Auston Matthews deflects the puck as Thomas Chabot and Linus Ullmark defend. (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/56526e91-8da8-4a44-8515-2940d303fa55.jpeg] Auston Matthews deflects the puck as Thomas Chabot and Linus Ullmark defend. (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images) Things are never easy in the Stanley Cup playoffs, nor should they be. But wherever the Toronto Maple Leafs end up in the standings, their reward will be a first-round opponent who has dummied them this season. This would have been the year for the Leafs to face the Tampa Bay Lightning since they are 4-0-0 against them, but there's no way that is going to happen now. Whether they finish first or second in the Atlantic Division, they're guaranteed to face either the Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/news/KrQdBJ2gKEE2tQACulEf?backLinkUrl=%2Fbbs%2Fnews%2Fsearch%2Fposts%3Fq%3Dleafs%26sortBy%3DpublishTime%26range%3DallTime&backLinkLabel=Back%20to%20search%20results] or Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/news/WQ3m1X2W0GQ8h1M2vtvY?backLinkUrl=%2Fbbs%2Fnews%2Fsearch%2Fposts%3Fq%3Dbattle%2520of%2520ontario%26domainName%3Dthehockeynews.com%26sortBy%3DpublishTime%26range%3DallTime&backLinkLabel=Back%20to%20search%20results]. (The Senators could still conceivably catch the Panthers for third in the division if they win out in regulation and the Panthers lose both their remaining games in regulation.) The problem is, they haven't been particularly good against either of those teams this season. With the exception of a 5-1 blowout loss to the Panthers in November, the Leafs have played both teams pretty closely but have only one win to show for it. They do have home-ice advantage regardless of whom they face. And they'll need it. Here's more in today's video column: Ken Campbell discusses the potential first-round concerns for the Maple Leafs. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
