The Toronto Maple Leafs are still waiting to see who their opponent in the first round will be.
Though the Toronto Maple Leafs are still in the dark on who their opponent will be, guaranteed is that the first-round will be a clash between two Eastern heavyweights. While Toronto will comfortably end their regular season tonight, Boston and Tampa are still battling to avoid Toronto.
Given the choice to either face an opponent from the Metropolitan division or Toronto? Seems like an easy choice. Even though it’s uncertain who will end up in the second wildcard spot, Toronto seems like the toughest team to face in the first round for both Tampa and Boston.
What can happen tonight?
To put it simply, a lot can happen. Both the Tampa and Boston will play tonight. The Tampa Bay Lightning face the Hurricanes in Carolina, who play for nothing anymore. The Boston Bruins face the Senators at home, another team that has nothing left to play for.
More from Editor In Leaf
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Robertson Healthy and Ready
- Ryan Reaves Will Have Zero Impact on Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Playing Max Domi In Top-Six a HUGE Mistake
- Top 10 Scandals in the History of the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Results from the Traverse City Prospects Tournament
Should Tampa win, it’s decided for the Toronto Maple Leafs, they will face the Boston Bruins. Tampa would end with 116 points, the same amount as Boston could reach if they win their final 2 games. Tampa holds a better record in regulation and overtime wins, making it impossible for the Bruins to end on top should Tampa win.
But what if Tampa losses tonight, in any fashion? Should that be the case, the Boston Bruins holds the fate of Toronto in their hands.
What can happen on Monday
First of all, Boston still needs to win their game on Saturday. Only then will the opponent of Toronto be decided on Monday. Boston will face a possible desperate Florida Panthers team on due to a rescheduled game.
Remember that Philadelphia can still lose their wildcard spot if they lose tonight and Florida wins their final 2 games. Like there wasn’t enough excitement yet, right?
Should the Boston Bruins win their game on Monday after Tampa losses, Boston will finish first in the East. Meaning the Tampa Bay Lightning will be Toronto’s first-round opponent.
There’s enough to be decided and clearly, a lot can still happen.
Next: Leafs Top Ten Goals of the Year
What do we want?
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again; Toronto should rather face the Tampa Bay Lightning. Not everyone believes Tampa to be the ideal opponent, fellow contributor Josh thinks it’s better to face the Boston Bruins in the first round.
Who would you rather see as Toronto’s opponent in the first round?