Although I have time for Kickserv and others here at the forum and although I live in England and some have said what do us limies know about US Sports, I cant believe the comments and opinions that have been posted here.
Now lets get one thing straight; Toronto Maple Leafs may win the series, but there again so may the Sens and I am sure neither side wanted to meet this early in the playoffs.
Toronto only have better stats in two main areas of the game.
GOALTENDING and ROAD RECORD although the Leafs are only one place higher in the latter.
Lets take a look at the Senators.
They have two players in the top 10 (Hossa and Alfredson) in offensive stats, Sundin is highest (12th) from Toronto.
The Sens have 3 players that have scored more goals that any individual player from Toronto. They also have two players that have more assists than anyone from the Leafs.
The Sens scored more goals than anyone else in the whole of NHL this season and they rank inside the top 10 for goals against. The leafs are mid rank.
This confirms that although the leafs may have the better goal tending they are a poorer side the Ottawa. They create less scoring chances from having a weaker offensive side. They are a group of individual that play for own personnal glory and not team. They are weaker on the defensive side of the biscuit.
Furthermore, Ottawa lead Toronto both on Power Play % and Penalty Kill %.
I see this game going six. Although the series is tied at 1-1 at present, Toronto get a split in Ottawa only for the Sens to once again win in Toronto and wrap up the series with a home win in game six.
THE LEAFS WILL LOSE THE SERIES BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE DUMB PENALTIES LIKE IN GAME ONE. THEY CANT HELP THEMSELVES, ALL THE LEAFS ARE GOOD FOR IS A BAR ROOM BRAWL.