Leafs have officially clinched a playoff spot, this is their 9th straight post season appearance, longest active streak in NHL (Boston at 8, well they aren't making it 9).
Carolina also clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday night, their 7th straight season trip to the post season dance on ice.
Marner and Knies both had a goal and an assist last night. Stolarz was stellar against his former team, stopping 29 of 31 shots.
Toronto is 4 points up on Panthers now, with another meeting next week. Tampa sits 3 points back of the Leafs with a game in hand, they make that up tonight in Ottawa. Then Ottawa gets to entertain the Panthers on Saturday afternoon.
Interesting enough the team that wins the Atlantic will probably get Ottawa in the first round of the playoffs.
Blue Jackets are part of the log jam for the second wild card spot in the east. They have Colorado at home tonight before heading to Toronto on Saturday. Columbus is one of the worst road teams in the NHL, sitting 9 games below .500 away from their home rink. Blue Jackets are 2-0-0 against the Leafs this season, outscoring Toronto 11-3. Columbus 0/25 on the PP in their last 14 road games (6-8-0).
One more goal for Marner and that will give the Leafs 5, 25 goal scorers. Washington is also one player with one goal away from 5 with 25 (Strome-24). Tampa has 5 right now with Paul (22) close to making it 6. Colorado and Dallas also have 4, but don't have any other players close to 25.
Get out those torpedo sticks for the final two weeks of the season.
I will be back on Friday to look at the playoff picture as we head to weekend.
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