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Toronto Maple Leafs face uphill battle to the Stanley Cup Playoffs

By Naftali Clinton

CALGARY, AB - DECEMBER 12: Tyson Barrie #94 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on December 12, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - DECEMBER 12: Tyson Barrie #94 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on December 12, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to hold true to their fan base’s expectation to be a true contender for the first time in 20 years, they will have to sharpen their play a lot.

It’s been almost 20 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs were a real contender for the Stanley Cup, and there was a lot of optimism going into the 2019-20 season. But after a disappointing start to the season, they fired former head coach Mike Babcock. They, in turn, replaced him with former Toronto Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe.

As always in Toronto when the team is doing bad and a coaching change takes place, there is always instant hype for the new coach. Things still aren’t going as expected for the talented Leafs squad, as they are sitting outside of the playoffs with a record of 15-14-4.

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Not exactly what you would expect from a team that has the likes of Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly and Frederik Andersen. After a few trades in the offseason that were popular among Leafs fans, like the Barrie trade and the Ceci trade, it looked like as the Leafs usually say “Maybe this year”.

But no as always the Leafs will find a way to squander opportunities. If they are going to get their act together and make the playoffs it won’t be an easy ride. They have four teams ahead of them in the playoff race, the Panthers, Rangers, Lightning, and Flyers. Maybe they can get past the Rangers but those other teams are very solid.

The Leafs have 33 games, which is more than all of those teams. Tampa only has 30 games and should cruise to the playoffs. Their only hope is that the Canadiens and Sabres, who don’t have star-studded rosters, come down to their usual play and fall out of the hunt.

But they still will have to contend with the Florida Panthers, who arguably have a better team than them, and the Tampa Bay Lightning who have an incredible team but are struggling a bit.

Next. Every Team's Mount Rushmore. dark

My prediction for the Atlantic division standings to end the year will be this:

  1. Boston Bruins
  2. Tampa Bay Lightning
  3. Florida Panthers
  4. Montreal Canadiens
  5. Toronto Maple Leafs
  6. Buffalo Sabres
  7. Ottawa Senators
  8. Detroit Red Wings
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