Only the sunniest optimists and perhaps head coach Mike Babcock held out hope that the Toronto Maple Leafs would compete for an Eastern Conference playoff spot, but 28 games into the 2016-17 regular season, those hopes have dimmed.
The Leafs once again held a lead entering third period on Tuesday, but the San Jose Sharks rallied late to tie with goals from Justin Braun and Joe Pavelski and won a 3-2 victory over Toronto at Air Canada Center.
The loss was the third straight for the Leafs at home, lowering their record to 8-5-1 and the club’s fourth defeat in a shootout. In losses to Chicago, New Jersey, Vancouver and San Jose, only Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have converted opportunities.
Two @ZachHyman moments, five minutes apart. Warrior status. pic.twitter.com/yU3Sp3vCrz
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) December 14, 2016
After the remainder of their five-game home stand (Arizona on Thursday, Pittsburgh on Saturday and Anaheim on Monday), the Leafs play eight of their next 10 games on the road, in part due to the upcoming World Junior.
Toronto has only three road wins and when they return to ACC to face Buffalo on January 17, the distance between them and a wild card spot will likely be greater than 11 points (Philadelphia and Washington are at 39 points) or the six points they trail third place Boston in the Atlantic Division.
“We have left points out there. I think part of it is just not continuing to play with your foot on the gas as much. I didn't think (San Jose) took it to us big time or anything like that. Babcock said following the game.
I just think the biggest thing with our group is, and we talked about it before and we have in every other game – the best way to play when you have the lead is like when you have the first tied and you play like you want to get the next one so you're on your toes and you continue to get after the other team and you don't just try to defend back in and play careful.…
It is understandable that Babcock is holding the Leafs to a high standard, with a crop of talented youngsters that include Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Giving players a goal to strive for provides motivation for success, but the ‘six-point goal for every five-game block’ that has been referenced often calculates out to 96 points (equal to Philadelphia and more than Detroit had last season).
It is unreasonable for a team that on many nights plays six rookies and has a defense lacking in depth and quality to challenge for the post-season. The reality is that the true focus of Toronto’s season is about learning, growing, making progress and evaluating what players can be part of the future and which will be on their way out.
Unless there is a remarkable change in direction, the focus of fans will still be the excitement derived from individual games and the potential of the future core group, but will also be on whether James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak or Leo Komarov will be shopped at the trade deadline and where the Leafs will pick in the 2017 Draft.
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