A 6-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks has the Bruins standing steady with 78 points and in second place in the Atlantic Division.
The upstart Bruins are only three points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and are looking to make a run at the Atlantic Division Crown. Boston needs to remain consistent over the home stretch of the season not just to try to catch the Lightning, but also so they don’t get caught by the Maple Leafs.
A lot of time has been devoted to talking about the race between the Bruins and the Lightning and everyone seems to have completely forgotten about Toronto.
Auston Mathews’ squad has quietly been one of the hottest teams of the NHL since the end of January. The Leafs have won 12 of their last 15 games and are looking to take the second place spot from the Bruins.
Unless one of the two manages to take the Atlantic Division crown, the Bruins and Maple Leafs are likely to face off in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Whoever holds second place would earn the crucial home-ice advantage.
The closest team behind the Leafs are the Florida Panthers who trail the Leafs by 17 points, so it is safe to expect the Lightning, Bruins, and Maple Leafs will be the three Atlantic Division playoff teams.
It all comes down to seeding, and the Bruins surely want to open the playoffs in front of their fans at TD Garden.
