Marchand: 'Find a new job' if you think Leafs' playoff dreams are done

Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand believes it's too early to write off the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"What are we, 25 games in? If you think that your playoff dreams are done 25 games in, you've got bigger problems," Marchand said Monday. "I know they don't think that in the room. Obviously, with the media attention and the fan support they have in Toronto, things get blown way out of proportion up there. They definitely don't think that in the room. What are they, four points out of a playoff spot?

"If people are thinking they're out of a playoff spot for the season, they gotta find a new job."

Marchand and the Panthers face the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. It's the first time the teams will play since Florida ended Toronto's season in the second round of last year's postseason.

The Maple Leafs are last in the Eastern Conference with an 11-11-3 record through 25 games, but still within striking distance of a playoff spot. Toronto owns the NHL's longest active postseason streak at nine campaigns.

The back-to-back reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers haven't fared much better than the Maple Leafs. Florida is tied with Toronto on 25 points, but ranks one spot higher with a 12-11-1 record.

"Obviously, we're two teams that should both be doing a little bit better than we are, and you're looking to build your game," Marchand said. "They're looking to do the same. Just seems like the intensity in these games always rises a little bit, so it should be a good one. Most importantly, the points are huge right now. You can't take a game off."

Marchand leads the Panthers in scoring with 15 goals and 27 points through 23 games. He's helped eliminate the Maple Leafs in the playoffs in consecutive years, last year with Florida and the season prior with the Boston Bruins.