Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and The Toronto Maple Leafs Four Main Enemies

There are many things that the Toronto Maple Leafs have to improve on to climb the standings, such as their special team play.  But perhaps the most important aspect that they have to improve is their play against certain teams that always seem to have their number.  

There are teams like the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens that the Maple Leafs play often each year, and are considered their primary rivals.  But they aren't the problem, as the Leafs generally play strong games against them and often win more games then they lose.  

The problem lies in teams that they play often, but can't seem to win against.  If the Leafs hope to improve and perhaps fight their way into the playoffs, they will have to learn how to beat these teams to succeed. 

Boston Bruins Improved Offense Must Be Stifled If The Leafs Hope To Beat Them

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON - MAY 14: Tuukka Rask #40 and Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins step on the ice before the game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 14,

Being two of the original six teams means that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins have played against each other a lot over the years.  That familiarity has only increased the rivalry between the two teams.

Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, the Bruins often get the better of them as the Leafs went only 2-2-2 against them last year.  In the two years before that, Toronto played Boston fourteen times and won only four of those games.

Most telling in the six games against Boston last year was even though they were tied in terms of overall shots, Boston outscored Toronto 20-13.  One of the main reasons behind that seems to be the Leafs struggle on the power play, as they went 0 for 20 with the man advantage.  

If Toronto hopes to improve against Boston this year, they will have to figure out a way to beat Tuuka Rask and Tim Thomas with a more efficient power play.

Boston has also upgraded their attack over the offseason with the addition of Nathan Horton and Tyler Seguin, and will likely see a resurgent season from Milan Lucic.  

This should also be stifled in part by improved goaltending from the Leafs, as a healthy Jonas Gustavsson and J.S. Giguere should have no trouble improving on Vesa Toskala's numbers from last year.

Buffalo Sabres Rely on The Steady Goaltending Of Ryan Miller

Harry How/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - JUNE 23: Ryan Miller and Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres pose for a portrait with the Vezina and Calder Trophies during the 2010 NHL Awards at the Palms Casino Resort on June 23, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

There is one main person standing between the Maple Leafs and victory over the Buffalo Sabres, and that man won the Vezina Trophy last season.

They of course have some formidable offensive players in Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek and sophomore Tyler Myers, but it is the Leafs own struggles to score against this team that is the main problem.

Ryan Miller has developed into one of the premiere goaltenders in the league and was one of the main reasons for both the Sabres and the U.S. Olympic Team's success last year.

Toronto had a 1-3-2 record against Buffalo last year, were outscored 19-12 in the six games against, yet outshot them 235-171.  Again, going 0-19 on the power play is rather telling.

Recent acquisitions Kris Versteeg and Clarke Macarthur, and a healthy Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak should be a boost to Toronto's scoring.  Plus a full year of Dion Phaneuf on the point should greatly increase the chances of the Leafs finding a way to beat Miller.

Tampa Bay Lightning Under Steve Yzerman Should Be Better

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates against the New York Islanders on February 13, 2010 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Isles defeated the Lightning 5-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Mike Smith and Dan Ellis aren't exactly household names in terms of goaltending, and thus the strength of Tampa Bay is not between the pipes.

On the other hand; Steve Stamkos, Vincent Lecavalier, Simon Gagne and Martin St. Louis are quite well known and most people know what they are capable of doing on offense.  Stamkos had 24 goals on the power play last year, and now they have another legitimate goal scoring threat in Gagne and a defenseman to work the point in Kubina.  

If the Leafs hope to avoid facing this potent power play unit, they are going to have to play a smart, clean game and avoid spending too much time in the box.

The Maple Leafs didn't fare too badly against the Lightning last year, winning two games and losing another two in overtime.  They also tied them in scoring in the four games with eleven apiece.

Then again, in the two years before that, the Leafs only won three out of the total eight games against a team that has been near the bottom of the standings.  

With Steve Yzerman now GM of the Lightning, they won't be bad for long and are likely to have a much better year in general which will mostly be driven by their attack.  The big, physical defensemen of the Maple Leafs will have to play a tight, hard checking game against Tampa to limit the space allowed to these forwards.  

And by all means, do not let Stamkos have a one-timer alone from the left circle. 

Florida Panthers Have Former Chicago GM Dave Tallon Now in Charge

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - JULY 22: General Manager Dave Tallon of the Chicago Blackhawks speaks to media at the NHL Winter Classic 2009 press conference on July 22, 2008 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images for the NHL)

The Florida Panthers are not a good team, in fact, they have been a downright awful team at times the last few years.  

But now former Chicago GM Dave Tallon is in control of the team.  He dealt away some assets over the summer and was busy at the draft table with all the picks that he had acquired.  So, if Chicago is anything to go by, the Panthers won't be bad for that much longer.

Which is why the Maple Leafs have to beat them now, and often.  In the last two years the Leafs have played the Panthers eight times, and have only beat them twice.  That isn't going to help much if you want to move up in the standings.  Yes, Toronto has also been terrible the last few years, but if you are going to make the playoffs you have to be better than the other mediocre teams around you.

Florida doesn't have many players that are considered threats;  Stephen Weiss, Michael Frolik are talented young forwards and Tomas Vokoun has been one of the most underrated goaltenders of the past few years.  But soon they will be adding talented youngsters like Erik Gudbranson and Jacob Markstrom and generally improving. 

The Leafs generally bring a strong level of intensity against better teams like Pittsburgh and New Jersey, which is why they so often beat them, but if they want to make the playoffs, Toronto is going to have to bring that same energy to the very worst teams.