The media would have you believe the Bruins are vastly superior to the Leafs; the numbers over the last 23 games don't tell the same story

The Boston Bruins have been the best team in the NHL this year, locking up a playoff spot a couple of weeks ago and currently sitting 18 points ahead of the Leafs for top spot in the Atlantic. Many have said that the Bruins should hang the Stanley Cup banner now to save everyone time. Meanwhile, those same people are saying that the Leafs are teetering on organizational catastrophe.

It might surprise you to learn that when you compare the last 23 games for the Leafs and Bruins, these two Atlantic Division behemoths are closer than you might think. The Leafs are 14-7-2 with 30 points over that span and the Bruins are 16-6-1 with 33 points. If you go back to March 15th, over their last 20 games, they are even closer with the Leafs having 25 points in 20 games and the Bruins 27. Not only that, but over the last 20 games from March 15th back, the underlying numbers are eerily similar as well. The Bruins had 1 additional goal for and 5 less against, but the Leafs' powerplay and penalty kill were far better and the Leafs had a better shots per game volume and superior shots against per game numbers.

You can't tell me that the Toronto media isn't creating a negative and false narrative around the Leafs simply because it attracts viewers and ad revenue. Sadly, people just believe what the media tells them because it's easier than following the numbers. Sure, the Leafs have had their moments of late where they have struggled with the "eye test", like Saturday's game against Ottawa, but they have been able to find ways to win more often than not and kept pace with the Bruins and other top teams like the Lightning and the Hurricanes as well.