Congratulations To The Toronto Maple Leafs On Narrowly Avoiding Being The Most Pathetic Group Of Gutless Losers In NHL History
Reuben Polansky-Shapiro. Getty Images.You could taste it. Game 7. Scotiabank Arena. The tightest assholes on the planet after Toronto lost 3 straight games after taking a 3-0 series lead. Brady Tkachuk dropping the gloves off the opening puck drop to set the tone. We were so close to getting it once David Perron managed to roof this ridiculous backhand from behind the net to tie the game at 2-2 in the 3rd.
Toronto was holding on to that 2-1 lead for dear life, and Perron almost literally blew the roof off the place with that goal. With just over 7 minutes to go in the 3rd period, you're starting to think about overtime. About how clenched the Leafs would be if this game went to OT. About how they'd let yet another opportunity to close out a series in the playoffs slip away. But just over a minute later….
Max Pacioretty. The pride of New Canaan, CT. Just a good ol' American boy who spent years from afar in Montreal watching the Leafs shit the bed in playoff series after playoff series. He may not have the same game he once had in his younger years, but he wasn't going to let the Leafs piss down their leg yet again with a chance to move on to the 2nd round. So for just the 2nd time in their last 10 playoff series, Patches made sure the Leafs were the ones with smiles on their faces as they went through the handshake line.
Now the last time the Leafs won a playoff series, they had the Florida Panthers waiting for them in the 2nd round and ended up losing in 5 games. Once again, they'll have the Panthers waiting for them in the 2nd round. The Battle of Ontario had some moments, but I don't think anything can properly prepare you for a playoff series against the Cats. They legitimately want to murder you. There are going to be more greasy hits. There are probably going to be more suspensions. If you retaliate back and give them a powerplay, the puck is going to be in the back of your net. I don't think there's anybody who thinks the Leafs can hang with the style and level of hockey that Florida plays in the playoffs, but you never know. It just has to suck for Toronto knowing they can't find a way to ever escape this guy.
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