Maple Leafs Aim for Atlantic Division Title; Flames Fight for Playoff Spot

TORONTO, Canada — The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the brink of clinching the Atlantic Division title as they prepare to face the Buffalo Sabres tonight. With just three days remaining in the NHL regular season, playoff positioning remains critical, particularly for teams vying for a postseason berth.

As of April 15, the Maple Leafs (50-26-4) can secure the division title with a single point against the Sabres (35-38-7). A win would also set them up for a first-round matchup against the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

In a simultaneous contest, the Tampa Bay Lightning (46-26-8) face the Florida Panthers (47-30-4). If the Lightning lose, the Maple Leafs would seize the division crown irrespective of their own game outcome.

Across the league, playoff spots remain up for grabs. The Columbus Blue Jackets (38-33-9) are still in contention for the Eastern Conference’s second wild card, needing to secure wins in their last two games and rely on the Montreal Canadiens losing their final game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Columbus has enjoyed recent success, winning four consecutive games to stay in the race. A regulation win against the Philadelphia Flyers (33-37-10) would also keep their playoff hopes alive for another day.

Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames (39-27-14) are in a desperate battle for a wildcard spot in the Western Conference. Following a heroic late-season push, they will need to win their remaining games against the Vegas Golden Knights (49-22-9) and the Minnesota Wild (44-30-7) to secure a playoff position.

St. Louis Blues (43-30-8) currently sit in the second wild card spot, with a narrow two-point lead over the Flames. A victory over the Utah Hockey Club tonight will be crucial for maintaining that lead.

In one more game with playoff implications, the Minnesota Wild are set to secure a playoff spot if they can earn at least one point against the Anaheim Ducks (35-37-8) tonight. Minnesota currently trails the Blues by just one point and needs to hold off a charging Flames team in their final contests.

With so much on the line in these final days of the regular season, the intensity of the games is expected to reach a fever pitch, raising excitement levels among fans across the league.