EA Sports simulator predicts Leafs to make playoffs in 2016-17

EA Sports are on the Toronto Maple Leafs bandwagon, predicting them to surprise many and make the playoffs with the 8th-best record in the Eastern Conference in 2016-17. That would be a huge improvement over last season, when Toronto finished dead-last in the league with 69 points.

Yesterday, USA Today picked the Leafs to finish second-last with 71 points – six points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks.

If the Leafs surprise this season, it will need to be on the backs of their young players, notably first overall pick Auston Matthews.

Our #NHL17 Season Simulation Standings!

Full reveal tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/PqyWxlkfs4

— #NHL17 (@EASPORTSNHL) October 5, 2016

The Leafs will begin the regular season on October 12th in Ottawa. Their first home game takes place three nights later against the Boston Bruins.