The Maple Leafs have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

Toronto’s playoff chances were officially doused when the Boston Bruins earned a point in a 2-1 shootout loss to Buffalo. It marks one of the earliest playoff exits for the Leafs since the league expanded from its Original Six teams in 1967.

The Leafs could end up with 82 points if they win every one of their remaining 11 games starting Thursday at home against the Sharks. The Bruins have 83 points and hold the last wild-card berth in the East.

The earliest the Leafs were knocked out post 1967 was March 11 of the 1972-73 season when they ended up 24 points out of a playoff spot.

VOTE!

The spectre of an early official exit brings back bad Leafs memories of the 1980s, a decade dotted with weak teams and early playoff eliminations, including ones on March 26 in 1981, March 28, 1983, and March 25 in 1985.

Amazingly, Toronto made the playoffs in 1987-88 with a 21-49-10 record in the stunningly weak Norris Division (Detroit was the only team in the division with a winning record that season).

Leafs fans, long since resigned to another spring without playoffs for the ninth time in the past 10 seasons, are holding out hope for improved odds in the NHL draft lottery.

Toronto, now 27th overall, has a 9.5 per cent chance for the first overall pick. This draft has two potential franchise players in Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.

Buffalo currently holds the best odds at that first overall pick, at 20 per cent. Edmonton is second at 13.5 per cent, and Arizona third at 9.5 per cent.