I will never forget the Mike Babcock press conference. Here was a team, led by one of the most competitive people I have ever met, Brendan Shanahan, sitting next to Mike Babcock, THE most competitive coach I've ever been around, telling one of the most passionate fanbases in all of sports this:
Yes, it was Mike Babcock's introduction to the city. The prodigal son had returned to coach his childhood team. The coach for whom the Leafs backed the truck up, outbidding Buffalo and all others...Yes, Mike Babcock sat at a table and told the craziest of fans, fans who had only witnessed one playoff series in a decade (which they lost in agonizing fashion)
"There is pain coming."
That blew my mind. Pain coming? What was the last decade then?
And yet this fan base completely embraced his message. They understood the message and they got it. Pain was OK with them, because for too long quick fixes had equaled long drawn out disappointments...
Leaf fans got so good at living without hope they almost refused to accept anything positive coming their way. They lived for two ping pong ball draft lotteries and "Tank Nation" drove everyone else absolutely insane. As a person who runs a somewhat successful hockey website I completely hated the fact that one of the most devoted and awesome fan bases wanted their team to lose.
All the time.
They didn't get McDavid, but they did get Matthews. The plan was to get both. Mitch Marner was a hell of a backup plan though.
So two seasons of wanting to lose led to this year...And now...the Leafs are in the playoff hunt. They are actually currently in the playoffs. They have a hellish schedule left, but they have a serious shot at holding on and making it.
Oddly enough the Leafs chances may come down to whether or not some of the really strong teams they play down the stretch really want to win....or rest their players. Leaf fans are on pins and needles, scoreboard watching.
The over the next 2 weeks the Leafs play Columbus, NJ, Buffalo, Florida, Nashville and Buffalo again......Not incredibly tough games , but these are all must wins when you look at what comes next..the Leafs end with Washington, Tampa, Pittsburgh and Columbus...But in the final week of the season Washington, Pittsburgh and Columbus may choose to rest up....UNLESS there is battle for first in the Metro going on. Which is possible...
The Atlantic race is a race for two spots and involves 7 teams, but realistically it looks like it will come down to 4 teams: Toronto, Boston, Tampa and the Islanders. The Flyers, Carolina, Florida and even Buffalo are hanging on but they need a lot of help. One of those two spots, third in the Atlantic, is not available to the Islanders...The Islanders would have to grab the final wild card.
My BUZZTRON 9000 says that when you look at the match ups, strength of schedule, home/away and the rest, it favors Boston to get the third spot and the Islanders to get the second wild card....but the Leafs keep climbing and they keep winning. And they aren't just winning, they are so much fun to watch play and are staring at years of exciting hockey ahead...
So Leafs Nation....WELCOME BACK to the stressful world of wanting your team to win! And REAL PAIN! Opening yourself up for disappointment can really stink, but it is what we all live for.
The horrible reality of sports is that making the playoffs means unless you win the Stanley Cup you are going to lose your last game of the season...and live with that until October...
But honestly, it is all worth it.
New Projected Standings...
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I will be back with the results of who you all picked to protect on the Bruins and the next team up will be the Sabres...
We will discuss all of this and more on today's Buzzcast at 1pm
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