Crossing The NHL’s Atlantic Division: Week 27
By Tim Bayer
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Maple Leafs
By Tim Bayer of Editor In Leaf
The Toronto Maple Leafs finally won a hockey game last night, putting an end to that nightmarish eight-game losing streak by beating the second-worst team in the Western Conference, the Calgary Flames, 3-2. Both teams looked sluggish in the first two periods and the Leafs once again allowed the Flames to spend most of the last two minutes of the game in their end of the ice, but a win is a win and it’s exactly what the Leafs needed.
The Leafs sit one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets and two points behind the Detroit Red Wings (owners of the two wild card playoff spots), but both teams hold two games in hand. The Leafs need to win at least four of their last five, a stretch that begins tomorrow night at home against the brutalizing Boston Bruins.
The Leafs host the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night before ending the season on the road against the Lightning, Panthers and Ottawa Senators. It’s not the most difficult schedule in the world, but it won’t be easy, either. At this stage of the season, there’s only one option: Just win, baby.