Most Pressure to Win a Round - Toronto or Edmonton?

[doulos]

Woodcroft has been absolutely incredible since getting the coaching job in Edmonton. It would be peak Oilers to replace him if they lose the first round.

[2014olympicgold]

Woodcroft has been absolutely incredible since getting the coaching job in Edmonton. It would be peak Oilers to replace him if they lose the first round.

And I should have cleared this up, when I meant fire the coaching staff, I meant not extend Woodruff. He's still on a PTO (Or at least not under contract moving forward). Which is still peak Oilers to not do another yr with him, but if they get pummeled in the 1st round, they have a logical out if they choose to go another route by just not extending him.

[Axeman33]

I think both have tremendous pressure on themselves but for differing reasons. Everyone knows Toronto has yet to win a playoff series in the salary cap era. Edmonton has but very few. The Oilers have at least been to a Cup final in the salary cap era. Edmonton's pressure is based on the McDavid/Draisaitl timeline and winning with them in their prime is the pressure. Toronto just needs to win a playoff series to get the monkey off their back.

I do think Edmonton gets past the first round this year and will most likely play Calgary in the 2nd round. That's my prediction. Not sure Edmonton can beat Calgary, but I do think they are good enough to do it. It will come down to goaltending. LA missing Doughty will be a big blow for them.

Toronto faces a huge challenge in TB. The East is tough no matter which team is playing. TB could say the same thing about facing a very good team in Toronto. I dont think Toronto will beat TB, but again, anything can happen. I dont trust Toronto's D or goaltending which is never a good thing when you're playing a solid team like TB.

If I had to pick one team who has more pressure, I'd say Toronto, but again, for a totally different reason.

Good topic!

[hockeyrobot]

And now factor in that Toronto could still play Boston....

[LeafsDude245]

I'd say Toronto has more prssure to win their first round. Toronto has not won round one in the playoffs for 15 years and that was against Ottawa.

[LeafsDude245]

Toronto will play Boston if Tampa loses their next game and then Toronto loses to Boston. Basically Toronto gets to pick who they face first round. Either Tampa or Boston.

[hockeyrobot]

I'd say Toronto has more prssure to win their first round. Toronto has not won round one in the playoffs for 15 years and that was against Ottawa.

16 seasons. 17 years. Not that we're keeping track.

[blayze]

We're at that boiling point where whoever the opponent is for Toronto is irrelevant. Tampa, Boston, they're all tough matchups.

We're talking decades of frustration and letdown in a hockey mad town. Our "super core" has underperformed for 3 straight years despite an embarrassment of talent.


There's no more excuses. Heads will roll if they get knocked out again in the first round.

[Axeman33]

Toronto will play Boston if Tampa loses their next game and then Toronto loses to Boston. Basically Toronto gets to pick who they face first round. Either Tampa or Boston.

Considering the recent history, maybe Toronto should take their chances with TB LOL!

[LeafsDude245]

Boston and Tampa have both dominated Toronto in the first round lots. Honestly though I'd take my chances with Boston rather than the last two years Stanley Cup champions.

[blayze]

I'd prefer Boston...

Tampa throwing games to duck Toronto lol

[Invictus]

Id say if they end up playing Boston there will be more pressure on them then playin Tampa.

[tweetdrivr]

Id say if they end up playing Boston there will be more pressure on them then playin Tampa.

Go ahead and vote for Edmonton one more time sparky.

[Invictus]

Go ahead and vote for Edmonton one more time sparky.

You can only vote once...

[LeafsDude245]

When the Leafs do end up playing either Boston or Tampa they will have the game one home advantage. Do you think that the leafs could beat either Boston or Tampa?