The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Edmonton Oilers - barely, but they did - on Saturday to break their three-game losing streak.
For the Maple Leafs, it wasn't the best game, but the goaltending was encouraging and the result was good, so hopefully they can build on it and get back on track.
The Leafs have fallen to three points back of Florida for the Atlantic Division lead, but the Leafs have two games in hand.
In a shocking development, the Wild Card positions are now being held by Detroit and Columbus, with Tampa and Boston currently on the outside looking in. Boston is just 4 games back of Toronto if we use MLB type standings, and Tampa is 2.5. (nhl.com).
The Toronto Maple Leafs Aren't Missing the Playoffs *Probably*
While the Leafs playoff probability is still somewhere close to 100%, it's not hard to see how an extended losing streak could be disastrous. The fact is, however, that even though the Leafs are 15th in the NHL since December 13, which is the day they stopped leading the NHL in 5v5 save percentage, they haven't really moved in the standings that entire time. I think this suggests that they're basically a lock for the playoffs unless they lose like six in a row.
Still, six points separate the Leafs and the 10th place Bruins right now.
Upcoming Games
The Leafs play Calgary on Tuesday, then Seattle Thursday, then Vancouver Saturday, all road games, then they have two weeks off while the NHL plays an ill-advised cash-grab which I suddenly can't wait to cheer on Team Canada in.
Weird Scheduling Quirk
Weirdly the Leafs play only one home game in all of February.
Scoring Stats
Mitch Marner is fourth in league scoring, ten points behind MacKinnon, but getting roughly half as many offensive zone faceoffs. William Nylander is six goals behind Leon Draisaitl for the league lead in goals.
Injuries
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is day to day after leaving Saturday's game with an injury. There is no update on him yet. Anthony Stolraz has had full practices and is going to likely start one of this week's games.
Trades
While the rest of the NHL gets a jump on the Trade Deadline, looking to improve before the 4 Nations, Brad Treliving has done nothing. The Leafs have played way more games with Pontus Holmberg at 2C than is acceptable, but the team's GM is yet to lift a finger.
The Leafs blue-line is terrible, and they need centres. Hopefully the Leafs will look to add at least one impact player who is a star instead of trying to fill every hole they have with a lesser player. The Rangers added JT Miller and the Hurricanes added Rantanen, so the East just keeps getting harder to win, meanwhile it remains to be seen if Treliving and co. will stick with their name-brand, low-risk approach or actually try to win.
The latest rumour is that the Leafs may now be willing to include Easton Cowan in a trade. I don't know if this is really a "rumour" so much as it is just "common sense" - we've been saying it here for months.