The Toronto Maple Leafs officially clinched a playoff spot in last night’s 2-1 win over the New York Islanders; and it was John Tavares who scored the playoff goal which also set a new personal best in season points. It was a great night all around.

Now the big question for the Maple Leafs is:

Do you chase the Boston Bruins for home ice in round one or do you play it safe and give some players rest?

Right now the Boston Bruins hold second place in the Atlantic Division with 103 points. The Maple Leafs are four points back with 99.

Both teams have three games left, so if the Bruins lose two and the Maple Leafs get at least five out of six possible points they’ll pass the Bruins and possibly get four games at the Scotiabank Arena rather than three, and possible home ice in round two if the Tampa Bay Lightning get upset by their first round opponent (which would be the Hurricanes at the moment).

Auston Matthews took a shot off his foot last night. Frederik Andersen has been playing the vast majority of games again. There’s some sort of virus going around the Leafs dressing room - Jake Muzzin was the latest victim.

Why not give Garret Sparks three straight start against the Hurricanes, Lightning, and Canadiens to finish off the season? Let Trevor Moore, Nic Petan, Justin Holl, and whoever else is sitting in the press box play some games and give Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly the night off, or rotate who sits?

Should the Maple Leafs go for home ice or focus on player rest?

Get home ice!140
Give players rest!354

Now, the news.

We had way too much going on yesterday, so catch up on anything you missed:

Calle Rosen gets his first NHL goal in his first game of this season
Fashion Recap: Unsung Heroes
Marlies sign Zachary Bouthillier and two other new faces to ATOs
Maple Leafs European Prospect Report: Last man standing
Scouting Report: Who is Calle Rosen?
Leafs vs. Isles Recap: Revenge of the Snake

More playoff news:

Tiebreaker Scenarios for the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Montreal Canadiens’ path to the playoffs

I can’t wait for all those Bruins fans to lose their money

Bruins given third-best odds of winning the Stanley Cup

Anything making you mad right now?

What’s Your Beef? – Toronto Sports Media Blog

It feels like yesterday the IceDogs were beating the Battalion into the ground. Literally and figuratively.

That was quick: first round recap

Tonight Riley Stotts and the Calgary Hitmen will be playing in game seven of their first round WHL series. The game will be taking place in a community rink in Lethbridge, which seats almost no one since curling took over the Enmax Centre.

The game starts at 9PM eastern/7PM mountain and can be streamed on WHL Live

Enjoy your day folks!

From The Branches