Toronto Maple Leafs Not Since 67

Projecting 89

2012-02-19T12:16:00.001-05:00

29-24-6 for 64 points, projects to 89 points on the season at the 1.08 PPG average. To get to 96 they need 1.39 points per game, and that number rises exponentially with every loss. Closing in on the 2 PPG required to ensure yet another year with no playoffs. Next 4 home games should nearly be enough.......

Projecting 91

2012-02-12T05:53:00.002-05:00

91 points enough? some years yes. I'll agree that the 96 mark I have been using all year is probably a little high, but the right answer is most likely between 91 and 96. The upcoming 3 game road trip to the west is more important then ever after a 5-0 smack down by Montreal at home last night. To lose 5-0 at home is one thing but to do it against Montreal is another, and to do it in front of one of the hardest working Leafs ever on the night he gets honoured is just wrong. There is still 26 games remaining, so I can't start ranting yet, but 34 points (to 96) in 26 games. That is 17-9 straight up without the overtime looser points. Loose these next 3 and 34 points in 23 games is 17-6. The long, agonizing "Race to the playoffs" is about to start......

Back on pace for 96 points

2012-02-07T04:25:00.002-05:00

Back on pace for 96 points with 29 games remaining in the season. 10-4-1 i n the last 15, and both goalies are looking good. Maybe just maybe...?

1.29 points per game and rising

2012-01-22T05:56:00.001-05:00

1.25 points per game before last nights loss, 1.29 after. 35 games remaining, every loss the points per game required rises exponentially with less games remaining to make up the difference. 8 years without the playoffs is 35 games away, unless a miracle happens.

1.25 points per game required

2012-01-21T18:36:00.004-05:00

1.11 points per game season to date 1.25 points per game to get to 96 points, the assumed minimum to sneak into a playoff spot http://www.not-since-67.com/p/2011-2012-schedule-and-results.html

The half way point game

2012-01-08T06:49:00.000-05:00

Its funny reading the reports of the game last night: Toronto: breakout season, exactly where they want to be, the Monster was huge Detroit: we started late, dominated 75% of the game, and still lost. To beat Detroit is a good thing regardless how the victory is achieved. Can the leafs now pick up the pace in the second half and get firmly positioned in a playoff berth? the "exactly where they want to be" is 2 points out of the last playoff spot by my estimate. If the second half is no better then the first than its snowman time. 8 that is.

Half way point in season Tonight

2012-01-07T07:10:00.001-05:00

The season is half over with tonight's home game against Detroit. Detroit 25-13-1 2nd, one point out of first in Central Toronto 20-15-5 3rd, eight points out of first place Being 20-15-5 at the half way point may be reason for optimism, but with 45 points after 40 games is 1.13 points per game which projects out to 92 points. I think we all know 92 points is not enough. They need 1.21 points per game for the rest of the season just to get to 96 points, which may or may not be enough, so they need a better second half then the first to have a chance.

Maple Leafs miss playoffs for 8th year in a row

2011-12-30T23:07:00.001-05:00

37 games in, averaging 1.11 points per game. 45 games remaining, need 1.22 points per game to sneak into the playoffs. Its just that simple. At the current pace they finish the season with 91 points, which won't be enough. 28 wins in 45 games is 63% not considering any overtime loss points. Does anyone care?

Points hard to come by

2011-12-20T09:16:00.000-05:00

They need to snap out of this funk and soon, as every game that goes by now without 2 points it gets harder and harder to overcome.

5 points in 7 games

2011-12-18T06:14:00.000-05:00

With 5 points from 7 games in the month of December, the Leafs are falling out of the playoff hunt. 35 points in 32 games projects out to 90 for the season which is not going to be enough. They need to find a way to get at least 6 points in the next 6 games to bring the projection back closer to 96.

15-11-3 for 33 after 29

2011-12-09T21:37:00.001-05:00

29 games in, a long 53 to go and the Leafs are still positioned for a chance of a playoff berth, although just barely. The record projects out to 93 points for the year which in right in the line for the traditional race to make the playoffs. Wideman doubled his scoring on the year with a hat trick for a grand total of 6 goals on the season in the 27 games he has played. Even a blind squirrel finds the occasional nut as they say.

Anaheim, then Back to Back with Boston

2011-11-27T19:49:00.001-05:00

Anaheim tonight, and the Leafs need these 2 points as the next 2 won't be easy with them being back to back with Boston for the Northeast Lead. The next meeting between the Leafs and Bruins after the December 3rd game is not until March 6, so the two Boston games are important, not just for the 4 points at stake but to show the Bruins that they are a better club then the 6-2 and 7-0 losses already recorded this year.

Saturday night win at home

2011-11-19T21:43:00.001-05:00

Saturday night win at home is always a good thing, and pummeling Washington is never a bad thing. Washington seems to have big problems in net these days and the Leafs made then pay. At the 11-7-2 for 24 points in 20 games pace, the Leafs are in line for a playoff spot with a projection of 98 points. I'd like to see them go on another good run to get some breathing room before the end of the year.

2011-11-06T06:28:00.003-05:00

One bad game in 14 is not bad. To do at at home against Boston is bad. They played like a team that thinks its better then they really are, and Boston pummeled them.

9 more wins to....

2011-11-04T17:52:00.001-04:00

With 9 more wins, the Maple Leafs could go .500 the rest of the season and make it into the playoffs. Its a great position to be in, and certainly a surprise to many. If that is 9-0 or 19-10 who knows, but were heading in the right direction.

8-3-1 for 17, lots of good to talk about

2011-11-02T22:17:00.001-04:00

Lupul hat trick, Kessel 2 assists, even Gustavsson gets in on the action with an assist. They closed out the second period strong, and shut the devils out in the third. At this rate a playoff shot will be secured by the end of November!

7-2-1 after 10 games

2011-10-29T22:07:00.000-04:00

Well I said I was waiting ten games before having a opinion, and at 7-2-1 for 15 points is the nest that any team could ask for. They are not quitting on plays, not taking any periods off, and generally look like a pretty decent team. Its a great start for sure. Assuming 96 is the cut off, they only need 81 points in the 72 games remaining which is pretty good odds at the playoffs.

Projecting 129 points for the season

2011-10-23T05:46:00.000-04:00

Obviously that's not going to happen, but 5-1-1 for 11 points in 7 games is certainly a good start.

About Reimer, do you see his head getting whipped around in the clip below, It would be like getting in a car wreck. Is it a targeted headshot? Gionta just trying to squeeze through a small gap? Goalies head in the way or not? Isn't this the kind of thing we are trying to avoid in the league this year?

Reimer and Gustavsson

2011-10-21T19:33:00.001-04:00

Will third place in the Northeast be enough to get into the playoffs? Boston and Buffalo, will likely be 1 or 2 on some order, Ottawa and Montreal 4 or 5, so that leaves Toronto in 3rd.

I am not sure about the logic of having Reimer in against Winnipeg and Gustavsson against Boston. I think the generally accepted thought is Reimer is number one, but maybe the Leafs are looking at more of a platoon situation in goal. that could work out good in the long run, as Buffalo seems to overwork Miller and he gets tired towards the end of the year. Miller goes down the team suffers. If both these guy and help put up W's then maybe they will be in better shape come the final stretch into the playoffs. Time will tell.

7 points in 4 games

2011-10-17T21:50:00.000-04:00

7 points in 4 games is excellent. I am still waiting until game 10 is complete to really formulate a opinion, but I will say it is nice to see the money players on the score sheet, and on the positive side of the stats ledger.

I'd like to see them go better then 4-3 the rest of the month. With luck.

Reimer Statue in Toronto

2011-10-07T15:28:00.003-04:00

There is no question Reimer kept the leafs in the game in the first period, stopping 14 shots and and 2 power plays. It could have been all over in the first except for this young man, and with luck he will stay healthy and have a banner year.

I am going to try to refrain from having a opinion on this crew until after game 10, when they are home to the Penguins on October 29th.

The Coach on Twitter

2011-10-02T13:40:00.000-04:00

@coachrw63 has been confirmed by @mapleleafs as the twitter account for Ron Wilson.

Sundin, from Roberts and Mogilny May 4 2004

2011-09-30T23:07:00.000-04:00

The last playoff goal scored for the Toronto Maple Leafs was on May 4 2004, at 15:08 of the third period by Mats Sundin, assisted by Gary Roberts and Alexander Mogilny.

That will be 8 years by the time the next play off game rolls around. The 2003-2004 team was the last decent team in Toronto, and they have never broken 91 points since.

To start the year I am setting the playoff cutoff at 96 points, while that is only 11 points more then last year, it would mark a big improvement over the last 8 years.

Is this group 11 points better then last ?

2011-09-24T06:16:00.000-04:00

Funny ESSO / Hockey commercial from 1967, have a tiger in your tank ?

1967 Game 2

2011-09-22T21:39:00.001-04:00

Notice any guys getting crushed into the boards? Notice anyone getting their head taken off mid ice? No? Neither do I. No helmets and goalies with no face masks, I wonder how many had concussions?