Maple Leafs on Brink of Historic Feat Against Hurricanes Not Seen Since 2000

If you had to really think about it, the Maple Leafs have had a lot of success over the past two decades, but haven't really done anything substantial in that time, leading them to be hailed as powerhouses in the regular season but a group that often falls flat come playoff time.

The 2024-25 season has certainly been one of their better ones, and it feels like a lot of the hype surrounding the team has led them to having potentially the best chance at success since Auston Matthews was drafted.

They've also got a chance to make some history on Sunday night as well.

While there are a few outside circumstances involved, the Maple Leafs can clinch the Atlantic Division if they get a win over the Hurricanes and Tampa Bay loses to Buffalo; they can also get it if they go to overtime and lose if Buffalo can score a regulation victory.

The feat would be something Toronto hasn't done since 1999-2000 when they reigned atop the Northeast Division with the likes of Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph on the squad.

While Toronto did win the North Division during the COVID-19 shortened NHL season, it was a bubble division consisting of all Canadian teams and did not have the regular standard for how a season would typically play out; so this is truly 25 years in the making.

Fans have been clamoring for this type of success for years and with heartbreak after heartbreak, it seems like this season is finally going to be the one that ends their cursed run and potentially see them make the Conference Finals; but need to be pretty lucky in addition to great.

But it certainly depends on more than just the Maple Leafs' performance on Sunday, but if they want to give themselves the best chance against the Hurricanes it's a good thing they'll have some defensive reinforcements after having to rely on Mitch Marner against Montreal (which seemed to work out just fine in the end.)

The Hurricanes are going to be shorthanded against the Maple Leafs as well, although they are still putting out a full lineup.

They are without Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Taylor Hall and Shayne Gostisbehere who are dealing with some injury issues, so Toronto needs to take advantage of every opportunity.

Though if the Maple Leafs can get a bit of luck from the Sabres on Sunday and put in a strong performance against the Hurricanes; we could see history that might just give Toronto the push it needs to make it deep into the playoffs.