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

[Zee]

Dave McCarthy‏ @DaveAMcCarthy
Babcock on Zaitsev for game 2: "We?re always hopeful he?ll be back. I don?t know 100% for sure. I thought he was going to skate today."

Zaitsev's confirmed out for game 1. No one from the Leafs will say it, but it sounds like a concussion.

That's a shame.  One of the big reasons they even snuck into the playoffs is because of good luck with injuries, so I guess you can't complain.  I like Marincin but he can't pick up Zaitsev's slack.

Maybe Marincin suddenly turns into the second coming of Scott Niedermayer?

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Dave McCarthy‏ @DaveAMcCarthy
Babcock on Zaitsev for game 2: "We?re always hopeful he?ll be back. I don?t know 100% for sure. I thought he was going to skate today."

Zaitsev's confirmed out for game 1. No one from the Leafs will say it, but it sounds like a concussion.

That's a shame.  One of the big reasons they even snuck into the playoffs is because of good luck with injuries, so I guess you can't complain.  I like Marincin but he can't pick up Zaitsev's slack.

Maybe Marincin suddenly turns into the second coming of Scott Niedermayer?

Or the Leafs play 5 D and Marincin keeps the bench warm until Zaitsev returns.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/LeafsLunch1050/status/852211559006908417

 

[Zee]

Dave McCarthy‏ @DaveAMcCarthy
Babcock on Zaitsev for game 2: "We?re always hopeful he?ll be back. I don?t know 100% for sure. I thought he was going to skate today."

Zaitsev's confirmed out for game 1. No one from the Leafs will say it, but it sounds like a concussion.

That's a shame.  One of the big reasons they even snuck into the playoffs is because of good luck with injuries, so I guess you can't complain.  I like Marincin but he can't pick up Zaitsev's slack.

Maybe Marincin suddenly turns into the second coming of Scott Niedermayer?

Or the Leafs play 5 D and Marincin keeps the bench warm until Zaitsev returns.

OR, Marincin lays Ovechkin out in OT, steals the puck, leads a rush up ice and scores the game winner?

 

[Highlander]

perhaps it is time for Komrade to do some payback on his good friend

 

[AvroArrow]

Call up the Goat and throw him into Zaitsev's spot.

 

[McGarnagle]

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?

You're also missing John Carlson there though. That's 3 right-handed defencemen better than any righty we have, two of which are top pairing guys and the 3rd (Niskanen) arguably one of the best #3 type defencemen in the league. So it's not like putting together that type of group is an easy feat either, especially under the cap.

You're right. I spaced on Carlson. Still, to win the president's trophy back to back on the strength of an elite forward group backed by a "solid"  D corps is probably the best model the leafs can hope for without bottoming out again.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Call up the Goat and throw him into Zaitsev's spot.

Well, we use to debate turning Kaberle into a centre, so why not?

 

[AlmosGirl]

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.

Thanks O&B. It's been a fun year and nice to hear from you.

 

[Kin]

Call up the Goat and throw him into Zaitsev's spot.

Well, we use to debate turning Kaberle into a centre, so why not?

Ah yes. Remember when we had that 50+ point scoring, mobile defenseman and people's first thought was "this really needs to change".

 

[disco]

https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-players-optimistic-after-game-1-ot-loss/c-288773150?tid=287344004

 

[sickbeast]

I thought the Leafs controlled the play for most of the game last night.  If it weren't for the referees they would have won in regulation.  They looked tired in OT.  Hopefully they can pull off a win tomorrow night.  I was impressed with what I saw during game 1.  Washington will be ready for them on Saturday, though.  Should be a great game.

 

[mr grieves]

I thought the Leafs controlled the play for most of the game last night. If it weren't for the referees they would have won in regulation.  They looked tired in OT.  Hopefully they can pull off a win tomorrow night.  I was impressed with what I saw during game 1.  Washington will be ready for them on Saturday, though.  Should be a great game.

You must've been celebrating the quick start. They controlled play for the first period, and Washington gradually took over. Whether that was the Leafs jumping on a nervous team, the Capital's experience or superior talent taking over, the Leafs playing tentatively with the lead, or Trotz out-maneuvering Babcock... I'm not exactly sure.

 

[disco]

I thought the Leafs controlled the play for most of the game last night.  If it weren't for the referees they would have won in regulation.  They looked tired in OT.  Hopefully they can pull off a win tomorrow night.  I was impressed with what I saw during game 1.  Washington will be ready for them on Saturday, though.  Should be a great game.

Heck of a lot of playoff-style hockey in that last month. Went 14-5-1 to get in. Well rested this team is dangerous and of course, well-coached. Washington will not get a free pass until that final whistle, that's for damn sure

 

[nutman]

I think we will get a better result tonight.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/felixpotvin/status/853469927621120000

 

[nutman]

I see a big win tonight to go up 2-1. This Leaf team is here to pull all the leaf fans back, and to wake a sleeping giant of a solid blue city. Tonight will be crazy.....

 

[Highlander]

https://twitter.com/felixpotvin/status/853469927621120000

Did not see the Big Smoke for a few seconds then the belly laugh. Thanks for that as I am packing to move to who knows where, which is extemely stressful.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/felixpotvin/status/853469927621120000

Did not see the Big Smoke for a few seconds then the belly laugh. Thanks for that as I am packing to move to who knows where, which is extemely stressful.

You bet Highlander
https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/853987043948584960
... and the Legend grows ...

 

[disco]

"He doesn't know it's a show... he thinks it's a damn fight! Now get in there and END THIS!"

Apollo Creed played by the Washington Capitals
Apollo's Trainer played by Barry Trotz
Rocky played by the Toronto Maple Leafs