Very simple question ..Will they or wont they...Not asking what all the Leaf haters want to see happen...However looking at how they are playing they got a very good chance..

Discuss.

personally, i dont think they will.


i dont think their forwards backcheck well enough and they havent had enough production up front really. it says a lot that raycroft has had to be excellent in goal at times, if they had a brodeur or luongo then maybe but i doubt they will get there. 9th i say, 3 points behind tampa for 8th.

Toronto has 61 points in 56 games, so they have 26 games left on their schedule.

They're 1 point out of the last spot at the moment, and have 2 games in hand over 7th place Carolina who is only 2 points ahead of them.

I think the magic number for the 8 seed in the East will be around 93 points, meaning Toronto (61 points as of today) would need to score 32 points in their last 26 games to have a chance at qualifying (16 wins or the equivalent with OT losses out of 26 games).

Here's their schedule down the stretch:

Tue Feb 13, 2007 HOME Islanders
Thu Feb 15, 2007 AWAY Flyers
Sat Feb 17, 2007 HOME Oilers
Tue Feb 20, 2007 HOME Bruins
Thu Feb 22, 2007 AWAY Islanders
Sat Feb 24, 2007 AWAY Flyers
Mon Feb 26, 2007 AWAY Canadiens
Tue Feb 27, 2007 HOME Sabres

March

Fri Mar 2, 2007 AWAY Devils
Sat Mar 3, 2007 HOME Sabres
Tue Mar 6, 2007 HOME Capitals
Thu Mar 8, 2007 AWAY Senators
Sat Mar 10, 2007 HOME Senators
Tue Mar 13, 2007 HOME Lightning
Fri Mar 16, 2007 AWAY Capitals
Sat Mar 17, 2007 AWAY Canadiens
Tue Mar 20, 2007 HOME Devils
Fri Mar 23, 2007 AWAY Sabres
Sat Mar 24, 2007 HOME Sabres
Tue Mar 27, 2007 HOME Hurricanes
Thu Mar 29, 2007 AWAY Thrashers
Sat Mar 31, 2007 HOME Penguins

Sun Apr 1, 2007 AWAY Rangers
Tue Apr 3, 2007 HOME Flyers
Thu Apr 5, 2007 AWAY Islanders
Sat Apr 7, 2007 HOME Canadiens


Even a die-hard Toronto fan wouldn't chalk up more then 50% of those games (13 of them) as potential wins, I personally wouldn't give Toronto credit for winning more than 10 of the 16 games they'll likely need to make the postseason.

Bottom line, I don't see Toronto making the playoffs this year.

I don't think they'll make it either. There are too many better teams out there than the over achieveing Leafs. It's a testament to the wonderful job Paul Maurice has done with the club. He should get a 10 year contract and take over as GM! That way we could say goodbye to the era of mediocrity and start focusing on growing young talent in the system. Moving Sundin and McCabe could help set up the team's future nicely, but I don't see it happening. Not with this team

I really think this team is not OVER ACHIEVING...they have had 3 serious injuries in Tucker, Wellwood and Peca..Sundin will not be moved and unfortunately McCabe cant be moved with that contract...There is young talent, they just need to be creative with the cap and add some talent to supplement the current roster..

I dont share your bleak views on the Leafs organization.

Getting out from under Sundin's contract is key to the long-term success of the Leafs, he's simply not performing at a level that makes that high salary reasonable (he's pulling in $7.6 million, almost a 1/6th of the total salary cap).

If they traded him for a younger player and a draft pick or two, then spent the savings wisely in next years FA market (which will be stacked), they'll be in a much better position to make the postseason next season.

Problem is, they're going to have a hard time finding another team in the league that thinks the 44th overall ranked scorer in the league is worth that much money, even as a rental. Even if they think he's worth it, I don't think there are any teams that far under the cap (and in contention for a playoff berth) that could handle bringing him on board.

That's really not too tough a schedule. Other than one game against the Thrashers and a couple against the Devils, the only tough teams we play are the Sabres and Senators, who the Leafs probably perform better against than other teams of similar calibre. Otherwise we've got a bunch of weak East teams. If the Leafs are a .500 team until this point in the season, I'd say we should be around .500 for the last third.

I'd put the Leafs at right around 50/50 to make the playoffs, maybe even better than that, with Ponny and Anty back and playing decent.

Saw this posted on another site and thought it needed to be shared...

L-losing
E-even
A-after
F-forty
S-seasons

They just finished a tough road trip with 4 out of five than lost to Pit on OT. Next 5 games are crucial because they needed to get hot in order to get to striking distance. Now they have to stay hot to get in. Montreal is fading fast, I think the players are tuning out to Guy which is a shame.

The offense has to start winning some games.

not funny or clever....

I love how everyone thinks they will miss the playoffs...I predict Guy Carbonneau is not coaching the Habs next year....

Yea, but it is.

DUCY?

LMAO

Your beloved Leafs are attacked (by a Penguins fan no less) and you immediately strikeout at the Habs...your inferiority complex is shining through.

Made me laugh.

Yeah of course it would you like the stupid team from BC..

Great poll btw

good results so far.

And its funny how you're hijacking your own thread with the Carboneau comment but I think he will be the coach next year. We are in a major slump now but every team was in a slump at some point this season and its our turn. He seems to be scrambling a bit but he's new and has a lot to learn. Or system seems to be falling a part abit, or transitional play is weak but it'll be fixed soon enough I bet. He's a young coach and will improve thus improving our team.I put my complet trust in Gainey to make the right call. I f he thinks Carbo is the man, I believe him. They botyh have cup experience and know what its takes to win.

BTW Peca is way overated.

I find the results a little shocking actually...85% of people think the Leafs wont make the playoffs...Have they looked at the standings??and the way the Leafs are playing ..Last night they totally dominated the Islanders especially in the third and only came away with a pt...Looking back at the last 10-15 games there is only one game that I can think of that they really stunk...That was the game agaisnt the Pens in Pittsburgh..As much as you Habs fans cant admit, the Habs are going one way and it doesnt look pretty.

They've played so well and yet they're still not in a playoff position. Has it occurred to you that they may come back down to earth soon? Nah, I didn't think so.

just thought I bump this to show how silly you 85 percent are going to look soon...

So confident yet you wouldn't accept my wager.

another bump to show how 25 people can be so stupid..

hahaha

Ok, good, I wasn't sure, but I thought the season had ended last night.

no but funny...

By the way the Kansas City Penguins shouldnt be too comfortable...A good run and the Leafs can overtake them..

I'm still incredibly confident that my PokerStars account will be $25 richer come the end of the season. That will put it at $25.

don't jink the Leafs man!

time for another bump to see who the 25 dummies were

http://tsn.ca/nhl/standings/

9th place doesn't look like the playoffs to me...

Are you one of the 25 idiots...

I hope you admit if you are!!!

The only idiot around here is you Serge. The Leafs aren't even sitting in a playoff spot right now.

Oh wait, you're just be your old antagonistic self here right?

Countdown to Serge's 3rd "I'm leaving" thread....3...2...

"This is the new [serge]? Same as the old [serge]."

Serge I'm the 26th idiot.

Hello, I am the new Serge. I'm not exactly sure how it happened. It's like that Superman movie where he split into two people. I've been here since the proclamation of "new serge" but I am kind've quiet and reserved. Almost timid you might say. I love the Leafs and all that compete in the National Hockey League. It's a wonderful sport and it doesn't matter who wins as long as there is good sportsmanship and brotherly love.

Love,

serge

LOL

**** off. There is no room for pussies in this forum...

Impersonating me is not funny...I am pretty sure this is Dale..but be careful...my lawyers are watching.

The Leafs look to come out strong against the Pens tonight...Look for the Leafs to dominate this game...

It sounds biased I know, however I dont think the Pens match up well against the healthy Leafs..

They are weak defensively, goaltending is erratic and that will be exploited tonight..

If the Leafs dont give up more than 1 pp goal they will win this game, quite easy..

I see a 6-2 win for the Leafs...I think the Leafs really want this game and its Saturday night with a huge audience and they will come out huge...


Just watch and you will see

Dec 29 - Pens 4, Leafs 1

Jan 20 - Pens 8, Leafs 2

Feb 10 - Pens 6, Leafs 5

Just saying...

Are you sure you're not describing Toronto?

that was not the healthy Leafs....Last game was a 'tie' as we lost in OT...

The Healthy Leafs are a much better team...Look out tonight, I am really excited

Sidebet?

$25, even money, if you are interested, serge, OT and SO count...

Double or nothing on the bet you've lost for the season.

If interested, post in here before gametime.

I am not allowed to bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs anymore..A new rule I implemented ...I tend to jinx them.

Haha, fair enough.

Although I expect a Pens win, I certainly do expect it to be a great game. It will definitely be awesome to watch.

wow, that's a good offer serge. I'll take Leafs at $100 (or more!) if ur interested Zach.

you gotta let me know soon though...like by 6:50 PM. each of us will type "YES, I AGREE" and we'll be in. you first, then me.

Most I can do right now is $25.

And it's just for tonight's game, win or lose, even money, etc.

Being a pro poker player, who can't beat the game, is not a smart proposition, if you want to be able to make big hockey bets.

I hear ya man...no worries. When you make it big time you'll be the one sayin' "fukk $100, let's do $10k a goal!"

Just making sure, but that's a NO on the $25 bet? Or you're saying you will do it for $25?

you got lucky we didnt bet you

Had you bet the outcome may have been different.

I actually believe that...Weird but spooky.