So since they've taken themselves out of contention for a top draft pick, I might as well cheer them on. Two weeks ago I declared them officially out of the playoffs. Afterall they had only 11 games remaining and needed 20 points to reach 92 points. And they hadn't won more than 3 games in a row all season. Well they still haven't won more than 3 straight but with only 6 games remaining anything can happen.
But I still don't believe the will make it. Even if they won every single game, 92 points might not be enough considering the way Florida and Washington have been playing. In fact in the past two weeks although the Leafs have closed the gap on 8th place marginally, they are still stuck in 12th place. But yes they are not mathematically out yet. So here is why the Leafs have been winning:
1. Vesa Toskala
Not too many goalies playing better than Toskala these days. Great goaltending can carry you a long way. In fact how many teams in the East other than New Jersey are getting better goaltending than the Leafs? Likely none.
2. Mats Sundin
Mats was carrying the team all season but just couldn't drag them into a playoff spot. This team too often sits back and waits for their captain to get things happening. It's no coincidence that the team plays better when he is injured. The centres have all responded positively to an increase in ice time. I'm not joking but if he comes back too soon, they will come up with a bad game and end this run. It always seems to happen.
3. Matt Stajan
This season has seen Stajan begin to live up to his potential. He is a smart two-way player that was expected to be a decent 2nd or 3rd line centre. With Sundin out of the line up he has stepped it up considerably and is contributing offensive;y. I don't expect it to last but he will develop into good NHL player.
4. Pavel Kubina
Since coming to the Leafs, he has either been hurt of playing like I wish he was hurt. He was slow and prone to coughing the puck up. When McCabe was hurt he moved up to play with Kaberle and the combination of the new partner and more ice time has done wonders. He has been playing very well and contributing offensively. He has scored some big goals in the past 2 weeks. I personally think that Tomas Kaberle is just such a good hockey player that he improves everyone on the ice with him.
GO LEAFS GO!
