"They are last in points percentage, own the worst goal differential in the conference (minus-eight), and are giving up the most goals against per game in the entire league. Compounding matters is the teams they've lost to. They've played division rivals Montreal, Buffalo, Boston, and Detroit eight times total, winning just two of those games, with one win coming in overtime. Out of 16 possible points, they grabbed just four to their division rivals' 13."
"The Leafs' next five games on the trip? Columbus (who has beaten the Leafs twice already), Washington (who swept them last season), Pittsburgh (who has a bone to pick given how the last meeting went), Florida (who needs no introduction), and Carolina (dominated the Leafs in the first meeting). Toronto would need to win four of those five to finish above .500 on this road trip already."
Toronto sits dead last in the Eastern Conference with the worst points percentage, a minus-eight goal differential, and the highest goals-against-per-game in the NHL. The team has struggled badly against division rivals, taking only four of 16 possible points from Montreal, Buffalo, Boston, and Detroit. The conference standings are compact, leaving room for quick recovery, but injuries and ongoing defensive issues deepen the risk. The club is 1-6-0 on the road and began a six-game road trip with a heavy loss to Montreal. The upcoming slate of Columbus, Washington, Pittsburgh, Florida, and Carolina requires winning four of five to salvage the trip. A turnaround in health and form is necessary to avoid an essentially season-defining slide.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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