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The Toronto Maple Leafs Playoffs Matchup if the Season Ended Today

By Jeff Borsuk

TORONTO, ON - MAY 10 : Warm up pucks hit the ice prior to action between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 10, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 10 : Warm up pucks hit the ice prior to action between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 10, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs finished fourth overall last season and were rewarded with a first round series against the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champs.

If the NHL season ended today, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have a first-round matchup that could give them nightmares.

The playoff picture across the NHL is an intriguing one, which is worth a very early look.

However, if you’re a Leafs fan, fair warning, cause it ain’t pretty.

The Metropolitan Division

The top team in the Metropolitan Division has been a surprise this season, with the New Jersey Devils playing stupendously. If the standings don’t change, then they will take on their long time rivals, the New York Rangers.

Though the Devils would be clear favourites, this is a series that could go either way, especially thanks to the outstanding play of the Rangers young goaltender, Igor Shesterkin who stymied the Maple Leafs in their contest on Thursday. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has the ability to steal games for his club all on his own and has earned the nickname Prince Igor in New York.

The second-seed in the Metropolitan is scheduled to face the third-seed. That currently pits the Carolina Hurricanes against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins were eliminated in the first-round last season. Despite the team’s disappointment, General Manager Ron Hextall has done his best to keep his group together, re-signing Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin, and former Maple Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen in the summer. Pittsburgh got off to a very slow start to the season but they can put all doubts to rest if they manage to go on a lengthy post season run.

The Penguins want to maximize their time with the 35-year-old generational talent, Sidney Crosby. Their goal is nothing short of another Stanley Cup victory.

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