2017 MRFHL Finals Preview

Toronto Maple Leafs

QF: defeated Lightning in 6 games

SF: defeated Hurricanes in 5 games

CF: defeated Rangers in 6 games

Running in to the playoffs with a red hot stretch run, it may have been concerning for the Leafs front office when they dropped their first game of the playoffs at home against the Lightning. But since that game, the Leafs have settled down and have really been dominating since that moment. They breezed through the first two rounds, going 8-2 after that game 1 loss, and then quickly put the Rangers on the brink with a 3-1 series lead before closing it out in 6.

Rookie Dylan Larkin has been an absolute force in these playoffs as he has been all season, almost putting up a point per game rate throughout the first three rounds. In season additions like Rick Nash and Matt Calvert have added quite a boost, the latter adding two crucial game winning goals in Games 1 and 2 of the Conference Finals. 

Corey Crawford has been almost unbeatable behind maybe not the flashiest defence core, but one that has been eating up major minutes throughout the first three rounds. The pairing of Travis Hamonic and Niklas Hjalmarsson have almost been playing 30 minutes a night so far. The Leafs have been the working class team all year and that hard work may finally pay off in bringing the cup to Toronto for the first time since 1967.

Calgary Flames

QF: defeated Sharks in 6 games

SF: defeated Canucks in 7 games

CF: defeated Jets in 5 games

It's been a frustrating journey for the time the Flames have been run by Derek Loftus. Roster turnovers have been consistent since he took over, looking for just the right mesh of players to carry the team. And after years of finally trying, something meshed this year and not only did the Flames finally get past the first round, they are now four wins away from a championship. 

Much has been publicized about the struggles of Patrick Kane in these playoffs, but 24 points in 18 games, there really is no more dangerous weapon in this series. The loss of Jordan Staal late in the last round could have been catostrophic, but he should be back for the finals. If Staal is out or re-agrevates, the Flames lack of centre depth may prove to be their ultimate undoing. 

On defence the Flames are arguably deeper than the Leafs, with star rearguards like John Carlson and Mark Giordano shutting down even the most elite of lines.  What might worry Peter DeBoer and his staff is the lackluster play of goalie Semyon Varlamov. While he hasn't been bad, he has been less than the elite self he has been all season which is something to keep an eye on.

Prediction: A Stall versus Stall matchup, with Marc Staal actually being traded from the Flames to the Leafs last summer. The flames have just been dominate all year, and with a few marquee names that the Leafs don't necessarily have, could be the ultimate deciding factor here. Either way, cup is heading to Canada Flames in 6