A look at the remaining schedule and the competition

by mtrim on Mar 4, 2011 7:40 PM EST

Are Leafs fans going to have something to celebrate?

Editor's Note: Wondering how the strength of schedule works out for the teams going for the last two playoff spots? Well, this FanPost has you sorted. Set your screen to wide or part of the table will be cut off. Look in the top right corner to change from the narrow view.

With the recent string of tough opponents the Leafs have matched up against I've been wondering how our remaining schedule stacks up against the teams above us in the standings.

The following chart compares the remaining schedules of the Leafs and the teams they are chasing for a playoff spot. I've also averaged the point totals of the remaining opponents for each team as well as their goal differentials in order to determine the relative strength of each schedule.

A couple of observations: First, the Leafs appear to have the toughest schedule of this group. With the second highest average points (71.82) and the highest average goal differential (+1.82), the Leafs have their schedule stacked slightly against them. Additionally, the Leafs are the only team who's remaining opponents actually have a positive average goal differential. The Carolina Hurricanes will likely be the most difficult team to catch as they appear to have the softest schedule of all the teams in the race (with an average goal differential way below zero at -8.41) and have currently moved into 7th place in the conference ahead of the New York Rangers. There is hope however, with the Rangers currently struggling and the Buffalo Sabres having almost as tough as schedule as the Leafs (higher average points at 72.26 and only slightly lower average goal differential at -0.63).

While the Leafs will certainly have their work cut out for them over the coming weeks in order to vault themselves into the playoffs, the recent success of the team over Eastern Conference powerhouses Philadelphia and Pittsburgh shows a rising confidence which will be absolutely necessary in order to overcome the difficulty of the remaining schedule.

TOR	Pts	GF-GA	NYR	Pts	GF-GA	BUF	Pts	GF-GA	CAR	Pts	GF-GA
CHI	76	31	OTT	53	-56	PHI	86	43	CHI	76	31
NYI	57	-31	PHI	86	43	MIN	74	-2	ATL	63	-31
PHI	86	43	ANA	73	-9	PIT	81	27	WSH	80	9
BUF	68	-1	SJ	82	19	BOS	83	48	CBJ	69	-14
TB	81	-1	NYI	57	-31	TOR	67	-27	BUF	68	-1
CAR	71	-7	MON	77	7	OTT	53	-56	TOR	67	-27
FLA	59	-17	PIT	81	27	CAR	71	-7	NYI	57	-31
BOS	83	48	FLA	59	-17	ATL	63	-31	OTT	53	-56
MIN	74	-2	OTT	53	-56	NSH	75	12	TB	81	-1
COL	60	-35	BOS	83	48	MON	77	7	TB	81	-1
DET	85	27	BUF	68	-1	FLA	59	-17	WSH	80	9
BUF	68	-1	NYI	57	-31	NJ	60	-31	MON	77	7
BOS	83	48	PHI	86	43	TOR	67	-27	NYI	57	-31
OTT	53	-56	BOS	83	48	NYR	70	19	BUF	68	-1
WSH	80	9	ATL	63	-31	WSH	80	9	DET	85	27
NJ	60	-31	NJ	60	-31	CAR	71	-7	ATL	63	-31
MON	77	7				TB	81	-1	TB	81	-1
						PHI	86	43
						CBJ	69	-14

	17			16			19			17
Average	71.82	1.82		70.06	-1.75		72.26	-0.63		70.94	-8.41

PensionPlanPuppets.com is a fan community that allows members to post their own thoughts and opinions on the Toronto Maple Leafs and hockey in general. These views and thoughts may not be shared by the editor of PensionPlanPuppets.com.

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Comments

Versteeg has the toughest schedule out of anyone; 2 games against the Buds followed by a reunion in Chicago…

by GregMckeggarParty on Mar 4, 2011 7:02 PM EST reply actions

Wait, what?

Flyers don’t play Chicago…

by justjude on Mar 4, 2011 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

OH

I’m stupid. The White House trip! Pretty sure he turned that down though

by justjude on Mar 4, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

Sunday January 23, 2011

Flyers defeated the Blackhawks 4-1 at the United Center in Chicago

Was the Stanley Cup actually a dream? It already seems like a lifetime ago.

by TrickyDickAllen on Mar 5, 2011 3:45 AM EST up reply actions

Well... shit.

Luckily we have Optimus Reim on our side, which is almost like cheating.

20 miles to Legoland!

by nhlcheapshot on Mar 4, 2011 7:49 PM EST reply actions

At Mizzou for a while we had this blazing fast receiver called Maclin

until he jumped early to the NHL our nickname for him was “cheat code” because he could just get the ball and burn past people like they were standing still. Just an unreal talent.

Glory glory Man United, AND the other MU, AAAAnd the Leafs. I think I need a drink now.

by Wan Ihite on Mar 5, 2011 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

The only kink I would point out is TB, whose season GF-GA was impacted by Smith/Ellis, and isn’t entirely indicative having picked up Roloson.

Now, this is actually a good thing, because Carolina plays TB 3 times, while Buf and TOR play them once. We just have to hope TB would rather beat a divisional opponent and play spoiler than pack it in once they lock up a playoff slot.

This is where a witty signature might go.
This is where a witty signature might go on drugs.

by Bower Power on Mar 4, 2011 8:05 PM EST reply actions

And by the way, thanks for throwing this all together – great to see them all in a chart like that.

This is where a witty signature might go.
This is where a witty signature might go on drugs.

by Bower Power on Mar 4, 2011 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

Nice job……i’m most scared of Buffalo crashing the party right now, NYR has been quite awful recently……..i’d say its a battle between Buffalo, Carolina and Toronto for the last two spots with NJ being the dark horse if they continue playing their ridiculous 0.900 hockey

Toronto Maple Leafs: All about the Lemon Grabs

by LeafFan1989 on Mar 4, 2011 8:14 PM EST reply actions

This is the most excited i’ve been in march for awhile. Great job by the way. I truly believe that the leafs have a strong chance, especially considering their youth, which could play to a huge benefit for us if it turns into a long, tiring battle.

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?!!!

by SPERO on Mar 4, 2011 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

ottawa isn’t helping us tonight… bitches are down 3-0

I'm building a beautiful statue, to make sure that no one forgets you

by jimmyp22 on Mar 4, 2011 8:41 PM EST reply actions

Carolina is losing though

by munniec on Mar 4, 2011 8:47 PM EST up reply actions

Ottawa just fucking sucks at life.

by Shield on Mar 4, 2011 8:47 PM EST up reply actions

shutting us out and getting slapped by new york

pathetic attempt at sabotage

by scrambles the death dealer on Mar 4, 2011 9:15 PM EST up reply actions

They are clearly working against us.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Mar 5, 2011 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

Very informative post.
I just have to say: that picture puts a smile on my face. All I’m hoping for is a good run. The past few weeks have been increasingly exciting to watch and that’s all we can ask for right now.

by purplish on Mar 4, 2011 8:45 PM EST reply actions

New Jersey strikes again.

What are they smokin’?

by CalumMac on Mar 4, 2011 9:28 PM EST reply actions

pineapple express……..freaking scary that team right now

Toronto Maple Leafs: All about the Lemon Grabs

by LeafFan1989 on Mar 4, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

Another point is that the leafs have three games against the other three teams. Buffalo has three most, with five. Carolina has two and the rags one i think. Potential for three point games.

by Leaf in Habland on Mar 4, 2011 10:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions

well chicago’s doing their part

elephant shell

by sportsfan2 on Mar 4, 2011 10:40 PM EST reply actions

hopefully their good and tired for an ass whooping tomorrow

Toronto Maple Leafs: All about the Lemon Grabs

by LeafFan1989 on Mar 4, 2011 10:52 PM EST up reply actions

Chicago, you’re cool till tomorrow. Ottawa, you can’t do anything right.

Oh, I'm sorry, just one moment. Is this a five minute argument or the full half hour?

by Nirbo on Mar 4, 2011 11:12 PM EST up reply actions

I am pretty certain these leafs can take on a tired chicago team

elephant shell

by sportsfan2 on Mar 4, 2011 11:44 PM EST up reply actions

Just like the Flyers could take on a tired Leafs team?

by Shield on Mar 5, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

This is an excellent first post

Solid, fact-based writing, succinct, and timely. It’s a rec’n.

Oh, you better believe that's a paddling.

by JP Nikota on Mar 5, 2011 1:13 AM EST reply actions

Fear the Sabres

Even with the roll the Leafs have been on I still think it is going to be hard for the leafs to make the playoffs. Chances are good that either the Rangers or Hurricane are going to back in the standings. Buffalo is more of a concern for me than either of those 2 teams. The sabres have 2 games in hand and 2 games against the leafs and a point up.

For the leafs to have a good chance at making the playoffs this year, they must take both games from the sabres. A split only favours Buffalo or if the leafs drop both…then it is all but over!

Go Leafs Go!

by Al Bundy is my hero on Mar 5, 2011 11:54 AM EST reply actions

The Sabrs are my lock for the playoffs.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Mar 5, 2011 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

Buffalo is the key..

They’ve got two games in hand on us currently, hopefully Minnesota beats them in regulation tonight. Bad news is that they play Carolina twice. Good news is that they play us twice as well.

by jafac on Mar 6, 2011 7:50 PM EST reply actions