Maple Leafs Hold Crucial Edge Over Florida Teams in Division Race

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers have become rivals in recent years, especially in the wake of their 2023 series in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, all of the good feelings that they built up from their opening round defeat of the divisional foe Tampa Bay Lightning for their first postseason series win since 2004 were quickly dissipated when the Panthers took them down in a relatively quick five game series.

Right now, both teams are battling one another for the first overall seed in the Atlantic Division, which would grant home ice in the event that they met each other in the playoffs for the second time in 3 years.

While they're tied in points, the Leafs currently have the advantage in one key category.

Toronto would have home ice over Florida in a potential series if it began today thanks to their 42-38 advantage in ROW (Regulation and Overtime Wins), which serves as the 2nd tiebreaker after regulation wins.

So far this year, the Panthers have bested the Maple Leafs in both matchups; they won 5-1 at Amerant Bank Arena on November 27, followed by a 3-2 win at Scotiabank Arena just weeks ago on March 13.

They play one another twice more this year; the Panthers travel to Toronto on April 2, while the Maple Leafs visit Florida on April 8.

But if the Leafs can maintain their ROW advantage over the Panthers leading into the playoffs, they'll enjoy home ice advantage in a potential postseason matchup.

Which is a massive advantage given not only the home-ice atmosphere, but the amenities that come along with it, including being able to change their lines last, and can play the lines they want against weaker defensive opponents.

Toronto will look to build on their Atlantic Division lead as they take on the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night in a late-night tilt; the puck is scheduled to drop at 10:30 PM ET.