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Toronto Maple Leafs: Round 1 Eastern Conference NHL Playoff Predictions

By James Tanner

Nov 21, 2021; Elmont, New York, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) talks with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) during the first period against New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2021; Elmont, New York, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) talks with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) during the first period against New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 17: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins   (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

New York vs Pittsburgh

For most of the season, the Rangers were seen as a bad 5v5 team, who had stupidly given away Pavel Buchnevich  for nothing, whose recent draft picks were all failing to develop, but who being were propped up by one of the best goalie seasons in recent history.

They may have improved slightly as the year went on, but they are the 24th best 5v5 team when you don’t account for goalies.

The Penguins, on the other hand, have Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin, still going strong after all these years.

Malkin is still better than 93% of players, according to the JFresh cards.  Crosby 95%.

The Penguins having one last awesome run in them would be the coolest thing possible, outside of a long Toronto Maple Leafs run, and I think we’re going to see one.

The Rangers are a fun team that has a bright future, but for now I am sticking with the past.

The Penguins might have an injured goalie, but they have an underrated and very solid blue line (Matheson, Marino, Dumoulin) and two aging but still great superstars.

I predict they will win in six games.

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