Any Leaf fan who says it's impossible shouldn't be a Leaf fan. Because for one thing we're only 6 points out and Toskala is known for making a good turn around.

Last year San Jose was 9 points out on Feb. 8th.... He won 22 of his next 26 games to bring his team to the 2nd round of the playoffs...impressive. So far with just 6 points out, he's been doing just that. They've won 4 of their last 5 and play Florida tonight, a team they want revenge against. Then they play Tampa. Should be an easy two games there, then to cap it all off we play the Caps on Saturday. Who's to say they cant turn this thing around.

On another note the Leafs play the teams ahead of them a combined 11 times from now until the end of the season. Their hopes of making the playoffs are still very much alive in my opinion. And if they keep playing the way they're playing I wouldn't be surprised if they had the 8th spot by mid-march. Afterall we do have back-to-back games against Philly early next month.

I'm sure Stamkos would be a nice fit but this is the best draft in a long time no matter what we're gonna end up with someone good. All I can say is GO LEAFS GO.

Mark my words and come back on the last game of the season and you can say I was right. THE LEAFS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS SEASON.

HAVE FAITH. GO LEAFS GO.

You can't compare the leafs to San Jose because San Jose are a much better team. While it is only 6 points they also have to leap a bunch of teams. It is not a matter of just catching one team, they need to play well and hope multiple teams struggle.

You can't compare the leafs to San Jose because San Jose are a much better team. While it is only 6 points they also have to leap a bunch of teams. It is not a matter of just catching one team, they need to play well and hope multiple teams struggle.
- jordan456789

Yes but that was the point in saying we play all those teams ahead of us at least once and a combined 11 times.

Yes but that was the point in saying we play all those teams ahead of us at least once and a combined 11 times.
- qazwss

rEALLY? wow 11/18 games are teams right infront of you.

but two of the higher teams 8th, 9th have a game at hand on you... Your super unlikely

For argument sake lets say the leafs get hot. They still have to pass 4 teams, two of which have a game in hand and 2 of which have gotten better. They need to win and have all 4 teams loose. The odds are that one of the other 4 teams will play well as well. Also consider this that the flyers were almost in 1st in the east before they lost 10 in a row. They are a lot better than the standing show and i think the leafs would have to catch the rangers or bruins which is 9 points.

You are exactly what is wrong with this organization...I just hope that MLSE doesn't feel the same way.

One little fact that you are missing is that in the last three years the teams in 8th in the East have had around 92 points. There is no reason to assume it won't be around the same mark, could be even higher with all the 3 points games this season.

The Leafs currently have 63 points in 64 games...for points that is just under .500, in wins they are more like .420. In order to hit the 92 point mark they would have to go 14-3-1...which is about .800 in points and about .780 in wins.

And that doesn't guarantee you a spot as the cutoff could be even higher or we could tie (again) but lose in the tie-breakers. Albeit the cutoff could be a bit lower but we have no way to gauge that. Besides, there are 4 teams that we would have to jump, some with games in hand, which not only means we'd have to win our games but they would have to lose theirs.

Essentially for the Leafs to make the playoffs all of the teams in our way would have to lose to their opponents and, of course, not be playing each other in that stretch and we would have to almost double our current win percentage. That doesn't sound like a "good shot" to me.

Is it physically possible? Yes. Is is likely to happen? No. Should we be wishing for a playoff push? No, as all it will accomplish is moving us further out of the best draft position we've had in two decades.

I would have preferred to see them be able to trade the "NTC Posse", and blow-up the team. That being said, the Leafs can make the playoffs. in 05-06' they were the hottest team the last 15 games of the season. Toskala is playing so well, you can't count them out.

But yes, making another late-season run isn't the answer, I admit that.

You are exactly what is wrong with this organization...I just hope that MLSE doesn't feel the same way.

One little fact that you are missing is that in the last three years the teams in 8th in the East have had around 92 points. There is no reason to assume it won't be around the same mark, could be even higher with all the 3 points games this season.

The Leafs currently have 63 points in 64 games...for points that is just under .500, in wins they are more like .420. In order to hit the 92 point mark they would have to go 14-3-1...which is about .800 in points and about .780 in wins.

And that doesn't guarantee you a spot as the cutoff could be even higher or we could tie (again) but lose in the tie-breakers. Albeit the cutoff could be a bit lower but we have no way to gauge that. Besides, there are 4 teams that we would have to jump, some with games in hand, which not only means we'd have to win our games but they would have to lose theirs.

Essentially for the Leafs to make the playoffs all of the teams in our way would have to lose to their opponents and, of course, not be playing each other in that stretch and we would have to almost double our current win percentage. That doesn't sound like a "good shot" to me.

Is it physically possible? Yes. Is is likely to happen? No. Should we be wishing for a playoff push? No, as all it will accomplish is moving us further out of the best draft position we've had in two decades.
- Leafer_84

Agreed. Basically we have to win 90% of the remaining games and the 4 teams ahead of us need to lose, at the same time. Not happening. It may but probably not. If it does it is probbly the worst thing that can happen to this francise. Do you really think this team can hold a candle to Ottawa, Montreal, New Jersey. Oh yeah and don't forget about the 8 teams in the west that are all better than toronto in every meaningful measure of the game.

Our one true hope is to fire Maurice and start starting Raycroft more often.

Any Leaf fan who says it's impossible shouldn't be a Leaf fan. Because for one thing we're only 6 points out and Toskala is known for making a good turn around.

Last year San Jose was 9 points out on Feb. 8th.... He won 22 of his next 26 games to bring his team to the 2nd round of the playoffs...impressive. So far with just 6 points out, he's been doing just that. They've won 4 of their last 5 and play Florida tonight, a team they want revenge against. Then they play Tampa. Should be an easy two games there, then to cap it all off we play the Caps on Saturday. Who's to say they cant turn this thing around.

On another note the Leafs play the teams ahead of them a combined 11 times from now until the end of the season. Their hopes of making the playoffs are still very much alive in my opinion. And if they keep playing the way they're playing I wouldn't be surprised if they had the 8th spot by mid-march. Afterall we do have back-to-back games against Philly early next month.

I'm sure Stamkos would be a nice fit but this is the best draft in a long time no matter what we're gonna end up with someone good. All I can say is GO LEAFS GO.

Mark my words and come back on the last game of the season and you can say I was right. THE LEAFS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS SEASON.

HAVE FAITH. GO LEAFS GO.
- qazwss

- Jimbo976

in bob we trust.... good job gainey..

We can't do it now without Wade Belak.

You are exactly what is wrong with this organization...I just hope that MLSE doesn't feel the same way.

One little fact that you are missing is that in the last three years the teams in 8th in the East have had around 92 points. There is no reason to assume it won't be around the same mark, could be even higher with all the 3 points games this season.

The Leafs currently have 63 points in 64 games...for points that is just under .500, in wins they are more like .420. In order to hit the 92 point mark they would have to go 14-3-1...which is about .800 in points and about .780 in wins.

And that doesn't guarantee you a spot as the cutoff could be even higher or we could tie (again) but lose in the tie-breakers. Albeit the cutoff could be a bit lower but we have no way to gauge that. Besides, there are 4 teams that we would have to jump, some with games in hand, which not only means we'd have to win our games but they would have to lose theirs.

Essentially for the Leafs to make the playoffs all of the teams in our way would have to lose to their opponents and, of course, not be playing each other in that stretch and we would have to almost double our current win percentage. That doesn't sound like a "good shot" to me.

Is it physically possible? Yes. Is is likely to happen? No. Should we be wishing for a playoff push? No, as all it will accomplish is moving us further out of the best draft position we've had in two decades.
- Leafer_84

I do not agree with the notion that the Leafs should make the playoffs this season as it will disrupt the rebuilding process yet again and will be nothing more than a first round exit.

However, there is reason to believe that the cut will be lower than 92 points. Last season the Eastern Conference finished with 3 teams that were at least 15 points out of a playoff spot. 2006 finished with 4 teams in the East at least 14 points out of a playoff spot. This season thus far there is only Tampa that is only 12 points out of a playoff spot with the rest being no more than 7. The race is tighter this season, there is less wins and more losses for each team, which means there will be a lower cut off than usual. My prediction based on this years trend is that the cut off will probably be around 89 points.

Oh god.

in bob we trust.... good job gainey..
- 08leafs

huh? What does bob gainey have to do with the leafs not making the playoffs?

I wish we could have kept kilger but our season is done. we are hopfully gonna get a decent pick. now i do not want them to tank the next games. but those trades will hurt us a little cuz kilger had intensity and heart. gill actually was pretty good and belak, well what can i say about belak. i will miss him. now all we have is tucker who will fight.

I do not agree with the notion that the Leafs should make the playoffs this season as it will disrupt the rebuilding process yet again and will be nothing more than a first round exit.

However, there is reason to believe that the cut will be lower than 92 points. Last season the Eastern Conference finished with 3 teams that were at least 15 points out of a playoff spot. 2006 finished with 4 teams in the East at least 14 points out of a playoff spot. This season thus far there is only Tampa that is only 12 points out of a playoff spot with the rest being no more than 7. The race is tighter this season, there is less wins and more losses for each team, which means there will be a lower cut off than usual. My prediction based on this years trend is that the cut off will probably be around 89 points.
- BlueBloodPat

I guess the only way to know for sure would be to find what the points were in the East at this same point in the season...if a few teams are drastically below then sure, if not then I think the pace will remain about the same. Also, as I mentioned, I'm pretty sure there have been more three point games this season...so while there may be a lower win/loss ratio there will also be more of those 1 points being handed out.

I guess we'll see. The Leafs are now 6th in the NHL and a few of the teams just above us and just below us all have games in hand on us...so hopefully they win their games and that'll show what the standing truly are as it's hard to gauge when some teams are two or three points down but have three games in hand.

STOP WINNING!!!!!!!!!

currently have 6th overal pick

4 POINTS AWAY FROM 12TH Pick

way to prolong the rebuilding process leafs

I wouldn't say a good or great shot, but they do have a shot.
If they win they better get in!
If we lose a lottery or more importantly a top 5 pick and there is no playoffs, I am going to be very angry.

currently have 6th overal pick

4 POINTS AWAY FROM 12TH Pick

way to prolong the rebuilding process leafs
- since_day1

I love how people find any which reason to troll.

The Leafs are gonna make a run here.

Unbelievably, that NTC mess seems to have brought the team together.

9th place, here we come...

Too bad the leafs keep winning and ruining their chances of drafting Stamkos.

I love how people find any which reason to troll.
- Phil_Oreskovich

It's true and kind of sad...more people are concerned with us not getting Stamkos then they are with the pick that they would get...

It's true and kind of sad...more people are concerned with us not getting Stamkos then they are with the pick that they would get...
- Leafer_84

i acctualy want you guyz to get stamkos......im just pointing out the stupidity in the situation....the organization is f*cked

the habs-leafs rivalry wont be the same if we are contenders and the leafs dont progress year after year................itle be like the ottawa-leafs games of seasons past

for it to be the most exciting games of the year we need both teams to SUCK or both teams to CONTEND.......and so far it looks like montreal is the only one going in the right direction

Leaf fans are going to complain if they don't win this season, then they will complain if they don't get a decent draft pick.

Seriously, you want to finish at the bottom this season to make yourselves a better team in the future, you do understand that right?