After 8 parts to this series, we have finished the play in rounds. Now that the NHL will determine the match ups by seeding after each round, I have made the next set of match ups. Now obviously, it is really hard to predict the top 4 team round robin thing, so I'm just going to say that the top 4 will stay as is in each conference.
Here are the series match ups:
East:
1 Bruins vs. 8 Leafs
2 Lightning vs 7 Islanders
3 Capitals vs 6 Hurricanes
4 Flyers vs 5 Penguins
West:
1 Blues vs 9 Jets
2 Avalanche vs 7 Canucks
3 Golden Knights vs 6 Predators
4 Stars vs 5 Oilers
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Today we will focus on the much anticipated rematch for the 3rd year in a row, Leafs vs Bruins.
Forwards:
Leafs: Crazy star studded talent up front. Matthews is right their for the top 5/6 centers in the league, if he heats up to his full potential, then that could even give a really good team like the Bruins big problems. Tavares, although on a down year compared to last season is an amazing 2C. Marner like Matthews is right their for the best 5/6 right wingers in my opinion. Lastly, Nylander is often the most forgotten about the big 4 but he had his best season this year and is very underrated. The depth fills out decent, especially with Kapanen, Hyman, and Johnson.
Bruins: Very deep everywhere. The Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line like all leafs fans should know is at least a top 3 line in the NHL, probably still the best. Jake DeBrusk and trade deadline pickup Ondrej Kase are two very solid secondary scoring options. For the most part, their forward group plays very solid defense overall.
TIE: While the Leafs may have a slight edge in star power up front, they don't match the overall depth of the Bruins, especially when it comes to playing in your own zone.
Defense:
Leafs: While not one of the top d-cores in the league, it isn't as bad as all of the leafs trolls make it out to be. Rielly is very good offensively but struggles defensively, especially this year. Muzzin is a very solid two way dman, as well as Dermott who is underrated on this site. Justin Holl while not amazing is also a decent option.
Bruins: Mcavoy was legit one of the best defenders in the league in my opinion. He one of the only guys who is truly elite at both ends of the ice. Carlo is a very solid defensive defenceman who can still make a nice first pass. Krug is still a slick puck moving Dman, who isn't as good in his own zone as the other two. Combine that with Grzelyck who is a massively underrated player as well.
Advantage Bruins: Simply have one of the better d-cores in the league, and it shows in the way they play.
Goalies:
Leafs: Freddy had a rough year but if he can turn it on he is a top 7 or so goalie in my opinion.
Bruins: Tukka was very good this year. If it wasn't for the god like performance of Hellebuyck, he would be my vezina vote.
Advantage Bruins: Tukka was very strong this year but even if he somehow magically falters, Halak is a VERY strong second option.
My consensus: We all know the history between these two. They are always close games for the most part. In the close games it comes down to who can play better defense, and the Bruins are still more superior in that area overall for them to lose. I say Bruins were looking even better this year then they have in the past couple of seasons so I'm going with Bruins in 6 this time.
Players to watch are down below.
I will give everyone a good amount of time to vote, and the winner will move on!
I agree that the Bruins have the advantage in defense and a slight advantage in goaltending. Don't really think its arguable that the Leafs offense is the better of the two though. Leafs have two first lines, and a solid bottom six. Depth scoring has been an issue for Boston.
I think the Leafs take it cause I don't think the players could live with themselves if they lost to Boston again
I agree that the Bruins have the advantage in defense and a slight advantage in goaltending. Don't really think its arguable that the Leafs offense is the better of the two though. Leafs have two first lines, and a solid bottom six. Depth scoring has been an issue for Boston.
I think the Leafs take it cause I don't think the players could live with themselves if they lost to Boston again
5v5 yep, but we got Ritchie and Kase, Ritchie/Backes gone so the lineup has changed. They didn't play enough because of the pause so we don't know yet where they will fit but I'm confident it can work out. Will probably not score 6-7G every games but it can only be better
Quoting: Mitch1_6
I believe Toronto is hungry, and they will win this time
5v5 yep, but we got Ritchie and Kase, Ritchie/Backes gone so the lineup has changed. They didn't play enough because of the pause so we don't know yet where they will fit but I'm confident it can work out. Will probably not score 6-7G every games but it can only be better
And maybe start by winning the play-in round
I think the play-in round will help if anything. If they lose to CBJ then idk what to tell you but at least they'll have some momentum going into the Boston series for once
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