Not a lot of people were expecting much out of the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, and rightfully so. The team failed to hit the 70-point mark the past two seasons, and ended up with the 1st overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft after finishing dead last in the NHL last season. However, the youngsters on the team performed beyond expectations through the first half of the season and now Leafs Nation is actually thinking about the playoff picture.
Although there are still 41 games left on the Maple Leafs’ schedule, they’re a lot higher in the standings than they expected to be at this point. With back-to-back games on the road this past weekend, many people expected them to lose at least one of the games. Instead, they scored four goals each night to win both games and now have a 70.49% chance of making the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.com.
The Leafs had a good shot at making the playoffs heading into Saturday night’s game against Ottawa, but the odds weren’t as high as they are now.
Considering the team was expected to be in Lottery Pick conversation, it’s really impressive that they not only have a 70% chance to make the playoffs, but they have a pretty good chance to see more than just one round in the postseason, according to MoneyPuck.com.
(H/T MoneyPuck)
