Maple Leafs Facing Crucial Test That Will Fuel Playoff Success
The Toronto Maple Leafs quietly have a major difference at the end of their season compared to previous years.
In seasons past, all was decided for the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the season, with the team knowing
their playoff fate even before the end of the calendar year.
The NHL's playoff structure would make it evident who the Leafs would play in Round 1 early, usually Tampa Bay or Boston.
The Leafs have not had much success against these two teams, and the weight of the challenge was heavy upon their shoulders heading to the final stretch.
This season has the potential to be different for the Toronto Maple Leafs
heading into the playoffs, with one factor for the postseason giving them something they haven't had before, a sense of focus for the games ahead.
Leafs Given Privilege Of Not Being Focused On Playoff Opponent In-Season
For once, the Toronto Maple Leafs don't have to focus on their playoff opponent at this stage of the season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could see some familiar playoff faces in the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, but they could also see a new face in the Ottawa Senators.
The Leafs have not played their provincial rivals in the playoffs since 2004, in which Toronto beat Ottawa 4-3 in the quarterfinals.
Toronto has a 4-0 record all-time against the Sens in the playoffs. However, Ottawa is 3-0 against the Leafs this season.
On the
JD Bunkis Podcast on Sportsnet's 590 the FAN, Bunkis said that the Leafs not knowing their opponent right now makes their regular season a lot easier to manage.
That was one of my big takeaways in this thing too....is just now nice it is to have these games that matter, having a warm-up for these guys where they actually have to play meaningful hockey instead of just cake walking into the playoffs, and playing basically exhibition games all with the dread of like, "oh the playoffs are coming"...you get to just start the playoffs.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team gets the benefit of, for once, having major playoff implications in each game headed into the end of the season, still having to fight for the best outcome in round one.
Previously on HockeyPatrol