What a difference a year makes.
After racing to the bottom of the league standings in an attempt to get the best draft lottery odds last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs are now in a fight for their first playoff appearance since the 2012-13 season.
It's certainly a nice change of pace as far as forward Leo Komarov is concerned.
"Last year, it was kind of packing your bag already, now you actually have something to play for and it's really nice because this is hockey," Komarov said, according to TSN's Mark Masters.
With a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night the Maple Leafs jumped over the Boston Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division. With just 10 games remaining, the team currently holds an 84.9 percent chance of making the postseason, according to Sports Club Stats.
Suffice to say the Maple Leafs' bags can remain unpacked for the time being.
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