Panthers Prove They're the Team To Beat For the Cup

[Pink Freud]

They so dominated the Tampa Bay Lightning in every facet that even the TBL coach Jon Cooper had to admit it: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/632520 ... Id=7541559

And now the Panthers will face a Lightning wannabe: The Maple Leafs, also leaning heavily on a "core four" of normally high-scoring forwards who tend to disappear when the going gets physical in the postseason. And the Panthers are extremely physical, with astounding depth.

I've been pleading for the Leafs to finally win a Cup every year for decades, but frankly, I'll be surprised if the Panthers don't sweep them.

[DawgDad]

Until someone knocks them off yes I too consider the Panthers the favorite. It's going to be hard to take them down because they can turn a game and series into a bloodbath and seem eager to do it, AND they can play hockey.

It will be interesting to see how far Chief can prod the Leafs. If it weren't for him I wouldn't care one whit about that team.

[theograce]

They are a nasty bit of business.

I can’t see anyone beating them.

[Frank Underwood]

I would definitely pick Florida at this point. Kind of a weird year in that pretty much every team looks flawed to some extent. Some really good teams, but no team that strikes me as dominant. Florida definitely seems to be the closest to a team that looks like it has what it takes to win the Cup. Maybe Dallas if they get the injured guys back, but they might not make it past tomorrow night.

[skeezix]

The Leafs are a massive enigma - hence, why they're the Laffs. I thought that when Harold Ballard was gone, they would get the 1967 monkey off their back. But, it doesn't seem to be happening. Too much invested in offense and too little in defense and goaltending.

[AtillaTheBlue1]

they take bad penalties and leafs can easily win this series.

[AtillaTheBlue1]

this board is full of morons, consistently


Toronto has a ton of talent, and a very good head coach. the series is far from over, but to think florida was going to walk all over them, lol.

[DawgDad]

this board is full of morons, consistently


Toronto has a ton of talent, and a very good head coach. the series is far from over, but to think florida was going to walk all over them, lol.

It's not moronic to be suspicious of the Leafs, they have a history. Now, if they win a game in Florida . . .