Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Bold Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions
Could this be the year that the Toronto Maple Leafs finally end their 54-year drought and win the Stanley Cup?
If you’re reading this, there’s a 95 percent chance you’re a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. And it’s more than likely that you’ve been a fan your entire life. Whether that’s 15 years, or 85 years, this team has messed with your emotions in one way or another.
Since it’s playoff time, those emotions begin to get heightened. Being the favorite to win is something we’re not used to. In fact, it sometimes feels better to be the underdog so it doesn’t hurt as much, if we actually lose.
Toronto is a huge favorite to beat Montreal in round one, and it makes sense why. They won the season series and are the superior team. They have more depth, better defensive structure, better coach and arguably a better goalie, this year.
If Carey Price stands on his head, it’s possible that he steals a game or two, but winning four of seven games seems unimaginable. As you’re reading this, you’re probably saying to yourself, “DON’T SAY THAT! YOU’RE GOING TO JINX THEM!”
Too many Toronto Maple Leafs fans believe in jinxes, which is understandable. Whether they have a 3-2 series lead or a 4-1 lead in the third period, this team has disappointed us too many times to have real faith that they’re going to win.
Although it’s the same jersey, it’s not the same team. As much as people like to think that the past matters in sports, it doesn’t. What happened in 2013 has no reflection on what will happen this playoffs and for future playoff series’.
Buckle up, Leafs fans. This year’s playoffs should finally last longer than an all-inclusive vacation.
Here are a few bold predictions for the 2021 playoffs.
No. 1: Tampa Loses in First Round
Nikita Kucherov “miraculously” rejoined the Tampa Bay Lightning for the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs after missing the entire season, and karma is going to get them for that move.
I have a ton of respect for the Lightning and what they did with Kucherov. They were able to essentially circumvent the salary cap in order to get Kucherov back for the most important time of the season.
Now that he’s back, the reigning Stanley Cup champions are going to fall to their cross-state rival, Florida Panthers.
During game one, both teams battled hard and it was hands down the most exciting game of the playoffs so far. In a thrilling 5-4 victory, the Lightning came out on top, but that’s not going to continue the rest of the way.
Sergei Bobrovsky is going to show the Panthers why he’s worth his contract and will help lead his team to a first round victory. It’s not going to be easy and the Lightning are going to give them everything they have, but the home-ice advantage will pay dividends to Florida.
Prediction: Florida Panthers beat Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games
No. 2: Mark Stone Leads Playoff Scoring
After going scoreless in game one, the Vegas Golden Knights will figure out their offense and make a run toward the Stanley Cup.
One big reason for their success will be Mark Stone.
Stone is a fantastic talent and if you don’t watch a ton of Golden Knights games, I recommend you do immediately. He’s one of the most underrated players in the league and has a natural ability to score.
In 55 games, Stone scored 21 goals and 61 points, leading the Golden Knights in scoring (stats: hockeydb.com). That touch will continue in the playoffs, as the Golden Knights try to reach their second Stanley Cup Final in their short existence.
It’s hard to predict the exact number of points that he’ll score, but we’ll give it a shot.
Prediction: Mark Stone will score 13 goals, 26 points in 25 games to lead all players in playoff scoring
No. 3: Vegas Beats Toronto in Stanley Cup Finals
Speaking of Mark Stone and the Vegas Golden Knights, the Toronto Maple Leafs will unfortunately be the team that they defeat on route to winning the Stanley Cup.
After winning three rounds and reaching the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1967, the city of Toronto will be on fire. It will be the most exciting time in 54 years to be a Leafs fan and it’ll be hard to control our emotions with every game.
However, in true Toronto Maple Leafs fashion, the team will let us down and we’ll have to wait one more year to see them lift the Stanley Cup.
Without being able to attend games in person or have a parade, it’s not meant to be this year. The Golden Knights are too strong and their goaltending duo will help them win a Stanley Cup.
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Alex Pietrangelo will be the difference-maker, as he’ll be a huge part towards shutting down Toronto’s impressive offense, and he’ll win his second career Stanley Cup.
Don’t worry, Leafs fans. Next year is totally our year. Or the year after that. Or the year after that.
Prediction: Vegas Golden Knights will defeat Toronto Maple Leafs in Stanley Cup Final