Craig Berube calls on three Maple Leafs veterans to step up

As difficult as it may be to believe, the Toronto Maple Leafs are technically still in contention for the NHL playoffs — unless they lose Thursday against the San Jose Sharks.

Head coach Craig Berube knows exactly which players he needs to step up and carry the team through a performance slump that shows no signs of ending.

During his media duties ahead of Thursday's game against San Jose, Berube pointed to forwards John Tavares and William Nylander and defenseman Morgan Rielly as the players he is counting on to rise to the occasion in what promises to be an emotional game for both sides.

John Tavares, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly identified as key to keeping Maple Leafs' season alive

"Our leaders, JT, Willie, Mo, all these guys. The veteran guys got to bring it," Berube said. "And when they bring it, you know, it follows."

Toronto's coach was also quick to credit three young players who have been living up to expectations this season despite the team's overall poor performance. He specifically mentioned centers Easton Cowan, Jacob Quillan and Bo Groulx.

"But our young guys are bringing it. If you look at Cowan and then Quillan and Groulx, you know, they, they're up here, they're invested in it, and they're proving themselves. So that motion's there automatically for them."

The Maple Leafs will be eliminated from playoff contention if they suffer a regulation loss against the Sharks and one of the following occurs: the Columbus Blue Jackets defeat the Carolina Hurricanes, the Detroit Red Wings defeat the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus and Philadelphia each earn a point, the Buffalo Sabres or the Ottawa Senators earn a point or the Washington Capitals defeat the New Jersey Devils.

They can also be eliminated if Toronto earns a point against San Jose, Ottawa defeats Buffalo and one of the following occurs: Columbus defeats Carolina and Detroit defeats Philadelphia, or Columbus earns a point against Carolina and Detroit defeats Philadelphia in regulation.