Toronto Maple Leafs and the Playoffs: It's Put Up or Shut Up Time

Simply put, the Leafs' playoff chances are on the line tonight against Buffalo.

With three straight losses, the Leafs find themselves six points behind the Sabres for the eighth and final playoff spot. This game is the biggest game of the season so far for the buds and is a critical four-point matchup.

Win, and the Leafs are four points behind and back in the race. Lose, and they are eight points back with their chances of making the playoffs virtually crushed.

The importance of tonight’s game cannot be overemphasized.

Buffalo is the team to beat for the Leafs. They are the buds' closet rival, they currently hold the coveted eighth playoff spot and Toronto has had its problems beating the Sabres.

The Leafs are 1-3 against the Sabres, losing their only game at the ACC this year in a shootout by a score of 3-2. In the three games at the HSBC arena in Buffalo, the Leafs fell 3-1 and 6-2, however, they finally got off the schneid by winning their last meeting by a score of 2-1.

James Reimer will have to stand on his head again if the Leafs have any thoughts of emerging as the victors. When the Leafs give up three or more goals, they are 2-6 in their last eight games. Conversely, when giving up two goals or less, the Leafs are 5-2 over their last seven games.

While that stat is a bit misleading—all teams will have a better record when giving up two or less goals versus three or more—it is especially true for a Leafs team that has trouble scoring goals.

The Leafs have done remarkably well since the All-Star break and have done so with an anemic power play. If the Leafs are to win tonight, and going forward, they will need to get some help on the power play and some goals from Phil Kessel.

As Kessel goes, so do the Leafs. The streaky Kessel has gone four games without scoring, and the Leafs are 1-3 in those games. If he can put the puck into the net tonight, the Leafs will have a good chance at coming away with all the points.

After a slow start with the Leafs, Joffery Lupul has been lighting up the lamp recently, with four goals in his last seven games. Look for him and Kessel to be reunited in tonight’s game. Kessel seems to have more opportunities when Lupul parks himself in front of the net.

Its put up or shut up time for the Leafs and the postseason. While the playoffs aren't the true end-goal for this team and no one will be shocked if the they don’t make it, it would be a nice bonus to end a roller coaster season that started strong, fell in the toilet and then emerged with some hope for the future.