Dare We Even Consider the Leafs Playoff Hopes this Season?
Almost from the day Brendan Shanahan arrived to take over the flailing Toronto Maple Leafs organization back in April of 2014, there has been a mantra like call out to Leafdom not to speak prematurely or with false expectations about their playoff hopes.
Be realistic, keep expectations in check, “there will be pain” etc. etc., …..are all terms we have heard and even bandied about ourselves, in an effort not to allow the utter disappointment of previous years to enter into our thought processes.
We dared not speak of any type of team achievements or accolades, let alone the Leafs’ playoff hopes. Anything other than exhibiting patience while enduring the pain of the early stages of the rebuild would only lead to more disappointment.
It was best to not look at the standings, to focus on each individual game, to draw the few positives that we could from small on ice victories and applaud the solid efforts of a cobbled together roster.
No one could have possibly known how quickly the Leafs would improve!
With this season’s lineup laced with rookies and new faces, it was surely going to take some time for this team to learn how to play together. With so much on the job training taking place with so many inexperienced bodies, long losing streaks were inevitable.
However, there is a reason why I find myself using past tense words like “was” and “were”….these things “were” expected, more misery “was” supposed to happen but it isn’t. What is happening is a very talented young team quickly coming together, prompting me to suggest that the Leafs playoff hopes are not out of the question.
In this very column just a few weeks ago I predicted a Leafs end of season point total of 83, which would see them finishing anywhere from 18th to 23rd overall in the NHL standings based on past years’ totals. Invoking the simple premise that what we have seen so far in up tempo hockey with lots of goals, youthful mistakes, some points squandered but some also gained will all continue – a new prediction is in order.
Continuing at their current pace, the Leafs are on an 89-point trajectory.
The stars and the hockey planets would have to align for any team to enter the playoffs with 89 points but just last season, the Minnesota Wild slipped into a Western Division Wild Card Berth with 87. It can happen but in reality, a points total in the low 90’s is usually what it takes to be in the playoff race in either conference.
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So where does this leave the Leafs playoff hopes? I contend that the idea of them gaining a playoff spot is something that we dare think about again.
It may not happen but even a season ending in their falling just short of the post season would be considered a success. Further, if what we have seen so far is any indication, it will be extremely fun to watch.
The one cautionary note that I would insert at this point is that this team has not had to deal with any major adversity. The injury bug has nipped at the lineup here and there, but no real hard bites inflicting serious or prolonged injuries to key personnel have taken place.
We simply don’t know how this young squad will react to a depleted lineup, or relying on a third or fourth string goalie, or whatever strife may come their way. Leafs playoff hopes could be described as optional, have those thoughts and aspirations if you so desire, but prepare yourself for a soft landing if they do not come to fruition.
I wear Leafs pajamas – I admit it freely – I am truly a sucker for punishment and calls to keep my expectations in check are heeded, but only for as long as I must. I don’t need no
stinkin root beer
soft landing, I have crashed headlong into the canyon of fan despair many times in the past – all caused by the Leafs missing the playoffs.
I have endured the cruel April fools jokes depicting Mats Sundin holding his golf bag aloft as if it were the Stanley Cup. My skin has become impervious to the taunts made by the merciless fans of other teams.
The Leafs’ playoff hopes for this season are real my friends. If they continue playing as they have and continue getting solid goaltending, mark my words: they will be nipping at a playoff spot in late March and early April of 2017.
Next: What should the Leafs do when Leivo returns?
If they get into post season action, that is where we can acquiesce to keeping our expectations in check. In the meantime I am looking forward to more of the exciting brand of hockey we have seen so far this season.
When speaking of Leafs playoff hopes, have I finally lost it?
. . . probably, but what are your thoughts?