Crisis indeed. Perhaps with regard to who to play to keep both happy and full of confidence, it is, but it’s the kind of problem every coach dreams of. How long this kind of anomaly in Toronto hockey can continue is up for debate but if it goes too much longer people might start talking about playoff hockey in Toronto like folks living in the desert might discuss a rain fall.

Should Toronto stay hot and crack the NHL playoffs for the first time since the lockout — and possibly for their only time before the next lockout — puck fever will go through the roof. The potential parade route for a championship team will be dug out of the 1967 season folder, dusted off and analysed to see if the roads used then are still around today and not under several new buildings. What newspaper do you put your money on to print a potential cup parade route first?

As things stand it looks like the Leafs old pals from the east end of the Provence, the Ottawa Senators, will be their rival for that final playoff position, reigniting the old Battle of Ontario. The pair met on Saturday night with the Leafs thumping the Senators 5-0 leaving some to question whether the Sens are on the verge of a collapse. The Senators have been the surprise package up to the allstar break, but with a real loss of form of late they risk free falling out of the playoff picture to the Leafs benefit. Losing a playoff spot would be tough for Sens fans to take, losing it to the Leafs would be gut retching.

Both sides have one more meeting on March 17 and while it’s from from a do-or-die game it should have an added sprinkle of salt to it if both are still in contention of the final few playoff places.