Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs: Rooting For Florida

By Wilbert Timmermans

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 10: Pittsburgh Penguins Defenceman Kris Letang (58) and Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie Tristan Jarry (35) react as Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Morgan Rielly (44), Toronto Maple Leafs Center Nazem Kadri (43) and Toronto Maple Leafs Center Tyler Bozak (42) celebrate a goal during the NHL regular season game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 10, 2018, at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photograph by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 10: Pittsburgh Penguins Defenceman Kris Letang (58) and Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie Tristan Jarry (35) react as Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Morgan Rielly (44), Toronto Maple Leafs Center Nazem Kadri (43) and Toronto Maple Leafs Center Tyler Bozak (42) celebrate a goal during the NHL regular season game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 10, 2018, at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photograph by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs sit third in the Atlantic, currently 12 points ahead of Florida, who hold 3 games in hand.

First off, stating the obvious: No the Toronto Maple Leafs should not actually be rooting for the Florida Panthers and nor should we. So what nonsense am I saying here? It’s quite simple actually, I saw the playoff bracket should they start today and well, it worried me a little bit at first.

Should we start today, Toronto would faceoff the Boston Bruins in the first round. Not a terrible matchup, one Toronto can certainly win. But should they advance, odds are pretty big that we face the possible presidents’ trophy winner in the Tampa Bay Lightning. That would mean that surviving the first two rounds means facing two of hottest Eastern teams. Do we really want that?

Wildcard 

Last year, during the final game of the regular season against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the crowd chanted they wanted Ottawa. I wanted them too, badly. But my motivation was not purely for the Battle For Ontario to happen during the playoffs. I also really wanted to avoid playing the Capitals and the Penguins in the next round.

This year? There is a decent chance that the Metro leaders could be the Capitals, Flyers, Penguins, Devils or (maybe, with a run,) the Blue Jackets.  I think I’d rather face any of those, except the Penguins, in the first two rounds over Boston and Tampa Bay. For that to happen, Florida should take over the third position in the Atlantic and Toronto should fall back to a wildcard spot.

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Bring It On

I’ll say it myself; Wilbert, get your head out of that place where the sun doesn’t shine. If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to contend for the cup. They should be able to face and beat any opponent. I for one, truly believe at this point that they can.

Moving forward, our core of young players can only benefit from the toughest matchups possible. So bring it on. If anything, Toronto should make a push to claim that second spot from Boston.

Mike brought up a very strong argument today, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been very good at home, much better than on the road. So basically, the Toronto Maple Leafs should do anything within their power to finish as high as they can in the standings.

Toronto Maple Leafs

For the Toronto Maple Leafs to make that push, they will need Auston Matthews soon. Though I agree with Mike, think they should rather spare him two extra games for him to be 100% in the playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs are  a drastically  better team with him in the lineup than without.

Next: The Prospect No One Talks About

Currently, Toronto sits seven points behind the Bruins who have 2 games in hand. Still, I don’t think it’s impossible to claim that spot. Boston has been hot of late, for sure. But they have some tough games left to be played and are dealing with some injuries, that could be the break for Toronto in the hunt for that spot.

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