from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

The Maple Leafs are the test debate for analytics, unless the Minnesota Wild are for opposite reasons. But let's focus on the Leafs, who hold a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and blew a 4-2 lead on Sunday at Florida en route to a 6-4 defeat.

On the one hand, the Leafs lead the NHL in goals per game and the naked-eye test indeed reveals a team that seemingly can score at will from at least three forward lines. On the other hand, both poor puck possession stats and the naked-eye test for those who watch enough Leafs game also reveal a team that at times has no clue how to defend or protect the puck. So what's going to give with this team?

Surely being No. 1 in the NHL in scoring should matter, no? Or does being so mediocre once again in terms of the sexy stats doom this club? One thing's for sure, there's never a dull moment with the Leafs right to the end of this season.

other topics include Burnside on the Devils and Oilers, Custance on the Ducks and Strang on Carter Ashton...