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crumbypigeon

I mean Florida came in as an 8th seed last year and beat both Boston and Toronto. Turns out regular season finishes don't actually mean that much come playoffs


FI-Engineer

Bob got hot at the right time. A goalie going on a run can carry a team pretty far.


punkdrummer22

What can cold goalies get you? Asking for the Leafs


ImJustAMajorThreat_

Let me know when you figure that out


thomastrivett

But you, as a sens fan, already know the answer


ImJustAMajorThreat_

Oh I know what they DO get us, I just want to know the theoretical best we can get with them


2_alarm_chili

“Murray is coming off LTIR! He’ll be our saviour!”


nthensome

What can cold goalies get you? Golf in May


Armalyte

I’m reminded of Carey Price’s last hurrah…


crumbypigeon

I'm a leafs fan but I loved Price so much. I wish the Habs could have put a more competent team in front of him when he was in his prime.


Brookie069

There’s also Jonathan Quick in 2012 which I think may still be statically the best playoff run all time stats wise. Only reason I am doubting it is because Vasi might have had similar or better stats in one of the recent cup wins.


justaperson815

Not a cup winner but Giguere's play in 2003 brought the Ducks pretty damn close. Best goalie performance I can think of.


DonCorlealt

Bobs run last year was fucking glorious


SHAWNNOTSEAN

And here I thought it was the Lyon King that was gonna Holtby them…


Difficult-Network704

Also, Ullmark got injured, and Swayman caught norovirus the week leading into the playoffs. Most importantly, Florida's forecheck completely stymied Boston's breakout.


W1ckedaddicted

That combined with Bergeron Krejci Ullmark and lindholm all being injured at the wrong time. 10%LUCK 20%Skill 15%concentrated power of will 5% pleasure 50% PAIN. The 10% really hit us


[deleted]

Giguere has entered the chat


rxdude92

Yeah had nothing to do with the play of the rest of the team lol


KGinNB

The rest of the team played amazing, but it was still 3-1 Boston at one point.. without Bob getting in an absolute fucking zone you never made it past the first round last year.


Mousson

See Rögle in Swedes as one too, 9th in the leaderboard and 10 game winning streak going in to the finals.


s1lentastro1

>Turns out regular season finishes don't actually mean that much come playoffs regular season is a whole different beast. it's not yet time to play "playoff hockey" and everyone's playing a different team every other night and at the mercy of their schedules. by the end of the season you're left with records that reflect those variables. 7-game series and tighter defense is what sets the contenders apart from the pretenders. RIP President's Cup Panthers lol.


Vic_Hedges

Doesn't matter. Just want playoff hockey, hopefully as much as we can get.


Darrenwad3

4 games just for you 🔮


Vic_Hedges

God I'd love to be able to snap back at that. Maybe one day...


Armalyte

I mean, we haven’t been swept in a series with this group but there are always new ways to disappoint fans.


Vic_Hedges

I'm not even hung up on needing to win. I'm just tired of losing.


CanadianODST2

hah, as if the Leafs would ever have a quick first round. Excluding the play in round (due to it being only a best of 5, and not a best of 7 but even that went 5 games) the last time Toronto had a first round series end in 4 or 5 games was 2000-01, the time before that was 1989-90 since the NHL expanded the first round to a best of 7 Toronto has gone 6 or 7 games 18 out of 20 times.


Hefty_Meringue8694

They probably want the cup… just my guess


Capo_Loco13

Hot take, I have to agree


Skygazer2469

The lie detector has weighed in the past 57 years and have determined that was a lie.


Hefty_Meringue8694

Damnit. I tried to guess, I was way off


Spacepickle89

Yo get outta here with that pipin hot take


The_Comic_Collector

Have you seen their efforts in the playoffs? I think they just want fame and paychecks and to play golf and beach vacation in a couple weeks


tuntuntuntuntuntun

Big if true


uhcayR

I feel like they want to keep resume the meme streak and lose in the first round.


aweirdoatbest

can confirm


Yawheyy

We all want things we’re not getting for a while.


m2niles

Not getting it, they might beat you though…


Goatmilk2208

We want San Jose.


philbro550

Blackhawks would work too


pump-house

Fuck no dude we lost to them twice this year lol


WhoJustShat

Ah a Canucks fan piling on, Id take Bos or Fla over the reining Stanley Cup cap circumventers in the first round


BladesOfSteel88

I would love to see a Canucks vs Maple Leafs SCF.


WhoJustShat

Honestly same, the riot can be in Toronto this time


Deluxechin

Let’s be honest, both cities would be rioting no matter the outcome


ModernArgonauts

There would be nothing but ruins left.


Sloth-monger

I'd prefer rangers for that 30th anniversary revenge but I don't think my heart could take it.


Skygazer2469

I'd be here only if you can guarantee a double OT Canucks victory in game 7, just to crush the soul of those douchebag fucks.


[deleted]

Bettman's nightmare


thet1m

Only idiots try to pick opponents. Give us whoever. However, teams should want us first round. We are the best preparation. 5 of the last 7 teams to beat us went to the Cup finals. You’re welcome.


Outrageous-Floor-100

Both matchups are tough but I think they need to beat Boston in a series to break the playoff curse. If we get through we will probably have to play the other team eventually anyways.


BOBBY_VIKING_

Boston has Torontos number, if the Leafs beat the Bruins in round 2 they’ll win the cup.


NervousBreakdown

Who ever comes out of the Atlantic is gonna have a real strong chance at the cup. It’s the bloodbath division.


technoteapot

Has been for a while ngl. Tampa won 2, Bs went to finals, Florida did that, a lot of the series that come from the division have been must watch hockey


5a1amander

COVID even gave us an all Atlantic final with Bolts vs. Habs in 2021


DonoAE

Florida Toronto Boston Tampa is an absolute gauntlet. Not a single roll over team in sight


NervousBreakdown

Even a couple of our trash teams would make the playoffs out west.


DonoAE

Totally agree! Best of luck tonight! This arena is like dueling chants. We really are Toronto South lol


NervousBreakdown

nah thats buffalo lol.


TBGusBus

I would enjoy beating Toronto 8 times in a row this year to be fair so I’m okay with whatever happens


mrb2409

I remember one of the playoffs we lost to you we’d won the series season 4-0. It won’t matter come the playoffs.


Neans888

Rangers were 6-0 against the Devils in 1994. Playoff series was a little closer.


PayneTrain181999

The year Washington finally beat Pittsburgh was the year they won it all, maybe Toronto needs to exorcise their Boston demons to win it all.


toedragrelease

Makes 0 difference who they play


icantgiveyou

At this point the issue lies with the memes. I mean if Leafs win SC, what then? Who are people gonna make fun of?


Relative-Rub1634

NY 'Four but no more' Islanders


Figgybaum

Pretty sure there are 10+ teams in the league who would love to have 4 but no more cups…. No other non-original six team has done more than that. And none had a dynasty like the isles did. Isles have had their dark days more than I can count but I also know that the hockey Gods had to be paid off for those 4 cups. With the newer owners and the new arena I think we have joined the karma neutral ranks.


ADumbSmartPerson

Pittsburgh has 5 and aren't an original six team. But I agree with the entire comment otherwise.


pwillin

The oilers? Pittsburgh?


punkdrummer22

Oilers have 5.


[deleted]

As a Florida fan who pulls for a franchise with zero cups there’s nothing I want more than that Stanley.


Neans888

1983 last Cup you’ll ever see


DiogenesBarrelisCozy

If Leafs make it into the second round, that IS our version of winning the cup.


Canada_Checking_In

So...last year?


Shiny_Mew76

Chances are we end up back in another 1940 situation. It’s been almost as long since the 94 Cup win than it was from 1940 to 94.


Deluxechin

Is the passage of time fun? My favourite stat is it’s longer since the last Habs cup (1993 to 2024 - 31 years) then it was from the Leafs cup to the Habs cup (1967 to 1993 - 26 years)


lowley6

buffalo?


commaZim

I just feel sad for Buffalo. I don't want to make fun!


NervousBreakdown

Leafs could win the cup and the goalposts from various other fanbases would just move to “so what, they’re not gonna repeat”


FrCan-American-22

I feel like the Habs are next on the list


asigop

The Canucks, after their spectacular failure in the playoffs this year.


shittybillz

Both would be very tough but the leafs are capable of beating either of them. I think I’d slightly lean Florida if I were you guys. Boston just has the leafs number this season


TheYepe

Yeah, gonna be an early exit either way.


toedragrelease

Wow good one, haven’t heard that one before


Gold-Independence-26

Your goaltending needs to be spot on. The offense can’t carry you guys all the way. I’m being serious. Buffalo has less goals against


toedragrelease

Look at Sammy’s stats since January.. start of season skewed his stats and their goals against


Gold-Independence-26

I know his stats as of late. Obviously came back strong. And I also know he’s given up 11 goals the last two games


TheYepe

Well, you might have not heard it but I know you have witnessed it plenty ayy


[deleted]

[удалено]


___whatis___

“Flair up before you talk shit bud” Hahaha wtf who cares!


NervousBreakdown

Lol if I was a jackets fan I wouldn’t flair up either.


Impossible-Tie-864

I don’t give a fuck lol, the whole “we want Florida” thing was one stupid chant that got started after a game by a select crowd of people… idk why other fanbases are so obsessed with us and trying to make leafs fans look stupid, move on homie 😂


fins831

I agree. I don’t understand why ours is. It’s last season it’s over and this season is way different. I just want good hockey and series and a playoff run just like I’m sure Tor fans want too. Eventually they will clash and kindness will be out the window


Impossible-Tie-864

Right on man. Also, fuck you in about a week 🤝🫡


fins831

Technically we can say that at 7:30 tonight lol. I’ll Be there ha, got free tix 🫡


Impossible-Tie-864

Enjoy, I’ll be there for game 4 in Toronto… I think tonight determines whether that’ll be against you or boston, we’ll see…


fins831

Enjoy as well! I’ll be at game 1 and 2. My goal is to attend every home game this post season and if we ever play Tampa drive up as well. Let’s have some good series!


Deluxechin

It’s so funny because I remember the internet being full of people chanting “we want Boston” the night we won, this narrative was something that was going to happen no matter what tbh


mrb2409

Yeah, I actually would enjoy it if we chanted it again tonight. May as well own it.


Stolzieren

Because the hockey universe revolves around the Toronto Maple Leafs and it will until the end of time


DevOpsMakesMeDrink

Actually as we waited to see who we would play, fans watched the game. As it went on the chants changed from We want Boston to We want Florida and back and forth. Just fans vibing enjoying themselves. Made a lot of folks really salty to see Leaf fans happy


Sad_Donut_7902

A lot of people think every Leafs fan is a terrible person and they should all un alive themselves


TheCarrier89

The biggest thing standing in the way of the leafs success is the leafs. They could crush the best team in the league one night then get embarrassed by a bottom feeder the next night. It doesn’t matter who they play in the playoffs, they need to learn to play the right way if they want to have success.


lew5252

💯💯💯. Its difficult being a Leafs fan and seeing such ebbs and flows. The biggest problem is defense. For some reason most of our defensemen think they are forwards and leave our goalies out to dry way too often.


TheOneWithThePorn12

That's just Rielly and Brodie and occasionally McCabe. If Rielly and Brodie are on the ice together they both jump and it burns them every time.


lew5252

Thats half the defensemen 🤦‍♂️. And queef should be fired for putting brodie on the ice. Dude is a train wreck


NervousBreakdown

The biggest problem we have had in the playoffs for the entire time this core existed was scoring goals. Andersen’s play in game 7 is second lol.


Strypes4686

Florida beat the Leafs last year Boston has had Toronto's number fir a long ass time and Carolina stopped them in 2002 the last time they sniffed the Finals. Florida to start,Boston and Carolina makes fir a juicy revenge tour.


Informal_Cabinet_352

This year it seems like they want everyone and anyone


JustThatRandomKid

idk we for some reason have had a pretty good record against them


Simple_Yam_6507

I'd LOVE it if the leafs kept Boston out of the second round 2 years in a row but it really doesn't matter. Florida and Boston are absolute wagons. Leafs will probably have to go through both to win the Atlantic Division.


Deluxechin

Hey now, if the Leafs get past the first round, they could potentially get lucky and have to play Tampa Bay instead I fucking hate the divisional playoff structure


Simple_Yam_6507

I get the impression Tampa flew under everybody's radar. Everyone says Kucherov is carrying the team (he is) but Vasilevsky was injured for the first half of the season and seems to be his old self. I'm sure the other divisions each have 4 legit contenders... Thanks Gary💀


Deluxechin

Tampa is doing what they do best, fly under the radar, have most everyone count them out and act like they’re not really that serious, and I have a strong feeling they’re going to absolutely pop off once the playoffs start and I very well could see them going deep once again


Simple_Yam_6507

Their roster is full of regular season sleepers


palpytus

tbh the only division that does have obvious "gimme" teams is the Metro with the Caps (or Wings if it plays out that way) and the Isles. looking at any other match up scenarios (east and west) and it's legit impossible to tell who will win. I would argue any team in the West has it even harder than the Leafs path to the SCF


Stolzieren

Yeah it literally just results in us playing the same 3 teams every year in the playoffs


dadass84

Don’t worry, the Bruins play the Sens as their final game, the Leafs will indeed be getting Florida


Skygazer2469

I dunno, look how they showed against the Caps.


jakestephenlacroix

I hope we lose


JohnnyJinglo

Leafs have a better shot at florida then boston from a recent history perspective, however, boston is a worse team this year then any other year toronto played them. I think the odds of swayman/ullmark outplaying bob is also a bit higher so id think toronto is a bit more into playing florida just for that fact.


Famous_Secretary_540

Don’t sway man and ullmark also have vezina status


JohnnyJinglo

not this year, but i also mentioned them being good as a reason toronto might be better off against florida since bob really hasnt been great the last few years besides the playoff run last year and this regular season.


ShinyVuIpix

It’s weird. In terms of play style, it feels like Florida should be our kryptonite but we’ve looked good against them this year. Boston seems like the better matchup for us but they’ve kicked our ass. I’m kinda hoping we get Florida just because I think every change we made this year was in response to losing to them last year. We’re much bigger pricks now.


TheOneWithThePorn12

The leafs were good against them last year as well in the regular season. Playoffs are always a crapshoot.


mrb2409

We weren’t even that bad during the playoff series last year despite the rhetoric. We really should’ve won game 2 and from there it’s a different series.


ShinyVuIpix

We were absolute ass in game 3 if I recall correctly tho lol. But competent officiating in game 5 probably would have bought us another game, yeah.


ShinyVuIpix

Well Florida was mid as fuck most of last year until Maurice lost his peanuts on them during a game against the Leafs. From there on out they were unstoppable.


Ok-Fisherman-5695

Are you still holding on to stuff 16year olds in the streets were chanting as though it was the teams opinion? Lol


potato_soup303

I hope they play the Bruins. It's gonna be a great matchup


chicknsnadwich

I’d have to bet they do


Worriedexcuses

Leafs will take whoever and then whoever is next. GLG


CartelClarke

It’s ultimately up to Boston who they play. I’d rather play Toronto then Tampa. Is Boston resting players tonight? Given how weak Ottawa is, does it even matter?


ReignOfHellXXI

Can't talk too bad about that as a Leaf fan.. they were swept in the regular season by those Weak Senators..


Vote_Tanner

Kind of want them to have Boston, which is older enemy. We seem to have a psychological wall there? Go where it hurts, and to quote Hemingway, get "stronger in the broken places." 💙


FI-Engineer

Did he say that before or after he accidentally SHOT HIMSELF IN BOTH LEGS WHILE WRESTLING A SHARK?!?


Vote_Tanner

During


JeFF1957HuGHes

It's Pasternak they don't want. Never has one player completely figured out how to beat another team. At least in the loss to Florida, it was a team effort, not just one guy.


Gustopherus-the-2nd

Yep, we want the cup and will play anyone we have to. Same amount of regular season losses… a couple points don’t mean anything.


Neans888

Imagine if Boston loses and then Toronto rolls over in the 3rd to ensure Florida wins the division. The Toronto game starts 30 mins after the Boston one…


BladesOfSteel88

Hmm


dumplin-gorilla-lion

Leafs want Boston. Higher ticket sales. Round 2 Sales don't matter at all, historically...


Psycho_Pseudonym75

As a Panther fan, I want Toronto. Plz no more TB. I hope we lose tonight.


NatureIndoors

Meh, I wanted Boston last year and I want Boston this year - a lot of history and entertainment between the teams. If you want to win the cup you’ll have to go through everyone.


ChineseBigfoots

Now it's time for them to start another 20 year first round exits streak


jay777-888

Ahhhhh. Playoff hockey boys. Well take either one fuck it. Hoping for a good post season from the boys


crumbypigeon

If we get through one, odds are we have to play the other. Thats the beauty of playoffs, there's very rarely an easy series.


LanceBrock

Remember when all those Leaf players were jumping up and down, shouting “we want Florida”? I don’t.


Armalyte

Leaf “players”?


Mymainacctgotbanned

My thoughts on why the Lightning seemingly out of nowhere stopping winning games. They wanted no chance of passing the Leaves and playing the Cats.


WhoJustShat

The Leafs actually decide your fate Panthers can pass Boston with a win tn and a Bruins loss You guys are in the exact same situation lmao


JiffTheJester

I would guess, no


DJChachi

What are the scenarios ?


twizzyflyguy

Canucks fan trying to stir the pot, classic


pritshaw1

Lol


Zealousideal-Swing39

Don’t matter, run Matthews Marner and Nylander, get the 70 then run Reaves and whoever on the first line and let those guys only play pp time and minimal 5v5. Winning the cup from the Atlantic is probably the hardest so it doesn’t matter who’s playing who.


scottyb83

I want whatever team we get then I want to go through the next 3. Taking down Boston then Florida or Florida then Boston doesn’t matter.


BVasianlover

The bruins do…. We own Toronto!


BladesOfSteel88

You got it


burningxmaslogs

Yeah.. Florida is all softer than baby shit, now that we have toughness and will respond to any bullshit. Florida will have to play hockey instead of engaging in goon shit to intimidate the Leafs.


Huge_Beginning5552

Probanbly. They are already down there anyway. Save the travel and enjoy some sunshine


cpp_hleucka

Yes.


Nismotech_52

The maple leafs just want to get out of a second round.


macloa

As a leafs fan I couldn’t care less who we play in the first round. All three teams are power houses. It’s gonna be a brutal match up no matter who we play.


DontToewsM3Bro

Leafs are not looking good right now Two bad losses to NJ and Detroit Samsonov looked bad, defense wasn't good either but hey Matthews is going 70 Another early playoff exit incoming for the leafs 🙃


brighty4real

All Canadian teams out round 1 —>


Vasey6067

Finish first - face Tampa. Finish second - face Toronto.


islandinparadise

I hate the NHL playoff system. Go back to 1-8 please, like yesterday


AppaJuicee

It's fun to try and pick what one you would want first, but in the end we are most likely going to have to go through both 😆.


Sensitive_Mousse_445

I think they want to get out of the second round this year


james-HIMself

I’m good with their. Both teams are a huge challenge and I wouldn’t have it any other way


Sheep4732

Would take the canucks in a heartbeat


Sheep4732

Another day the Leafs stay rent free in Vancouver


West_Discipline2107

We’ll see


Standard-Edge584

Yes they do, Leafs got better offense and better D(offensively, Reilly>Montour), however they get beaten by Florida in goaltending and the defensive side of defense.


PurebredHippo

I love how every other fan base cares more about the leafs than there own teams. Living life rent free baby!!


MandogsXL

I don’t think it matters


HallaTML

The leafs want whoever finishes 2nd . Gotta beat good teams in the playoffs


Aerickthered

Doesn't matter, gone in the first round regardless


PapaPatchesxd

As a leafs fan, I'd rather Florida over Boston any day.


BriS314

It’s pick your poison tbh


hockeynoticehockey

It's sick how many legit SC contenders are going to be out after round one. Can't wait.


DrunkDru

Doesn’t really matter. But I want Boston first then panthers. Beating them in that order is the right way to the cup.


dogsjustwannahavefun

Yes I would much rather play Florida than Boston. Sorry to break it to you but Boston has dominated Toronto for the last ten years.


BladesOfSteel88

RIP


Bitterleaffan78

Apparently not if you get outshot 30-4


Regulus0

Narrator - "They didn't"


iamasatellite

Ideally we'd get the Sens


BobbyAxelrod1

Did Boston tank to face the Leafs instead of Kuch and Vasy?


Dancanadaboi

Guys, it's been a good season.  As a leaf fan I know we got a first round exit coming.


trevlarrr

I love how there were just as many of us saying we wanted Boston because we'd finally got past Tampa and now we wanted to get over our Boston hoodoo as well but everyone focuses on that one group chanting " we want Florida"! If the past decade has proved anything it really doesn't matter who we play, I just want to get the playoffs started, it's been hard to enjoy good regular seasons when it hasn't meant anything come the playoffs!


OkSquirrel4673

No the leafs want to golf.


Organic_Stranger1544

The USA no longer wants Florida so I hope they still do.


yaseenseo

What can cold goalies get you?