The Toronto Maple Leafs enter the Stanley Cup playoffs having won only four of their last fourteen games, but a closer look shows that there are many reasons to be optimistic.
The Leafs have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967, nor have they made it past the first round of the playoffs in 17 years.
Predictably, pessimism has grown among a fan base that has come to expect the worst.
However, the franchise has turned over a new leaf after extensive personnel changes from top to bottom and the growth of a talented core. Here are some crucial reasons why this year’s team should inspire optimism heading into the playoffs.