How can leafs clinch playoff spot

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View all Metropolitan Sites. More Central News ». More FS Central News ». View all Central Sites. Louis Blues Winnipeg Jets. More Pacific News ». More FS Pacific News ». View all Pacific Sites. More FanSided News ». New York Islanders : 63 points Boston Bruins : 62 points Whether the Maple Leafs can end their title drought will be one of the biggest storylines of the entire playoffs.

After all, the proud franchise last won a Stanley Cup during the season and has fallen well short of challenging to change that in recent years. It lost in the first round three straight years prior to last season when the qualifying round was put in place during the COVID pandemic.

Toronto didn't even make it past that qualifying round, losing to the Columbus Blue Jackets in five games. That was the backdrop as this season started with a division realignment to minimize travel during the pandemic.

Toronto found itself in the North Division with the other six Canadian teams, which wasn't a problem out of the gates. The Maple Leafs started and built enough cushion to allow for brief losing streaks during the season.

While those came, such as when they went in their next seven and lost five in a row in April two of which came in overtime , they remained in a position where it was just a matter of time before they clinched a playoff spot as they battled for a division crown. A major reason for that is the play of Auston Matthews, who has lived up to his reputation as one of the most skilled players in the league.

The Hart Memorial Trophy contende r has anchored Toronto's offense as a premier goal scorer who has 59 points on 35 goals and 24 assists.