Maple Leafs Advance After Opponent’s Lineup Mistake While Golden Knights and Oilers Clinch NHL Playoff Spots on Same Night
In one of the most bizarre twists of the NHL postseason push, the Toronto Maple Leafs capitalized on a critical lineup error to advance, while the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers punched their own tickets to the playoffs in more conventional—but no less dramatic—fashion on the same night. It was an evening that encapsulated the unpredictability, urgency, and drama of late-season NHL hockey, as teams fought not just their opponents but also the margins of error that come with roster rules and playoff pressure.
For the Maple Leafs, their path forward came not solely from their performance on the ice, but from a sharp-eyed call that may go down as one of the most impactful technicalities of the 2024–25 NHL season. During what was initially believed to be a hard-fought loss, Toronto’s bench quietly filed a protest after noticing that their opponent had dressed an ineligible player due to a paperwork error involving the game-night roster submission. After a brief review by league officials, the ruling came back in Toronto’s favor. The game was forfeited by the opposing team, and as a result, the Maple Leafs were granted the win needed to secure their postseason berth.
It’s rare in hockey—where so much hinges on effort, grit, and skill—to see administrative oversight play such a defining role. But in this case, a failure to properly submit the final 20-man lineup led to devastating consequences for one team and an unexpected reprieve for another. Though the identity of the ineligible player was not initially released publicly by the NHL, insiders quickly confirmed that it involved a young call-up whose paperwork had not been finalized by the league office before puck drop. The opposing coach took responsibility after the game, saying in a somber postgame presser, “That one’s on us. We made a mistake, and it cost us everything.”
The Maple Leafs, to their credit, handled the situation with restraint. Star forward Auston Matthews acknowledged the strange turn of events but was quick to refocus. “You never want to see a game decided that way,” he said. “But we’re grateful to keep our season alive and now it’s about preparing for what’s ahead.” The team will now face a tough first-round matchup but does so with momentum and a newfound sense of fortune.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, there were no lineup errors—just two teams playing with the desperation and execution required to earn their place in the postseason the traditional way. The Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers each secured wins to clinch playoff berths, setting the stage for a loaded Western Conference bracket filled with recent champions, red-hot wild cards, and battle-tested squads.
Vegas, the defending Stanley Cup champions, didn’t leave their fate to chance. With a commanding 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues, the Golden Knights showcased the kind of two-way dominance that made them last year’s toast of the NHL. Jack Eichel tallied a goal and two assists, while goaltender Logan Thompson stopped 32 of 33 shots in a performance that reaffirmed his status as the starter heading into the postseason. More important than individual stats, however, was the cohesion and chemistry on display. Mark Stone, back from injury, logged heavy minutes and provided the physical edge and leadership that have defined his role in Vegas since arriving.
Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy praised his team’s preparedness and execution. “This time of year, you want to see details, effort, and discipline. We had all three tonight,” Cassidy said. “We know what it takes to win in the playoffs and tonight was a good step toward getting back to that level.”
Edmonton’s clinch came in more dramatic fashion. In a thrilling overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks, the Oilers relied on their high-powered offense and superstar duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to get the job done. Down 3-2 in the final minutes of regulation, Draisaitl tied the game on a blistering one-timer from the left circle with just 43 seconds remaining. In overtime, McDavid did what McDavid does—darting through the neutral zone, splitting two defenders, and beating the goaltender on a backhand that belonged on a highlight reel.
It was the kind of win that defines the Oilers’ identity: fast, fearless, and fueled by the sheer brilliance of their two generational talents. But it was also a collective effort, with contributions from depth players, strong goaltending from Stuart Skinner, and a penalty kill unit that stifled Vancouver’s power play at crucial moments.
McDavid, never one to dwell too long on a single game, looked ahead in his postgame comments. “We’ve got bigger goals. Clinching is step one. Now it’s about playing our best hockey and staying healthy.” That message echoed throughout the locker room, where the atmosphere was celebratory but grounded. The Oilers know they’ve fallen short in recent playoff runs, and this season represents perhaps their most balanced and dangerous roster yet.
With these three teams securing their postseason spots—Toronto via controversy, Vegas via control, and Edmonton via clutch heroics—the NHL playoff picture continues to take shape, albeit with some unexpected wrinkles.
The fallout from the Maple Leafs’ advancement is sure to linger. While the team itself will be focused on their playoff matchup, fans and analysts around the league have already started debating the fairness of the forfeit ruling. Some argue that the integrity of competition requires strict adherence to rules, while others suggest that a clerical error should not determine such a significant outcome. Regardless of the stance, the league’s decision is final, and precedent may be set for future incidents involving lineup eligibility.
It’s also worth noting the emotional toll such an error can take. The team that was disqualified had fought valiantly throughout the season to get to this point, and to have their hopes dashed not by a goal or a save, but by a paperwork error, is a cruel end to an otherwise strong campaign. There will likely be internal reviews and procedural changes implemented to prevent such an error from happening again.
Meanwhile, the focus in the West shifts to positioning. With Vegas and Edmonton in, the battle for seeding and home-ice advantage becomes paramount. Both teams are built to win now, and both have suffered from inconsistency at points this season. The Oilers, with their offensive explosiveness, remain one of the most feared teams in the league, but their ability to play structured, playoff-style hockey for four rounds remains the biggest question mark. Vegas, on the other hand, is the blueprint for postseason success—depth, discipline, and a rock-solid identity forged over multiple deep runs.
For Toronto, the circumstances of their advancement will eventually be overshadowed by the performance they deliver once the puck drops in the first round. There’s still plenty of pressure on Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and the rest of the core to make good on years of postseason promise. The team has made it past the first round only once in the past two decades, and anything short of a deep run will renew calls for organizational changes. But in a strange way, this unusual twist may give them a unique chip on their shoulder—and perhaps the kind of motivation that can spark a breakthrough.
In the end, playoff hockey often comes down to who handles adversity best, whether it comes in the form of injuries, overtime pressure, or even, in this case, a lineup card. The Maple Leafs may have caught a break, but breaks are only meaningful if you capitalize on them. Vegas and Edmonton earned their way in through grit and execution, but their real tests lie ahead. As the postseason looms, all three teams know the slate is clean, and history will remember what happens next more than how they got there.
