After a three-game road trip where the Leafs were able to secure five out of the six points available, Toronto was back at home for one of the biggest games of the season, taking on the Florida Panthers.
With the top of the Atlantic Division still up for grabs in a three-team race for first, this matchup would be crucial for the Leafs to stay ahead of the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
After Tuesday’s practice in Toronto, Matthew Knies, who has been able to score a career high 25 goals playing on Toronto’s top line, talked about the implications a game like this has on the standings.
“I think it’s important. Obviously, you see how tight the standings are,” Knies said. “With our rivalry, it’s pretty important. I think it’s going to be a playoff game tomorrow, for sure.”
The Maple Leafs also have a chance to clinch a playoff birth tonight by picking up at least one point against Florida.
“It’s something we expect around here. Having an ‘X’ next to our spot in the standings is always a good feeling,” Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe said on a potential postseason clinching game.
Right after puck drop, both teams showed high energy, trading chances with Auston Matthews coming close to getting the first goal of the game as he was left alone in front of goal.
Even with the style of game feeling like the Stanley Cup Playoffs have started 3 weeks earlier, both teams would not be able to break the ice.
Toronto and Florida would both get an opportunity on the power play late in the first, but defensive efforts would come out on top, sending the teams scoreless going into the middle frame.
With the Teams starting the second with the same spark as the first, Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling would send a rocket of a slap shot past netminder Anthony Stolarz giving Florida the 1-0 lead.
The Leafs would not let the one-goal deficit get to them, as they would continue to fight for an equalizer, eventually being rewarded as the Second Star of the Month of March, John Tavares would tip a puck off a William Nylander slap pass, tying the game at one all.
This would give Tavares his 36th goal of the season, making it 10 goals in his last 11 games.
Not too bad for the veteran, as he has just found ways to put the puck in the back of the net, continuing his great play from the month of March.
On the tally, Nylander would record his 80th point of the season, looking to continue his fantastic play to end the year.
Both teams would keep their foot on the gas, but solid goaltending from Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and Stolarz would keep the game tied 1-1 heading into the final period of play.
Halfway through the third, the Leafs’ first line would take advantage of an offensive zone shift which eventually led to Mitch Marner getting a puck past Bobrovsky giving the Leafs a crucial 2-1 lead.
“For me, I just tried to find a quiet area and looking if he (Matthews) was able to find me, I was able to get it on and off,” Marner said, when discussing his goal in the postgame.
Toronto wasn’t done yet as five minutes later, Marner would send Knies on a breakaway where he would convert on the chance, extending the Leafs lead to 3-1.
Florida would not give up yet with Niko Mikkola having an opportunity of a lifetime to get one back, but Stolarz had other ideas and shut down the chance making a game saving play.
The Leafs would give Florida a late power play with Sam Reinhart scoring his 37th of the season, but this would only be a consolation prize as the Leafs would close out the game, giving them a 3-2 win on home ice.
Not only would the Leafs extend their lead at the top of the Atlantic Division, they would also clinch their ninth straight postseason appearance, which hasn’t happened for the Buds since 1958-1967.
Yes, the year 1967 does sound very familiar to all Leafs fans, but without jinxing it, could it be a sign?
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube had a chance to talk to the media about the massive win and what he liked about his team’s performance.
“Overall, I think it’s just the type of hockey that we knew we had to play against Florida, there’s no room, so you gotta fight for space, your skating and a lot of stuff around your net,” Berube said. “But I think our team stuck with it and did a good job of that.” 
The Blue-and-White will look to continue their three-game winning streak on Saturday night as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets in another important matchup.
The Leafs currently control their own destiny when it comes to conquering the Atlantic, but it’s up to the team to keep bringing home the wins.
