Leafs @ Lightning - Apr. 4th, 7:30pm - SN, TSN 1050

[Joe]

The hot takes in there are spicy!

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm pretty sure he's partially trolling, but I'm also going to be very interested to see the voting ballots from Edmonton folks once they're released.

[Joe]

I think if McDavid wins the scoring title and the oilers make the playoffs he will absolutely win the Hart.

And honestly I don't care. He can have all the Harts, I want this team to win it all. That's all I care about.

[princedpw]

Well that was a dominant performance against a solid team.  Their dmen really seemed to struggle with our pressure and speed. 

I was disappointed when Bogosian signed a long contract with TBay but he doesn't compare to Lyubushkin.

Looking forward to a healthy Leafs lineup.

Leafs with a great win.

This game cements my opinion:  Leafs are a great team but so is their first-round competition.  That first round will be a total toss-up.  Too bad the leafs are carrying the baggage of so many years in a row without a series victory.  Last year was clearly the year to go far.

[CarltonTheBear]

I think if McDavid wins the scoring title and the oilers make the playoffs he will absolutely win the Hart.

And honestly I don't care. He can have all the Harts, I want this team to win it all. That's all I care about.

I think McDavid's performance since the coaching change there (44 points in 24 games, tied with Marner for the league lead in points/points per game in that span of time) has definitely vaulted him into a Hart trophy finalist spot. With all due respect to some of the other high scoring players the 3 finalists should be McDavid, Matthews, and Shesterkin. I still think Matthews is the front-runner but finishing 2nd to McDavid wouldn't exactly be an insult.

[bustaheims]

I think if McDavid wins the scoring title and the oilers make the playoffs he will absolutely win the Hart.

And honestly I don't care. He can have all the Harts, I want this team to win it all. That's all I care about.

I'm not convinced. As it doesn't look like he's going to run away with it this season like he did last year, I don't know if winning the Art Ross and getting into the playoffs in a weaker division is enough to push him clearly over the top. He's in the conversation, for sure, but I don't think it's a foregone conclusion by any means - especially if/when Matthews cracks 60 goals and 100 points.

[Joe]

Don't underestimate the anti Toronto bias among voters.

[CarltonTheBear]

Don't underestimate the anti Toronto bias among voters.

I'm sure some of that exists but Matthews did comfortably come in 2nd for the Hart last season. And Matthews' numbers have gotten better this season while McDavid's numbers are slightly lower.

[Nik]

Don't underestimate the way Voters get tired of giving the award to the same guy every year. Matthews will be a very compelling story over "McDavid still great".

[Joe]

Yeah that's fair. I felt a little stupid saying that Anti Toronto thing. I think I was just coming off reading those replies in that Twitter thread.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

"Prizes are for boys, and I'm all grown up."
— Charles Ives