Thursday’s FTB: Cheering guide for March 5th

Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

It’s game day, but the game is happening when it’s practically tomorrow, so for now you have each other to keep you company for the next....17ish hours.

We’re a month away from the playoffs, and only 15 games remain. It’s crunch time for the Leafs and for scoreboard watching. Let’s see what games are on tap tonight.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres
7:00PM - MSG-B, AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

The Penguins are fighting with the Flyers for the final home spot in the Metro Division, and should be the easy victor over a floundering Buffalo Sabres squad. With the Sabres a good 12 points back of the Maple Leafs, it wouldn’t hurt too much for the Penguins to get smacked around a bit by a lowly forever rebuilding team. Speaking of never ending rebuilds...

This probably isn’t surprising with how the season is unfolding but thought it was worth sharing that tidbit from some discussions.

To this point, expectations in the organization have not been met.
— Chad DeDominicis (@CMDeDominicis) March 5, 2020

Statement from Jim Little: pic.twitter.com/a3jQLGDdkl
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 4, 2020

Cheer for: Chaos baby, chaos.

Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning
7:00PM - RDS, Sun Sports, TSN2

The Montreal Canadiens are only seven point back of the Leafs, however...

If only those points they lost counted!

How diminutive scorers found NHL success, and what Cole Caufield needs to do to follow them

Cheer for: If you want to play the Lightning in round one, cheer for the Habs. If not, cheer for a meteor.

Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers
7:00PM - Sportsnet, Fox Sports Florida, NESN

While this could be just like the Bolts/Habs, it’s actually a good thing if [gag] the Bruins win this game. The Panthers are five points back of the Leafs and are the closest Atlantic team in the standings. Five points could be a big gap in a couple of weeks, but right now we’ll take anyone keeping the cats down.

Cheer for: The Bru- The Bru-.......the Panthers to lose.

Washington Capitals at New York Rangers
7:00PM - MSG, NBC Sports Washington

The Rangers were supposed to be a rebuilding team, but have skipped a few steps and are almost done it seems. While on a current three game losing streak, they’re 6-4 in their last ten and just four points behind the Leafs and the final Wild Card spot. The Capitals haven’t been out of first in the Metro in a very long time so what’s one more win for them?

Cheer for: The Capitals to keep the Rangers off our tails.

Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers
7:00PM - NBC Sports Network, NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers are second in the Metro, and the Hurricanes are three points behind the Leafs and the final Wild Card playoff spot. Keeping the Flyers in their spot for a Pens/Flyers first round is a good idea, and a win over the Hurricanes would also keep those bunch of jerks back behind us. The Hurricanes haven’t won since the game that shall be forgotten, either.

Systems Analyst: Breaking Down the Breakdowns

Cheer for: The Carolina losing streak to continue.

New York Islanders at Ottawa Senators
7:30PM - RDS2, TSN5, MSG+

The Senators are in the middle of some more front office drama, so their fans could use a win to cheer them up. The Islanders have 78 points just like the Leafs and are holding onto one of those Wild Card spots.

Fired Ottawa Senators CEO Jim Little says his dismissal was result of row with owner Melnyk

Cheer for: Those poor Senators fans.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings
10:30PM - Fox Sports West, Sportsnet Ontario

The Leafs are coming off a 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks, which on the bright side helps make a future Senators first round pick worse. The Kings are on an uncharacteristic three game winning streak. Going to be a fun time in la-la-land tonight.

Cheer for: If I have to tell you this, you need to log off and soak your head.

Now, the news.

The Toronto Marlies were beat down by the Belleville Senators 8-4 last night. Can’t wait for that first overall pick in the AHL draft!

Lauren Kelly, prospects guru at Raw Charge is looking for the next Justin Brazaeu:

Six CHL overagers shining offensively in their final seasons of junior hockey