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Leafs Playoffs Fate: Bruins and Red Wings both miss playoffs for the first time since 1967

Originally posted on 6IX ON ICE | By Gregory Babinski | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 12:46 AM ET

Saturday night saw the Toronto Maple Leafs win against the Montreal Canadiens in a 1–0 overtime decision. Beyond just a big win in a heated Atlantic Division race, it also brought a strange omen of good fortune. The Detroit Red Wings were officially eliminated from playoff contention, joining the Boston Bruins among those vanquished in the 2024–25 regular season.

For the FIRST time since 1967, the Bruins and Red Wings will both miss the playoffs pic.twitter.com/VAYBwRyGU1
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 13, 2025

A historic NHL playoffs is in the making

On its own, this might not mean anything, but the last time that both the Red Wings and Bruins missed the playoffs was during the 1966–67 season. Of course, fans will recognize the year 1967 as the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup.

While the simultaneous misfortune of some division rivals is not in the same conversation as an actual playoff series win, Leafs Nation is ever-desperate for good tidings. Obviously the Leafs will still be in tough to change their usual playoff performance, but to have fate itself as a co-conspirator would certainly help.

With there being little hope that the league will return the Stanley Cup itself to its 1967 silhouette, this might be as clear a sign as any that the Leafs are destined for glory.

2025. Year of the Leafs. Let’s get the job done, Toronto.

This article first appeared on 6IX ON ICE and was syndicated with permission.

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