Auston Matthews: Matthews scores 40th, Leafs going to playoffs

I think it'll be a real great series between two really quality clubs.

"I thought it would be like this - you have to really crawl in at the end". We just want to go out now and try to assert our game early in the series. "But, to be honest with you, I didn't know the kids could be this good".

Then there was Kasperi Kapanen, his first National Hockey League goal and point a few minutes earlier tying the game at three.

- The Capitals have never faced the Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We're going to find out a lot about this Leafs team in round one when they take on arguably the most well polished team in the National Hockey League. Brown then redirected a Gardiner shot to put Toronto in front, Matthews adding his 40th goal of the year into an empty net. The Capitals had the NHL's best regular-season record for the second straight season, loaded at every position as they bid for a first Stanley Cup.

EAST: The Toronto Maple Leafs filled the final vacant playoff spot by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 on Saturday night in dramatic fashion after losing goaltender Frederik Andersen to injury. That reality looks less likely following the recall of Sparks, who would presumably back up Curtis McElhinney against the Jackets if Andersen can't go.

The loss was Toronto's second in a row and magnified the importance of Saturday's game against the Penguins. "For us older guys we've got a chance to win and for the youngest guys they battle for it right away". Is it just me or have Senators goalies generally been bad handling the puck this season?

However, Babcock announced Sunday morning that even though Andersen was not experiencing any concussion symptoms, the No. 1 goalie will not dress against the Blue Jackets. The Montreal Canadiens, winners of the Atlantic Division, will have home-ice advantage against the New York Rangers.

Toronto had chances aplenty, especially during a four-minute power play, but couldn't beat Korpisalo in the first 20 minutes.

But whatever momentum Toronto gained was dashed when the Penguins scored on a power play of their own, Crosby notching his NHL-leading 44th goal.

"I imagine back to backs are on a year-by-year rotation so if you have the most one year, the next year you get the least", Babcock said, tongue in cheek.

It wasn't the smoothest effort that got them into the postseason.

"I am sure they're going to be ready to play", Columbus coach John Tortorella said of his team.

"A good win for our city and for our loyal fanbase".

Guentzel, who's shined as a rookie for the Penguins, could have given Pittsburgh the lead early in the third, but missed with an open cage. "We will talk about that after tonight, after we know what is going on".

Fleury turned aside van Riemsdyk on a breakaway on the next shift.

In the NHL's version of the Hunger Games, the odds are not in Toronto's favour.

Ben Harpur shoots at the Islanders net during the first period of Sunday's game.

Goaltending prospect Tristan Jarry was called up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for Saturday's game against the Leafs. The play that led to the goal served as an excellent example of van Riemsdyk's hand-eye coordination, as he managed to bat the puck down at the blue line and stay onside prior to making a move to his forehand and scoring. Forwards Nick Bonino, Bryan Rust and Patric Hornqvist got the night off.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to the playoffs for just the second time in 13 years and can improve their standing by earning more points Sunday, when they close out the regular season at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Over the top: van Riemsdyk played some of his strongest hockey of the season over the Leafs final two games, and looked motivated from the start of Sunday's matchup to help his team avoid a showdown with the Capitals.