The Toronto Maple Leafs have made significant strides in the NHL season, capping off a record-setting regular season with a shutout win against the Buffalo Sabres. Here are the key developments:
Division Title and Playoff Matchup
– The Maple Leafs secured the Atlantic Division title, their first full-season division crown in 25 years and first since the NHL created the Atlantic Division in 2013.
– They will face the Ottawa Senators in the “Battle of Ontario” series, marking the fourth playoff meeting between the two rivals and the first since 2004 ¹.
Player Milestones
– *Auston Matthews*: Scored his 400th career goal, becoming the sixth-fastest player in league history to reach the mark and joining Mats Sundin as the only players in franchise history to achieve this feat.
– *Mitch Marner*: Reached the 100-point mark for the first time in his career, joining teammates Auston Matthews and Leafs legends Doug Gilmour and Darryl Sittler as the only players in franchise history to reach this milestone ² ³.
Community Recognition
– Mitch Marner was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, recognizing his leadership qualities on and off the ice and humanitarian contributions in his community through the Marner Assist Foundation ⁴.
Playoffs Ahead
– The Maple Leafs are looking to make a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with goalie Anthony Stolarz expressing confidence, saying, “It’s going to be a bloodbath… It’s going to be a war.”
– Toronto’s forward core, including Matthews and Marner, and goaltending duo Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, are key to their playoff aspirations ¹ ⁵.