Written by Graeme on Thursday, May 15th, 2025
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It was an absolutely shocking performance from the Leafs yesterday, as they got blasted by the Panthers 6-1 – at home – in a critical playoff game.
They now have to go to Florida, where they lost twice, and get the victory. Based on last nights performance – that team is just absolutely done. People can go on about the hits and the refs and all that but nothing excuses such a sucky performance at home.
The Edmonton Oilers have moved onto the next round, which both Scott and I predicted prior to the series beginning. Of course, neither of us expected it to come in such a manner. Back to back Stuart Skinner shutouts? Sure why not.
the Oilers defense again did an excellent job, but it’s great to see Skinner have a redemption arc and the Oilers will be hoping that continues.
Two games tonight.
Capitals vs Hurricanes
Scott: There really isn’t anything left to say. The Canes have been the better team. They have outscored the Caps 9-2 over the last 2 games.
The Canes outshot the Caps 28-21 in game 3 and in game 4 the Canes again out shot them this time 37-21.
Sure this game is in Washington but the Caps haven’t shown me anything over the last 2 games to give me hope.
Canes win in regulation
Graeme: Not a big fan of the odds here of the Canes on the road to take them in regulation. I also have the Canes -1.5 series bet so I personally am riding that more.
So for this game – eh, Washington at home and the games were close enough there. They feel like the team that are going to have one last effort. I’m going to roll the dice on Game goes to overtime.
Jets vs Stars
Scott: Granlund scored a hat trick and the Stars now have the Jets on the brink. The Stars got Heiskanen back into the lineup for the first time since January 28th.
It’s one thing that the Stars are up in the series but that they have made it look fairly easy is surprising to me.
The Stars are just a great team and looking at the teams left in the West they have to be considered a favorite now.
Stars win incl OT
Graeme: Just some woeful performances from the Jets as their offense has deserted them a fair but during this series.
You’d have to hope for one big last performance at home. I feel like the Jets will focus on Granlund more this game, so I’m going to go with Duchene Over 1.5 shots and hope he sneaks them in.
The Leafs was a real sad state to watch, i don’t often turn off a game to get more sleep BUT that one I did. I guess you slightly implode the team and do a mini rebuild of some form or other… You cant keep expecting it to “happen” with these guys post season???… Personally, Matthew’s should be gone.
There is now sooooooooo much depth on Dallas, who do the Jets cover more or better at this point eh?? Jets are toast, Jets offense has looked like garbage, defensive play … meh…. Maybe regular season top line gets put back together all game for Jets?
Dallas – moneyline as well
Canes in Regulation
Andersen – Under 23.5 saves
Matthews and Marner should both be gone I’d say. I’d also get rid of Domi – while the Leafs do need aggression against the Panthers, there is an art to it. And him challenging Tkachuk to a fight, getting rejected then following him around just to slash him – yeah that’s not it.
Jets are that team where you sit back and wonder how the hell they even made it this far ha.
Real pity that the Blues failed against the Jets. Stars vs Blues would have been much more entertaining series.
Personally, I think the Caps will pull the big guns as for the Jets, this team looks sterile. I am on the Stars ML
Last night’s Leafs game was so shocking, for the lack of effort alone. Leafs were at home and half the players couldn’t be bothered, they had no energy or coordination, and it seemed the Leaf shots were all single shots from a distance with no follow-up. No buzzing the net. Easy for goalies to deal with. Matthews just doesn’t show up, nor is he integrated into plays, he’s adrift. The NHL playoffs seem to turn him off. I don’t know the Leafs lineup in depth like others here do, so I’ll not join in the “tear it up and start over” discussion. I do suspect Marner would be great on another team where players have ambition, skate with urgency and have good playmaking smarts. I agree with Graeme about Domi; the enforcer role is a strategic chess game and Domi was foolish. But in his favor, he DID notice the Leafs were supposed to be playing a game. Did you notice how Florida’s typical tactic of provoking players to distract them suddenly stopped, because the Leafs weren’t trying? Closeups of the Florida bench showed players looking quiet and amazed, with a few giggles. Maybe five Leafs stood out as committed to play a playoff game, Nylander certainly one of them. Nylander should be Captain of the next version of the Leafs. I can’t imagine how angering it must be to be a Leafs fan. Stop buying tickets and jerseys! Demand trades! Fire Treliving, he did great damage to the Flames, and now he’s got a team focused on Disneyland. That was a BAD spectacle for the NHL to be involved with. Rant over.
tonight:
Carolina in regulation, Carolina a puckline win, Taylor Hall OVER 1.5 shots,
Can’t bet on the Dallas/Winnipeg game. I don’t know what to expect from Winnipeg, but I’m not hopeful for them. Dallas has taken five more penalties than the Jets but still wins. In their last 10 games, the Jets have scored 2 or fewer goals 7 times, so that’s not playoff caliber output. Jets don’t seem coordinated; has the Dallas pace ruined them?
Right to the end there eh!!! But they all came through for you!! LOL 😬👍🏼
Lots of great and insightful comments here. I’m sitting on a 4 game 10-1 parlay from yesterday with Canes ML as the last play to cash and was debating the cash out. Now I’m gonna let it ride 🙂
Not a leafs fan more so a person raised on them as I live in Toronto and it’s absolutely pathetic how the hard core’s keep buying jerseys and supporting this franchise. Will be on Panthers hard next game.
10to1!!!! Whoa! I hope you bet a lot on that one! Canes came through for you
Gonna Go with X2, ML, reg and -1 on Stars. They are just better. All games they have got HelleB cornered down (Ok Not game 2).
No deep analysis.