Is there actually TOO much pressure for Maple Leafs to perform in playoffs?
It’s the age-old adage that playing in the hockey mecca of the world can be too much for some.
Once again, the Toronto Maple Leafs failed to make it through the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, this time in embarrassing fashion, losing 6-1 in Game 7 to the defending champion Florida Panthers.
A lot of the discussion, from the Panthers’ side, after the series was over how much pressure the Maple Leafs on a daily basis. While there’s some truth to that, some believe that the pressure is warranted, and others believe it isn’t all that bad.
On Monday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Matt Larkin joined Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk to discuss whether the pressure on the Leafs really gets into their mindset.
Tyler Yaremchuk: Can I start, though, with some of the quotes that have been going around, whether it’s Brad Marchand or Matt Tkachuk, the weird, pity quotes coming from the Panthers towards the Maple Leafs? What do you make of this whole notion that seems to be getting sent out of like, ‘Oh man, it’s tough to play in that market.’
Matt Larkin: As I watch guys like Brad Marchand, in particular, talking, I’m looking to see if there’s a little smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. It almost feels like gamesmanship because Brad Marchand, the Leaf killer in Game 7s, you got the Leafs right where you want them. You don’t want them to change. You can get past these guys every year, and I think you want to continue the culture of coddling these players, which is sort of what’s gotten them into this position in the first place. Is there a little bit of sympathy for the pressure in the market? Maybe, but I don’t really buy it.
It’s not like Toronto is the only pressure cooker market in the NHL. Edmonton, they don’t have as many major sports out there. There’s plenty of pressure, I would argue, on the Oilers. It’s not like you have the Raptors and Blue Jays to take the heat off, and they can still get to game seven of the Stanley Cup finals. So, I don’t really know what the sentiment is supposed to be. I’m done believing in it.
Frank Seravalli: I’m with you. I don’t buy it for one second. I think it’s complete nonsense. I mean, these are the most well-taken-care-of, pampered athletes who are highly paid, who have all the support in the world from, unquestionably, the biggest fan base in volume across the league like why would anyone think that this is such a difficult place to play? Matt, you’re in there every day or a few times a week. Who’s the hard-edged media guy who’s going in there, bruising these guys and bloodying them every time he enters the locker room? I just don’t see it.
Matt: I think you’re right, and to sort of go inside baseball for a second, I think the Leafs are one of the most protective teams in the NHL in terms of controlling what is said and how many players are available after games; they do a really good job keeping those players safe. So, I agree, it’s not like they’re subjected to this endless rush of reporters every single day.
The thing is, we’re talking about pressure. We’re in round two. The Leafs won seven playoff games. That’s the first time they’ve done that in 23 years. That’s not even halfway to the Stanley Cup. It’s not like you’re in Game 7 and you’re gripping the Stanley Cup final and you’re gripping the stick so tightly, the pressure is too much. It’s round two. How bad can the pressure be this early in the postseason relative to what other players are going through league-wide?
You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…