After a miserable 5 weeks of hockey that saw Toronto gain just six of a possible 34 points (2-13-2), they surprisingly may not be finished just yet. Although it remains a long shot, they trail the Washington Capitals by 6 points for the 8th and final playoff spot with just 10 games remaining.
Tonight the Boston Bruins host the Maple Leafs, while the Caps battle the Red Wings in Detroit. A Toronto victory and Washington loss would pull them within 4 points of the Capitals and leave each team with nine games to play.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that they have lost every meeting with the Bruins this season.
6-2 Oct 20
7-0 Nov 5
6-3 Nov 30
4-1 Dec 3
5-4 Mar 6
After Boston, Toronto’s remaining games are against the New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabers home and home, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Montreal Canadians.
The Leafs must play just about perfect hockey in order to have any shot at making the playoffs. One problem that the they have is that they aren’t just chasing Washington. Winnipeg and Buffalo are sandwiched in between. Even if the they gain ground on Washington they may not make up any points on the Jets or Sabres. In addition, there are games between teams they trail, which will guarantee a winner. The Leafs must hope those games are not of the three-point variety as well.
Although a playoff berth is unlikely, the window hasn’t completely closed on their season.
However, for the rest of the season to matter, they must first get past Boston tonight. After the Bruins, they will play a beatable Islander team on home ice. If they can get that game, then they could potentially pull within 2 points of the Caps as their next game will be against a talented Flyers squad.
Since the lockout, Leaf fans have been accustomed to a late season playoff push from their beloved team that has fallen short each time.
Do the Leafs have another late season surge in them?
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