"If you're the Leafs, I don't think you're getting out of that division, the Florida Panthers are an absolute buzz saw. They're the best forechecking team in the league. They're also incredible, best in the league at denying zone exits, and they're third in denying zone entries. What do the Leafs like to do more than anything? Carry the puck up the ice. I don't think they get by that team no matter who they add.
Adding a defensive defenseman? Sure that'll help, but their weakness is not in giving up chances. They're just gonna run into this Florida team that is built to stop exactly how the Toronto Maple Leafs like to play hockey and, you know, good luck, see you next year." - Shane Kelly on the Leafs<\q>
Well, guess that's it guys, we'll try again next season. There's absolutely zero chance that the Leafs, currently on a 7-game winning streak and watching Auston Matthews score at a rate not seen since Mario Lemieux, have a shot against the Panthers. Note the sarcasm.
Are the odds in the Leafs' favour? Probably not. The Panthers have a great hockey team, and, as we saw in last year's playoffs, the rules don't apply to them the same way they do to the Leafs. Having said that, to say the Leafs may as well pack up and go home is an absolute farce. Anyone who's watched any sort of playoff hockey knows that the playoffs are unpredictable, to say the least. As far as I'm concerned, the only team the Leafs should be worried about is themselves. Their success hinges entirely on whether or not they can find a way to rise to the occasion. My advice? Post the Kelly quote on the bulletin board and read it to the team every day until the playoffs arrive.
