Leafs leaving points on the table with poor shootout performances

The race for an Eastern Conference playoff spot is as close as it's ever been, and the Toronto Maple Leafs remain right in the mix heading into the All-Star break, sitting just one point out of a wild-card slot with a few games in hand.

But Toronto could be cruising near the top of the Atlantic Division if they could just figure out how to seal the deal in the shootout. The Leafs currently boast the most shootout losses in the league, having lost six of the seven times their games have progressed past overtime.

Points are at a premium in the East right now, with only a handful separating the wild-card clubs from the four teams tied for last place. With that being the case, those added points the Leafs left on the table could prove to be significant.

Of course, lasting past regulation time did give Toronto one point in each of those six shootout losses. Though, had they managed to come up with victories, the club would be sitting with 61 points right now - good for second in the division behind the Montreal Canadiens, and well above the wild-card chaos.

The poor shootout record is especially curious given the talent level among the team's newest crop of players. Young guns Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander have all showcased their exceptional hands on numerous occasions, but that highlight-reel skill hasn't yet translated to 1-on-1 action.

Marner's been the most proficient of the trio, tallying three times through seven attempts. Matthews sports a 1-for-6 shootout record, and no other Leaf has managed a shootout goal this season.

The Leafs' faithful likely aren't complaining, as the team's current position still represents a vast improvement over their 2015-16 performance. But as Toronto heads into the season's home stretch, finishing games through 65 minutes will be a key focus, as it's clear the shootout simply isn't their cup of tea.