The hardest trophy in sports to win. Who do you like ?
It's hard to see anyone beating Boston. But upsets always happen. The first round can be quite exciting.

I know KrazyKanuck will be by my side cheering on the Maple Leafs.

Boston in a walk since the Flyers were excluded.

135 points and goal differential of +128. This is one of the best teams in NHL history.

But yeah, anything can happen!

I'll pick two dark horses. Edmonton and Dallas. Both were really good this year and could do some damage. And both finished the year on hot streaks.

Boston had a record breaking season. Who saw Ullmark having the season he did ? I hope Toronto plays Boston in round 2.
I think Edmonton and Dallas battle for the west. As for the east, my heart says Toronto, and I can see New Jersey being a Cinderella team.

I joined a Fantrax fantasy League. $20 usd, 30 people are in it. Those are the 4 teams I picked my 15 players from.

Only three things matter for this year's NHL playoffs:

1. The Rangers must make it to the Eastern Conference Finals so the Blackhawks get another 1st Round draft pick.

2. The Tampa Bay Lightning must get eliminated as quickly as possible to increase the Blackhawks 2023 draft pick that was traded to them for Tyler Johnson's contract. (I hate the Leafs, but I'll make an exception for this round).

3. Not really a playoff necessity, but it will occur during the playoffs, the NHL draft lottery on May 8th must award the 1st pick the Blackhawks who will then select Connor Bedard and make another dynasty run in 3-4 years.

That is all.

Oh man, imagine that. Chicago getting Bedard just as Kane and Toews have moved on. They will have massive cap space to build around him. I still don't understand why they gave up on Debrincat. Maybe because he will be looking at a huge RFA contract this summer.
The Ranger pick must have been part of the Panarin trade ?

I just don't want Bedard ending up in Montreal.

Lucky_1, you hate the Leafs from the old Chuck Norris Division days ?

Ottawa needs Bedard.

Yes WT I will be cheering for the Maple Griefs.

haha. you are welcome on the bandwagon.

If Bedard ends up in Ottawa, you are looking at a Dynasty level team.

The Leafs MUST win a series. If they don't, there might be some big changes coming for that team.

The Bruins look unbeatable, but let's not forget about the Presidents Trophy curse. I remember a year the Wings blew everyone away all season long, only to wither away in the playoffs.

My sleeper team this year who could make a dent. Minnesota. Only if they sit Fleury and put Gustavson in net every game.

Yes, if the Leafs don't win a round, Dubas is gone. His contract is up.
I was a doubter of his for a long time. I think he has learned, and adapted well, and has iced a very good hockey team. He realized it takes more than speed and skill to win in the playoffs. He picked up Luke Schenn, league leader in hits. He picked up Ryan O'Rielly, a Conn Smythe winner with St. Louis. We have Wayne Simmonds if needed. Our kids are not kids anymore, and they have to be sick of losing in the first round. Can Samsonov win in the playoffs ? I hope so. I love the kid.

Patrice Bergeron is missing game 1 due to an illness (curse )

Gustavsson is starting game 1. I like Oettinger in that goalie matchup. Minnesota is the lowest scoring team to make the playoffs. They were 22nd overall.

This Leafs team does look much better prepared to face Tampa then last years. Tampa looked pretty anemic this last month.

I didn't know Minnesota had the lowest scoring in the playoffs. Gustavson does have one the lowest goals against though.

Schenn and Simmons might keep Perry and Maroon under control.

The first round of the Cup is absolute heaven for me, I just wish they would go back to the old 1 vs 8 format.

I agree. 1 vs 8 is much better. The Leafs would not have to play Tampa
But even so, it was a better format. Bettman likes it though.

The first round is hockey heaven for me too. There is almost always upsets. And if you are in a pool or fantasy league, it's even more fun.

That was an exciting 3rd and OT period in the MN DAL game. Ugly 2nd period. Too many penalties, good goaltending and too many periods.
I work too early in the morning to catch the rest of this.

Yes, Minnesota and Dallas with the first double OT game. Always exciting.
Just saw Dumba's hit on Pavelski. That's playoff hockey. Hope Pavelski is ok. His head hit the ice, and he has a history of concussions.
Oiler lose first game to LA. They got a series on their hands.

Hopefully, he didn't look too good getting off the ice though. The crowd certainly wasn't happy about it only being a 2 minute minor. Home TV feed only showed one angle on the screen, I don't know what the other angles showed.
So far it doesn't sound like they'll be playing Pavelski in Game 2.

Yes we was definitely wobbly, and needed assistance getting to the bench. That's too bad, he is a competitor. He would be missed. But better to not play with a concussion.

The ESPN guys kept calling it a headshot. Even the always clueless Leah Hextall said "it was definitely a headshot". It clearly was not. It may have been a little late. To me it was a good playoff hit and an example of why you need to keep your head up. I like Pavelski and hope he is okay. I thought Edmonton had that game in the bag last night. Uh oh ! lol.

Clean hit. A veteran like Pavelski should anticipate that. His head hit the ice, that's what rung his bell. I hope he is back, he is a big part of that team.

On a side note, there are too many women "experts" on TV broadcasts. I prefer guys who actually played the game. I don't count women's hockey. A AAA team of 15 year olds could beat an Olympic women's team. If that makes me a horrible person, so be it. But most TV broadcasts are unwatchable during intermission, and pre post games. Sportsnet in Canada is awful.

Shoulder to shoulder. Not a head shot. Playoff hockey hit. Should not have been a penalty.

I still remember '67 ..we live in hope

Nice to have some support from the Rock.

#Leafsforever

I was born 3 months after they last won. I was a Leafs fan as a kid in the 70's. I took the 80's off, as I was a teen and had other activities I was interested in. Beside the 80's where horrible for the Leafs. We had to wait for Harold Ballard to leave.
92/93 brought me back. Been cheering ever since. Some tough years, but a few decent years. This is definitely the most skilled, balanced team the Leafs have had.
The big question is in net, but I think Samsonov can run with it. had.