The Ottawa Senators beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 last night. The divisional result kept the standings gap between the Lightning in second and the Leafs in first place at three points with seven games to go. It also separated the Senators from the Montreal Canadiens (by five points) for the top wild card spot. As the Leafs and Senators cement their respective spots in the standings, it'll become more likely they will face each other in the first round. The Leafs have an all-time 16-8 record against the Senators in the playoffs.

Ullmark stands on head as Senators hold off Lightning
Linus Ullmark made 32 saves, Shane Pinto and Jake Sanderson scored and the Ottawa Senators beat Tampa Bay 2-1 on Thursday night, with the Lightning failing to to wrap up a playoff spot on the ice.
Sportsnet.caAssociated Press

Quotes from Berube and some players on how they can build on their win against the Panthers into results in the playoffs – 7 games away.

Maple Leafs hoping to replicate effort from playoff clincher against Panthers | NHL.com
Toronto knows it will ‘need that kind of sacrifice’ in postseason
NHL logoMike Zeisberger

Analysis from Ryan Reaves' Marlies debut from MarkUKLeafs indicate he was an afterthought in the game.

Ryan Reaves makes Marlies debut as Toronto drops an important point to Utica in overtime
“I thought, for the most part, we were okay. There was some decision-making where we didn’t move pucks quick enough and didn’t really establish much of a forecheck. … We sometimes have some really good shifts in a row and then tend to get away from it, or penalties take us out of it. We […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveMark Rackham

Easton Cowan and Ben Danford got mentions in the OHL Coaches Poll. Cowan was named one of the best penalty killers and shootout shooters. Danford one of the best defensive defenders and shot blockers. They didn't get any of the main "awards".

2024-25 OHL Coaches Poll Results - Ontario Hockey League
Rolling out results of the 2024-25 OHL Coaches Poll, highlighting top finishers from across the league.
Ontario Hockey LeagueJosh Sweetland

Cowan, however, is going to the second round after a sweep of Owen Sound.

Danford's Generals are also 3-1 up in their series. Danford showed some offense in this clip.

We still miss Fraser Minten.

‘Some tough goodbyes’: Minten will never forget Leafs experience - Video - TSN
The Leafs traded top prospect Fraser Minten to the Bruins on deadline day.
TSN

The Blues are on an 11-game winning streak a couple weeks before the playoffs.

Here are the scores from last night. Boston will be the first team eliminated from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference on Saturday with anything but a win against the Canes, or the Habs getting a point against the Flyers, or a Rangers win over the Devils. The Sabres and Flyers will follow quickly into Eliminated territory, probably as soon as Saturday.

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