Leafs' Contender Status Slipping Away Jordan Staal and Auston Matthews battle for position [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NDEwNTU5NjMyMzUyNzY2/usatsi_22857522.jpg] Jordan Staal and Auston Matthews battle for position Prior to this NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs seemed primed and ready to expand upon their first second-round appearance since 2004. The team acquired solid pieces like Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, John Klignberg and Ryan Reaves. Despite these pickups, the Leafs currently sit at third in the Atlantic Division — not bad by any means, but not the Stanley Cup contenders that many slated them to be coming into the season. The team has had mixed success all season, often going on small winning streaks followed by a small losing streak. Their largest winning streak came back in February when the team managed to piece together seven straight wins. It has been much the same in the month of March as the team has been without star winger Mitch Marner who has been sidelined since March. 7 with a high-ankle sprain. This up-and-down play, combined with some lacklustre defense has turned a promising Cup hopeful, into a team that could be poised for a first-round exit. Leafs' Contender Status Slipping Away Check out the link to the full episode of The Hockey News Pre-Game Show below.