Despite a big win over Dallas the Leafs are still a bad hockey team. Sure Mike Babcock has them improving their possession metrics and on paper they look like they should have a better record. But they don't. They are bad.
Or should we say 'they were bad'?
It's easy to make sweeping judgements about teams after 10 or so games but one thing that does hold true is it's very very hard to climb back into the playoff picture. It happens every year and this is what happened from November 3 2014 compared with the end of the season in April 2015.
East in November 3 2014
East at Seasons End
West on November 3 2014
West at Seasons End
In the East NJ, Tor and Bos bowed out and Was, Ott and NYR stormed in.
So the Leafs have a chance but that chance depends on a few things first and foremost that they won't be as bad as they have been. As I presented yesterday that 'badness' may lie simply with goaltending and special teams along with the variables of chance and luck. Some is controllable but some is not. One thing is for certain Leafs fans don't seem to be nearly as upset about being bad as Flames fans are.
To summarize, the Leafs may not be bad for long as they are doing the 'right' things from a possession stand point. They may not be good enough to compete for the top eight in the east but as it pertains to the Jets tonight it's about exploiting what is bad.
The Jets need to find a way to exploit the challenges the Leafs face. So get them on the penalty kill and make them work their tails off trying to cover shots and players.
As reported yesterday Andrew Copp is out and Patrice Cormier joined the Jets today after being called up from the Moose. He took line rushes but is not expected to play and Petan will centre Peluso and Thorburn.
Pavelec starts so that probably means Hutchinson tomorrow. Manitoba native James REimer starts for the Leafs.