The NHL playoff race is heating up as the Atlantic Division teams battle for positioning with less than three weeks remaining in the regular season. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning are neck-and-neck, with each game carrying significant weight in the quest for playoff seeding and home-ice advantage.
As of Sunday, March 30, 2025, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the top spot with a record of 44 wins, 25 losses, and 4 overtime losses, totaling 92 points. Hot on their heels are the Florida Panthers, who boast a record of 44-25-3, earning them 91 points, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, who also have 91 points but with a record of 43-25-5.
The stakes couldn't be higher. The division winner will face a wild-card team, likely the Ottawa Senators, in the first round of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the second and third place teams will face off against each other, with the No. 2 seed enjoying home-ice advantage. This means every point is crucial as the teams jockey for position in the standings.
Currently, the first tiebreaker is regulation wins, where the Lightning hold the edge with 37. The Leafs follow closely with 36, while the Panthers have 35. This tiebreaker could come into play as the season winds down, making every game even more critical.
The Panthers were the first of the three teams in action on Sunday, hosting the Montreal Canadiens at 1 p.m. ET. The Maple Leafs continued their West Coast road trip, facing the Anaheim Ducks later that evening at 8 p.m. ET. The Lightning will be in action on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, against the New York Islanders.
Looking ahead, the Panthers have two remaining matchups against the Maple Leafs: one on April 2, 2025, in Toronto, and another on April 8, 2025, in Sunrise. They will also face the Lightning on April 15, 2025, in Tampa Bay. The Leafs will wrap up their regular season against the Lightning on April 9, 2025, in Central Florida.
Analyzing the remaining schedules, the Maple Leafs have the toughest road ahead, facing opponents with a collective win percentage of 51.3%, ranking as the 11th hardest schedule in the league. The Panthers' opponents have a win percentage of 49.5%, making it the 21st hardest, while the Lightning enjoy the easiest path with a win percentage of 47.6%, the 25th hardest.
According to projections from Stathletes, the Lightning have a 44.5% chance of winning the division, followed by the Panthers at 33.9% and the Leafs at 21.6%. These odds reflect the tight competition, and with the playoffs looming, the excitement is palpable.
The Maple Leafs are not just battling for playoff positioning; they are also seeking redemption after a string of disappointing playoff exits. Despite making the postseason for eight consecutive years, they have managed to reach the second round only once. This year, the team is hoping to change that narrative.
Mitch Marner leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with 90 points, including 22 goals and 68 assists, while William Nylander has tallied 42 goals, ranking second in the NHL behind only Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers. Newly minted captain Auston Matthews has also contributed significantly, with 29 goals and 39 assists for a total of 68 points, although he has struggled with injuries this season.
The goaltending duo of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll has been a solid foundation for the team, with Stolarz posting a record of 16-8-3 and Woll achieving 24 wins against 13 losses. Their performance will be crucial as the playoffs approach, especially with the team relying on them to maintain momentum.
As the playoff picture becomes clearer, the tension rises. The Florida Panthers can leapfrog the Maple Leafs into the Atlantic Division lead if they win their game against the Canadiens and the Leafs lose to the Ducks. The stakes are high, and each game could shift the balance of power in the division.
On the Eastern Conference front, the New York Rangers have also made strides, moving into the second wild-card spot. The playoff race is not only about the Atlantic Division; teams across the conference are vying for their chance at postseason glory.
The NHL regular season is set to conclude on April 17, 2025, with the playoffs beginning shortly thereafter on April 19. As the final days of the regular season approach, fans can expect thrilling matchups and intense competition as teams fight for their playoff lives.
In summary, the Atlantic Division playoff race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting storylines in the lead-up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the Maple Leafs, Panthers, and Lightning all in contention for the top spot, every game will be a must-watch. The drama, the stakes, and the passion of the players promise to deliver an unforgettable finish to the regular season.
