The Toronto Maple Leafs had been giving beleaguered fans something to sit up and take notice of with a late-season push that had seen them go 10-2-4 since the all-star break, a torrid hockey pace that had them but three points from eighth place. But things change quickly and their 5-3 home loss to the Chicago Blackhawks March 6 was a setback.
They are still on a roll, though Leaf Nation is likely wary, recalling the 2005-06 season when spare-part goalie Jean Sebastien-Aubin lead them to a 9-1-2 record over their final 12 only to miss the playoffs right at the end. Including the lockout Leafs fans haven't seen playoff hockey in seven long years and are not interested in "too little, too late." They want the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Leaf Win over Flyers Speaks Volumes
Their win in Philadelphia March 3 suggests this edition of the team, lead by Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel and another unheralded goalie, James Reimer, has a legitimate chance of delivering it. They went into a tough building with the excuse of having a heavy schedule and coming off an emotional overtime win over the Penguins, but they kept the pedal to the playoff-run metal and got a 3-2 comeback win.
Captain Phaneuf says the win over the Flyers, who battled hard all night and got both their goals from former Leaf Kris Versteeg, was part knowing they can win and part knowing the situation they're in. It was also knowing there is still lots of work to be done.
"We have confidence, sure,” Phaneuf told reporters. “But every game for us has been a playoff game for us the past few weeks and this is no different. We came in here and got a character win in one of the toughest buildings to play in in the league. It means a lot. But we’re not looking any further than the next game.”
Toronto Maple Leafs Fighting Sabres, Rangers and Hurricanes
The manner in which points are divvied up in the NHL hurt the Leafs on the night they beat the Flyers. Carolina beat Buffalo but in OT, which gave the Sabres a point, allowing the Leafs win to only get them a single point closer to Buffalo in ninth, with Buffalo having two games in hand. Buffalo's win on March 6 over the Flyers made things more difficult for Toronto.
Toronto also must now worry about Atlanta, only two points back after a 4-3 win on March 6 over Florida and even New Jersey -- 10-1 in their last 11 -- is now only five points back of the Leafs. The Leafs have slipped to five points behind the Rangers and four behind the Hurricanes for that last playoff spot, though they have a game in hand on New York.
Should the keep this pace up the Leafs will surely get to eighth. But fans would be wise not to get ahead of themselves but instead, like the players, take it one game at a time. Toronto plays the Islanders Tuesday in Long Island and then are at home to Philadelphia two nights later. Both are winnable games, and if they get those four points they're right back in it.
Phaneuf, Kessel, Reimer ... Boyce?
Phaneuf had a goal and an assist against Philadelphia and that highlight reel overtime rush against Pittsburgh, while Kessel has broken out of his slump with a vengence and is scoring big goals and Reimer gives them a chance in every game. But there have also been others.
Mikhail Grabovski, Clarke MacArthur and Nikolai Kulemin have all scored big goals, and every game it someone steps up to keep them winning points. Keith Aulie is showing he belongs and Darryl Boyce scored the winner in Philly with under five minutes to go. It's been a total team effort.
They look to be a club that would be enjoyable to see in the playoffs, and this time it seems Leaf Nation, despite the Chicago loss, might get its chance.
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