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Embarrassing Maple Leafs May Have Tanked Bruins Out Of Top-7 Draft Pick
TL;DR
The Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled significantly, winning only five of their last 22 games, which may have negatively impacted the Boston Bruins' chances of securing a top-7 draft pick. The Bruins, despite a recent losing streak, have performed better during the same period.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Embarrassing Maple Leafs May Have Tanked Bruins Out Of Top-7 Draft Pick originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The shameless Toronto Maple Leafs have been the NHL’s second-worst hockey team since February 25, securing just five wins in the last 22 games. Yes, you read that right.
For reference, in that same time period, the Boston Bruins have won 13 games despite having an incredibly frustrating five-game losing streak to start April.
This matters to Bruins fans because the Maple Leafs owe the Bruins their first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
However, the pick is top-five protected. This means that the Maple Leafs will be able to keep their pick if they earn a top-five selection in the NHL’s draft lottery.
Exactly one month ago, I published an article saying that the Bruins were in great shape to get a very good selection out of Toronto. Unfortunately, since writing that article, the Maple Leafs have won just four games, including the egregious six-game skid they are currently on, in which they have (purposefully) allowed teams to outscore them 32-17.
As it stands now, the Maple Leafs have a 44% chance to get the sixth pick, and a 14.2% chance to get the seventh. Both of those picks would go to Boston.
They also have a 24.5% chance of getting the fifth pick, and an 8.6% and 8.5% chance of getting the second and first, respectively. Any of these would stay with Toronto.
When it’s all said and done, Boston will have a roughly 58.2%, or 5-in-8, chance of getting the pick -- much worse odds than they had one month ago.
Q&A
How many games have the Toronto Maple Leafs won since February 25?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won only five games since February 25.
What impact did the Maple Leafs' performance have on the Boston Bruins' draft pick chances?
The Maple Leafs' poor performance may have tanked the Bruins' chances of securing a top-7 draft pick.
How many games did the Boston Bruins win during the same period as the Maple Leafs' struggles?
The Boston Bruins won 13 games during the same period when the Maple Leafs struggled.
