Maple Leafs' aim is on point ahead of road clash with Buffalo Sabres
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BUFFALO — Let’s get right to the point.
The Maple Leafs need just one — point, that is — to achieve a rare feat in team history.
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Maple Leafs' aim is on point ahead of road clash with Buffalo Sabres Back to video
A single point against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night at the KeyBank Center would clinch the Atlantic Division title for the Leafs.
It would be the Leafs’ third division championship since 1967 and second in a full 82-game season.
“A great opportunity,” Leafs centre John Tavares said after the morning skate. “It has been really close here over the last couple of days and (we have) a chance to take care of ourselves. We want to continue to build on a lot of good things that we’re doing.”
The Leafs won the Northeast Division in 82 games in 1999-2000; in 2020-21, they won the North Division in a season that was 56 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A point, too, for the division crown would lock the Leafs and Ottawa Senators into a first-round matchup in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Not since the 2004 Eastern Conference quarterfinal have the provincial rivals met in the post-season while the Leafs have won all four series against the Sens, in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004.
A victory also would give the Leafs their 25th road win of 2024-25, which would establish a single-season record.
If the Leafs don’t get a point on Tuesday, they will have another crack on Thursday when they play host to the Detroit Red Wings in their regular-season finale.
Only the Tampa Bay Lightning can catch the Leafs for first. If the Lightning fail to get two points against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, the Leafs will clinch no matter what happens against the Sabres or Red Wings.
The Leafs have no interest in leaving their fate in the hands of others.
“We have two games left and we want to get it out of the way tonight,” forward Steven Lorentz said of that point. “That being said, we know Buffalo is not just going to sit here and roll over.
“These guys are playing for jobs and there’s stuff at stake for them, too. It’s going to be a good game.
“There have been stretches throughout the season where we weren’t at our best, but here we are a point away from clinching the top. That says a lot about a new coach coming in, some new faces coming in, being able to buy into a system and proving that it works.”
Individually, Leafs captain Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have their sights on significant milestones.
Matthews needs one goal for 400 in his NHL career. Marner needs one point to reach 100 in a season for the first time in his NHL career.
Wouldn’t it be appropriate for Marner to set up Matthews for a goal, thereby accomplishing two milestones on one play?
“That would be definitely special,” Lorentz said with a smile. “I don’t know who gets to keep the puck, but they can argue over that amongst themselves if that happens.
“Two elite hockey players and great guys. So I’m super happy for both of them. It’s an incredible achievement both ways you look at it. It’s going to be exciting for them (when and if each hits the milestone).”
Anthony Stolarz will start in goal for the Leafs and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will get the call for the Sabres.
MARNER FOR CLANCY
Marner is the Leafs’ nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.”
The NHL announced all 32 nominees on Tuesday. Each nominee is selected by his respective NHL team.
Not only has Marner been one of the best players in the NHL for several seasons, his charity work in his hometown of Toronto has been lauded for years.
Through the Marner Assist Foundation, millions of dollars have been raised for providing assistance in ares of children’s social care, health and education as well as supporting environmental causes.
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