Toronto Maple Leafs fans have suffered more than they’ve celebrated over the last 50 years, but they’re hoping this current group of players can put an end to their very long Stanley Cup drought.
It was an off-day for the Maple Leafs on Thursday night but that didn’t stop them from clinching their second consecutive berth in the NHL playoffs. However, they didn’t clinch a playoff spot in the routine way with a victory. Instead, they ended up securing their spot thanks to their Battle of Ontario rivals the Ottawa Senators, who tucked the game-winning goal past former Leafs goalie James Reimer.
It’s the first time the Maple Leafs have clinched a playoff spot in back-to-back seasons since 2002-03, 2003-04, and are currently sitting eight points up on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Eastern Conference standings.
