The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the Atlantic Division for the first time since 1999-2000 when it was the Northeast Division, defeating the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Tuesday night. They also know that they will face the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs in a battle of Ontario.
Maple Leafs take a big first step
Toronto won the division as the first step in trying to put another Stanley Cup in the history of the Maple Leafs. The season has been a long one but the biggest test is yet to come. The Senators won the season series 3 games to 0 and will throw everything they have at the Maple Leafs. Ottawa is not as battle-tested as Toronto in the playoffs so this series is up for grabs.
Also in the division clinching win, two Maple Leafs players achieved some personal milestones
Forward Auston Matthews scored goal No. 400 and has nine consecutive 30-goal seasons. He has been consistent in his goal-scoring since his NHL debut and is still one of the major players on the Toronto roster. His playoff experience and offensive production will be key as Toronto looks to move into the second round. Matthews says that the milestone is nice but the focus is on the team and doing what's best.
Forward Mitch Marner also grabbed headlines as he scored a goal, reaching 100 points in a single season for the first time in his career. While he is not the goal scorer Matthews is, he is more of an all-around player who can play a 200-foot game and is an offensive producer who is creative with the puck. He too will be counted on for his production once the playoffs begin.
While Toronto is more offensive with highlight reel plays, Ottawa relies more on grit, toughness, and dirty goals. Goaltenders will also be important. The Maple Leafs have relied on the goaltending duo of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz for their success between the pipes. Ottawa has a clear number one in Linus Ullmark, who has been amazing in his first season with the Senators.
This series could go either way. Toronto is favored but Ottawa has made tremendous strides this season to get where they are. Toronto is loaded with talent but they have a lot to prove based on past playoff exits. This will be a fun series to watch as the outcome is truly unknown.