Can we please finally let the pipe dream die? Pretty please?
The Toronto Maple Leafs will not be making an appearance in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
For those still holding onto the belief that the typical late season charge employed by the Leafs in each of the past few seasons would earn them entry to the postseason, the events of this past weekend must have all but killed the hope.
Playing without their captain, Mats Sundin, and losing forward Nik Antropov in the first period to a knee injury proved to be too much to overcome. The Leafs laid a stinker, falling 6-2 to the red hot Buffalo Sabres.
It's true, no one single loss is ever the proverbial straw to break the camel's back. But this one was close.
Worse than the loss alone was the fact that the Sabres are one of three teams between the Leafs and the Philadelphia Flyers in eighth. They're a team the Leafs can simply not afford to let pull away in the standings.
Hopefully this latest loss can bring about some positive steps in next season's improvement.
Still, with his job likely already lost, it's hard to imagine Paul Maurice can comfortably turn his attention so far ahead.
Some starts for Andrew Raycroft would be a good start, however. This could serve to build up a little confidence that must surely be lacking after his being relegated to the bench for so long.
Plus, this could work as an audition process for other teams who may be in the market for a goaltender in the offseason.
Another positive step for the Leafs down the stretch would be to give some increased ice time to the younger player, and see what they can do with the confidence of their coach and teammates behind them. At worst, it will show that they simply can't handle a regular shift.
But I suspect we'll find out more than just that.
The recent string of great play and timely wins by the Maple Leafs made for nothing more than a hollow shell of hope. When the streak began, they found themselves in 14th, with just the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning behind them.
Going into Saturday's game, the Leafs had only jumped to 12th, despite the 9-3-1 record amassed to that point.
If that isn't proof enough that the playoffs were always just a dream, I don't know what is.
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7 months ago
I definitely agree with starting Raycroft more now. About 8-9 games left? Give him 4-5 starts. Audition, like you said, for other teams who need a young goalie. He's not a bad back-up. And, he's certainly not coming back to Toronto next season.
The future looks bright with the Leafs - lots of young talent - and some drafts coming their way!
7 months ago
I really feel bad for Leafs fans. They certainly are some of the most passionate fans around, and deserve better fate than they have recieved in recent years. Lets hope they can make some good moves in the offseason, and tune some of their up-and-comers to have a successful campaign next season.
from 7 months ago
It's nice to feel some love from the fans of another team for once! ;)
All kidding aside though, there are alot of Leaf fans who stick through the team through good and (mostly) bad. I think it does the NHL some good to have the Leafs actually competitive, so here's hoping for next year...which seems to be our motto lately! ;)
6 months ago
It seems a cruel thing to say 'don't dream' when dreams are all we have.
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