Something about this year’s edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs sure feels different, and rightly so.
Their last two postseason games against the Tampa Bay Lightning have, traditionally, been the exact kind of games that they would ultimately fall short in – especially in last night’s Game 4 that saw them trailing by a 4-1 score midway through the third period.
However, the Leafs are heading back home to Scotiabank Arena with the chance to advance to Round 2 for the first time in 19 years thanks to consecutive overtime victories, the latter of which was fueled by a three-goal offensive outburst followed by another dramatic celebration on the ice after the game-winning goal was tallied.
We’re not used to seeing this from the Leafs, who have drawn considerable mockery from rival fan bases for their inability to close out a postseason series in each of their previous seven attempts. And while they did ultimately lose to the rival Montreal Canadiens in 2021 after enjoying a 3-1 series advantage, the 2023 edition of the Leafs isn’t giving off any kind of vibe for a similar collapse. In fact, just the opposite.
Take a look at what several anonymous NHL executives and coaches had to say about what Toronto has been able to do so far in the postseason.
Executive No. 1: “I believe it is huge for the psyche. … (They) look like a focused group. To win you have to exorcise demons. (They’re) doing it the hard way, with full team commitment, getting contributions from the whole lineup. Winning games the way they did Monday night will give them belief. They will get tested again to test their resolve in this series. They look like they are facing their demons head-on — finally embracing the mental and physical commitment it takes to win a series. To win in playoffs the hard way is the easiest way to success!”
Executive No. 2: “It’s huge for their psyche. They’ve proven they’re never out of a game … But this is the game now (Game 5) they need their stars to really shine, to be the difference. Don’t let doubt creep back in. If (Andrei Vasilevskiy) steals the game but Leafs stars play well, that’s OK. If they don’t play well and Tampa wins and brings it to Game 7, the pressure might be debilitating.”
Head Coach No. 1: “This is the stuff you need to do in the playoffs if you want to keep playing or move on. The team is showing no quit, which is important. You need a never-quit attitude; in the playoffs, there are lots of ups and downs — just stay even-keeled (and) keep playing.”
Head Coach No. 2: “It’s not only the confidence that Toronto can gain from OT wins, because that surely gives them momentum … it’s the psyche of Tampa Bay that could be taking a bigger hit. After a Game 1 blowout (Lightning win), they were outscored in Game 2, a key player injured, goal called back, lost in OT on (a late-game) comeback and then last night a multiple-goal comeback OT loss. It certainly seems to be spiraling against the Lightning. Toronto has the edge. They have the momentum. But they have to take down the best team in the last five years! Up 3-1 … it still won’t be easy.”