Time to take a look at the North Division matchups.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens
Embed from Getty ImagesFirst of all, fuck the Leafs.
Okay. I feel better after that. Now I can look at this series objectively.
Though I don’t expect it, I would love to see the Canadiens lay the boots to Toronto.
Toronto finished atop the North Division and rightfully so. This is possibly the best version of the Leafs I have seen in my lifetime. Not that that takes a lot. Their fans and the sports media in Toronto still hold onto that team from 93′. It blows my mind. Do they not realize it was the conference final they lost in? To a team that went on to have their pee pee’s slapped in the final. You weren’t winning it that year. Get over it and move on.
I need to stop. This is quickly turning into a ‘bash the Leafs’ post. That will come when the time is right.
This years version is extremely talented. They have arguably the best top 6 in the league and GM Kyle Dubas has done a nice job surrounding those guys with gritty veterans. Bringing in guys like Simmonds and Foligno will pay dividends in the playoffs. One of the knocks against this team the past few years has been how soft they are up front. That issue has now been addressed. However, I don’t think they did enough to their backend to make a deep run in the playoffs. They are likely good enough to get by Montreal, but once they face a team with legit size and skill I think they will be ran through the boards. Outside of Reilly and Muzzin I think that’s a pretty limp dicked group. Jack Campbell has been on a nice little run since he took over the crease. I think he will be good enough to get them by the Habs. After that? Who knows.
I’m very curious to see what Montreal brings to the table. It appears they are finally back to full health. They will have no chance of winning this series if it turns into a track meet. They simply don’t have the talent to compete. Toffoli and Suzuki would be 3rd line guys in Toronto. They do have guys like Anderson, Perry, and Gallagher that are complete shitheads that could turn this series in their favour. I would definitely give them the edge when it comes to defence. Their top 4 is big and nasty. They will have to play that way in order to slow down the Leafs attack. In net Carey Price still has the capabilities to black out for 10 days and win this series on his own. We saw it in last years playoffs against the Penguins. He is the x factor for me.
As much as it pains me to say, I think the Leafs are simply too deep up front for the Habs to compete. Toronto in 5.
Edmonton Oilers vs Winnipeg Jets
Embed from Getty ImagesThis series is a crapshot.
Do I go with the best duo in the league or the better team?
I just can’t bring myself to bet against McDaddy and the big German. The way they completely dominated the North Division I have to assume they will carry that over into the playoffs. Obviously they won’t produce at the same rate in the postseason. That’s just not possible. However, I just can’t see the Jets D slowing them down that much. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is someone I will watch closely in this series. If the Nuge can step up and provide secondary scoring that will go a long ways in favour of the Oilers winning this series. Outside of Darnell Nurse their top 6 is very suspect. Sure Tyson Barrie had a great offensive season, but he is just not built for playoff hockey. This group is soft. In net Mike Smith might be my favourite goalie to watch. He’s a complete yard sale back there with a temper to boot.
I don’t know what to make of the Jets. Are they the team that was rolling through the majority of the season, or the one who lost 7 in a row just before the playoffs. I love their top 9. The Scheifele line is big and talented. I think they will cause a lot of trouble for the Oilers D. If the Lowry line gets rolling like they can that will provide the Jets with 3 lines that can score. My big question mark is the D core. I am not convinced they have the capabilities to slow down McDavid and Draisaitl. With Hellebuyck between the pipes anything is possible. He is one of only a few guys in the league I feel can win multiple rounds on his own. If he is in the zone who knows.
After the season McDavid and Draisaitl had I can’t bet against them. Oilers in 7.