MLHS Morning Mashup: Playoff Hopes Fading
Nazem Kadri celebrates his second career NHL goal in last night's 4-2 loss to Detroit. (Getty Images)
The Leafs entered last week with the hope of winning at least two of the three games on their Western road trip. They were successful in accomplishing that goal, however last night’s loss to the Detroit Red Wings put the team into a very difficult position heading into the final stretch of the regular season. In order to have a realistic chance of making the post season, Toronto will likely have to win all six of their remaining games and pray that the Buffalo Sabres hit a dead end and win two or fewer of their games.
Considering the season-long brilliance displayed by Ryan Miller, and major offensive contributions from Thomas Vanek and sophomore forward Tyler Ennis, the Sabres will have to suffer a significant blow such as an injury or losing streak to lose hold of the eighth and final playoff spot.
Brian Burke stated prior to the start of the season that the primary goal was to make the playoffs. With yet another season set to wrap up in mid April, the city of Toronto is not filled with negativity and frustration, but rather a sense of optimism and promise that the Leafs have made significant strides towards building a contending team in the very near future.
Links after the jump.
Quotables:
“It is a hell of a trip. What are you going to do? There’s still plenty of time and we’ve just got to go back home and regroup and keep on playing the way we are.”
- Courtesy of MapleLeafs.com
Leafs Links:
Our very own Mislav Jantoljak recaps last night’s loss to Detroit.
Playoff Push Stalled in Hockey Town
Chase Hadden reviews the Leafs performance in the Motor City.
Reimer: Goaltender of the Present and Future
Ron Guillet at Leafs Nation Online thinks Reimer deserves to be the Leafs’ starting goaltender going into next season.
Jeffler with a story about the Marlies as they approach the final stretch of the season.
MapleLeafs.com senior writer Mike Ulmer looks at Reimer’s play this season.
Maple Leafs’ 2011-2012 Goaltending Situation is Extremely Unclear
Lukas Hardonk at The Hockey Writers thinks the Leafs’ goaltending situation is uncertain heading into next year.
Marlies fall to Lake Erie in shootout
Marlies currently tied for third in division after 3-2 overtime loss to Lake Erie.
Other hockey links:
How the Lightning perfected the art of winning
A few lessons the Leafs could use moving forward.
If it’s March 25, Marc-Andre Fleury is shutting someone out
Interesting story from Puck Daddy. about Fleury’s dominance luck on March 25th.
Boy band takes a shot at Don Cherry and hockey violence
Young fans take action by writing a song about Cherry and his encouragement of hockey violence.
Leafs Video of the Day:
Colby Armstrong provides a hilarious interview:
