TORONTO – Craig Berube needed to complete Thursday evening wholesome.
That mission achieved, the Maple Leafs and their head coach can now solely give attention to what the group has been working towards all season — the Stanley Cup playoffs.
A mouth-watering first-round matchup awaits.
Toronto got here again from a 3-1 deficit in Thursday’s third interval earlier than beating the Detroit Pink Wings 4-3 to place a bow on a meaningless regular-season finale for each groups.
“Laborious for the gamers,” Berube mentioned. “It’s simply a kind of (video games) you hope you come out of it and also you’re all good.”
That’s what occurred as Toronto averted damage on an evening that seemed quite a bit like a pre-season contest in opposition to an opponent that may watch the NHL’s annual spring event from the sofa.
“A bit little bit of a bizarre sport,” mentioned Leafs ahead Scott Laughton, who scored the winner. “It’s completely different on the market. You most likely received’t see me on the market second shift of extra time, in order that sort of explains it.”
Toronto, which topped the Atlantic Division with 108 factors, opens the post-season Sunday evening in opposition to the Ottawa Senators in Sport 1 of a best-of-seven collection that represents the primary playoff Battle of Ontario in additional than 20 years.
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“Now it’s time for us to get right down to enterprise,” Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev mentioned after tying Thursday’s affair with 1.8 seconds left in regulation. “We all know how good of a group they’re, we all know how exhausting they play, we all know how well-coached they’re.
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“They’re a really structured group that does all the best issues, does the little issues to win video games, and that’s why they’ve had a profitable 12 months.”
The Leafs beat the Senators 4 occasions within the playoffs between 2000 and 2004, together with two Sport 7 victories on dwelling ice. The rivalry has been largely dormant since with the groups buying and selling rebuilds, however Ottawa has lastly emerged from the doldrums to set the stage for an additional provincial conflict.
“Happy with the way in which we battled again and located our sport there within the third interval,” mentioned Leafs captain Auston Matthews, who opened the scoring along with his thirty third purpose of 2024-25. “You wish to be ending off the common season on a great word. Plenty of good issues heading into the post-season.
“Simply acquired to get ready and prepared for what’s subsequent.”
Toronto has received 5 straight video games heading into the playoffs, and had been victorious in 13 of the group’s ultimate 16 video games to say the division crown.
“We actually performed properly as a group this final little stretch,” Berube mentioned. “Doing the best issues with out the puck. All people dialed in and acquired into what we wish to do.”
The Leafs, whose Cup drought stretches again to 1967, shall be seeking to win a collection for simply the second time within the NHL’s salary-cap period once they hit the playoff ice.
“Enjoyable stuff begins now,” Tanev mentioned.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Toronto depth defenceman Philippe Myers scored a phenomenal purpose within the third to tug his group’s deficit to 1 when he stepped round two Pink Wings and slid his second of the marketing campaign previous Cam Talbot.
“I’ll take it,” he mentioned. “I don’t even know what occurred there.”
“He saved saying yearly he pulls one thing like that out,” Matthews added with a smile. “Waited till Sport 82, but it surely was very nice.”
Berube mused it may be the group’s offensive play of the 12 months.
“I wasn’t certain who it was for some time,” he mentioned. “Hell of a purpose.”
GETTING COMFORTABLE
Laughton was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers forward of the NHL commerce deadline, however took some time to get adjusted to his new environment.
The Toronto native’s purpose was his second in 20 video games with the Leafs. Berube, nevertheless, had already seen loads of progress over the previous few weeks.
“Actually come round for us,” he mentioned. “I used to be comfortable for him to get that purpose in OT. You be ok with your self, but it surely’s not the purpose a lot. It’s simply how he’s taking part in.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 17, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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