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By DAVE MCCARTHY

Just when you thought it was too much to ask for another favour, the Leafs caught one more break on the out-of-town scoreboard last night when the Ottawa Senators knocked off the Washington Capitals 5-2, keeping them two points back of Toronto in the standings.

Short of actually rolling out a red carpet to a playoff spot, there is not much more the Leafs can do to open the door for the Caps.

Problem is, they just don’t seem to want it, losing six of their past seven contests.

The Leafs, meanwhile, will once again try to break out of their slump of their own against – the slumping San Jose Sharks.

Coming off an ugly 6-3 defeat at the hands of the NHL’s worst team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, on Tuesday night – their third consecutive loss – the Sharks are likely to arrive in a hungry mood as they look to maintain their lead atop the Pacific Division.

Things are much tighter all of a sudden, as the Phoenix Coyotes have drawn even with the Sharks after reeling off three straight, and eight wins in their last 10.

As much as the Sharks need a win though, the Leafs need it more.

Dave’s Pick: Leafs (Leafs Season Record: 23-26)

Dave McCarthy writes and co-hosts A Foot in the Crease: A Hockey Podcast.
Follow him on twitter, @DaveAMcCarthy