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Toronto Maple Leafs: A Week in the Life of Rivals

By Alicia DiDomenico

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 29: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his empty net goal with Brayden Point #21 during a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on January 29, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 29: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his empty net goal with Brayden Point #21 during a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on January 29, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 16: Pierre Engvall #47 and William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs chat during a timeout against the Calgary Flames in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 16, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shoot-out. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 16: Pierre Engvall #47 and William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs chat during a timeout against the Calgary Flames in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 16, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shoot-out. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in an interesting spot.

As of right now, the Toronto Maple Leafs are third in the Atlantic Division, with 72 points and 20 games to go.

However, as shown by the past couple of weeks, that can all change in one night. If, say, the Florida Panthers were to overtake the Toronto Maple Leafs in points, not only would they be out of their division, they would also be out of a wildcard spot.

So, like any Toronto Maple Leafs fan would nowadays, I went on standings watch to look at all the teams who’s success could hinder the team making a run at Lord Stanley come April.

At this point in the year, fans are starting to watch not only the Atlantic division, but the Metro division as well (I mean, they’re stacked).

Both Boston and Tampa still pose a threat to the Maple Leafs, as going through both of them will be necessary if we make the playoffs through our own division.

Florida is currently posing their biggest threat, but in all reality Montreal isn’t that far behind them. Then on the Metro side, everything is a tight race over there.

Seven points separate five different teams in the division.

Columbus and the Islanders currently hold both Wildcard spots, but Carolina is right on their heels, and the Penguins and Capitals don’t exactly have the tightest grip on that first and second place spots with Philadelphia making a late season run.

So, in reality, while we shouldn’t be worried, I would advise that a little worry is healthy. And, in the case of this year’s team, a little bit of worry is extremely needed, and even a little encouraged.

But, just for fun, let’s take a little look into the past week for all of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rivals. It can’t hurt to see what we’re up against.

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