The Maple Leafs, despite being competitive in the regular season, have only secured a shortened-season Canadian division title in eight seasons. They have consistently finished among the top teams but have never clinched the Atlantic Division. With 25 games left this season, they lead their division when the Florida Panthers could be weakened by injuries. Winning the division provides a strategic advantage in the playoffs, possibly facing less experienced teams rather than tougher competitors like the Stanley Cup champions or Tampa Bay Lightning.
The only piece of hardware this Maple Leafs core can claim through eight seasons is a shortened-season Canadian division title.
All six of those seasons saw an Atlantic team go to the Stanley Cup Finals. Three times, an Atlantic team won it.
Finish second, and they face either the reigning Stanley Cup champions or the experienced Tampa Bay Lightning.
If they finish second or third, they likely play both Florida teams.
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