What’s at Stake in the NHL: Will Leafs clinch first Atlantic Division title in franchise history?
We’ve reached the eventful final stretch of the NHL season. At this point, something significant is on the line virtually every day, whether it’s a playoff spot or division title to clinch or a major individual milestone. At Daily Faceoff, we’re here to break down exactly what you need to know between now and the end of the season April 17.
So what’s at stake across the 10-game slate for Tuesday, April 15? Tonight is the BIG ONE. A lot can be resolved for the NHL playoff picture.
– The Toronto Maple Leafs (50-26-4) have a magic number of one to clinch the Atlantic Division title for the first time in franchise history and their first division title under a traditional format since 1999-00. They only have to collect a single point versus the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday. Even if the Leafs lose in regulation, they’ll still clinch if the Tampa Bay Lightning (46-26-8) lose to the Florida Panthers in any fashion tonight. If Toronto does win the Atlantic Tuesday, it locks in the Battle of Ontario between Toronto and the Ottawa Senators in Round 1, with the Lightning facing the Panthers in the Battle of Florida.
– The Montreal Canadiens (39-31-11) ground out another point Monday night but still didn’t clinch the last Eastern Conference Wildcard berth. They can do so while idle tonight if the Columbus Blue Jackets (38-33-9) do anything but beat the Philadelphia Flyers in regulation.
– OK, time to map out the suspenseful battle for the final two Western Conference playoff spots between the Minnesota Wild (44-30-7), St. Louis Blues (43-30-8) and Calgary Flames (39-27-14). Sit down and get comfy. With even a single point, the Wild won’t just clinch a playoff spot, they’ll clinch the higher Wildcard and a matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 1. A Flames loss to the Golden Knights would clinch a playoff spot and no worse than eighth for Minnesota. As for the Blues: they clinch a playoff berth Tuesday if the Flames lose to the Vegas Golden Knights in regulation. Because Calgary has a game in hand on St. Louis, Calgary can stay alive if it does anything other than lose in regulation.
– Milestone watch: if Mitch Marner collects a point on Tuesday, he’ll become just the fourth player to record 100 points in a season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, joining Darryl Sittler, Doug Gilmour and Auston Matthews, who have done it twice apiece.
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