Frank Seravalli was on The FAN this week tossing round a easy query: Will greater than three Canadian groups make the playoffs? He stated Sure! Then, he dropped the hammer. There’s a brand new Canadian pecking order, and he’s got the Maple Leafs out.
Not slipping, not wobbling — out. And the best way he laid it out, you could possibly virtually image a brand new playoff map forming throughout Canada, one the place Toronto isn’t in its typical spot.
The 4 Canadian Groups Seravalli Says Are Forward of Toronto
Seravalli didn’t rank them, however I’ll — based mostly on his tone, the logic, and the state of every workforce.
First, Edmonton Oilers — “Figuring It Out” Territory
Seravalli put Edmonton first for a purpose. He thinks they’ve steadied themselves, lastly pulling the season again from the sting of the cliff. Higher construction, barely calmer goaltending, and Connor McDavid doing the “nope, we’re not lacking the playoffs” routine he does yearly when issues begin drifting south.
There’s slightly inevitability with the Oilers once they settle themselves. They’re not fairly each night time, however they’re harmful in stretches, and Frank appears satisfied a kind of stretches is both right here or on the best way.
Second, Ottawa Senators — Canada’s Most Constant Crew
The best way he stated it virtually slipped by: the Senators have been the most constant Canadian workforce this season. That’s fairly one thing when you think about how lengthy Ottawa has lived in that “possibly subsequent 12 months” neighbourhood.
Their younger core is, for as soon as, not bursting into flames or collapsing underneath expectations. They’re simply… enjoying effectively and rising into the season as an alternative of shrinking from it. Frank believes in them sufficient to pencil them in comfortably.
Third, Winnipeg Jets — Hellebuyck Will Make the Distinction
This one shocked me—however his logic is smart. He principally stated: If Hellebuyck comes again, the Jets come again. That’s the entire argument. Depth scoring has gone chilly, however he doesn’t count on it to remain frozen. Honest sufficient. The Jets all the time appear to do the “lifeless for a month, alive for the following two” routine.
A wholesome Hellebuyck remains to be a top-five goalie within the league. If he’s proper, the Jets hop again into the combo rapidly.
Fourth, Montreal Canadiens — The Wild Card With Ability
That is the choose that basically pushes Toronto out of the circle. Accidents in all places, each goalies rattled on the similar time, defence duct-taped collectively… and nonetheless, Seravalli sees sufficient talent and momentum to get them in. He used the phrase “a little bit of juice.” That tells you all the things. He sees vitality the place others see instability. No argument that the Canadiens are stronger than they’ve been.
What This New Playoff Map Means for the Maple Leafs
If these are his 4, the equation turns into brutally easy: somebody has to overlook, and he thinks it’s the Maple Leafs. His reasoning was logical. He sees a “disaster of confidence” in Toronto’s crease — not expertise, however stability. Too many “day-to-day” moments, not sufficient regular stretches. Mix that with a ahead group that hasn’t been wholesome sufficient to construct rhythm, and he figures the Maple Leafs have slipped behind the pack.
Perhaps the Maple Leafs are shedding a little bit of floor this 12 months. Arduous to disclaim the beginning wasn’t what anybody hoped for. However over the previous couple of weeks, they’ve really performed some fairly respectable hockey. The secondary scoring has lastly woken up, and the goaltending — banged up as it’s — has held the road higher than it will get credit score for.
So I’m nowhere close to able to plant flags on both aspect of the fence. I’ve watched too many seasons flip themselves inside-out by January to assume something is settled. Nonetheless, possibly Seravalli’s proper. Or possibly, two weeks from now, this entire factor flips on its head. That’s hockey.
Associated: Maple Leafs Micro–Turning Factors: Why a Reset Now?
