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Can the Toronto Maple Leafs Feast on the NHL East?

By Andrew Kogut

Toronto Maple Leafs fan (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs fan (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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ELMONT, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on January 15, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
ELMONT, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on January 15, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Washington Capitals (55 points)

How good is Alex Ovechkin? At 36 years-old he’s still lighting the league on fire. Through 42 contests he has 29 goals and 58 points; tying him for the NHL lead on both fronts. Oh, and only 7 of those goals are PPG. Scary.

What else is scary is the fact that Washington is right at the bottom of the league in PP%. Once they get that sorted (and are able to ice a team featuring a healthy Nicklas Backstrom, T.J Oshie and Anthony Mantha) watch out!

Playoff Prediction: Tom Wilson decapitates half of the Leafs squad (and still gets less games than Kadri) on route to a Capitals-in-6 series win

Pittsburgh Penguins (55 points)

Talk about depth. The Penguins currently have 11 players who have scored six or more goals this season (and that excludes Evgeni Malkin, who has only suited up in a half-dozen games). Tristan Jarry is playing his best hockey as a Penguin (.928 SV%, 3SO) and Kris Letang is nearly at a point-per-game pace (35 points in 36 games).

I have found myself picking Pittsburgh in my playoff pools the last few years, thinking they are being underrated, but this team could potentially do some damage this year, particularly if they stay healthy.

Playoff Prediction: Crosby plows through the Leafs like a Zamboni through a Tim Hortons drive-thru. Penguins in 6

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