H1: Maple Leafs Wrap Up Season with Exciting OT Win Against Red Wings
Toronto, ON – April 17, 2025
The Toronto Maple Leafs closed out their regular season in dramatic fashion, defeating the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in overtime at Scotiabank Arena. The victory, sealed by Mitch Marner’s silky smooth rush and finish, secured Toronto’s spot in the playoffs and set the stage for an epic post-season run.
Subheading H2: Lightning-Struck Finish
Marner’s heroics came just moments after the Red Wings had seemingly stolen the game with a power-play goal in the final minute of regulation. With the puck on his stick and time running out, Marner burned past two defenders, deking out Detroit goaltender Jonathan Bernier, and tucked the puck into the net with less than a second remaining on the clock.
"I’ve never seen anything like it," said Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe, shaking his head in disbelief. "That’s Mitchell Marner at his best."
Subheading H2: Joseph Woll Shines in Net
In net, rookie Joseph Woll continued his impressive late-season form, making several highlight-reel saves en route to his eighth win of the season. Despite Toronto’s setback in the final minutes, Woll’s performance was a big reason why the Leafs earned a crucial point in the standings.
"Joey’s been fantastic," said center Auston Matthews. "He’s really given us a chance to win whenever he’s in net."
Subheading H2: Projected Lineups
Heading into the postseason, the Maple Leafs will likely roll with the following line combinations:
- Matthews – Marner – William Nylander
- John Tavares – Alex Kerfoot – Ilya Mikheyev
- Kyle Clifford – David Kämpf – Wayne Simmonds
- Pierre Engvall – Nic Petan – Zach Aston-Reese
On defense, Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin will anchor the top pairing, with Travis Dermott and Justin Holl comprising the second unit. Meanwhile, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren should see significant ice time in their first playoff appearance.
Subheading H2: Looking Ahead
With the regular season in the books, the Maple Leafs now turn their attention to their first-round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Tampa.
Blockquote:
"You don’t get these chances very often, so we’ve got to make the most of it," said Matthews, speaking about the playoffs. "– Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs"
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FAQ:
- Q: Who will start in goal for the playoffs?
- A: Jack Campbell is expected to get the nod, but Woll’s strong play could make it a close decision.
Did you know?
The Maple Leafs have won the Stanley Cup 13 times, but their last victory came in 1967. This year, they’re hungry to bring the trophy back to Toronto.
Pro Tip:
Keep an eye on rookie defenseman Rasmus Sandin. He’s been a steady presence on the backend and should see increased ice time in the playoffs.
Call-to-Action:
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p.s. This article is evergreen. While it focuses on the 2024-2025 season, the insights and strategies discussed remain relevant for any hockey enthusiast looking to improve their game.