The Toronto Maple Leafs have an opportunity to secure a playoff berth for the eighth consecutive season on Monday by winning their game and relying on some favorable outcomes in other games.
Facing off against the Florida Panthers, the Maple Leafs will secure their playoff spot with a regulation victory and if the Detroit Red Wings lose in regulation to the Tampa Bay Lightning, along with the New York Islanders not defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime.
If the Maple Leafs win in overtime or a shootout against the Panthers, they would still need the Red Wings to lose and for the Islanders not to win in overtime or a shootout.
As of Monday, the Maple Leafs are currently in third place in the Atlantic Division, six points behind the Panthers but with a game in hand. They are also four points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who occupy the top wild-card position.
The playoff positioning for the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference is still up in the air. The Panthers are trailing the Boston Bruins by two points in the Atlantic with a game in hand, while the New York Rangers are leading the East, three points ahead of the Bruins.
The Rangers, Bruins, Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes have already secured their spots in the playoffs.
Even though the Maple Leafs have been making regular playoff appearances, they achieved their first series victory since 2004 last season, progressing past the Lightning but getting eliminated by the Panthers in the second round.
