You couldn’t have scripted a better outcome if you’re a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Outside of allowing the first goal of the game and allowing the Florida Panthers to sneak back into the game with just under three minutes left, the Maple Leafs did everything their fans wanted to see in such a pivotal game against their division rivals. The result was a 3-2 victory on home ice to clinch a playoff spot and further extend their division lead.

Anthony Stolarz won the goalie battle with his old tandem-mate Sergei Bobrovsky, which is extremely significant considering how well Bobrovsky played as well. He made a number of highlight reel saves to keep the Leafs in the game before they pulled ahead with the lead in the third period. Both goals involved a virtually unstoppable shot, and his steadiness for the entirety of the game did wonders in terms of helping his team get the two points.

The Leafs’ star forwards, particularly Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, take a solid chunk of the flak when it comes to judging the Leafs’ failed playoff runs, so, to see them combine for the go-ahead goal was the kind of outcome that keeps fans coming back year after year. The core four combined for five points on the night, with William Nylander setting up John Tavares for their first goal and Marner finding Matthew Knies on a gorgeous breakaway pass for the game-winner.

Their names didn’t appear on the scoresheet, but Max Domi and Bobby McMann were among the most active forwards tonight. Both players used their speed to create chances out of nothing, with McMann driving the net seemingly every other time he got the puck and Domi frequently cutting into the middle of the ice for a clean look. If both of those players continue playing the way they have been, they’ll have much better odds of beating whoever they face in the first round. Depth scoring is so crucial in the postseason and to have somebody like McMann who wasn’t available last season will give them a boost they should have had.

The Maple Leafs now have a three-point lead on the Tampa Bay Lightning for first in the division, with Florida sitting in third place at four points back of first. The Leafs will play both Florida teams in a road back-to-back next week, and the stakes will only be higher regardless of what the standings are looking like at that point.