Back-to-Back Wins

Back to back wins against the team we are chasing for the 8th and final playoff spot. Jesus christ boys, where was this effort from October to January?

Even captain Mats Sundin doesn't know what to think
of the way his team is playing.

Tonight - as like last night - Pavel Kubina supplied the Leafs with the game winning goal in a 3-2 victory over the Flyers. And, like last night, the Leafs went out and played some serious hockey and took the win over the team they are chasing for 8th place.

So now, with the Leafs winning both games of the home-and-home against the Flyers they move even closer to a playoff spot and are still grasping on to the pencil-dink sized playoff hopes.

Good News & Bad News x2: The good news first. The Leafs are only one point back of 9th place Buffalo (Lost 7-3 to the Penguins tonight. Nice!), meaning there is just one team they have to jump over before and if they wanna take 8th place. Also, they are only five points back of 8th place Philly, and winning those back-to-backers really helped.

Now the bad news. If you are the pessimistic type, the Leafs still do have to win at least 7 to 10 of their remaining 10 games left, but with those exciting back-to-back wins, they have now put themselves in a position where it is too late to get Stamkos, so shuttup about it. It is still a great draft year overall, and they will get a good pick nonetheless. So why don't you stop bitching and cheer on the Leafs and hope they can get to that 8th spot. If you still think there is a chance of getting that draft pick, the chances are just as good, if not better, of the Leafs making the playoffs. There are 8 teams in the league with less points than us, and two teams tied (Florida and Washington). The lowest place team is 14 points away (LA Kings), and for the Leafs to now get a top 5 pick they would have to play extremely bad, which I wouldn't bet on right now. The other bad news is that Sundin had a muscle strain in the 1st period and left the game and did not return. Real proud of the boys for cowboy-ing up and winning the game without their captain and leading scorer.

The game ahead: I may be dreaming, but if the Flyers lose to the Boston Bruins on Saturday while the Leafs beat the Sabres. We will be just three points back of 8th and would most likely be occupying the 9th spot. Not too much to ask for. I don't know about that Debbie Downer Mr. Bone, but with the distance we are away from getting a top draft pick what is the harm of at least cheering on my favourite team to make the playoffs. Either way this year was a big disappointment, and we would probably get put out in the first round, but what a comeback that would be.

Maurice: I didn't post about last nights game but I really wanna give props to Maurice for finally doing some smart coaching and pulling the goalie when we needed that extra point last night, and then again tonight for not playing Raysoft.

I am heading to Mr. Bone's place for St. Patty's Day weekend tomorrow and we will be watching the game Saturday hoping that the Leafs do the unthinkable, move into 9th place and only three points back. Screw his negativity!