Atlantic Division Shakeup: Toronto Maple Leafs Compete But Face Tight Competition
As the Toronto Maple Leafs geared up for their recent game against the Lightning, Head Coach Jon Cooper highlighted the evolving competitive landscape in the NHL’s Atlantic Division.
Cooper: “There used to be a top four and another four. That is how it was for a long time. That is clearly not the case anymore. In playing the teams in our division, the gap has closed.”
“Whether Toronto or Florida are the class of the division right now, they are not a class above everybody else in this division, whereas in years past, I think that used to be the case.”
“It is a coin flip right now.”
Over the past nearly five years, the top four teams in the Atlantic Division were reliably decided by this point in the season. Since the COVID-19 bubble season, the same four teams have consistently made the playoffs. However, with this season, Ottawa and Montreal have made significant strides, making it harder to predict division leaders.
The mixed results and unexpected developments in January highlight how challenging the Atlantic Division is becoming. The Leafs have generally been middle-of-the-pack, yet they have managed to hold their ground and even gain some ground towards the top of the division.
| December Record | PTS% | Division rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 8-3-1 | .708 | 7th |
| Montreal | 7-3-2 | .667 | 6th |
| Toronto | 7-5-0 | .583 | 1st |
| Ottawa | 7-5-2 | .571 | 4th |
| Boston | 5-5-2 | .500 | 5th |
| Florida | 6-6-1 | .500 | 2nd |
| Tampa Bay | 6-7-1 | .464 | 3rd |
| Buffalo | 4-6-1 | .409 | 8th |
It’s a tightly packed group now, with everyone except Buffalo still very much in the playoff race.
The biggest gain for the Leafs so far is their improved record against division rivals, standing at 11-5-1 compared to last season when they finished tied for the second-worst record in this department.
Notes
One key issue affecting the Leafs is their frequent injuries. They have lost the sixth-most man-games to injury this season, similar to last year and not much improved from the season before. The question remains: is this a systemic issue within the Leafs’ organization, or are they simply prone to injuries?
There is a disconnect when players are labeled as day-to-day only to miss weeks. During the last playoffs, injuries were a significant factor, but only one player required surgery, highlighting the team’s systemic issues.
Matthew Knies, who was in the midst of a career month with seven goals and 12 points, got injured recently, adding to the frustration.
The Leafs struggle to start games fast and set momentum in their favor. Early in the season, there were signs of improvement, but this month has seen only two standout games where they came out strong.
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