Eliminated Leafs still have a role to play in draft, playoff races

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Being officially eliminated is not so elementary for the Maple Leafs.

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After their fate was sealed with Thursday’s 4-1 loss in San Jose, a lot still rides on their final games, for their draft position and their foes still fighting for playoffs.

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Why these six matches matter:

BOTTOM’S UP

After MLSE CEO Keith Pelley vowed his team wouldn’t tank to retain their first-round draft pick, the Leafs were quickly down two goals in San Jose and playing catch-up all night. Now Pelley knows how coach Craig Berube must feel when his words aren’t heeded.

Thanks to winning three of its previous four, Toronto has been treading water as the schedule ends. However, its lower tier ‘lead’ on teams such as St. Louis and the Winnipeg Jets, is down to just a couple of points with most company around the Leafs owning games in hand.

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Crossing their fingers as all this unfolds are the Boston Bruins, hoping to leverage the Leafs’ draft position as high as sixth after the Brandon Carlo trade, which also saw Boston acquire prospect Fraser Minten.

MAKING THE WEST WILDER

While beating the Ducks to start the California trek temporarily halted Anaheim’s surge to first in the Pacific, the Leafs losing Thursday elevated the Shark to wild-card status.

Saturday’s trip finale against the Kings is also massive for the home side’s wild-card wish. That level of importance, coupled with the local afternoon start for Hockey Night in Canada ruling out a morning skate, prompted a Friday practice.

Overtime is a good bet, the Leafs and Kings combining for 32 extra-session losses this year that bit into both their playoff odds. The Kings have an astounding 19 defeats after falling to Nashville on Thursday, a league record.

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Saturday also reunites the Leafs with centre Scott Laughton, one of three forwards traded for picks at the deadline. After a two-point debut with the Kings, he’s been held to three in the past 11, though did score against the Predators. He’s centring the third line, one step higher than Berube’s controversial decision to keep him on the fourth unit as fortunes fell.

The coach insisted they got along well in every other facet and said he could envision Laughton  returning to Toronto, pending the Kings playoff drive and his UFA status.

“He was someone guys really got to like a lot, in the room and what he brings every night. I’m sure they will all get together for some beers and a little food (Friday night). We miss him.

“You could bust his balls every day and we could go back and forth with each other. We go back to the Philadelphia (Flyer) days, too.

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“He’s got such a great personality and love for the game, comes in every day with the same attitude. People get attracted to him.”

MEANWHILE, BACK EAST

After its first three-day break since the Olympics, Toronto will have back-to-back games of huge consequence in its own conference next week.

The Washington Capitals, here Tuesday, are still in the wild-card race, in what could be 40-year-old Alex Ovechkin’s final Toronto appearance. The NHL’s all-time goal leader racked up 45 against the Leafs, one of his best slates versus non-divisional opponents.

Then it’s off to the Island, the Leafs so far 1-1 against New York, which will be coming off five days rest. The Isles seek a return to playoffs after a one-year hiatus.

The two final two Atlantic Division dates for the Leafs certainly have meaning, as they jockey with the Florida Panthers for draft purposes, while everyone hopes Game 82 in Ottawa gives Toronto a say in the Senators playoff fate.

Toronto would have to win or get to overtime in every remaining game to avoid its biggest one-season points drop in club history. From a division-best 108 they’re currently down 31. The record is minus 23 (in the same amount of games played) between 1989-90 and ’90-91.

Lhornby@postmedia.com
X: @sunhornby

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