Leafs can clinch second and home ice with win over Tampa
The Leafs head into Tampa tonight with an 8-1-1 record over their last 10 games including a 6-2 win over Tampa the last time they met. With a win tonight the Leafs can essentially clinch second in the Atlantic and home ice advantage.
Some of you will say that the Bruins and Lightning can still catch them even if they win tonight. You'd be correct in saying that but that would only happen in unlikely scenarios. One, the Bruins would have to win out and the Leafs would have to lose out, and neither of those are likely to happen. Two, the Lightning would have to win out and the Leafs would have to lose out just for Tampa to tie them in points. At that point though Tampa would need to ensure they win in regulation or overtime as they currently sit 5 wins and 5 ROW's back of the Leafs (different for tie breaking procedures). Should they tie there and the Leafs win tonight, they would hold the head to head tie breaker.
The Leafs proved they can win without Matthews in their lineup the last couple games and their defensive play and goaltending has been much better over their last 10 games. Expect tonight to be another playoff type game with lots of hits and post whistle scrums. Kallgren who is 4-1 in his last 5 starts, will be between the pipes as the Leafs want to give Campbell as much rest as possible.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 21 | 283 ANSWERS Leafs can clinch second and home ice with win over Tampa Will the Leafs enter the postseason with home ice advantage? | ||
| Yes | 243 | 85.9 % |
| No | 40 | 14.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
