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Are the Toronto Maple Leafs In the Weakest Division?

By Michael Da Ponte

TORONTO,ON - JANUARY 22: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 22, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO,ON - JANUARY 22: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 22, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 28: Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers  (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 28: Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers  (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

East Division

Over the previous three seasons this division has the most combined points, playoff appearances and and playoff success in the entire league. There will be at least one team that does not make the playoffs that could be considered a contender.

My guess would be Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins may miss the playoffs for the first time since Crosby was in his rookie season. If that does occur, it would be a massive off-season story as it could cause an entire over haul of the team, which may not have happened had they been in their regular division.

The Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils are destined to miss the playoffs in this division, but these two teams, as well as the New York Rangers, seemed primed to take a step forward. Perhaps had their division not been so competitive that step forward may have been taken.

The Devils and Rangers have been playing decent hockey, they just get no easy games in this division, unless they play the Sabres. The New York Islanders aren’t exactly a sexy team to watch, but they continue to win year after year since Barry Trotz became head coach and are always difficult to play against.

To round out the division the Philadelphia Flyers, if they can get their goaltending back in track, can make some serious damage in the playoffs. The Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins also seem to be a Cup contender every season, and this season is no different.

Next. The 4 Forwards the Leafs Could Try and Trade For. dark

By the time the dust settles on this division there will be at least two legitimate Cup threats eliminated from the playoffs. This East Division, in my opinion, will be the most interesting and unpredictable of the four divisions and I am looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.

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