Regular season business as usual
It’s the start of a new year and almost the halfway mark of the NHL season. After 37 games, the Toronto Maple Leafs currently hold a 23-8-6 record, good enough to be tied for 3rd best in the NHL.
- Boston Bruins – 28-4-4 (60 Points)
- Carolina Hurricanes – 25-6-6 (56 Points)
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 23-8-6 (52 Points)
- Dallas Stars – 23-9-6 (52 Points)
- Las Vegas Golden Knights – 25-12-2 (52 Points)
After 37 games both last year and the year prior, the Leafs stood at 24-10-3 (51 points). With last year being the Leafs new franchise record in both wins (54) and points (115), this year’s campaign has them on track to rewrite the history book once again.
Standouts
MNM, no I’m not talking about Messi, Neymar and Mbappé. I’m not talking about Marshall Mathers either. I’m talking about the MNM of the dot, Toronto’s very own Marner, Nylander and Matthews.
- Mitch Marner – 14 Goals, 28 Assists, 42 Points
- William Nylander – 21 Goals, 21 Assists, 42 Points
- Auston Matthews – 18 Goals, 24 Assists, 42 Points
Though from a points per game standpoint this year has only been an improvement from last year for Nylander, Toronto’s three-headed dog has been devastating nonetheless, all tied 17th in the league in point contributions.
Comparing to recent history
Don’t get too cocky, Buds fans. Despite breaking longstanding franchise records, the playoff result for the historical team of 2021-22 was the same as the other 6 Leaf teams to make the postseason since 2004, a first round exit:
| Year | Record | Result |
| 2021-22 | 54-21-7 | Lost first round 4-3 to Tampa Bay Lightning (blew 3-2 series lead) |
| 2020-21 | 35-14-7 | Lost first round 4-3 to Montreal Canadiens (blew 3-1 series lead, games 5 & 6 OT losses) |
| 2019-20 | 36-25-9 | Lost first ‘qualifying’ round 3-2 to Columbus Blue Jackets |
| 2018-19 | 46-28-8 | Lost first round 4-3 to Boston Bruins (blew 3-2 series lead, games 6 & 7 score differential was 9-3 Boston) |
| 2017-18 | 49-26-7 | Lost first round 4-3 to Boston Bruins (came back down 3-1, lost game 7) |
| 2016-17 | 40-27-15 | Lost first round 4-2 to Washington Capitals |
| 2012-13 | 26-17-5 | Lost first round 4-3 to Boston Bruins |
To summarize the table of misery, the Leafs have not only not won a playoff series since 2004, but they have lost 8 in a row, 6 of which were in the final game of the series. There is few representations of heartbreaking underachievement in sports as vivid and proven as the hopelessness of Maple Leafs playoff hockey.
What’s next
Tomorrow, January 3rd, the Leafs host the St. Louis Blues for their 2nd meeting in 4 games. In their last matchup on December 27th the Leafs left on top 5-4, thanks to an overtime winner from William Nylander:
There’s no saying what the final 45 contests have in store for the Leafs, but if history serves any indication it won’t matter. It seems like the Buds could go 82-0-0 and still lose a first round series 4-3 to anyone.
Some say it feels different, but we’ve all heard that before.
Hang in there, Leafs nation.
(Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)