TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs on Friday night without even playing a game.
Toronto began the day with four possible scenarios for clinching a playoff spot based on the outcomes of games involving the Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, and Washington Capitals.
All three of those teams were defeated on Friday, allowing the Maple Leafs to secure a spot in the postseason for the eighth consecutive year.
Toronto (43-23-9) holds the third position in the NHL’s Atlantic Division standings with 95 points. With seven games remaining in the regular season, the Maple Leafs will face the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
Toronto has not claimed the Stanley Cup since 1967.
The idle Tampa Bay Lightning, trailing Toronto by two points, also secured a playoff berth when the Flyers, Red Wings, and Capitals all suffered regulation losses.
The Lightning currently occupy the first Eastern Conference wild-card position and are aiming to win the Stanley Cup for the third time in five years.
This article by The Canadian Press was originally published on April 5, 2024.
