Why Toronto Maple Leafs Must Keep Fighting

Chances are, in the grand scheme of things, the Toronto Maple Leaf's win over the Boston Bruins Saturday night probably won't have much of an impact on the remainder of the season. 

Still, two points is two points when you're chasing the Stanley Cup. 

Only in Toronto, though, would many Leafs fans and certain members of the Toronto-centric media, see the win as a waste of time.  

There's a movement afoot to have the Maple Leafs tank the remainder of the season in order to secure a number one draft pick for next season.

I understand the thought process behind it. The Leafs are the worst team in the Northeast, second-to-last in the East and 28th in the league, ahead of only the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Los Angeles Kings.  Why not sacrifice the year to get a crack at raising stars like Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty? 

That kind of thinking indicates the Leafs faithful have lost faith in their team and if they believe securing the top spot in the draft means the 12th coming of Lord Stanley, then fans best beware a plague of locusts.  

A quick glance at the standings does paint a grim picture for Toronto. When you're looking up at teams like Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders, one can be forgiven for walking away from the season. 

Dig a little deeper, however, and you'll find it's not all doom and gloom for the Leafs. 

Boston has a shaky hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference with 64 points but there are only five points separating the Bruins from fifth place Pittsburgh. 

There's a logjam in the East and there's still plenty of games left to play. Toronto sits at 14th in the conference with 57 points.  Do the math and there's only seven points separating Toronto from a playoff berth.  

The Leafs showed they still got some game, putting in a solid 60+ minute effort at the Air Canada Center against the Bruins.  Darcy Tucker seems to have found his game again and an overtime victory can be a big boost for a struggling team. 

So maybe—in the grand scheme of things—those two points aren't such a waste of time.

And with the trade deadline fast approaching, GM Cliff Fletcher does have the upper hand, with the chance to unload some of Toronto's deadweight for a couple of strong, all-around players who can net a couple of goals, chalk up a couple of wins and put Toronto right back in to the race.

To give up on the season is to give up hope, while many in the Leafs nation have done exactly that, at least for this year, it's nice to see the Leafs have not; even though there's no love-lost in Canada for Toronto, every one loves an underdog. 

The city of Toronto is still teased for once calling in the army to clean up after a snowstorm.  Calling the tanks to clean up the Leafs not only exposes Toronto to more ridicule, it could have long-lasting effects on the team because if your fans want you to lose, what chance have you got?