Toronto Maple Leafs Crossing The Atlantic: Tampa Bay Still Rules The Division

Dec 29, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center

(91) shoots as Toronto Maple Leafs center

(25) defends during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

We all know that the Toronto Maple Leafs playoff chances are all but over. However, when you look at the Atlantic Division standings, you can see just how bleak the situation is.

The Leafs sit at 48 points currently. That is 20 points behind the division leader and 19 points behind the second and third place teams. Even the first wild card team is 13 points ahead of them.

What lies ahead for the Leafs? We all know they have fallen down the standings, but just how far?

Now we take a look at the Leafs opponents in the Atlantic Division, in order of the standings.

Jan 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie

(30) and center

(13) congratulate each other after they defeated the Detroit Red Wings at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1st Place: Tampa Bay Lightning

What can you say about the Lightning? They have the best sniper in the league in Steven Stamkos and a good goalie in Ben Bishop.

The Lightning are riding a hot streak currently as they have won five of their last six games and eight of their last eleven. Stamkos has seven goals in those last games. They also hold a title the Leafs previously held this season as the highest scoring team in the NHL.

They’re doing all this even with injuries to Matt Carle and Radko Gudas. Just shows you that the Lightning have some of the best depth in the NHL coming up from Syracuse in the NHL.

Next Three Opponents: St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings

Jan 31, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Washington Capitals left wing

(8) crashes on Montreal Canadiens goalie

(31) as defenseman

(74) defends during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

2nd Place: Montreal Canadiens

Prior to Sunday’s loss against the Arizona Coyotes, the Canadiens had been on a five-game winning streak. They pretty much had to be to catch up to the division-leading Lightning.

The Canadiens have been one of the most consistent teams all season as they have six winning-streaks that lasted at least three games. Their longest losing streak is three games which has happened three times.

The Habs are only dealing with one injury at the moment, to P.A. Parenteau.

Next Three Opponents: Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins

Jan 31, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center

(14) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the third period against the New York Islanders at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

3rd Place: Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings have won 9 out of their last 11 games. Are you sensing a pattern here? If you want to be at the top of the Atlantic Division, you have be hot and stay hot.

Those who thought the days of the all-powerful Red Wings were over have clearly been proven wrong. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk still rule the roost, but young players like Gustav Nyqvist and Tomas Tatar are encroaching on their territory.

The Wings are missing Johan Franzen and Jakub Kindl, but they are also missing their starting goaltender, Jimmy Howard. How long can the Wings stay successful with their backup goalies until Howard can return?

Next Three Opponents:

Jan 27, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) scores a goal past Florida Panthers goalie

(1) in the second period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

5th Place: Florida Panthers

Has it really come this far? Have the Leafs fallen so far that the Florida Panthers are above them in the standings?

It appears so, as Roberto Luongo has given the young Panthers team a reliable goaltender to fall back on. They might be eight points behind the Washington Capitals for the final playoff spot, but that is much better than expected.

Can they keep it up for the rest of the season?

Next Three Opponents: New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings

Jan 21, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie

(41) clears the puck away from Toronto Maple Leafs center

(42) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

6th Place: Ottawa Senators

The Leafs and Senators are seemingly in a battle to see who can finish in a worse spot this season. The Leafs are on a nine-game losing streak and it was just yesterday that the Senators climbed one point ahead of the Leafs.

The Senators seem to be clinging to hope that they can make the playoffs. However, with starting goalie Craig Anderson out for the time being, can Robin Lehner guide them that far. They will need to play extremely well and get a lot of help.

Next Three Opponents: Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres

Jan 30, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres head coach

talks to players during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

8th Place: Buffalo Sabres

The Leafs are the second-worst team in the Atlantic Division. How might you ask? You’d think that a nine-game losing streak would surely put the Leafs in the basement. Well, when you have a team below you that is on a 14-game losing streak, it’s going to be hard to fall that far.

The Buffalo Sabres are the favorites in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes and don’t look like they will be letting go of that spot anytime soon. Michal Neuvirth, Cody McCormick, and Marcus Foligno are out with injuries, but that only supports that cause.

The Sabres will be an interesting team to watch this month as we edge closer and closer to the NHL trade deadline.

Next Three Opponents: Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars