NHL Power Ranking - Week 18

Short week because of the All-Star break so there shouldn't be dramatic changes. The Leafs are on course to squeak into the playoffs but it will likely go down to the wire. The Leafs have 56 points at the 50-game mark which translates to 92 points for the season. My guess is they will need 94 points to nail a playoff spot. The hot start continues to keep Toronto in playoff contention.

Games 1-10 = 15 points
Games 11-20 = 9 points
Games 21-30= 11 points
Games 31-40 = 10 points
Game 41-50 = 11 points


Sportsnet - 12th (+6)

Taking advantage of a back-to-back versus a soft opponent in the Islanders, the Leafs grabbed four points before the break, and Mikhail Grabovski was named the NHL’s first star of the week. Now the Leafs face consecutive games against a legit team, the Penguins. For those scoring at home, that’s back-to-back back-to-backs.

CBS Sports - 13th (+4)

Of teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, Toronto might be the one playing the best right now. Big start to the second half with two games against Pittsburgh, a road trip to Ottawa, and then a couple of winnable games against Edmonton and Winnipeg.

The Hockey News - 15th (+2)

Leafs likely to be one of the most intriguing teams to watch as trade deadline approaches

ESPN - 16th (+2)

A mighty test right off the hop with a home-and-home series versus red-hot Pittsburgh this week.

Fox Sports - 16th (+1)

Phil Kessel: Kessel did a lot of damage in the first half, but can he become a consistent threat in February and beyond? If the Leafs are to end their playoff drought, it will be because Kessel had something to say about it.

CBC - 18th (-)

It will be interesting to see how the Maple Leafs rebound from their embarrassing finish in Pittsburgh to begin a home-and-home set.