Toronto Maple Leafs: Not Too Worried About Boston

The Toronto Maple Leafs started 2018 seeded in third place of the Atlantic Division, behind the Boston Bruins.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently trailing the Bruins, who have three games in hand, but personally I’m not too worried about Boston.

The Toronto Maple Leafs concluded 2017 with a 6-3 loss to the Golden Knights, who are having quite the inaugural season. Overall. the Leafs had a rough December, losing both center Auston Matthews (six games) and Nazem Kadri to minor upper body injuries (two games).

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

During the December stretch, the Leafs accumulated 50% of the possible points. Compared to November (70%) and October (58%), the results of December are simply not enough for a playoff contending team. Given the circumstances, I’m not too disappointed.

Road Tripping

The Leafs played thirteen games during December, including two road trips and a total of ten road games, five of those road games were part of a back-to-back series.

In the ten road games, they’ve managed to gather 35% of the possible points. Before December, the Leafs played 14 road games and gathered 68% of the possible points. Perhaps the road trips, opponents, and injuries in December explain the big difference. Nevertheless, the Leafs need to step up their game on the road to make sure their playoff spot stays secure. Luckily, the Leafs have started a six-game home-stand before hitting the road again.

This Year’s Rivalry

During December, Boston found a way to keep winning games and climbed the Atlantic standings. Though I don’t believe the Leafs will finish behind Boston, I do believe they will claim the third seed in the Atlantic and thus meeting them in the playoffs is likely. This is something I’ve been looking forward to since the 2013 playoff run.

(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Lately I wondered; is Boston a better team than I gave them credit for? Obviously they have gotten better goaltending lately. Though, I don’t believe that’s the only reason for their recent success. I believe another reason is that they’ve had an easier schedule so far. Now I know, it sounds like an easy and lame excuse for someone who is a bit agitated that Boston is above us in the standings, but it isn’t. Just hear me out.

Breaking Down The Numbers

For the schedule comparison, I will focus only on the games played so far. I will not look at the opponents so far, for the shape of a team can differ on any given day.

So far the Bruins have played most of their games at home (21 against 17), whilst the Leafs have played most of their games on the road (24 against 17). So what, the Leafs have been on the road more, no big deal right?

More from Editor In Leaf

Actually, yes. I think there is more to it. I believe being on the road tires a player more than playing a series of games at home. Setting a minimum of three consecutive games, the Leafs have had four road trips and just three home stands. The four road trips consisted out of 2 three-game, 1 four-game and 1 five-game road trip. The three home-stand consisted out of 3 three-game home stands. Not to mention that in hockey you have a major advantage when you’re at home because you get last change.

Whilst the Bruins have had five home stands and just three road trips. Their road trips consisted out of 2 three-game and 1 four-game road trip. The five home stands consisted out of 4 three-game and 1 four-game homestand.

Conclusion

Former editor Andrew Boehener said it, the Toronto Maple Leafs will end second in the Atlantic division and I fully agree with him.

Though it may be premature, I do believe we will battle the Bruins for the rest of the season for the second place. I simply don’t see other division rivals rise up to the challenge.

Next: The NHL's Disconect From Reality

Thanks for reading and I would be more than pleased to hear your opinion!

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