Nik the Trik said:
Yeah, I've always liked Ovi too and think that all the choker and No-Cups arguments against him are silly. With that said he can totally choke in this series.
OK... I will start the first round discussion page. "GO LEAFS GO"
- Thread starter nutman
- Start date
Yeah, I've always liked Ovi too and think that all the choker and No-Cups arguments against him are silly. With that said he can totally choke in this series.
mr grieves
New member
Arn said:
Speaking of Winnik, he's got a pretty handle on the Leafs:
I actually prefer this match-up I think over the Sens. Whether we had won or lost to Sens, I think we'd be wondering where is this team at, unless we won a couple of rounds.
With the Caps, we see how we stack up against the elite right away. Out in 4 or 5 games and it's really obvious there is a ways to go; take them to 6 or 7 games and maybe we've come even further than we thought.
With the Caps, we see how we stack up against the elite right away. Out in 4 or 5 games and it's really obvious there is a ways to go; take them to 6 or 7 games and maybe we've come even further than we thought.
McGarnagle
New member
mr grieves said:
That's actually pretty interesting that he's been following the team so closely. I liked the guy when he was in Toronto, he seemed like a class act. It's going to be hard to get a hate on for anyone on the caps, except maybe wilson.
mr grieves
New member
slapshot said:
Sort of like we did last time..? :-\
I think we know where this team is. We've had 82 games to see what they are, and one playoff series won't teach us all that much more.
But the 4-7 the Leafs play against the Capitals will give them valuable experience -- probably more valuable than playing a team that's limped into the playoffs.
As long as they push as hard as they can and play to their skill level -- and hopefully find a way to impose their game on the Caps for some decent stretches -- I'll be happy to know that they're figuring out how to play playoff hockey.
disco
New member
hehe pressure is ALLLLL on Washington. If they don't advance it's a DISASTER. If we don't the future is super-duper bright. Get out there and score some fricken' GOALS 
Without a doubt, awesome, awesome, awesome to see post-season hockey for this young team. INVALUABLE going forward.
Without a doubt, awesome, awesome, awesome to see post-season hockey for this young team. INVALUABLE going forward.
disco said:hehe pressure is ALLLLL on Washington. If they don't advance it's a DISASTER. If we don't the future is super-duper bright. Get out there and score some fricken' GOALS
Without a doubt, awesome, awesome, awesome to see post-season hockey for this young team. INVALUABLE going forward.
Are you excited for the playoffs? I can't really tell. If only there had been one more awesome in that sentence, I would have been able to figure out what you are feeling.
Guru Tugginmypuddah
Active member
Only two more sleeps!!!!!
The Athletics series preview via Dom Luszczyszyn:
https://theathletic.com//51398/2017/04/11/by-the-numbers-how-the-leafs-stack-up-against-the-mighty-washington-capitals/
For non-subscribers, it basically looks at this chart which he tweeted out:
"Game Score" is basically a metric he created which rates each player a value based on a number of different states like goals, assists, shots, blocks, corsi, face offs, penalty differential). While it's not perfect, it's a pretty good "total value" type stat.
Anyway, things look pretty good there until you get to the defencemen. The value of all 3 of our right-handed defencemen combined doesn't even really get close to their worst righty.
https://theathletic.com//51398/2017/04/11/by-the-numbers-how-the-leafs-stack-up-against-the-mighty-washington-capitals/
For non-subscribers, it basically looks at this chart which he tweeted out:
"Game Score" is basically a metric he created which rates each player a value based on a number of different states like goals, assists, shots, blocks, corsi, face offs, penalty differential). While it's not perfect, it's a pretty good "total value" type stat.
Anyway, things look pretty good there until you get to the defencemen. The value of all 3 of our right-handed defencemen combined doesn't even really get close to their worst righty.
disco
New member
http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/page/powerrankings-april102017/nhl-washington-capitals-no-1-chicago-blackhawks-scream-stanley-cup-contender-pittsburgh-penguins-looking-columbus-playoff-power-rankings
"... Matthews will almost certainly win rookie of the year honors and his young pals are a ton of fun to watch. You'd better not blink, though, because their opening-round series against powerful Washington is going to be over in a flash."
"... Matthews will almost certainly win rookie of the year honors and his young pals are a ton of fun to watch. You'd better not blink, though, because their opening-round series against powerful Washington is going to be over in a flash."
Just remember guys, Hillary was supposed to win too.
hockeyfan1
New member
Some fancy things to consider:
- Capitals had the third best powerplay (21.3%)
- Maple Leafs had the second best powerplay (23.1%)
- Capitals have five forwards with 20 or more goals & eleven who have scored at least 12
- Maple Leafs have five forwards with 20 or more goals & nine who have scored at least 10
- Capitals were 11-2-1 in their last 14 games of the season
- Maple Leafs were 12-5-1 in their last 18 games of the season
- 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
Capitals advantage: experience and depth
Maple Leafs advantage: youth and speed
Capitals disadvantage: can't seem to shed the "choker" label, have yet to advance past the second round since 1998
Maple Leafs disadvantage: their rather porous defence and relative inexperience as it'll be a first for the young players to be in a playoff matchup
Source: NHL.com, TSN
Maybe Auston is right. The Caps look beatable. Perhaps on paper, but on the ice it's going to be a challenge. Or maybe not. We'll see.
GO LEAFS GO!!
- Capitals had the third best powerplay (21.3%)
- Maple Leafs had the second best powerplay (23.1%)
- Capitals have five forwards with 20 or more goals & eleven who have scored at least 12
- Maple Leafs have five forwards with 20 or more goals & nine who have scored at least 10
- Capitals were 11-2-1 in their last 14 games of the season
- Maple Leafs were 12-5-1 in their last 18 games of the season
- 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
Capitals advantage: experience and depth
Maple Leafs advantage: youth and speed
Capitals disadvantage: can't seem to shed the "choker" label, have yet to advance past the second round since 1998
Maple Leafs disadvantage: their rather porous defence and relative inexperience as it'll be a first for the young players to be in a playoff matchup
Source: NHL.com, TSN
Maybe Auston is right. The Caps look beatable. Perhaps on paper, but on the ice it's going to be a challenge. Or maybe not. We'll see.
GO LEAFS GO!!
Totally agree with Winnik about the lost OT points and the corrected problem of blowing leads. I been preaching this to everyone making the assumption it's going to be a short series. The Leafs ended the season a better team then they were at the start of the season and a better team then the standings show. I expect a great hockey series not a blowout.mr grieves said:
Absolutely thrilled to be in the playoffs again. How about Toronto sports right now? Not bad.
bustaheims
Active member
Nik the Trik said:
Considering most of the Capitals roster played more than 10 playoff games last spring . . . yeah.
EDIT: They have 2 players who dressed regularly who have not played at least 10 playoff games - and one is their backup goalie.