7. Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa is another team that had a big deadline. They were able to acquire Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand, who filled their two biggest holes on the roster. They have looked fantastic over the last month or so.
The Leafs have kind of had their number in recent memory, but I am scared of this version of the Lightning. Gourde will fit right in, and the big guys already on the team are playing well. Guentzel is currently a point-per-game guy, Kucherov is having a normal (insane) Kucherov-level year, Hedman is playing well and Vasilevskiy looks to be back.
This team has had a couple of long offseasons since their deep runs and I see them as a real threat in the East.
Winning the division and avoiding both of these Florida teams are crucial. It would not only allow them to avoid them in round one, but it would also force both Florida teams to play against each other in round one and wear each other out. If you win the Wild Card matchup you're getting one of these two teams coming out of a physical, grueling series.
6. Ottawa Senators
The Senators have finally arrived. It looks like they're a lock for the playoffs and it is just a matter if they take one of the wild card spots, or if they can claw their way into a divisional spot with the Leafs currently playing their worst hockey of the year.
The early returns of the Cozens trade have been fantastic and Ullmark has gotten hot.
They have a deep forward core that can hurt you at all times. They have a mix of young forwards like Stuzle and Tkachuk as well as vets with playoff experience in Giroux and Perron. Ullmark is experienced in the playoffs and this team has been preparing for a playoff appearance for years.
I am scared of seeing what Tkachuk will be in the playoffs. He has the build of being a fantastic playoff player and I think he would be perfect for playoff-style hockey.
Where I like this matchup for the Leafs is on the blue line. I don't think the Sens have a strong defence core outside of Jake Sanderson. Zub is a nice piece as well but I don't think he's a series changer.
Another spot I like for the Leafs is while Ullmark has experience, the Leafs have been pretty good against him during his time in Boston. Getting a goalie they're very familiar with and have succeeded against would be a good matchup.
Their core is inexperienced with playoff hockey. This would be their first experience so it could hurt them as well.