The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night, maintaining their lead over Tampa Bay for the 3rd and final Atlantic Division playoff spot. The Leafs seemed to have a firm hold on the 3rd spot for a while, but Tampa’s resurgence and Florida’s stumble changed the dynamics. With a four-point lead over Tampa and a game in hand, the Leafs have six games remaining to solidify their position. They also have two games in hand over Florida and are within five points. Securing home ice for the opening round is crucial for the upcoming series. With just over a week to go, they have a good chance of achieving this goal. The Leafs face a demanding schedule to determine their playoff seeding. If they win all their remaining games, they can reach a maximum of 109 points, while Boston currently has 107 points with four games left. The Bruins hold the tie-breaker, so the Leafs would need Boston to lose all their remaining games to capture the Atlantic Title. Although the Leafs have no chance of finishing first overall, they are still mathematically in the running for the President’s Trophy. The upcoming week presents a tough schedule for the Leafs, with four games that hold playoff implications for the teams they face. They will play Pittsburgh tonight, New Jersey tomorrow and Thursday, and Detroit on Saturday. The final games against Florida and Tampa will follow, making for a hectic end to the season with six games in ten days. The Leafs are gradually regaining their health, but Timothy Liljegren is still about a week away from returning. His absence has exposed the weakness of the team’s defense, particularly in moving the puck. The Leafs are eager to have him back as he significantly bolsters their defensive line. The lineup on Saturday lacked proficient puck-movers, highlighting the team’s struggle in this area. Although they are eagerly awaiting Liljegren’s return, they are uncertain about his performance upon coming back. Despite the uncertainties, the upcoming week promises excitement, with the playoffs looming ahead.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Face a Gruelling Schedule to Decide Playoff Seeding
