Best Playoff Scenario for the Toronto Maple Leafs

With 12 games left in the regular season, the Maple Leafs are looking to secure their spot for the 2022 playoffs. The Atlantic division is stacked with some highly talented teams that make the first round a very difficult one to win. A team that has won the Stanley Cup the last two years that just bleeds with experience. A team that gives the Maple Leafs nightmares every time they match up in the first round. A team with a former Leafs goalie that has found his stride and is ready for a deep playoff run. There are three teams that the Maple Leafs could play in the first round. Here are the three scenarios and what could be the best fit for the Maple Leafs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

43-20-7

Standings: Wild Card #1

Head-to-Head: 2-1 (Maple Leafs)

Leading Scorer: Steven Stamkos – 78 Points

Chances of Winning: 40%

The two-time Stanley Cup champs are one of the options the Maple Leafs could play in the playoffs. Even though the Leafs won 6-2 against Tampa on Monday night, I don’t think this is a good matchup for them. When you see a team win back-to-back cups, they know what it takes at all costs to hoist Lord Stanley. They are deep from top to bottom, a strong top 6, a top defenceman in the NHL, and one of the best goalies in the league. If the Maple Leafs can play like they did Monday for a full series, then it should be a close series.

Carolina Hurricanes

45-17-8

Standings: #1 in the Metro

Head-to-Head: 2-1 (Maple Leafs)

Leading Scorer: Sebastian Aho – 69 Points

Chances of Winning: 60%

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been on a heater for the past few games which is keeping them in second place in the Atlantic. The chance of playing Carolina is getting slimmer and slimmer as the season progresses. If this match up ends up happening, I like the Maple Leafs chance of winning this series. Freddy Andersen is having a great year but coming back to play his old team, I think he will struggle. The Maple Leafs fans will get into his head like they did when he was playing for the Leafs. Toronto’s top six is stronger, but Carolina gets a slight advantage in the defence department. With the addition of Mark Giordano, there have been less chances on net which will hopefully transition into the playoffs. This is the best chance Toronto has to moving on to the second round in almost 18 years.

Boston Bruins

44-21-5

Standings: #3 in Atlantic

Head-to-Head: 2-0 (Maple Leafs)

Leading Scorer: Marchand/Pastrnak – 71 Points

Chances of Winning: 50%

This matchup gives Maple Leafs fans nightmares over the course of 9 years. Starting with the 4-1 meltdown in the 2013 playoffs when Boston came back in game 7 to beat the Leafs 5-4 in OT. Fast forward to 2018, the Leafs lose once again to the Bruins in 7 games. Then in 2019, the Leafs lose another game 7 to the Bruins 5-1. The Bruins have been a tough and physical team to play against in the past 10 years but coming into this season, they aren’t as tough. The Bruins are still very skilled especially with the Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak line but after that, they aren’t too deep. Look at Boston’s centre depth, Erik Haula is their second line centre. On most teams around the league, he would be a 3rd line centre. Jeremy Swayman is the new goaltender for the Bruins and has played very well all season. With no playoff experience, will that hurt them? Time will tell. This time around, the Maple Leafs match very well against the Bruins, and I think it’s “fourth time the charm”.

Since Matthews has entered the league, the Maple Leafs have been contenders. Matthews is the purest goal scorer in the NHL with 54 goals on the season. He is third all-time in goals per game and is only behind Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux.

It all comes down to, can the big players step up when it matters? The first round could be the toughest matchup they have throughout the playoffs. If they can find a first round win, who knows how far they can go.