• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

OK... I will start the first round discussion page. "GO LEAFS GO"

Per Mirtle, and like a dozen other media people, Babcock is "optimistic" Zaitsev and Polak will be ready for game 1 but there's "no guarantee".

Sounds like Andersen should be good to go.
 
Losing Zaitzey and even Polak would be a big blow. Looks like Freddie can start, which is great.

I just find it interesting a lot of pundits have it at blow-out status. Even if we get creamed in the first two in Washington, the Leafs certainly have it in them to win the next two in Toronto. I'm reminded of '93 at the Joe. Leafs get blown-out two straight in the incredibly loud and incredibly hostile Joe Louis Arena by Detroit, thus ending the series... But the saying goes you don't really know much until both teams play at home.

Leafs were 1-1-1 against the Caps this season and were second to only Washington in total time spent with the lead this year for all NHL teams. If they take them lightly or look past them... Caps are in year-two of a must-win window, GM's words. Pressure's on.

That sea of red and the "toot-toot-toooooot. Lets-Go-Caps." every two minutes is going to be wild. Can't wait.
 
https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/851850138540756992

Mike Gartner: http://www.sportsnet.ca/590/sportsnet-starting-lineup/mike-gartner-expecting-leafs-caps-series-closer-expected/
 
I think we can win this ,but it will be 7 games if we do. I believe we match up well with wash. The only scare I have right now is if our injured D are good to go or not. I am going to call this Leafs in seven if we are healthy, if not wash will win it in six or seven. Zaitselv and Polak will be the dif between winning and losing.
 
nutman said:
I think we can win this ,but it will be 7 games if we do. I believe we match up well with wash. The only scare I have right now is if our injured D are good to go or not. I am going to call this Leafs in seven if we are healthy, if not wash will win it in six or seven. Zaitselv and Polak will be the dif between winning and losing.

Honest question nutman, do you think the Leafs can win the Cup this year if healthy?
 
In a parity league, anything is possible, but I see this as Caps in 5. 

And ... who cares?  We couldn't ask for a better introduction to the playoffs for the young guys.  They will be thrown into the most intense atmosphere they have ever played in.  They'll learn that all of a sudden the flamingo has gone extinct and all those shooting lanes are gone.  That the game goes at a breakneck pace for 60 minutes.  That no shifts are taken off.  That everyone on the opposing squad will be trying to hit like Martin.

It is a whole different game.  And, while I would love to see Andersen steal one of the first two in DC (the Caps are a powerhouse but a mentally fragile one), the last game we played against them pretty much indicates how this series will go.
 
Good luck in the playoffs guys.  It must be great to have 4 young 60+ point scorers.  As a Flyers fan...I'm envious.  Anyhow, best of luck & hopefully our teams meet in the playoffs the following season.
 
Nik the Trik said:
hockeyfan1 said:
- Capitals have two players who have played at least 10 playoff games
- Maple Leafs have eight players who have played at least 10 playoff games

I'm pretty sure this is nonsense.

Looking up and down the caps roster, 19 out of 21 skaters have 10 or more playoff games. So...
 
While I have little hope the Leafs win this series, winning Game 4 next Wednesday is a lock.  Why?  Wednesday's game is during Beaver Scouts night for me and my son.  The night the Leafs won the draft lottery?  Missed it, at Beavers overnight camp.  Bautista's bit flip homer?  Yep, at Beavers.
 
Omallley said:
Nik the Trik said:
hockeyfan1 said:
- Capitals have two players who have played at least 10 playoff games
- Maple Leafs have eight players who have played at least 10 playoff games

I'm pretty sure this is nonsense.

Looking up and down the caps roster, 19 out of 21 skaters have 10 or more playoff games. So...

So, they have 2 such players, but they also have 17 bonus players.
 
Heroic Shrimp said:
While I have little hope the Leafs win this series, winning Game 4 next Wednesday is a lock.  Why?  Wednesday's game is during Beaver Scouts night for me and my son.  The night the Leafs won the draft lottery?  Missed it, at Beavers overnight camp.  Bautista's bit flip homer?  Yep, at Beavers.


Oh so that's the night the Leafs will be up 3-0 in the series and up 4-1 with 10 minutes left in the third, and will win the game.
 
I know the ideal is to have a great #1 D to anchor the blueline, but it seems to me that the Leaf fans could take heart in the Washington model as a fallback:

Orlov/Niskanen
Orpik/Shattenkirk (deadline)
Alzner/Schmidt

Very solid, but certainly nothing Norris votey in there. Surely a D of this quality could be had through FA and the current core over the next few years?
 
Heroic Shrimp said:
While I have little hope the Leafs win this series, winning Game 4 next Wednesday is a lock.  Why?  Wednesday's game is during Beaver Scouts night for me and my son.  The night the Leafs won the draft lottery?  Missed it, at Beavers overnight camp.  Bautista's bit flip homer?  Yep, at Beavers.

If you left now, could you be there by Thursday?  :D
 
Omallley said:
Nik the Trik said:
hockeyfan1 said:
- Capitals have two players who have played at least 10 playoff games
- Maple Leafs have eight players who have played at least 10 playoff games

I'm pretty sure this is nonsense.

Looking up and down the caps roster, 19 out of 21 skaters have 10 or more playoff games. So...

Interesting fact.  Auston Matthews has more career goals than Alexander Ovechkin
 
McGarnagle said:
I know the ideal is to have a great #1 D to anchor the blueline, but it seems to me that the Leaf fans could take heart in the Washington model as a fallback:

Orlov/Niskanen
Orpik/Shattenkirk (deadline)
Alzner/Schmidt

Very solid, but certainly nothing Norris votey in there. Surely a D of this quality could be had through FA and the current core over the next few years?

Yeah, I was thinking this too, as it seems to me pretty likely we're on the Caps' trajectory -- lots of high-end talent up front, some good but not great players on defense. WSH now seem to be much deeper with good/not great defensemen. Will be curious to see what that group does.
 

About Us

This website is NOT associated with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the NHL.


It is operated by Rick Couchman and Jeff Lewis.
Back
Top