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Leafs: 5 Storylines to Follow in the Second Half of the Season

By James Reeve

Jan 1, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) during their game against the Detroit Red Wings during the Centennial Classic ice hockey game at BMO Field. The Maple Leafs beat the Red Wings 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) during their game against the Detroit Red Wings during the Centennial Classic ice hockey game at BMO Field. The Maple Leafs beat the Red Wings 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Playoff Hunt

As previously mentioned, the Leafs hold a 9-1-1 record in their last 11 regular season games.

This kind of form has the team fighting for the second place in the Atlantic Division – with the Leafs sitting just one solitary point behind the current second-placed Boston Bruins.

What gives the Leafs the advantage, however, is that Boston has 51 points though 47 games, whereas the Leafs have 50 points from just 42.

This gives Toronto five games to try to catch the Bruins’ current points total and climb above them in the standings.

But chasing the Bruins is a short-term target, with the ultimate aim now being to secure a playoff spot for the first time since the lockout-shortened 2012/13 season.

The Leafs are winning games, scoring plenty of points and looking more and more like a playoff contender.

Maintaining their positive performances throughout the second half of the season will be a tough task, but it will be fun to watch for Leafs’ fans.

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