Loose Leafs

At this moment in time the Leafs need just a single point to secure 1st in the Atlantic Division. Their final 2 contests will be against teams that have already been eliminated from playoff contention, the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings. On paper you would imagine they can come out with at least a point, but this is the Toronto Maple Leafs we’re talking about and, while some claim that things feel different this year, we’ve all been fooled like that before.

But I digress. They need a point. Getting it on Tuesday night against Buffalo would be ideal, considering it would allow them to rest their stars for Game 82, as they may need a little bit of extra energy before they face the Ottawa Senators (we assume) in Round 1.

If the Leafs get that last point it will mean they face the Ottawa Senators. The only way that changes is if Toronto drops each of their final 2 games, while Tampa Bay wins both of their remaining games. In that case Toronto would draw The Florida Panthers in Round 1 and while I don’t have any confidence in this teams ability to win a round against anybody, I know if they are going to win one they have a better shot against the Senators than the Panthers.

Of course, it’s also worth noting that the Lightning have only to lose another game in any fashion and that would also result in Toronto securing top spot in the Atlantic and a Battle of Ontario 1st round series.

Mitch Marner, like the team, also needs a single point, but for him it will mean reaching 100pts for the first time in his career. He was on pace for 101pts the past 2 seasons but didn’t manage to hit the mark due to missing games. His pro-rated total the season prior to those was 110pts as well, so we’ve been well aware that 100pts is within his range. Hopefully he gets there, if for nothing else than his own confidence going into the playoffs.

I’d love to waste time tallying up their numbers over the past handful of games each, but suffice to say that two things are true; the first is that Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll have been terrific lately. The second is that Anthony Stolarz has won the right to start Game 1 of the playoffs. He’s been more consistent throughout the year and he’s currently on a 7 game winning streak. The veteran netminder has earned this opportunity, rather than it being handed to him, which is more than we can say about Ilya Samsonov last season. Something that is going to go in the Leafs’ favour is the fact that Woll, who was fantastic in the post season last year, will force him to be at his best or else Stolarz will quickly lose his right to the crease.

Getting injured players back will be key over the last couple of games. Jake McCabe, David Kampf, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Max Pacioretty all seem likely to be options for Game 1, if not sooner. McCabe and OEL are especially key if there’s to be any success this post season.

With just 1 goal and 1 assist in 18 games since being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers at the trade deadline, Scott Laughton could really use a break right now. Not only that, but so could Leafs fans. I would prefer not to file this one away under “ineffective veteran that was acquired via overpayment” alongside Nick Foligno, but that’s where things are heading. The silver lining here is they have him under contract for next season as well, which means they can keep him or recoup some assets if they choose.