Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs Absent, but Second Round of Playoffs Still Sweet

By James Tanner

Apr 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer for their team before game three against Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer for their team before game three against Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL Playoffs are always better when the Toronto Maple Leafs are involved.

That’s just a scientific fact.  But now that the Washington Capitals have eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs, should we even bother watching?  Of course we should.

If there is one sport that lends itself to watching even when you don’t have a rooting interest, it’s hockey.  That’s because they play it on ice and every one carries a giant stick while skating on two razor blades – interesting things are going to happen.  Throw in sudden-death overtime and the potential for a six period game, and the Playoffs are must-watch even if they no longer feature any Leafs.

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While it will be hard to watch the second round, knowing the Leafs could be there if not for some unlucky overtimes, pretty much every series is exciting for one reason or another.

Pittsburgh vs Washington

You might be cheering for the Penguins to get revenge for the Leafs.  You might want to watch to see if Ovechkin can finally win something.  Then there’s ex-Leaf and gift-that-keeps-on-giving, Phil Kessel.

He might have had to leave town for the Leafs to rebuild, but he’s still one of the greatest Maple Leafs in Franchise History.  It’s hard not to cheer for Phil, as he deserved so much more in Toronto.  Then again, Oveckin is a nice story too – I could go either way here.

Rangers vs Senators

Tough choice here for Toronto Maple Leafs fans.  Do you cheer for one of the two Canadian teams remaining?  Or do you despise the rival Senators so much you’d rather see the fat-cat cousins of the New York Yankees move on?

For me, I don’t have any ill-will against the Senators.  Having to live in Ottawa is punishment enough!! (Zing!) I cheer for them if they aren’t playing the Leafs.  I think the Senators can win this series because they’re just so boring. They slow the game right down and defend for 59 minutes.

If they get even a few goals, that should be all the Rangers can handle.

Predators vs Blues

The Blues are a team that doesn’t deserve to be here. Thoroughly dominated by the Wild in round one, they are now up against a Predators team that defeated the dynastic Hawks.

I think the Predators are going to the Cup this year. I love P.K Subban, and with the Leafs out I’m cheering for my favorite non-Toronto player in the NHL.

Oilers vs Ducks

While we never get tired of pointing out that the Toronto Maple Leafs are speed-reading through the rebuild while it took the Oilers a decade, the Oilers do have a great team. Connor McDavid is worth watching ever single night and a P.K vs McD match-up in the semis will be something to behold.

I think the Oilers get it done against the Ducks.

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