The Playoff March: Two Weeks To Go

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: The Leafs needed to win at least two of their three games this week and that’s exactly what they did. They feasted on two equally horrid road opponents in the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche, and played very well against the Detroit Red Wings before finally surrendering the lead for good midway through the third period.

THE PATH TO 90 POINTS: With the Leafs loss last night, the only way the Leafs can reach 90 points is to run the table. Can they win their last six games in a row? I think it’s safe for Phil Kessel and the rest of his teammates to make reservations for early morning tee times at the best golf courses Southern Ontario has to offer. Four wins is attainable. Five is a stretch. Six is next to impossible.

THE COMING WEEK: The Leafs have a home game against the eighth-place Buffalo Sabres, travel to Boston to take on the Bruins on Thursday night, then end their two-game road trip in Ottawa to face the lowly Senators. If the Leafs pick up six points, it still won’t be enough to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Buffalo must lose to them in regulation or else I can’t picture a scenario where the Leafs make the playoffs. Not even if the Montreal Hooligans continue their week long goalless streak.