Toronto Maple Leafs: Clinching, Matchup Mayhem and More

The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time in a full 82 game season since 2004.

The Toronto Maple Leafs did make it into the first round of the 2013 playoffs, but the season was shortened due to a lockout that saw just 48 games being played by each team, so we don’t count that one.

Not to mention they blew a 4-1 lead in Game 7.

Yes, I’m bitter.

The Leafs are a good team now and will be for some time. We’re all being rewarded for the pain and suffering we have long endured over the years. It’s time to focus on the present and to stop thinking of the past.

I’ll keep telling myself that as I crawl into the fetal position if we play the not to be mentioned you know who.

The Western Conference is locked up (variations in the standings can still be made) and there are just three vacant spots in the Eastern Conference. The Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t mathematically eliminated yet.

But, they will be soon. So, we’re not going to focus on them.

More from Editor In Leaf

• Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Robertson Healthy and Ready
• Ryan Reaves Will Have Zero Impact on Toronto Maple Leafs
• Toronto Maple Leafs: Playing Max Domi In Top-Six a HUGE Mistake
• Top 10 Scandals in the History of the Toronto Maple Leafs
• Toronto Maple Leafs: Results from the Traverse City Prospects Tournament

That leaves  the second and third Atlantic Division spot and the second Wild Card spot up for grabs.

Fighting for those spots will be the Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Standings and Statistics

It’s a close ride to the finish line between these three clubs. The Bruins and Leafs occupy the second and third Atlantic spots as of right now, while the Senators hold the second Wild Card position.

Both the Leafs and Senators play Monday night, meaning the standings could change. Here are the official predictions for the games.

Now here are the current standings.

Notice that the Bruins are two games up on both the Leafs and the Senators. They’re just one point above them in the standings. Take this into account when factoring in their playoff odds.

Take this into account when factoring in their playoff odds.

Final Standings Possibilities

All this depends on how each of the three teams listed above finish the remainder of the regular season. The Leafs have the best shot at getting the favorable matchup and home ice advantage over the Bruins and the Senators.

Remember, ROW is used as the tiebreaker in the standings. Although the Leafs and the Senators have the same game and point total, the Leafs are up one in the ROW category. That’s why they’re above the Senators in the standings.

However, it’s anyone’s guess at who will finish first, second and third. Looking at each team’s current path, the Bruins and Leafs are red hot and the Senators are falling short.

I like playoff percentage statistics. Have I ever mentioned that before?

Leafs: best shot at second Atlantic spot with 94.5% overall to make the playoffs

Bruins: best shot at second Wild Card spot with 94.2% overall to make the playoffs

Senators: best shot as second Atlantic spot with 93.1% overall to make the playoffs

Clinching Scenarios

Here’s where things get interesting. Both the Bruins and the Leafs can clinch Tuesday night.

They didn’t post one of these for the Leafs, so I inquired for an answer.

They delivered.

Let me explain how each scenario plays out.

The Bruins can clinch Tuesday night if they beat the Lightning in regulation. It has to be a regulation win.

Now, the Leafs can clinch Tuesday night if the following falls into order. One, they beat the Buffalo Sabres in any fashion Monday night. Two, they beat the Washington Capitals in any fashion Tuesday night. And three, if the Lightning fall to the Bruins Tuesday night.

The Leafs will be very close percentage wise with a win over the Sabres.

If all those things listed above happen, both teams will clinch a playoff berth. The Senators aren’t far behind, but I’m not sure when they will clinch. Chances are, it will come by week’s end.

Round One Matchup Scenarios

Let’s look at each scenario.

If the Leafs land in the second Wild Card spot, they will play the Washington Capitals. The Capitals would have home ice advantage.

If they finish in the third Atlantic spot, they will play either the Bruins or Senators, again, without home ice advantage.

However, if the Leafs finish second in the Atlantic, they have home ice advantage and will play either the Bruins or the Senators, depending on where they finish. This would be the favorable matchup.

This would be the favorable matchup.

Round One Matchup Predictions

If I was a betting man, I’d say the Capitals would beat the Leafs if they were to face each other. I know, I’m sorry.

They’re just too good.

Now, for the other two team’s, the Bruins and the Senators, I would say the Leafs could win. Regardless of if they have home ice advantage or not.

That’s just my thought. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the better team than those two opposing teams. Let’s not forget that they have a chip on their shoulder in regards to the Bruins, not to mention a series sweep this season. And they fair well against the Senators in the playoffs if history has any say.

Chances are higher that they would face another Atlantic team than the Capitals, so let’s cling to that for now.

Side Note

Go back up to the top of the article and check out the image.

Notice anything strange about it?

The referee looks petrified when looking at the huddle of Toronto Maple Leafs players. Mitchell Marner looks somewhat uncomfortable as well.

This image was too good to pass up, though.