The Leafs Are Moving On

 

Photo From ABC Sports

19 years. Leaf fans have suffered so much pain and frustration and last night the Toronto Maple Leafs finally broke through and knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning. I’m not going to break down the game because EVERYONE watched it, but I will say that waking up this morning Sunday, April 30^th knowing the Toronto Maple Leafs are off to the second round feels so damn good. Now, I know so many doubters will read this article and think “Big deal it’s only one round”. Those doubters are the reason why last night’s win is a big deal to me and the rest of the fanbase. We as fans have suffered so much. We have had to deal with year after year of doubters recycling jokes that are older than their grandparents, trust me we know this team hasn’t won a cup since 1967 and we knew all about the first-round struggles. I am well aware that there are fans of this team that wasn’t even born the last time Toronto won a series. Going into this series I told anyone that would listen that I was tired of all the trash talk aimed towards this team, I was tired of being the punchline to every single joke, and I was tired of hearing that this team, this core wasn’t good enough to win. Hopefully, all the comments can finally stop because Toronto found a way to knock off an NHL Dynasty. All season we knew the first-round opponent would likely be the Lightning, but we also knew that there was something different about this Leafs team compared to years prior. Yes, October wasn’t a positive month for Toronto, but it would end up being the only month of the regular season where Toronto would have a losing record. Every month after that we saw Toronto show signs of growth and maturity because there were several games where the Leafs didn’t have their best effort, but they found ways to win, and we saw clear examples of this during this first round.  In game 3 Toronto was trailing and in the final minute of regulation tied the game to force overtime only for Morgan Rielly who had been criticized all season to win the game. Then there was game 4 where Toronto was down 4-1 midway through the third period and the core four who were called out by the studio panel answered the call and managed to rise to the occasion only to end up winning in overtime yet again. Last night Toronto was able to withstand the pressure applied by the Lightning and became the first team to win three overtime games in a single series thanks to John Tavares scoring the biggest goal of Toronto’s season so far.

This isn’t going to be a long read I just wanted to put some of my thoughts out there for everyone. Leaf fans are excited and proud of the players for the result last night, but the management group of this team needs their acknowledgement too. Kyle Dubas needs a new contract in the off-season during his time with the Leafs he has faced some backlash for some of the decisions he made and some of it deserved but this trade deadline Kyle pushed all his chips into the centre of the table when he traded for Ryan O’Reilly. Here’s a player who won a cup and a Finals MVP with St Louis during their Cinderella season. Then Kyle adds Noel Acciari, Jake McCabe, and Sam Lafferty. Three players who brought some much-needed grit and toughness to the lineup. Lastly, Dubas brought Luke Schenn back to the Leafs. Here was a player who since November I said the Leafs needed because of his experience and his physical play. I was called every name you could think of for suggesting this, I was told that I didn’t know anything about hockey and that I should give up and quit. So, again to everyone who doubted me and to everyone who trash-talked me, I don’t need to respond because Toronto’s result last night says it all so enjoy the rest of your summer while you cry in your pillow. I have been one of the biggest supporters of Kyle Dubas because I think he is the right guy for this Maple Leafs team and since Kyle took over from Lou Lamoriello, I was told Lou was a better GM Lou was the right guy for the Leafs. Let me remind you with Lou at the helm Toronto brought in guys like Brian Boyle and couldn’t win a round. He brought in Tomas Plekanec and couldn’t get the team out of the first round. Then he leaves for the Islanders only to see their captain sign with Toronto Barry Trotz would step down as coach and this season the all-mighty Lou Lamoriello would go all in adding Bo Horvat, and Pierre Engvall only to once again see his team knocked out in round one. I have said it before, and I will say it again Lou’s best days as a GM in the NHL are well behind him Kyle Dubas is the right guy to build a winning team in Toronto and last night’s win I hope shows Shanahan and the rest of the MLSE brass that Kyle and coach Sheldon Keefe should be given a contract extension because with them leading this team who knows where the Leafs will end up.

We are now waiting to see whom the Leafs will meet in the second round as Florida and Boston square off in game seven Sunday night. I’m not going to predict who wins that series because, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter because either opponent is going to be a challenging one. All I know is that we no longer need to wonder if our team will win the first round, we no longer need to ask if this can be the year. We are off to the second round Leaf fans let’s just sit back and enjoy this ride. Whether Toronto plays Boston, or they play the Florida Panthers let’s just live in the moment and enjoy it and trust that our Leafs will rise to the occasion. I truly believe that last night’s series win will show this group that they can take on anyone put up against them.

That’s it for this one thanks as always for reading.

 

19 years to get to the second round, it’s been a long time coming and it was well worth the wait.