The postseason-bound Toronto Maple Leafs (46-25-4, 96 points) are set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets (34-31-9, 77 points) tonight in a crucial matchup for both teams. The fact is that the Blue Jackets are in jeopardy of missing the postseason. In contrast, the Maple Leafs have already booked their playoff ticket. Now the job is to work to clinch first place in the Atlantic Division without pushing their players too hard to do so.
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Toronto’s 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday was big. However, fans shouldn’t expect the Blue Jackets to roll over. They are fighting for their playoff lives and need a strong game after a tough 7-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.
Columbus’ loss to Colorado left them four points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with one game in hand. They enter tonight’s game frustrated. They had built a 3-2 lead but allowed the Avalanche to score five unanswered goals and skate away with the game. The Blue Jackets must correct such errors to stay in the playoff race.
Item One: The Maple Leafs’ Steady Goalie Duo
The Maple Leafs have been playing excellent hockey recently, with a solid all-around game. In the win over the Panthers, goaltender Anthony Stolarz was key. He made 29 saves to wrap up his fourth straight win. His stellar play has been crucial to the Maple Leafs’ success, helping them clinch their playoff berth. While Joseph Woll is slated to start in net for tonight’s game, the move remains unconfirmed.
The Maple Leafs’ lack of a clear starter at this point in the season is a great benefit to the team. This means both goalies are trusted to be up to the task, which is excellent news for the Maple Leafs’ goaltending situation. Head coach Craig Berube has hinted at the possibility of rotating goalies between now and the postseason, a rarely-used strategy in the NHL. Though some may see it as risky, the tandem could help keep both goalies sharp for the playoffs. If both continue to perform well, this move could give the Maple Leafs the necessary flexibility. With two strong goalies on the roster, Toronto has a solid foundation to rely on as they push for a deep playoff run.
Item Two: Mitch Marner Has Become a Two-Way Force; What About His Maple Leafs’ Future?
Mitch Marner’s exceptional all-around play is making an impact both offensively and defensively for his team. Against the Panthers, he scored a goal and added an assist, but his defensive effort was perhaps even more noteworthy. Marner made a key play to clear the puck and relieve pressure late in the match. Coach Berube praised Marner’s commitment to 200-foot hockey, noting that his contributions went far beyond scoring.
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Marner’s play this season has been outstanding. He’s clearly one of the Maple Leafs’ most valuable players. His well-rounded game makes him instrumental to their success. As the summer approaches, his future with the team becomes a point of interest. Will he stay in Toronto to continue building his legacy, potentially becoming one of the franchise’s greatest players? Or will he explore a bigger payday elsewhere? Marner’s decision could have a lasting impact on the Maple Leafs, making this offseason one of the most intriguing in recent memory.
Item Three: Maple Leafs Injury Report: McCabe and Kampf Ruled Out for Tonight’s Game
The Maple Leafs will be without two key players for tonight’s game, as both Jake McCabe and David Kampf have been ruled out due to injuries. McCabe suffered an undisclosed injury against the Florida Panthers and isn’t ready. The defenseman has only scored two goals and 21 assists, but he has registered 118 hits and 135 blocked shots in his 66 games this season. Philippe Myers, who’s been a healthy scratch in his past 11 games, will slot in alongside Simon Benoit on the third pairing.
David Kampf will also miss tonight’s game with an upper-body injury sustained during the game against Florida. Kampf, a key shutdown forward for the Maple Leafs, is considered day-to-day. His status for future games remains uncertain, but he will have a few days to recover before the team faces Florida again next Tuesday. The odd thing about Kampf is that he is seldom injured. He had an Iron Man streak of over 300 NHL games before ex-Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe benched him in a controversial decision on Jan. 1, 2024.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
The Maple Leafs enter the game with a three-point lead over the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning and a four-point buffer over the Panthers. Grabbing first place remains a goal. However, coach Berube emphasized the importance of staying focused on the present, particularly with Saturday’s matchup against Columbus.
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As the Maple Leafs focus on holding their lead, they’ll also closely watch their competition. For the Blue Jackets, every game is a must-win if they hope to stay alive in the playoff race. Tonight’s game offers a chance for the Maple Leafs to strengthen their hold on the division. Can the team maintain its momentum as it heads toward the postseason?
