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Toronto Maple Leafs: The Next Stretch is Especially Important

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

Mar 3, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate a goal by center Nazem Kadri (43) against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate a goal by center Nazem Kadri (43) against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s now March. The Toronto Maple Leafs have just concluded a three game road trip in California, and there is still much more to be done.

Going 0-3 in their last three games against California’s teams really put a dent in the Toronto Maple Leafs playoff hopes. The Leafs only picked up three points out of a possible 10 points in their last five games as well.

The team currently sits one point out of the second Eastern wild card spot and four points out of the third Atlantic spot heading into Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Leafs have 18 games remaining in the regular season. If they have any aspirations in making the playoffs, they have to really pick up their efforts.

Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs /

Toronto Maple Leafs

Looking at the schedule

Taking a look at their schedule, the Leafs upcoming stretch is the most crucial.

With 18 games left in the regular season, 11 of those games are against Eastern teams who are below the us in the standings. This is good  because it gives us the chance to get ahead of the competition.

As well, five games are against teams above us in the East and two are against Western teams (Chicago and Nashville). I like to think of these games as bonus points. They are still crucial to ensure our chances of making the playoffs, as they would give us a well needed boost. However, the Leafs should really be focusing on the games against Eastern teams that are trailing them.

To be more specific in this breakdown of the schedule, the Leafs will also be facing a divisional rival in eight of their remaining games. Out of these eight games, seven of them are against teams that are lower in the Atlantic (the exception is the Boston Bruins).

The month of March for the Leafs alone holds six divisional rival games out of its total 12 games. The Leafs have to regain momentum quickly as time is running out.

What does this mean for the Leafs?

These games in which the Leafs verse a division or conference rival are so important. The Leafs playoff chances are essentially in their own hands.

The Leafs chances are also still dependent on if other teams’ game results benefit the Leafs. However Toronto can essentially climb in the standings while halting other teams progressions just by getting some W’s. I know–easier said than done.

The Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators may be out of reach at this point. Toronto should be fighting for the second Eastern wild card spot or the third Atlantic spot really. In all honesty however, I think the third Atlantic spot may also be out of reach. If Boston has a pretty good stretch to close out the season they can likely take it.

So this leaves the second Eastern wild card spot up for the taking. The race for this spot is really between the Leafs, the New York Islanders, the Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Buffalo Sabres may be able to creep into this spot. However, it’s highly unlikely as the other teams would have to have pretty bad stretches as well.

Out of these four teams, the Leafs play the Panthers and the Lightning each twice, and the Flyers once. These games are must wins if the Leafs want to get a step ahead in the race.

The Leafs better buckle down and be ready to play their hardest. They have got to win these games against Eastern opponents first and foremost. If they can do this, they can really cement themselves in the playoff picture to close out the season.

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