With two games remaining, the Toronto Maple Leafs (50-26-4) are one win — or one Tampa Bay Lightning loss — away from clinching the Atlantic Division title. A win Tuesday night in Buffalo against the Sabres would lock up just their third division title since the NHL introduced divisions back in 1967.
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The Maple Leafs are peaking at the right time. They’re 11-2-1 since mid-March and have won three straight, including Sunday’s gritty 4-1 road win over the playoff-bound Carolina Hurricanes. Despite being heavily outshot early, the Maple Leafs stuck to their structure and managed the game in a way they haven’t always. It was another quiet turning point in a season that’s becoming more about maturity than flash.
Item One: Maple Leafs Players to Watch in Buffalo
As the Maple Leafs try to win the division, Mitch Marner sits at 99 points (26 goals, 73 assists), just one shy of becoming the fourth player in franchise history to record a 100-point season. He’s done it with more than skill — Marner’s game has become more playoff-shaped this campaign, adding defensive responsibility and forechecking to his elite playmaking.
Auston Matthews, meanwhile, sits at 399-career goals. One more puts him into the 400 Club — a feat only seven active players have achieved. That milestone could arrive tonight.
In goal, Anthony Stolarz is expected to start after Joseph Woll played Sunday. Stolarz has quietly been one of the NHL’s hottest goaltenders, with a 7-0-0 record, a .941 save percentage, and a 1.56 GAA over his last seven starts.
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Fans should not overlook the Maple Leafs’ depth either. Pontus Holmberg scored a key goal in Carolina, Nicholas Robertson continues to produce at a solid clip with limited minutes (14 goals), and Steven Lorentz is drawing praise for his relentless forecheck and physical edge. This bottom six has become quietly effective — and potentially postseason-impactful.
Item Two: Maple Leafs Well-Dressed, But Still Fighting for Respect
The latest NHLPA Player Poll dropped this week, and once again, the Toronto Maple Leafs showed up strong — at least off the ice.
Auston Matthews was named the NHL’s most-fashionable player, tied for first with the Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak at 15.75% of the vote. William Nylander wasn’t far behind, finishing third at 12.9%. The Maple Leafs would be unanimous champs if the tunnel walk were a category. But style only gets you so far.
On the ice, the Maple Leafs continue to be overlooked by their peers. Neither Matthews nor Nylander received a vote for Best Overall Forward, a category dominated by Connor McDavid (73.89%) and Nathan MacKinnon (9.62%). Matthews did receive some love in the Most Complete Player category, finishing tied for fifth (3.17%) — but was far behind Sidney Crosby and Aleksander Barkov, who earned 33.81% and 30.95%, respectively.
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The Maple Leafs were shut out entirely from categories like Best Skater, Smartest Player, and Toughest Player to Play Against (do we like Chris Tanev more than we should?). The message? Until Toronto wins when it matters, the perception likely won’t change. Genuine respect still runs through the playoffs.
Item Three: Marner, Siegel, and the Media Machine Fires Back Up
A post-practice impression from The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel has once again kicked the Marner discourse into full gear. In a TSN clip that’s made the rounds, Siegel said of his brief chat with Marner, “I left the conversation less sure he wants to stay than before.” With that, a new wave of speculation took over the Maple Leafs’ X (formerly Twitter.)
It was interesting to read the ongoing chatter from fans after the post. As always, Maple Leafs fans were split. Some of the comments dismissed it as classic Toronto media stirring the pot. The comments from fans included: “He’s signing eight years. This always happens.” or “Media just twisting it like always.” or “Who cares what Jonas says?”
Others weren’t so quick to wave it off and took Siegel’s points with some seriousness. They shared: “He’s (Marner) tired of the noise. Toronto doesn’t give him the credit.” or “If he wants $14 million, let him walk.” or “No discount last time — don’t expect one now.”
Marner has been clear that contract talk will wait until the offseason. The conversation struck a nerve, whether Siegel’s reading is fair or speculative. One thing is sure: Marner’s future will be one of the biggest summer stories, no matter how the playoffs end.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
Tonight’s game in Buffalo is the final road test of the regular season — and a high-stakes one. The Sabres (35-38-7) have been solid at home, riding a 7-0-0 streak at KeyBank Center. While they’re coming off a rough 0-2-1 road trip, they’ve proven to be a tough out on home ice. The Sabres are led offensively by Tage Thompson (72 points) and Rasmus Dahlin, who’s racked up 17 points in his last 16 games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start in goal after former Maple Leaf James Reimer gave up seven in Tampa.
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The Maple Leafs have won both prior games this season — outscoring Buffalo 12–5 — and enter the night with one of the best road records in the NHL (24-13-3). With a division title, key player milestones, and playoff readiness all on the line, this isn’t just a tune-up. It’s a tone-setter.
