The Toronto Maple Leafs currently sit 22nd over-all in the NHL. So, do they have a chance to make the play-offs? Lets just put it out there and say, its a good thing the Leafs are not in the Western conference. Yes they have a slim chance. The Leafs currently sit in a battle with 2 teams (Carolina, Buffalo) for the final play-off spot. Over the weekend the Sabers "leap-frogged" the canes to take hold of the 8th spot with 72 points. Buffalo has a game in hand on Toronto and Carolina at the moment, and is looking "OKAY".
The next five games will be very important for the Leafs chances to see the post season (for the first time since the 2003-2004 campaign). Its a double edge sword for the Leafs, most teams in the Leafs position would love a 3 game home stand at this point in the season. However, with Reimer as hot as he has been on the road (9 of his 12 wins on the road), the Leafs will need to heighten their game at home. Thankfully the first game is on the road. The NY Islanders have been hot since the all-star break recording 25 of their 60 points. Being equally as hot, look for the Maple Leafs lead by James Reimer to continue their road success with a win on the island.. After beating Philadelphia on home ice, the Leafs can hopefully stretch the Flyers 6 game losing streak. This game may see Reimer take a seat on the bench and rest up on home ice. Not as if the Leafs can afford to lose any points, but the most important games lie ahead with the teams they are trailing in points. If the Leafs have any chance what so ever they will need to take a play-off style approach to Buffalo and Carolina. Taking the body early and getting pucks deep(as they have been doing well lately) will be key and should be part of their game plan. This is way to hard to predict, but I wish the Leafs the best of luck. If the Leafs can find a way to pull it off and get the crucial 8/10 points then I feel they deserve the reward of finally returning to the play-offs and proving the critics wrong.
This could be the turning point in coach Ron Wilson's career with the Leafs. Wilson has taken slack all season from the media as he should have. There have been points in the season where I questioned his coaching decisions. Not as a critic, but as a fan. If a player is not preforming take him off the ice to ride the pine, you ARE the coach. Its taken a while but I feel the players are finally buying in to the "Wilson" style of hockey. If Ron can out coach and maybe get a little luck for once this season, his job could be saved.
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