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NHL: Five teams with tough roads to the playoffs

By Leah Smith

Feb 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; The NHL logo on display in a game between the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks in the second period during a Stadium Series hockey game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; The NHL logo on display in a game between the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks in the second period during a Stadium Series hockey game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) and his teammates wait for officials to rule on his game winning goal during the overtime period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. The Leafs defeated the Flyers, 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) and his teammates wait for officials to rule on his game winning goal during the overtime period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. The Leafs defeated the Flyers, 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

The 2015-16 season was the first year in a massive rebuild that Toronto has needed for years. Mike Babcock, Brendan Shanahan and Lou Lamoriello all said there would be pain, and that is what happened. The Leafs finished dead last in the league, were rewarded with the first overall pick and now have a chance to draft a number one center that they desperately need in Auston Matthews.

Toronto’s future is looking bright, but it is still unclear how much will really improve next season. The roster will be filled with young, promising players that have very little experience at the NHL level. Their schedule also doesn’t help either.

During the 2016-17 season, the Leafs have no home stand longer than five games, and that only happens once in mid-December. The rest of the season is filled with bursts of two to three games at the ACC, and then they are back out on the road.

The Atlantic Division is one of the weakest in the NHL, and that could benefit the Leafs, who will almost certainly be better than last season. But if Carey Price is back at 100 percent, the Montreal Canadiens become a force again. There is a chance that Steven Stamkos stays in Tampa Bay, and that greatly improves the Lightning. The Florida Panthers remain the favorites to win the division again, so the road to the playoffs remains tough for the Leafs.

Next: Columbus Blue Jackets

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