azzurri63]

Leafs drop to 8th tonight if these scores hold up

Looking probable.

If they stay there it's a quick playoff. They have to finish top 3 in their division. I think they can beat the bruins or senators.

 

[ZBBM]

Leafs drop to 8th tonight if these scores hold up

Looking probable.

If they stay there it's a quick playoff. They have to finish top 3 in their division. I think they can beat the bruins or senators.

It may be anyway.  The playoffs are a different kettle of fish altogether and who knows how they'll react.

As for tonight, no need to overanalyze this.  They are tired on a B2B.

 

[Kin]

I'd personally much rather this young team get to test their mettle against the best in the league than burden them with all of the baggage a Boston or Ottawa series would entail.

Long playoffs or short playoffs, if you're worried about ducking anybody you're not really ready.

 

[rdowdall]

Leafs drop to 8th tonight if these scores hold up

Looking probable.

If they stay there it's a quick playoff. They have to finish top 3 in their division. I think they can beat the bruins or senators.

In reality though, whether they win one round or not, it doesn't really make all that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.  At some point they would probably have to play the Caps or Pittsburgh, and they are quite there yet to beat those teams in a 7 game series.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I'd personally much rather this young team get to test their mettle against the best in the league than burden them with all of the baggage a Boston or Ottawa series would entail.

Long playoffs or short playoffs, if you're worried about ducking anybody you're not really ready.

That's true, there is something to be said for getting a team in the second round that's had a significant chunk taken out of them in the first round though. 

But I agree with you broadly.

 

[herman]

For a brief moment, Nylander - Matthews - Kapanen.

 

[Kin]

That's true, there is something to be said for getting a team in the second round that's had a significant chunk taken out of them in the first round though. 

That's probably true and it'd be a shame if this season ended without making the playoffs or in a 4 game sweep but if the Leafs played the Capitals in the 2nd or 3rd round it's the Leafs who'd probably be the worse for wear.

 

[herman]

Marner breaks the goose egg. 1 more for 20.

JvR with the nice touch pass gives him 59 pts on the season.

 

[gilmourthegreat]

I'd personally much rather this young team get to test their mettle against the best in the league than burden them with all of the baggage a Boston or Ottawa series would entail.

Long playoffs or short playoffs, if you're worried about ducking anybody you're not really ready.

So the Leafs should duck the Boston baggage? To me that's the greater test.

 

[Kin]

So the Leafs should duck the Boston baggage? To me that's the greater test.

I don't think they should care either way. If you're asking me what result I think would be best for their development I'd say Washington.

 

[rdowdall]

So the Leafs should duck the Boston baggage? To me that's the greater test.

I don't think they should care either way. If you're asking me what result I think would be best for their development I'd say Washington.

I'd say a top flight defencemen.

 

[Kin]

So the Leafs should duck the Boston baggage? To me that's the greater test.

I don't think they should care either way. If you're asking me what result I think would be best for their development I'd say Washington.

I'd say a top flight defencemen.

I definitely think the Leafs could beat a top flight defenseman in a 7 game series.