Which Team Holds the Record for the Longest Playoff Appearance? Maple Leafs Lead the NHL

Jim Tomlin Profile Picture

The Maple Leafs have secured their spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the ninth year in a row, making them the team with the longest active playoff streak in the NHL. This achievement allows them to surpass the Boston Bruins, who will not be participating in the playoffs this year.

As part of our analysis forOntario betting sites As fans of the sport, we explored how the Maple Leafs compare with the most reliable playoff contenders across the four major North American sports leagues: NHL, NBA, MLB, and NFL. Here's what we discovered:

BetMGM Sports
Customize Your Betting Preferences, One Wallet for All Services and Simple Deposits
Check out BetMGM.com for terms and conditions. Must be 19+. Ontario residents only . Offer for new customers. All promotional offers are contingent on meeting specific qualification and eligibility criteria. Rewards are provided as non-withdrawable bonus bets, and these bonuses expire seven days after they are issued. Please gamble responsibly. If you have any concerns regarding your gambling or that of someone you know, reach out to ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 for free advice and support.

Active Playoff Streaks Among NHL, NFL, MLB, and NBA Teams

Team

League

Years

Los Angeles Dodgers

MLB

12

Boston Celtics

NBA

11*

Kansas City Chiefs

NFL

10

Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL

9*

Milwaukee Bucks

NBA

9*

Houston Astros

MLB

8

Tampa Bay Lightning

NHL

8*

Colorado Avalanche

NHL

8*

Carolina Hurricanes

NHL

7*

Denver Nuggets

NBA

7*

Atlanta Braves

MLB

7

*Includes projection for the 2025 playoffs. Data updated through April 15, 2025, featuring playoff teams for the 2024-25 seasons in the NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB.

You can trackToronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup odds Join us as we prepare for the NHL playoffs starting this weekend.

How the Maple Leafs Compare in the Four Major Sports Leagues

Toronto ranks just behind three other teams when it comes to the longest active postseason streak in MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL.

The only teams ahead of the Leafs in terms of active postseason appearances are the Los Angeles Dodgers from MLB (who have made it 12 consecutive seasons), the Boston Celtics from the NBA (with 11 straight years), and the Kansas City Chiefs from the NFL (at 10 years). If Major League Soccer was also counted, the New York Red Bulls would be at the top with an impressive 15-year playoff streak. The Milwaukee Bucks have also confirmed their playoff spot for the ninth consecutive year, tying them with the Leafs for fourth place.

TheNHL betting While the outlook for Toronto appears optimistic, there's one notable aspect that differentiates the Leafs from those successful teams. Although fans are already aware, it’s worth reiterating.

BetVictor Sports
Over 80 years of tradition combined with cutting-edge in-play betting technology.
19+. T&Cs apply. Please Play Responsibly. ConnexOntario.ca BetVictor operates under a partnership with iGaming Ontario.

Can Toronto Finally Break the Stanley Cup Drought?

The Dodgers have won the National League West title on 11 occasions and lifted the World Series trophy twice during their playoff streak spanning 12 years. In two additional seasons, they claimed the NL pennant but fell short in the World Series. The Celtics have reached the NBA Finals twice during their 11-year streak and currently hold the title of champions. The Chiefs, champions of the AFC West for nine consecutive years, have appeared in five Super Bowls, securing victory in three, highlighting their dominance over the past decade.

Notably, the Maple Leafs have not celebrated a Stanley Cup victory since 1967 and have not returned to the finals since that year.BetMGM Ontario Sportsbook Currently, Toronto is listed with +1200 odds in hopes of finally breaking that championship drought in 2025.

The Bucks won their NBA championship in 2021, and other teams trailing the Leafs, with consistent playoff appearances of eight seasons each, have also enjoyed success with championship wins during this timeframe. The Houston Astros have lifted the World Series trophy twice, while the Tampa Bay Lightning have secured two Stanley Cups in this period. The Lightning were runners-up in the 2022 Cup final, losing to the Avalanche, another member of this competitive group.

The Bruins, who had achieved eight consecutive playoff appearances, and the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, with seven consecutive appearances, have both dropped off the list this spring after failing to reach the postseason.

deereplanet.com brings you sports betting news plusOntario online casino apps We provide reviews to assist you in confidently registering with any casino operators within the province.

USA Today photo by James Guillory

Author

Jim Tomlin
Jim Tomlin
Ontario iGaming Editor

Jim Tomlin is an experienced editor and writer with a focus on sports and gambling. With more than 30 years in journalism, his work has been featured in various prestigious publications, including the Tampa Bay Times and FanRag.

Quoted by major media outlets, including: