from the CP at Sportsnet,

Through 41 games the Leafs (23-16-2) sit comfortably in third place in the Atlantic Division, nine points ahead of the Florida Panthers. That would be considered a good position for Toronto in previous seasons.

But expectations for this season rose significantly after the Leafs’ breakout 2016-17 campaign in which they qualified for the post-season for the first time in four years. They went out and acquired veterans — including signing 38-year-old forward Patrick Marleau to a three-year, US$18.75 million contract — to help support a young nucleus which features superstar centre Auston Matthews and talented wingers Mitch Marner and William Nylander.

Heading into the second half of the season, however, Toronto is still short of its goal of being an elite contender for a Stanley Cup.

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