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TSN Toronto Maple Leafs Reporter

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have spent the last six months building towards something they finally achieve tonight - a coveted postseason berth with a win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

They squandered their first chance at getting into the playoffs on Tuesday. The Lightning lost to the Boston Bruins, but Toronto failed to do its part in a lethargic 4-1 loss to Washington. Tonight, the Leafs need just two points in any fashion, or lose in a shootout (Tampa Bay wouldn't be able to catch them in ROW) and have the New York Islanders lose in any fashion as well. 

However their first playoff berth in four years comes about, the Leafs are more than ready for that next chapter.

"I think it's time to close it out, it's time to punch our ticket," said Brian Boyle. "It's a good opportunity for us tonight and you want to prove your worth."

Boyle left Tuesday's game after the first period with an upper-body injury, said he was feeling good after the morning skate for a potential second tilt against the team that sent him to Toronto prior to the trade deadline. Unlike most of the Leaf roster, Boyle is a seasoned playoff veteran and knows full well the feeling of playing for the Stanley Cup. From that vantage point, he sees no need for the Leafs to adjust their style or mindset going into the biggest game of their season.

"I think that's overblown. [Needing a] killer instinct? Come on," he said. "It's six months of work for these guys. It's a long-term goal, it takes a lot of hard nights sometimes, a few disappointments, but you get to this opportunity, you've done so many good things, you better believe in yourself. I think we do."

Toronto is 8-2-1 in their last 11 games and Tuesday was their first regulation loss at home in nearly two months. Each of the Leafs' last four regulation losses have been by multiple goals and they rebounded each time with an authoritative win in the next game. 

No matter what adversity they've faced in the second half of the season, the Leafs have had an uncanny ability to not carry it with them.

"I don't know if it's surprising, but it's a pretty relaxed room," said Matt Martin. "We're having a good time. Tonight's not a must-win game but it's one we want to win because we want to be heading in the right direction. 

"I know most guys in the room don't like playing 82 regular season games for nothing and not getting a chance at the playoffs. It's an exciting time and we control our fate."

The Lightning are five points back of Toronto with three games to play, and needs to win outright to stay in contention. They'll be without centre Steven Stamkos, while Tyler Johnson is a game-time decision. But as banged-up as they are, Tampa Bay has gone 11-5-2 since the beginning of March to stay in the hunt.

"They're a good veteran team, know how to play," said Leaf head coach Mike Babcock. "They're a proud group. 

"It's like anybody at this time of year who has a chance – you can smell it, it's something you want to be in. It's going to be a good game tonight."

Two of the biggest reasons Toronto have this postseason opportunity is the play of Frederik Andersen (6-0-1 in his last eight games ahead of tonight's start), and the continued dominance of its rookie class. Auston Matthews and William Nylander have combined for 22 points in their last 10 games and each has four points in three other meetings against Tampa this season.

"We have played our kids, we haven't fluctuated from that," Babcock said. "We've played them in all types of situations, and if we're going to get it done, they've got to be a big part of it. 

"We do a lot of good things most nights, we're silly sometimes, [but] I think we've been pretty good this last run."

Nazem Kadri is one of only four players in tonight's game who was also on the ice when Toronto last played in a playoff game - that infamous Game 7 collapse against the Bruins in 2013. Over the last four years, he's seen numerous personnel changes and a last-place finish, but never doubted that this season's group could climb from the ashes and return to the postseason with one more victory. 

"I always knew from the beginning [we could get here]," he said. "I really thought and really believed we were going to make some noise and surprise some teams. 

"My belief has never wavered. Tampa is a good team, we have to respect their speed and their talent. We have home ice advantage so we better take advantage of it."

Morning skate notes

- Assuming Boyle is able to return to the lineup, Toronto won't make any changes from Tuesday's game other than Andersen starting in goal. Nikita Soshnikov was spotted in street clothes talking to Nikita Kucherov in the early afternoon, but the rookie hasn't skated with the Maple Leafs since suffering an injury on March 20. Babcock wouldn't say if Soshnikov would return before the end of the regular season, leaving it up to the team's medical staff to make the call when they're ready.

- Mitch Marner has had a rough go lately with a bout of strep throat and his offensive totals have declined in the last three weeks. With the worst of the illness behind him, he has four points in his last four games, which is a good sign for the Leafs. "I thought he fit in good with our group last game - a whole bunch of us weren't very good," Babcock said. "But I think he seems to be doing better, got his energy level back. He's an important guy for us, he competes hard, he's good with and without the puck and when he's going he can push a line."