This one would have been hard to believe if suggested before the season:
When San Jose hosts Toronto on Saturday, the Maple Leafs will have more points than the Sharks.
Yet, it’s true.
And while the Leafs (16-16-7) are far more competitive this season under new coach Mike Babcock, it’s not like Toronto is positioned for a postseason invite. That would be 10 non-playoff seasons in the last 11.
The Sharks (18-18-2), the mirror opposite with 10 playoff appearances in the past 11 seasons, have one fewer point than Toronto (39-38) but could take advantage of the parity-for-all-except-the-Kings Pacific Division, where second place and seventh place are separated by only seven points.