NHL Eastern Conference

NHL Analysis: Toronto Maple Leafs Give Early Signs Of Hope

Dan Flaherty Uncategorized NHL analysis, NHL Eastern Conference, NHL Eastern Conference playoff race, Phil Kessel Maple Leafs, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Maple Leafs playoff chances

It’s been quite a dry spell for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The franchise last won the Stanley Cup in 1967 and in the intervening years they’ve never made it back to the Finals, and only four times have even reached the conference finals. An even bigger mark of ineptitude is the seven straight years they’ve missed the playoffs—let’s call it the Curse of Gary Bettman, since that covers the entire period since the 2005 season was cancelled. Today though, Toronto is hanging in the NHL Eastern Conference playoff race, in the #7 position. TheSportsNotebook’s NHL analysis today will focus on whether the Leafs are finally for real as a playoff team.

The New York Rangers Are Rolling In The East

Dan Flaherty Uncategorized Derek Stepan, Henrik Lundqvist, Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers, NHL Eastern Conference, NHL playoff race, Ryan Callahan

The New York Rangers have been atop of the Eastern Conference for most of the year, but over the past three weeks they’ve opened up some breathing room. A three-game win streak that was culminated with a 3-2 win over Washington yesterday means that the Ranges now lead Philadelphia & Pittsburgh by eight points in the Atlantic Division, and are plus-seven on Boston in the Eastern Conference overall. New York is going to be tough to catch for the top seed in the playoffs, so TheSportsNotebook is giving them a closer look today, particularly at their recent streak where they’ve won seven of nine.