The Long Climb: How the Maple Leafs Can Shake Up the Eastern Standings with a Win in Colorado
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Less than one month ago, the Maple Leafs were toiling away at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Now, after a 7-0-2 surge, the team is just one win from moving into a playoff spot.
Unfortunately, the opponent tonight is the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.
The Leafs have a new lease on life following a complete 180-degree turn after the team relieved former assistant coach Marc Savard of his duties. Now, under new power play coach Steve Sullivan, the Leafs have been firing on all cylinders, boasting the best special teams success rate since December 27th (PP and PK).
They face a tall task tonight, though, as they travel into Denver to take on the Colorado Avalanche in hostile territory. Their special teams will need to be sharp tonight, as the Avs present the most dangerous matchup that the Leafs have faced all season.
Leafs can move into a playoff spot with win over Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche are good everywhere, but a win tonight, as NHL.com's Dave A. McCarthy points out, would officially move the Leafs into a Wild Card spot.
There are several clubs in the mix for a Wild Card spot right now, as there are seven teams within three points of one another in that 49-to-52-point range. Right now, the two Wild Card spots belong to the Buffalo Sabres and the Washington Capitals.
Thankfully, the Maple Leafs come into Colorado with all the confidence in the world after a 7-1-2 run in their last 10 games, collecting 16 of a possible 20 points along the way. They also come in riding a 3-game winning streak.
The bad news is that the Avalanche are one of the very few teams who have been hotter than the Leafs of late. Entering tonight's game on the heels of back to back wins, the Avs are 8-2-0 in their last 10.
The Leafs need Auston Matthews to be at his best against Colorado
Auston Matthew has been driving the bus for the Maple Leafs over these past 7 games, collecting 7 goals and 11 points along the way. If the team wants to have any chance of beating the Avs on their home turf, Matthews will have to lead the way again, but he can't do it alone.
William Nylander has finally returned to action after missing six games with an unspecified injury. His first outing back, in a 5-0 routing of the Vancouver Canucks, Nylander posted 3 points, and will need to carry that momentum over into tonight's game, as the stars need to shine.
One area of concern tonight will be the Leafs' blueline. With Chris Tanev still sidelined while we await confirmation that his season is over, Brandon Carlo has stepped back into the lineup after a lengthy absence due to complications with an infection in his foot.
Carlo was exceptional in Saturday's game against Vancouver, and will need to be just as exceptional tonight against the Avalanche to give his team their best chance to win.
Both Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby have given the Leafs quality starts this season, with Hildeby posting back to back .957 save percentages in wins over Philadelphia and Winnipeg. Meanwhile, Woll posted a shutout and a .969 save percentage against Vancouver and Florida, respectively.
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