Desperate Times for the Maple Leafs
Last night’s 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers combined with the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 (OT) victory over the Boston Bruins has nearly sunk the fading playoff hopes of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In fact, the Maple Leafs are almost in need of a miracle to regain any real chance of actually making the big dance. According to Sports Club Stats the Leafs current chances of making it are now sitting at an all-time low of 2.3%.
To make the playoffs the Leafs are going to have to nearly run the table to get to the needed 92 or 93 points. With 14 games remaining in the season the Leafs will have to go 11-1-2 just to get to 92 points, and that might not even be a guaranteed playoff spot. If I just killed your spirit I apologize but this is just the reality of the extremely bleak situation facing the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Although it’s only a small consolation to the fact the Maple Leafs will again be on the outside looking in when the playoffs start at the very least our inspired play down the stretch has taken us out of a lottery position in the upcoming NHL Entry draft. If the season ended now the Leafs (Bruins) would hold the 8th overall selection in the draft.
| Team | PTS | GP | Past 10 |
| Edmonton | 54 | 14 | 5-5-0 |
| Ottawa | 57 | 15 | 6-4-0 |
| Colorado | 60 | 16 | 1-7-2 |
| NY Islanders | 62 | 14 | 5-2-3 |
| Florida | 63 | 14 | 2-6-2 |
| New Jersey | 64 | 16 | 8-2-0 |
| Atlanta | 67 | 15 | 3-6-1 |
| Toronto | 68 | 14 | 4-2-4 |
| St. Louis | 71 | 14 | 4-6-0 |
| Columbus | 71 | 16 | 3-3-4 |
| Carolina | 72 | 15 | 4-4-2 |
| NY Rangers | 74 | 13 | 4-6-0 |
The Leafs are six points out of the final playoff spot currently held by the New York Rangers with one game in hand, however Carolina and Atlanta are also both in the mix which is why the Leafs nearly have to run the table to give themselves any shot at all. They also need to continue their strong play to ensure they don’t finish in the bottom five teams as they are five points ahead of Florida in that regard.
Looking at the schedule and the next four opponents it is almost imperative we run the table as we face Buffalo and Tampa Bay at home before a mid-week back-to-back road trip against Carolina and Florida. The season isn’t totally lost, but it is getting pretty damn close. The Leafs are in desperate need of a miracle, but I guess it could be worse… we could be Ottawa.
