One month ago, I posted the first edition of Scoreboard Watching, where I covered the four teams the Toronto Maple Leafs were competing against for a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division.
Ultimately, the verdict was: “If the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to win games, not only will they be competing in the Atlantic, but they will close the wild card gap.”
Thanks to consistent play, combined with a down stretch from the Philadelphia Flyers, the Leafs are now 3rd in their division while also in the race for the final wild card spot.
Unless there is a Montreal collapse, five teams will compete for the final two playoff spots in the Atlantic. These potential playoff teams are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Both the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings are close enough to make an improbable run, but neither is playing at a high enough level to join the conversation at this time. Tampa Bay is also struggling mightily, but given their success in previous seasons, it’s too early to rule them out.
Once again I will cover the teams to scoreboard on the Leafs road to a 2017 playoff birth.