You're still not beating Tampa. LOL

Tampa, Colorado, Florida, Carolina, Leafs are all crazy teams. Boston, New York, Pittsburg, Calgary are all gross as well.

Every team listed there is gonna have a tough time getting out of the first round. because the top 13-14 teams in the NHL are way deeper and better than most years. This will be interesting to see.

Leafs can beat tampa. Tampa can also beat the Leafs.

Wishful thinking. Good luck with that. 👍

You have to see that the Leafs are in that same category as those other teams. Doesn't mean they will get out of the first round though.

They're not in the same category at all as Tampa. Zero playoff success. Until they've done it they haven't done anything. No one cares about your regular season record when playoffs start.

I am strictly talking about the team on paper RIGHT now. I don't care about past success. Just the team and players as is now.

So am I. Why would anyone but Leaf fans believe Toronto could beat Tampa in a playoff series?

It's all subjective until it comes down to the matchup. Every team can beat one another in the NHL. Not saying the Leafs would 100% beat Tampa, but I'm not saying the opposite either. If you reinforce the narrative for either team like "LOL 2PEAT STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS THEY'LL NEVER LOSE!" vs "LOL 1967, 2004, LOLOLOL," it's just foolish.

Upsets and unexpected outcomes happen in every sport.

LA had no business beating the President's Trophy winner Canucks in 2012, but they did it and that's when 1-8 seeding still existed.

Just enjoy the ride. Hockey is fun to watch, no matter the outcome.

So what about when Tampa was swept by Columbus? We still knew they were a great team. Your logic is very anti-leaf and needs to be applied to the rest of the league. Colorado, Calgary, Florida, are all in the same category as the leafs they haven't proved anything.

Still hanging on to the "Leafs are the same as Tampa" theory eh? LOL

Leafs are tied with Detroit in playoff series wins the past 6 years. Red Wings haven't made the playoffs since 2016.

Tampa had at least won a few playoff series' before being swept by Columbus. Leafs have achieved no playoff success at all. Those are the facts.

More selective justification. We're just like Tampa! LOL

Kings had alot of injuries that season and were much better than you're typical #8 seed. Grasping at straws is fun though. 👍

You're right. Upsets do happen. But Leaf fans always move the goalposts. When they lost twice to Boston, the Leafs were apparently the better team before those series started. After they lost it was "Well we were underdogs and weren't supposed to win so it's ok to lose."

When Toronto lost to Columbus it was "Well we were outgoalied but were the better team."

When Toronto lost to Montreal after being up 3-1 in the series you used the "Tavares was injured" crutch. Leafs lost 3 games on home ice and were just "unlucky."

It's never the other team was better than the Leafs. It's all about making excuses and justifying playoff failure.

Selective? Lol. Just stating an observation. I never said the Leafs were just like Tampa.

Nothing is ever a sure thing until it's over. That's all I'm saying. None of us can predict the future and anyone who says they can just looks like an asshole when they're proven wrong or when they say "SEE! TOLD YOU!"

Tons of hockey left. If Tampa beats Toronto, congratulations for being right. You win nothing.

You win nothing too. I can mouth off just like you can. But Mr. 21 CFACGM posts knows it all! 🤣

Everything is a measuring stick. I see.

Im not the commenter who said they are the same. I'm the one who said the rest of the teams you mentioned with Tampa all have as much to prove as the leafs.

Also, I'd rather make the playoffs then not. So it's just embarrassing you think not making the playoffs is equivalent to making them.