Maple Leafs clinch playoff spot after victory vs. Panthers

After securing at least one point against the Florida Panthers, the Toronto Maple Leafs clinched a playoff spot. Toronto defeated Florida 3-2 to clinch its postseason berth.

It is the ninth consecutive season that the Maple Leafs are in the postseason, spanning the entirety of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner’s tenure with the club. Toronto advanced the second round of the playoffs in 2023, the furthest it has progressed during the Matthews-Marner era.

Matthew Knies scored the game-winning goal in the third period, beating Sergei Bobrovsky on a breakaway after receiving a perfect outlet pass from Marner.

Marner also scored in the third period on a set-up from Matthews. Florida’s Gustav Forsling opened the scoring, before Toronto’s John Tavares equalized in the second frame. With the Leafs holding a 3-1 lead, Sam Reinhart scored on the power play, cutting the lead to 3-2 but it was all the offence the Panthers could muster.

Matthew Knies scored the game-winning goal in the third period, beating Sergei Bobrovsky on a breakaway, after receiving a perfect outlet pass from Marner.

“It’s an important game,” Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev said after the team’s optional skate Wednesday morning. “Everyone knows how tight the standings are and the importance of getting home ice and winning the division.”

Despite securing their postseason ticket, there’s still plenty to play for, as the Maple Leafs are fighting for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, with the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning firmly in contention. Toronto became the second Eastern Conference team to secure its ticket to the playoffs, with the Washington Capitals firmly atop the Metropolitan Division.

“It’s something we expect around here. To have an X next to our spot in the standings is always a good feeling,” Maple Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe said Wednesday via Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.

It should be noted that the Leafs have never won the Atlantic Division before, and they would likely face off against the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs, if they secure the top spot. Toronto finished first in the All-Canadian division during the 2021 season, a format that was used as a standalone during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to Wednesday’s games, the Senators and Montreal Canadiens occupied both wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.

It’s a pivotal year for the Maple Leafs, who have genuine Stanley Cup aspirations, as Marner, Tavares and Matthew Knies all require new contracts after the 2024-25 campaign expires.