Welcome back to the Tank Tracker. If you were scoreboard watching last night hoping for some help in the basement of the NHL standings, like me, you probably ended the night frustrated. Let’s just rip the band-aid off: yesterday was a near worst-case scenario for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lottery odds.

Instead of the teams around us picking up crucial points to build a buffer, the bottom-feeders completely stalled out. We desperately needed the teams trailing us to leapfrog us, instead we climbed to a 64-point mark. Instead, practically everyone we needed to win ended up dropping points in regulation.

When the out-of-town scoreboard goes this cold, it creates a nightmare logjam. It tightens the noose around our current spot in the standings and puts immense pressure on the Leafs to secure absolutely zero points in their upcoming matchups. We didn’t get the help we needed, meaning tonight’s slate of games just became that much more critical to keep the lottery dream alive.

Here is the recap of yesterday’s brutal shifts, followed by the guide for tonight’s slate: 

Yesterday’s Recap

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Result: Flyers win 3-2 (Shootout)

Tank Impact: Acceptable. The Leafs picked up a “loser point” to hit 64 points, which isn’t ideal, but handing the extra point to Philadelphia (67P) ensures they build a 3-point buffer ahead of us in the standings.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators

Result: Red Wings win 4-2

Tank Impact: Missed opportunity. Nashville (62P) dropped this game in regulation, meaning they stay parked 2 points behind the Leafs instead of leapfrogging us.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Rangers

Result: Blue Jackets win 5-4 (Overtime)

Tank Impact: Solid. Columbus (68P) secured two points to keep climbing away from our danger zone. The Rangers (54P) grabbed a loser point but remain well behind the Leafs. 

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Seattle Kraken

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings

Result: Avalanche win 4-2

Tank Impact: Brutal. Another missed opportunity from the bottom feeders. Los Angeles (62P) stays 2 points behind the Leafs after failing to upset Colorado.

Tonight’s Tank Tracker: The Danger Zone

Here is your Tank guide for tonight, focusing strictly on the matchups that feature teams which results directly impact the Leafs and their attempt to bottom out. 

Florida Panthers (63P) @ New Jersey Devils (60P)

Ideal Result: Either team wins in overtime/shootout.

Tank Impact: Florida sits just one point behind the Leafs, while the Devils remain four points back. A three point game tonight is the ultimate outcome for Toronto, which will have the Panthers leapfrogging the Leafs, and Devils closing in. 

Nashville Predators (62P) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (68P)

Ideal Result: Predators win in regulation.

Tank Impact: Nashville is exactly 2 points behind us. A win ties them with the Leafs at 64 points, dropping our draft position based on tiebreakers.

Montreal Canadiens (75P) @ San Jose Sharks (62P)

Ideal Result: Sharks win in any fashion.

Tank Impact: San Jose is sitting at 62 points, trailing the Leafs by just two. An upset over Montreal brings them to 64 points and creates a logjam exactly where we want it.

Utah Mammoth (66P) @ Washington Capitals (69P)

Ideal Result: Three-point game (OT/SO).

Tank Impact: Both of these teams are hovering just above us. Handing out three total points ensures the ceiling above the Leafs keeps rising.

Ottawa Senators (66P) @ Edmonton Oilers (66P)

Ideal Result: Three-point game (OT/SO).

Tank Impact: Both teams are sitting at 66 points, just two points ahead of the Leafs. We want both squads walking away with points to push them further out of our reach.

Dallas Stars (83P) @ Calgary Flames (65P)

Ideal Result: Flames win in any fashion.

Tank Impact: Calgary sits at 65 points, just one point ahead of Toronto. An upset over the powerhouse Stars keeps them moving in the right direction.

Colorado Avalanche (89P) @ Anaheim Ducks (69P)

Ideal Result: Ducks win in regulation.

Tank Impact: Anaheim is sitting at 69 points. While they are at the top of our radius, any points they pick up cement their position securely above us.

Vegas Golden Knights (70P) @ Buffalo Sabres (76P)

Ideal Result: Golden Knights win in regulation.

Tank Impact: Vegas is at the very edge of our 6-point radius (70P). A win pushes them out of our danger zone entirely.

Games With No Direct Tank Impact

These matchups do not have a direct impact on the Leafs, so you can safely ignore them tonight:

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins

Chicago Blackhawks @ Winnipeg Jets

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Minnesota Wild