Hockey is Canada, it’s their pride and joy. If you walk the streets of Ontario you have children playing hockey, and parents that build hockey rings in the back yards during the winters.
It’s a way of life. All the way from the Canadian World Juniors team that competes for the gold often, to the Toronto Maple Leafs that give hockey fans something to look forward to during the winter months.
So, to hear the news that the Leafs have been eliminated from the playoffs, hurts.
They were on the bubble for getting in, at 10th in the Eastern Conference behind Carolina, who’s fate hasn’t been decided yet.
The Leafs are 37-33 on the season. In goals per game they rank 21st, and 24th in goals against. Their power play percentage put them at 23rd overall and they are ranked 27th in penalty kill percentage.
This may seem obvious, but the biggest difference with teams that make the postseason, and teams that don’t is the point differential.
The Leafs had a -30 point differential. Every team that is in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, has a positive point differential.
Now, Tampa Bay and Montreal, who have clinched a playoff spot, are just barely positive at +1 & +5 respectively, but they are positive.
Buffalo & the NY Rangers have a way better differential than them, at +14 & +35 respectively, and are still in the hunt for the playoffs.
If the Leafs want to make the playoffs next year, they have got to figure out a way to become positive in this category.
Teams that have already clinched a NHL playoff berth are: Washington, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, Tampa Bay, and Montreal.
Buffalo, NY Rangers, and Carolina are still alive.
If you want to catch a little live action of the Leafs before this year is over, you can catch them in action:
1. Wednesday, April 6th @ New Jersey at 7:00 pm (TV: TSN)
2. Saturday, April 9th vs. Montreal at 7:00 pm (TV: NHLNET)
Leafs fans can still cheer for Canadian hockey, as Montreal & Vancouver are in the playoffs and Calgary is on the bubble.
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