How the Toronto Maple Leafs Can Simulate the Playoffs Right Now

It’s no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs struggle in the playoffs.

In fact, it’s been so long since the they won a series that the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs played a game in the second round, the European Union had 12 fewer countries.

Perhaps Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Romania all joining the EU had something to do with what appears to be a curse on the Maple Leafs.

In order for the Buds to try and break through in the playoffs, they should take advantage of their current situation.

Unfortunately, the team’s dream run, where they managed to earn at least a point in 15 consecutive games (they went 12-0-3) has come to an end after being beaten in regulation by the New York Rangers on Thursday. Despite that streak ending in Madison Square Garden, they still have something significant to play for even if it isn’t trying to match that particular franchise record.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Can Prepare for Playoffs Now

The Toronto Maple Leafs have seen the fight needed to build an impressive streak and it’s a feeling they need to internalize. They currently hold another streak that Coach Sheldon Keefe should elevate to great importance in the dressing room.

The Leafs are on an eight-game run at home where they have picked up at least a point in each contest.

The team has also won its last four home games. The franchise record for most consecutive home wins is 10. If Keefe could help the Leafs try and give prominence to going on a streak and trying to set a new record, it could be a way to make all games at Scotiabank Arena more meaningful.

More importantly, the players should treat protecting the home streak like it’s the playoffs.

Giving the games additional meaning and an urgency to win will act as a simulation for the post season. Not only would Leafs fans have an even greater reason to tune into regular season games but the players could prepare themselves for playing under tremendous pressure.

While some may argue that they prefer to see the players enjoying themselves and playing care free hockey, it’s time for a new approach. The opportunity to set a record for a franchise that’s been around since World War I (1917), doesn’t present itself too frequently (despite what Mitch Marner has done this season and Auston Matthews’ goal total last year). As a whole, the Leafs should all shoulder the pressure to win and further the team’s current streak in Toronto.

If the Leafs can find success under these conditions in the regular season, come playoffs, they will have recent experience to draw from when the games begin to have more meaning, especially in their own building.

Since the measure of success this season is whether Toronto can find their way past the first round and help retire thousands of internet memes, the players need to adopt a new approach. If the players treat winning now appropriately, this could be exactly what is needed come April.

Additionally, if the Leafs find ways to be unbeatable at home during the regular season, that should translate nicely in the playoffs, especially if a Game 7 happens to be played in front of a Toronto crowd. It’s also very difficult to eliminate a team who doesn’t lose at home.

This is a team capable of doing incredible things including winning hockey’s biggest prize. Hopefully, the preparations they make now lead them to hoisting Lord Stanley’s Mug in the spring,