Unlike the last two seasons, the Maple Leafs‘ first-round opponent is still completely up in the air, with only eight games remaining in the regular season. The Leafs could conceivably win the Atlantic Division or finish as low as the first wild-card spot. Much is to be decided, but tonight’s result against the Lightning will help provide some clarity.
The Leafs can distance themselves from the Lightning or make the rest of the regular season even more interesting with a regulation loss. Beyond the implications in the standings, the Leafs and Lightning rivalry now has a fun and storied history, and it hasn’t disappointed with some high-event and entertaining games during the 2023-24 season (two Leafs overtime victories).