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 100: Divisional Round Preview: Who Is Headed To Championship Sunday?
by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2023 at 12:19 pm
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 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 209 "Vince is Back"by Boot 2 The Face on January 11, 2023 at 2:34 am
Rucker and EJ are back talking NFL playoffs, Wrestle Kingdom and the […]
-
Pick & Rollout: Alabama at Oklahomaby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 10:45 am
-
Pick & Rollout: NC State at Wake Forestby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 9:30 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Xavier at Creightonby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 8:15 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Auburn at West Virginiaby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 7:00 am
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, January 27thby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 1:30 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Air Force at New Mexicoby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Raptors at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Buffalo at Kent Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Cavs at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm