Have to update this post

Miss playoffs 9/10 years
2006 - Toews
2007 - Kane
2008 - Missed playoffs but big jump in points
2009 - Long playoff Run
2010 - Won Cup

Miss playoffs 10/11 years
2015 - Marner
2016 - Matthews
2017 - made the playoffs (how far TBD)
2018 - ?
2019 - ?

Also feel like Nylander needs a mention, as well Hossa gets added. Important pieces

Go Leafs!
- senstroll

I think you're kind if ignoring the fact that they also drafted and put together what was likely the best defensive group in the entire NHL which was largely in place before they got Kane and toews.

Chicago also had a ridiculous amount of depth up front.....you mentioned hossa but they also had sharp, byfuglien, ladd, browser, versteeg.....and they had them all in their prime.

I think you're kind if ignoring the fact that they also drafted and put together what was likely the best defensive group in the entire NHL which was largely in place before they got Kane and toews.

Chicago also had a ridiculous amount of depth up front.....you mentioned hossa but they also had sharp, byfuglien, ladd, browser, versteeg.....and they had them all in their prime.
- haywoodjablome

Leafs also have a ridiculous amount of forward depth... and while Rielly had a rough year, he's rebounded down the stretch and this postseason. Easily looks like a #1. Gardiner is also killing it this year, and Zaitsev looked pretty damn good, not to mention they have two of the AHL's best dmen waiting for their chance at the big leagues.

They should be looking for another top-pairing guy, no doubt, but they've got plenty of assets to acquire one without weakening themselves.


Also, Andersen>Niemi, so there's that.

Matthews is easily the third most valuable trade piece in the league. arguably second. behind mcdacid for sure. then there is just Crosby that is a question mark.
- prock

I wouldn't disagree with you. From what I've seen (highlights) this season, he is one of the best rookies to come along in a while ............... what's even more remarkable is where he's from and where he's played growing up. Imagine if he had played anywhere in the CHL.

Watch the game and pay attention to the refereeing you stupid piece of poop. The refs haven't "gifted" the Leafs anything.
- Aetherial

leafs four PPs in third period, the Caps only one ............ yeah, the reffing was pretty equal there.

A little higher...

What a (frank)ing joke. You got to play a Boston team missing some key players while the Leafs drew the Presidents trophy winners, healthy, with probably the second best goaltender in the world.

But yeah, your chances are a "little" higher.

You should be (frank)ing embarrassed if you can't beat that Bruins team. Just like the Habs should be embarrassed if they can't beat the Rangers.
- Aetherial

Every team is missing players from their line up at this time of the season.

Did you forget that the Capitals are without one of their top pairing Dmen?

Ottawa is not any more healthy than other teams, and had many players playing well below 100%, as most teams.

One of you leaf fans pointed to the Bruins missing David Krejci in the first two games ........... did not make much of a difference in game three, did he?


leaf fans just can't grasp the reality that the Senators and Bruins finished the season ahead of their leafs, and it's mainly because they were better teams than the leafs, and it was not "luck" or playing "back up goaltenders" or "weaker schedules" or "bad reffing" or "playing teams without injured players" or any other whiny little excuse you leaf fans use to somehow square the circle that makes the leafs the best team in the league, in your heads.

The Senators and Bruins are two evenly matched teams, in a series that is a 50/50 pick as to who will win ......... even with the Senators one game up ......... the Bruins could easily tie up the series tonight.

Leafs also have a ridiculous amount of forward depth... and while Rielly had a rough year, he's rebounded down the stretch and this postseason. Easily looks like a #1. Gardiner is also killing it this year, and Zaitsev looked pretty damn good, not to mention they have two of the AHL's best dmen waiting for their chance at the big leagues.

They should be looking for another top-pairing guy, no doubt, but they've got plenty of assets to acquire one without weakening themselves.


Also, Andersen>Niemi, so there's that.
- Feeling Glucky?

What did you make of Don Cherry's opinion of Zaitsev ?

I think you're kind if ignoring the fact that they also drafted and put together what was likely the best defensive group in the entire NHL which was largely in place before they got Kane and toews.

Chicago also had a ridiculous amount of depth up front.....you mentioned hossa but they also had sharp, byfuglien, ladd, browser, versteeg.....and they had them all in their prime.
- haywoodjablome

I didnt ignore that it was discussed in the Original post

But the leafs are not just starting with Matthews and Marner.
they have had Rielly, Gardiner, Kadri etc for 5+ years

they are very similar in the path so far

leafs four PPs in third period, the Caps only one ............ yeah, the reffing was pretty equal there.
- D0PPELGANGER

If you watched the game it was.

the leafs were taking it to the caps in the 3rd, they were chasing and taking some penalties. the caps got a couple soft PPs earlier, so in that NHL way.. they Leafs were owed some

Every team is missing players from their line up at this time of the season.

Did you forget that the Capitals are without one of their top pairing Dmen?

Ottawa is not any more healthy than other teams, and had many players playing well below 100%, as most teams.

One of you leaf fans pointed to the Bruins missing David Krejci in the first two games ........... did not make much of a difference in game three, did he?


leaf fans just can't grasp the reality that the Senators and Bruins finished the season ahead of their leafs, and it's mainly because they were better teams than the leafs, and it was not "luck" or playing "back up goaltenders" or "weaker schedules" or "bad reffing" or "playing teams without injured players" or any other whiny little excuse you leaf fans use to somehow square the circle that makes the leafs the best team in the league, in your heads.

The Senators and Bruins are two evenly matched teams, in a series that is a 50/50 pick as to who will win ......... even with the Senators one game up ......... the Bruins could easily tie up the series tonight.
- D0PPELGANGER

You've used the injury excuse all season (as most Sens fans do). Why can't others?

If you watched the game it was.

the leafs were taking it to the caps in the 3rd, they were chasing and taking some penalties. the caps got a couple soft PPs earlier, so in that NHL way.. they Leafs were owed some
- senstroll

It'd be nice of they even the PPs up over the series. We're owed some

If you watched the game it was.

the leafs were taking it to the caps in the 3rd, they were chasing and taking some penalties. the caps got a couple soft PPs earlier, so in that NHL way.. they Leafs were owed some
- senstroll

Did not watch the game, so appreciate your insight.

I'm expecting a few "soft" PPs for the Bruins, in the first period tonight ............. it's the NHL way as you say.

What did you make of Don Cherry's opinion of Zaitsev ?
- D0PPELGANGER

I took it to be in line with the opinion of a guy who still thinks the Leafs should have drafted Ritchie of Nylander.

You've used the injury excuse all season (as most Sens fans do). Why can't others?
- walshyleafsfan

I've been pointing out to leaf fans, all year, when they've insisted the Senators have benefited from playing vs teams missing injured players, that Ottawa has had their fair share of players missing from their line up just as much as any other team.

leaf fans just can't wrap their heads around the fact that the Senators have ended up higher in the standings, again, and have to make up excuses for it, because it can;t possibly be that the Senators are a better team, eh?


You will never see a Senators fan making up stupid reasons (luck, easy schedule) if the leafs finish ahead of the Sens next year.

If you watched the game it was.

the leafs were taking it to the caps in the 3rd, they were chasing and taking some penalties. the caps got a couple soft PPs earlier, so in that NHL way.. they Leafs were owed some
- senstroll

No mention of the 2 minute 5-on-3

Did not watch the game, so appreciate your insight.

I'm expecting a few "soft" PPs for the Bruins, in the first period tonight ............. it's the NHL way as you say.
- D0PPELGANGER

could be.. if the refs saw the replay after the game.. i think they would agree they messed up and decided a game by giving a PP when both players should have got penalties

Go Bruins!

leafs four PPs in third period, the Caps only one ............ yeah, the reffing was pretty equal there.
- D0PPELGANGER

Full 2 minute 5 on 3.

Look at the penalty logs in games 1 and 2 when the Caps were trailing.

Like I said bumhole, shut your mouth until you have a clue WTF you are talking about.

Every team is missing players from their line up at this time of the season.

Did you forget that the Capitals are without one of their top pairing Dmen?

Ottawa is not any more healthy than other teams, and had many players playing well below 100%, as most teams.

One of you leaf fans pointed to the Bruins missing David Krejci in the first two games ........... did not make much of a difference in game three, did he?


leaf fans just can't grasp the reality that the Senators and Bruins finished the season ahead of their leafs, and it's mainly because they were better teams than the leafs, and it was not "luck" or playing "back up goaltenders" or "weaker schedules" or "bad reffing" or "playing teams without injured players" or any other whiny little excuse you leaf fans use to somehow square the circle that makes the leafs the best team in the league, in your heads.

The Senators and Bruins are two evenly matched teams, in a series that is a 50/50 pick as to who will win ......... even with the Senators one game up ......... the Bruins could easily tie up the series tonight.
- D0PPELGANGER

Ottawa is more healthy than Boston.
Alzner missed one game, Zaitsev missed two.

Do you really think Boston is on the same level as the Caps.

Dude, you are a (frank)ing idiot. How many dumb ass arguments have you thrown out there that are completely and utterly shut down. Everything you say is pretty much a half-truth or just a flat out lie.

Would you trade the Sens Roster/Prospects/Management/Coaches/Ownership for the Leafs?

In a (frank)ing heartbeat you would, or you are even more stupid than you appear and I am not sure that is possible.

could be.. if the refs saw the replay after the game.. i think they would agree they messed up and decided a game by giving a PP when both players should have got penalties

Go Bruins!
- senstroll

The refs blew it, no question.

I've been pointing out to leaf fans, all year, when they've insisted the Senators have benefited from playing vs teams missing injured players, that Ottawa has had their fair share of players missing from their line up just as much as any other team.

leaf fans just can't wrap their heads around the fact that the Senators have ended up higher in the standings, again, and have to make up excuses for it, because it can;t possibly be that the Senators are a better team, eh?


You will never see a Senators fan making up stupid reasons (luck, easy schedule) if the leafs finish ahead of the Sens next year.
- D0PPELGANGER

Not sure if serious

Not sure if serious
- walshyleafsfan

I missed that one.

I don't think anyone has pointed out missing players int he regular season. I mean, for a single game, sure, but not boosting them in the standings. That sort of thing evens out over time. It's a little different in a 7 game series against the same team, but a single game in the regular season? No.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that there is not a single fan base in the NHL that uses the injury excuse moreso than the senatards.

- they were complaining that number 65 was hurt for years after he got a little nick on his ankle. It took roughly 3 years for them to stop claiming "he's not back at 100%".

- it's been 3 years in a row claiming booby ryan isn't scoring 30 goals because of injuries (wrist, hand, finger, whatever), when it's been 5 years since he actually has scored 30, and he's never done it without 2 of the top players in the league on his line.

- Claimed they were missing macarthur for years. Like that even makes a difference.

- blah blah blah anderson.

Maybe it's because the cheap ass senaturds owner can't afford some decent depth, and has been wasting money on overpaid crap like booby ryan and dion phaneuf to boot.

Every team is missing players from their line up at this time of the season.

Did you forget that the Capitals are without one of their top pairing Dmen?

Ottawa is not any more healthy than other teams, and had many players playing well below 100%, as most teams.

One of you leaf fans pointed to the Bruins missing David Krejci in the first two games ........... did not make much of a difference in game three, did he?


leaf fans just can't grasp the reality that the Senators and Bruins finished the season ahead of their leafs, and it's mainly because they were better teams than the leafs, and it was not "luck" or playing "back up goaltenders" or "weaker schedules" or "bad reffing" or "playing teams without injured players" or any other whiny little excuse you leaf fans use to somehow square the circle that makes the leafs the best team in the league, in your heads.

The Senators and Bruins are two evenly matched teams, in a series that is a 50/50 pick as to who will win ......... even with the Senators one game up ......... the Bruins could easily tie up the series tonight.
- D0PPELGANGER

#Rattled

I've been pointing out to leaf fans, all year, when they've insisted the Senators have benefited from playing vs teams missing injured players, that Ottawa has had their fair share of players missing from their line up just as much as any other team.

leaf fans just can't wrap their heads around the fact that the Senators have ended up higher in the standings, again, and have to make up excuses for it, because it can;t possibly be that the Senators are a better team, eh?


You will never see a Senators fan making up stupid reasons (luck, easy schedule) if the leafs finish ahead of the Sens next year.
- D0PPELGANGER

Strong game. Bruins are hanging in very tough.

Leafs played a good game. If anybody had said they would be 2-2 after the first four games against Caps I think most fans would have taken it.

I believe the winner of game 5 will go on to win series.

Strong game. Bruins are hanging in very tough.

Leafs played a good game. If anybody had said they would be 2-2 after the first four games against Caps I think most fans would have taken it.

I believe the winner of game 5 will go on to win series.
- spatso

I think if anyone said they'd be on the playoffs they'd be happy. they're the best young team in the east. all Leafs fans are ecstatic about the incredible future the team has. they're the best young team in the East.

the winner of the series matters not, because for the Leafs, this is just the beginning.