The Leafs are presently sitting at 99.9% likelihood of making the playoffs, with a magic number of 5, and one point away from the number deemed by many to necessary to make the playoffs. Ultimately, we’re at the point where the Leafs can crash and burn and we can still count on hockey in May.
At the same time, they’ve been gifted with a pillow soft schedule to close out the year, with only one game left against a team with a better record than them and that team has lost 3 of the 4 meetings this season (Montreal). The downside may be that four of the teams they will be facing are still very much involved in the playoff race, leaving only Florida and Tampa Bay as truly disinterested spoilers.
While the Leafs have a fairly light schedule, those competing for the final playoff spots still have some heavy lifting to do. In a post at Jets Nation, it seems that both Ottawa and Washington have the toughest workload to finish the season, while the Rangers and Islanders can essentially coast the rest of the way. The Jets fall right smack dab in the middle of that group, but need the greatest number of wins required in the fewest number of games. Perhaps the best thing the Leafs can hope for is that these teams will kill themselves just trying to qualify for the playoffs and keep their point totals down to not approach the Leafs‘ current 51 points.
Looking at the games remaining, and points required to get to the projected playoff target of 52 points, it looks pretty likely that the eight teams in today will be the eight teams in the playoffs
|
Rank |
Team |
GP |
PTS |
GR |
PT-R |
|
3 |
Washington |
42 |
48 |
6 |
4 |
|
4 |
Boston |
41 |
56 |
7 |
0 |
|
5 |
Toronto |
41 |
51 |
7 |
1 |
|
6 |
Ottawa |
41 |
48 |
7 |
4 |
|
7 |
NY Islanders |
42 |
47 |
6 |
5 |
|
8 |
NY Rangers |
41 |
46 |
7 |
6 |
|
9 |
Winnipeg |
42 |
44 |
6 |
8 |
|
10 |
Buffalo |
43 |
42 |
5 |
10 |
|
11 |
New Jersey |
41 |
40 |
7 |
12 |
With the Leafs looking to be locked in, here’s my plea for the some rest for the some of the Leafs. Lupul has already stated he won’t rush himself back because of Toronto’s recent success, Gunnarsson has been banged up and could use a game off or two, and that leaves the main guy who needs to be ready for the Playoffs, James Reimer. It’s now time to get Scrivens a couple (preferably at least 50%) of the starts for the rest of the season.
| Opponent | GP | W | L | T/O | SV% | GAA |
| Florida Panthers |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0.953 |
1.68 |
| Montreal Canadiens |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0.898 |
3.02 |
| New York Islanders |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0.800 |
6.73 |
| Ottawa Senators |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0.934 |
2.01 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0.880 |
3.24 |
| Washington Capitals |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0.923 |
2.00 |
Looking at Scrivens record against the remain opposition, it seems like the Capitals, Senators, and Panthers would be the ideal games for Ben to start, although we’re dealing in small sample sizes given his short career. It seems like the Panthers and Capitals games will be easy decisions especially since they are part of back to back games.
Hopefully, these next two weeks will give Frattin, Colborne, and Gardiner a chance to see more time in NHL games against opponents like the Capitals, Devils, and Islanders, who are all likely to be playing the Leafs pretty hard. I can’t help but feel like the rest of April will be like half a month worth of Christmas Eves while we constantly wait for that moment that seemed like it would never come. Playoffs!!!1
Monday Morning Links…
Tough Call on the Leafs Inseparable Duo of Kessel and Bozak (Globe and Mail)
Mirtle reminds us that we’re probably stuck with Bozak.
James Reimer is Very Good Goalie (Blue Chip Prospects)
I don’t see how you could argue otherwise.
Reimer Continues Solid Response to Deadline Frenzy (TSN)
Jonas Siegel seems to agree with Curt.
The 2004 Playoff Guide (Vintage Leafs)
The Leafs last playoff guide features the mask of goaltender has been retired long enough to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s a good thing we don’t need to think like that anymore.
Lupul Cleared For Contact (TSN)
All hail King Joffrey!
Felix Potvin’s QMJHL Hall of Fame Induction (QMJHL)
He’s the wonderful, wonderful cat.
Maybe Grabovski can join Burke in Buffalo Next Season (Vintage Leaf Memories)
1. Considering how much Burke loves his family, I don’t think he’d subject them to life in Buffalo.
2. If Grabovski hits the market, half the teams in the league will be making offers and I’d wager he winds up in Detroit.
2013 NHL Draft Consensus (NHL Numbers)
I really enjoy these consensus rankings by Zona, and also encouraging is the quality of players who will be available late in the first round.
2013 NHL Mock Draft (NHL Numbers)
Here’s the Mock Draft by Zona that shows which teams would get the players in their consensus rankings.
NCAA Frozen Four: Yale Wins National Title (Puck Daddy)
That’s certainly something that happened this weekend.
NHL Death Watch (Puck Daddy)
There’s nothing really Leaf related here, I just felt like celebrating the fact that Toronto isn’t on this list for once.
