from Craig Custance of ESPN,

It's been one week since an impressive comeback win for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Los Angeles, a win that meant the Leafs took two of three games on a swing through California. It was impressive, and it was also the last time Toronto won a game.

Wednesday night's 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning was Toronto's third consecutive loss, all against teams fighting for position in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto's unwillingness or inability to defend effectively as a team is starting to catch up to the Leafs and their playoff spot is now on the line.

According to the playoff projection website SportsClubStats.com, Wednesday's loss dropped Toronto's playoff chances 10.3 percent, down to 65.6 percent. Still better than the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals, but getting worse by the day.

read on for Burnside on the Blackhawks, LeBrun on the Avs and Strang on the Lightning...