Hm, I spoke too soon. Boston beat us 4-2, and I think our young rookie #3 goalie is starting to crumble. Darn, we have a good team, but we may be in trouble with our #1 and #2 goalies out of contention. Congrats @Montegriffo for the Leafs' 5-2 victory. Both our teams are 2-1 in their series, now. But I'm really worried with our goalkeeper situation. To be fair Kochetkov, two of their goals were in power plays. Of the other two, only one he could possibly have stopped. So the kid is still doing all right but I wonder what the pressure will do to his young head. I'd very much like to see Andersen and/or Raanta recovering. We lost Martinook to injury. Our special teams, so good during the regular season, cost us the game yesterday.
Campbell played well and was the difference last night. The 5-2 scoreline makes it seem easier than it was. 2 of the 5 were empty net goals and Tampa getting it back to 3-2 with six minutes left made for a tense finish. Away win accomplished, now the pressure is back on the Canes.
Oh, I didn't know 2 of yours were empty net goals. Sounds like it was a thrilling game. One of the ones we conceded was short handed... it's really humiliating when it happens. So now I'm worried.
We're in trouble. Our #2 goalie came back but made no difference. I'm now a lot less sure that we'll win the series. Again, we got destroyed by penalties, 5-on-3s, conceding power play goals and doing nothing with ours.
Oh boy. Tampa bouncing back hard. 5-0 up by the beginning of the 2nd. This game is lost. Looks like we'll be going home at 2-2.
7-3 final score. 2 empty netters to kill it off for Tampa. 2-2 Best of 3 now with home advantage to the Leafs in 2.
I actually watched this game, rooting for Toronto but I guess I jinxed it When Tampa scored its 6th goal I quit. Anyway, both our teams are in the same situation now. Let's hope we can make the best of the home field advantage.
Hopefully we'll meet you in the Conference final. Big game for both teams tonight. A loss at home would mean a possible eliminator away on Thursday. To make things worse I'm working tomorrow morning so I'll have to go to bed by the end of the 2nd at the latest. Game doesn't start until 00.30 here. Are you able to watch live tonight?
Likely not live. Will DVR and watch later after I'm back from work, have dinner, shower, etc. But we'll see how busy I get in late afternoon.
I watched both games. Nice come-from-behind victory for the Leafs; thrilling game. Carolina totally dominant versus Boston. The Bruins were discombobulated by our speed. First period we had already 35 attempts versus 9 from Boston. Just one more performance like this one and the first round series is ours to take.
It was a tense watch. Very entertaining and good to see such character from the Leafs to come back from another terrible first period. Let's hope they can close it out on Thursday so I don't have to go through the stress of a 7th game decider.
Yes, it was a great game. Good luck to the Leafs tonight. Even though they do seem to be better than Tampa Bay, currently, and would be next to play us if we both survive the first round, I'm still rooting for the Leafs. I like them. A rare occasion of the two of us liking the same team, hahaha! ------ I also hope the 'Canes can close it out tonight. They played terribly in Boston, anemic, pale. But on Tuesday at home they were possessed! It's impressive how home advantage makes a huge difference in hockey, likely more than in any other sport. I don't know why the 'Canes can't find the same intensity in Boston because if they turn the heat on, they completely overwhelm the Bruins. So even if we lose tonight in Boston again, I'm pretty confident that we will win game 7 at home. But yes, better to close 4-2 like I had anticipated anyway and avoid the wear and tear of game 7. Let's go 'Canes! ------ As a fan of the sport that has followed it longer than I have, do you have any insight on the matter of why home advantage is so much more decisive in Ice Hockey than in other sports? I'm curious. Seems like in ice hockey, playing at home is already half-way to a victory, while in soccer there are plenty of defeats at home; same with American Football, basketball, etc.
I don't think so. We play Panthers or Caps next and you get Rangers or Penguins. Actually, it's only my third season of watching hockey. I don't know why home games are such an advantage. They play so many games though. Twice the amount of a top soccer team and 4 times as many as a football team. The comfort of sleeping in your own bed becomes that much more precious.
It's never dull as a Leafs fan. Campbell has been solid all year. An on form goalie can't win the Cup but you can't win it without one. Defence win Cups in just about every other team sport you can think of and it's true of hockey too but this year has been the highest scoring in decades so maybe the game is swinging back to offence like the '80s. If so, that's to the Leafs' advantage.
Yes, I know. I have some concerns because the Cats don't have much playoff experience and now the Caps have been driven into the corner and will fight accordingly.
So true. It's been SO hard being a Leaf fan for SO many years, but the boys have rewarded us with this season and this series!!