With the Stanley Cup playoffs just around the corner, the Toronto Maple Leafs may just be playing some of their best hockey.
After struggling to be consistently good for a month beginning in mid-to-late February, the Toronto Maple Leafs have corrected their course, going 9-2-1 in their past dozen games, and firming up their hold on second place in the Atlantic Division. They currently have 11 regular-season games remaining before the playoffs, and although everyone knows they’ll ultimately be judged by their post-season performance, the reality is the pressure is already on them and there’s no longer any room for slack.
Yes, there’s no chance the Leafs will miss the playoffs at this stage. But even with this latest hot streak they’re on, Toronto does not have a firm grip on the second spot in the Atlantic. They do have five more points than the third-place Boston Bruins and the fourth-place Tampa Bay Lightning, but both the Bruins and Bolts have a game in hand on them. There’s still no assurance they don’t fall in the standings and lose the home-ice advantage they have at present.
And if they fall out of the top three spots in the Atlantic and wind up in the first wild card position – there’s virtually no way they fall behind Washington and get the final wild card berth – the Leafs may wind up taking on the Metropolitan Division’s Carolina Hurricanes. The prospect of taking on former Leafs’ goalie and current Canes starter Frederik Andersen might appeal to some Toronto fans, but the hockey gods may push Andersen and his Carolina team out in the first round. An opening-round loss to any team will be unacceptable for the Leafs, but losing to Andersen would be especially agonizing.
Toronto can prevent that by keeping Tampa and Boston at bay and setting themselves up for a first-round showdown against one of those two deep, experienced teams. There’s likely no matchup that will keep a lid on Buds fans’ anxieties, but the Leafs have won both games they’ve played against the Bruins this year, and their final game of the regular season comes against Boston on April 29. They’ve won two of three games against the Lightning as well, but going up against the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions may be more of a psychological and structural problem than the Bruins would pose.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: Senators Honour Eugene Melnyk With a Few Great Performances
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers
NHL: The Possibility of Patrick Kane Leaving The Chicago Blackhawks
NFL: FPC 2022 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Getting Defensive Rather Early
Wrestling: NXT Black and Gold Shine In Loss To NXT 2.0 in War Games Match
PODCAST: Full Press NHL Podcast Ep 25: Eugene Melnyk Passes Away; NHL Salary Cap Rises
The remainder of the regular season also could hurt the Leafs – literally – if the injury bug takes a bite out of their lineup, and sidelines key players for the playoffs. Toronto has been relatively fortunate on the health front this year, but that could change in an instant. And although Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has surrounded his core of top forwards with depth and skill both up front and on defense, you know going into the playoffs you’ll be dealing with a war of attrition, and one or two absences could be the difference between winning and losing a playoff series or two.
Ideally, Toronto’s offence will lead the way for them in the first round, because though they’re a better defensive team than they were last season, the Leafs have had a very tough time holding leads in games of late. They’ve got 11 games to clamp down in their own zone and to see reassuring play from goalie Jack Campbell. Otherwise, they’ll be entrusting their year to rookie netminder Erik Kallgren; with all due respect to Kallgren, you don’t want to leave your season in the hands of a goalie who hasn’t experienced NHL playoff hockey before.
The schedule-maker is giving the Leafs a chance to end the year on a high note: six of their 11 games are against non-playoff teams, but they’ve had a habit of playing down to the level of lesser lights. They’re in control of their playoff destiny, and if they squander it before the post-season begins, they’ve nobody to blame but themselves.
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 102: Remembering John Clayton With Former Seahawks PR Director Gary Wrightby Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Former Seattle Seahawks PR Director Gary Wright joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 102: Remembering John Clayton With Former Seahawks PR Director Gary Wrightby Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Former Seattle Seahawks PR Director Gary Wright joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 230: Early Rookie Draft Seasonby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
-
Ep 229: Fantasy Fallout From the NFL Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 10:52 pm
-
Ep 228: Pre-NFL Draft Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 2:52 am
-
Ep 227: Rookie QB and TE classes of 2022by Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 7:45 pm
-
5/11 - Patriots Depth Chart, Contract Issues, Smoked Meat, and Ernie Adams With Matt Chathamby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Matt Chatham joins Steve, Murph, and Clare to talk Patriots depth chart, […]
-
5/4 - Good, Bad, and Ugly From NFL Draft With Evan Lazarby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Evan Lazar of CLNS Media joins Steve, Murph, and Claire to recap the […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's post-retirement contract with Fox to […]
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and Bucks upcoming game six, Joel Embiid […]
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Ian and John talk Celtics/Bucks and the NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's new […]
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA playoffs and their current officiating […]
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
Ian and John react to the Celtics Game two win over the Bucks in Boston.
-
5/4 - Horror Movies; Deandre Hopkins Suspension; Celtics Bounce Backby Full Press Coverage on May 5, 2022 at 5:03 am
Ian and John discuss horror movies, the Deandra Hopkins suspension, and […]
-
Celtics/Bucks Game 1 Reaction (5/2)by Full Press Coverage on May 3, 2022 at 1:45 am
Ian and John react game one between the Celtics and the Bucks.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 225by Talkamania on April 2, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 223by Talkamania on March 5, 2022 at 8:22 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 183 "The Streets Been Waiting"by Boot 2 The Face on May 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Sponsored by athleticgreens.com/EMERGING
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 182 "Mr. Toni Storm"by Boot 2 The Face on May 2, 2022 at 12:30 am
Marty and Rucker here again talking baseball, new action figures and the […]
-
Ep. 37: Modern Problems Require Modern Solutionsby Full Press Coverage on May 15, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
Episode 47 Criss Partee discusses the disappearance of James Harden and the latest NBA Playoffs newsby Full Press Coverage on May 15, 2022 at 4:10 am
-
Ep 113: Wade Barrettby Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep 130: Packers UDFA Talkby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
Episode 95: It's Schedule Time!by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 12:16 pm
-
Ep #162: NFL Announces Chiefs 2022 Scheduleby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 12:00 pm
-
The Pick and Roll NBA Podcast W/ Jet and Sap - EP 177 - The Celtics Collapse in Game 5by Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 9:41 pm
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
-
Ep 73: Bruins Face Elimination; Bruce Cassidy On Hot Seat; Patrice Bergeron Final Standby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 4:00 pm
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
-
5/4 - Horror Movies; Deandre Hopkins Suspension; Celtics Bounce Backby Full Press Coverage on May 5, 2022 at 5:03 am
-
Celtics/Bucks Game 1 Reaction (5/2)by Full Press Coverage on May 3, 2022 at 1:45 am
-
5/2 - Pt. 1 - NFL Draft Talk; Patriots Reactionby Full Press Coverage on May 2, 2022 at 9:38 pm
-
5/2 -NFL Draft; Celtics/Bucks Game 1 Reactionby Full Press Coverage on May 2, 2022 at 9:00 pm