It’s not too late yet, but the chances that the Toronto Maple Leafs will be contenders in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year is looking very dim indeed. No one really wants to start talking about next year just yet, but with only three games left and quite a few points still to gain, it’s really starting to look like next year will be the next time the Leafs have a chance to make the playoffs. But if they keep playing like they are right now, the 2012 playoffs could very well be a reality for the Leafs, who have not made the playoffs since the 2003-2004 season.
While the Leafs aren’t out of it just yet for this year, they are pretty close and their odds of making it are growing slimmer by the game. If it’s not bad enough that they must win all three of their remaining games, add to it that the Buffalo Sabres have to lose each of their three games, and the outlook isn’t good. The good news is that the Leafs can win their games in either regulation or overtime, but if any of their games comes to a shootout, their playoff chances are done for this year. So will the Toronto Maple Leafs make the playoffs in the 2010-2011 season? Probably not. But it’s not all bad news.
The Leafs have been looking fantastic for the past month or so, and this bodes well for a team that hasn’t seemed to be able to find their footing in several of the past years. And that could mean that come next year at this time, talk could be starting about who the Leafs will be facing in the playoffs, rather than whether or not they will even make it. And that’s the best news that Leafs fans have had to cheer for in recent seasons.
So while no one is eager about starting to talk about next year before this year’s season is officially out, the players and the fans are hopeful as ever for what next year will bring, and are still revelling in the excitement from the past few weeks. There’s no doubt that it’s been playoff-like atmosphere just trying to get that coveted spot; and while it may not have happened this time, fans and players alike have more reason to believe than ever that next year will be their year.
