What can we say about the Toronto Maple Leafs with half of the 2023-24 regular season in the books?
They continue to look and feel like a good team, just not a great one.
After 41 games and a third straight loss, the Leafs sit third in the Atlantic Division — nine points behind the Boston Bruins with a game in hand, and six back of the Florida Panthers, also with a game in hand. The Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t far behind.
This team ranks 11th in the NHL in points percentage, trailing Winnipeg, Vancouver, Boston, Colorado, Florida, the New York Rangers, Dallas, Carolina, Los Angeles and Vegas. That feels about right for this group, which will see a tougher schedule in the second half.
The Leafs are on pace for exactly 100 points, with some worrisome stuff going on beneath the hood:
The Leafs rank 25th overall with 13 wins in regulation. The only teams with less are primarily bottom feeders: Ottawa, Minnesota, Anaheim, Columbus, Chicago, San Jose and Montreal.