Now with the All-Star Weekend festivities done and over with, Leafs representatives Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul will be getting down to business for the remaining 33 games of the regular season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently holding on to the ninth place spot in the Eastern Conference; tied in points with the seventh place Florida Panthers and the eighth place New Jersey.
So far during the 2011-12 campaign, the Leafs have been able to post a 25-19-5 record, which is an amazing achievement due to their placement this time last year.
For the past two seasons, the Leafs have been able to post up incredible numbers in the second half. If trends continue into this season, the Buds should be able to make the playoffs.
However, the Toronto squad cannot rely on trends to get them into the postseason. The Leafs need to continue improving their overall play as a team.
In the meantime, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have their fair share of challenges throughout the remainder of the 2011-12 regular season.
The Leafs still have three tough games against the Philadelphia Flyers, two games versus the dominating Boston Bruins and also single games against the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks.
However these teams will not be the Leafs biggest competitors in the second half of this NHL season.
It will be the teams around them in the standings, a couple of those teams being the Leafs' biggest rivals.
The Battle of Ontario has reached a newly-formed meaning this season, as both teams have improved their play from last season.
Yes, the Ottawa Senators will most likely be the Leafs' biggest competitor for the remainder of the regular season, and they are currently placed sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 27-19-6.
With the Leafs having three games in hand on the Ottawa Senators, they will be looking to gain as much ground as possible on their provincial rivals.
So far this season, the Leafs have posted a 1-3-0 record against the Sens in four games. This will have to change during the second half if they want to gain any ground in the standings with two games left on the schedule.
However, the Leafs have only been outscored 12-16 in those four games. The biggest factor the Leafs need to improve on in the remaining two games vs the Sens is their penalty kill.
With a 69 percent penalty killing rate vs the Ontario rivals this season, the Leafs will be turning to the new-look PK for the rest of the season. The Leafs have yet to allow a power-play goal in the year 2012.
Both remaining games will be played in Ottawa on February 4th and March 17th. The Leafs will be sure to mark those dates on their calendars.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have only played the surging Pittsburgh Penguins once so far this season; winning that game on October 29th by a score of 4-3.
The Pittsburgh squad is currently sitting on fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 28-17-4 for a total of 60 points. The Pens are also currently on a seven game hot streak.
Their recent streak can be directed towards the elevated play of forward Evgeni Malkin, who has recorded 12 points in the last six games.
This means that the Leafs will have to give 110 percent on the ice, as they still have three remaining games versus the Pens.
Starting tomorrow, the Leafs will be visiting the city of Pittsburgh in a two game, home and home series with the Crosby-less Penguins. On Wednesday, the Leafs will be hosting the Pens, where they will be looking to get all the points they can off the Pittsburgh squad.
Consider these two games versus the surging Pens as some of their tougher games for the second half of the NHL season.
The final game against the Pittsburgh Penguins will be played on March 7th in Pittsburgh.
The long historic rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens will continue for three more games this season.
The Habs have had a significant drop off from last years' season, and are currently placed 11th in the Eastern Conference posting a record of 19-21-9 for a total of 47 points.
So far during the 2011-12 campaign, the Leafs have posted a 2-1-0 record against the Habs; only outscoring them 8-7.
This means that the Leafs will need to put up more goals in the remaining three games versus the Canadiens to ensure the Leafs a solid two points in each of their contests.
The Leafs and Canadiens rivalry continues on February 11th at home, while the remaining two games will be played in Montreal on March 3rd and on April 7th; the Leafs' last game of the regular season.
The seventh place Florida Panthers have posted a record of 22-15-11 for a total of 55 points and have given the Buds their troubles in their two meetings so far this season.
The Leafs are 0-2-0 against the Panthers, who have outscored them 4-10. The Leafs will be looking for a much-needed improvement in the remaining two games against the Panthers, as they are tied in points in the Eastern Conference standings.
Most of the improvement will be needed in the crease, as they allowed 10 goals in two games versus the Cats.
In the past 20 games, the Panthers have dropped 14 of those contests, so the Leafs will be looking to take advantage of their recent woes on the ice.
The Leafs will be hosting the Florida squad at home of February 28th. Their final meeting will be played in Florida on March 13th.
The Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils are also tied with the Leafs in points with 55 on the season.
The Winnipeg Jets are just below the Leafs in the Eastern Conference, placed 10th with a total of 50 points on the season. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a game in hand on the Manitoba squad, which the Leafs will use to their advantage heading into the second half.
The Leafs' record combined against the Capitals, Devils and Jets is 4-2-1 with five combined games remaining against the three Eastern teams.
Expect the Leafs to improve on their overall record against some of their lower-end competitors.
Most importantly, the Toronto Maple Leafs' biggest competitors for the second half will be themselves, as their players are well aware of the task at hand.
The Leafs players will have to remain mentally tough as trade rumours are circling around the NHL, as the February 27th deadline rapidly approaches.
General Manger Brian Burke will also be facing the heat of the media, as the Leafs continue to make the push for their first playoff appearance since the NHL lockout during the 2004-05 season.
The media will be sure to remind the players and coaches of the importance of their remaining 33 games, as well as the Leafs organization as a whole.
If all goes well, expect the Leafs to have a successful 2011-12 NHL season.
Petr Kalus Colton Gilies Justin Falk Robbie Eal Joe Callahan Bryan Allen
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