Don't Expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to Make the Playoffs at This Rate

Here's a challenge. Try describing how bad the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing as of late.

Can you do it? Didn't think so.

Words can't describe the poor play of the Maple Leafs, especially in their past six games. 

The Leafs have lost five out of their past six games. Their only win during this stretch was a 4-3 overtime decision, against the 29th place Edmonton Oilers, a team that has been outscored 11-25 during their past six games.

This is not good enough. If the Leafs want to make the playoffs, they will have to improve all aspects of their game.

During this stretch, the Leafs have played the following teams:

• Winnipeg Jets (2-1 loss)
• Philadelphia Flyers (4-3 loss)
• Montreal Canadiens (5-0 loss)
• Calgary Flames (5-1 loss)
• Edmonton Oilers (4-3 OT win)
• Vancouver Canucks (6-2 loss)

Two very pivotal losses came against the Montreal Canadiens and the Winnipeg Jets. Both teams were able to gain some valuable ground due to these games.

The Jets are currently sitting in 10th place and are only two points behind the Maple Leafs. The Canadiens are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference and are only six points out of the playoff picture.

The Leafs are lucky to be sitting on the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, as other teams slowly creep their way up in the standings. 

The Washington Capitals are right on their tail. They hold the ninth place spot in the Eastern Conference and are just a single point behind the Leafs.

The Capitals lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. A win would have put the Leafs down to ninth place. In that case, the Leafs should offer the Lightning a big thanks for their big win tonight.

If the Leafs don't smarten up, they will soon be looking in on the playoffs from the outside of the Eastern Conference standings.

Tonight's loss versus the Vancouver Canucks was described by CBC's Don Cherry in his post-game comments as an "embarrassment" for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also commented that the Leafs defense was the worst he's seen. Direct sources of his comments are not yet available online.

His comments are indeed true. The Toronto Maple Leafs left their goaltenders out to dry on multiple occasions. It was terrible. Their all-around game was terrible tonight versus the Vancouver Canucks.

The Maple Leafs absolutely cannot afford a cold streak at this point in the regular season. A cold streak now will end their hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

If the Leafs do end up missing out on the playoffs yet again, Leafs Nation will erupt. The fans deserve to see a winning product on the ice. It's been way too long. Something needs to be done now to have any chance of making the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs.

On a positive note, the Leafs will be heading home for four games versus the New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals and the Florida Panthers.

In the mean time, at this rate, the Toronto Maple Leafs will miss out on the playoffs yet again.

So for the sake of the fans and the franchise, please find a way to start winning more hockey games. For your fans. For the franchise and for yourselves.