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Your Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 Stanley Cup Dream Is A Tragicomedy in the Making

Mar 15, 2023

Oh, Toronto Maple Leaf fans – it’s that time of the year again when you dream about your beloved team finally ending its Stanley Cup drought. But let’s be honest: history tends to repeat itself.

So, grab a tissue (or a whole box), and let’s delve into why the Leafs won’t take home the Cup in 2023. Along the way, we’ll reminisce about their past playoff failures to drive the point home.

Reason #1: The Ghosts of Playoffs Past

When it comes to the playoffs, the Leafs have a history of not shining. In case you need a reminder, here are some highlights – or lowlights, depending on your perspective:

  • 2013: The infamous Game 7 collapse against the Boston Bruins (a 4-1 third-period lead squandered)
  • 2018: Another Game 7 loss to the Bruins, this time after fighting back from a 3-1 series deficit
  • 2019: Déjà vu – yet another Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Bruins (starting to see a pattern here?)
  • 2020: Losing to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the qualifying round, despite a miracle comeback in Game 4
  • 2021: Blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Montreal Canadiens, who then marched to the Stanley Cup Final
  • 2022: Blowing a 3-2 lead to Tampa bay losing in Game 7. Again. For the 5th year in a row.

With a track record like that, who needs enemies?

Reason #2: The Playoff Pressure Cooker

Ah, the weight of expectations. The Leafs have been under immense pressure to bring the Cup back to Toronto, and it seems to be taking its toll. Year after year, the team crumbles when it matters most, leaving fans wondering if the pressure is too much to bear. Can they handle it in 2023? We’re not holding our breath. If you think Leaf fans are bunged up with stress, the players have a five-year streak of losing in game 7 in the first round. They’re bunged up beyond belief by the memories of their 5 previous disasters and that plays.

Reason #3: The Goaltending Conundrum

Sure, the Leafs have a solid goaltending duo, but when push comes to shove, do they have what it takes to carry the team through the playoffs? Matt Murray (.903 sv%) has allowed four or more goals in his last four starts coming off his third trip to the IRL. Samsonov (.915 sv%)? Meh. He’s had moments but is still largely unproven as a clutch NHL goaltender. Murray has won two cups on a Penguins team a few years ago but he’s not that guy and this Leaf team is not that Penguins team.

Reason #4: The Rivalry Factor

The Leafs’ rivals will not make it easy for them to waltz into Stanley Cup glory. The Atlantic Division is a veritable gauntlet, and to get through it, the Leafs will have to face some familiar foes – including their playoff arch-nemesis, the Boston Bruins. OH, and the Bruins are having the best season of any team ever in the history of the league. They are 50-11-5 almost 20 points clear of the league. Even if the Leafs make it to the second round…JEEZUZ.

Reason #5: The History of Heartbreak

It’s been over half a century since the Leafs last hoisted the Stanley Cup. That’s right, 56 years of disappointment, near-misses, and shattered dreams. Sure, they’ve had a few promising regular seasons, but it’s been nothing but heartache when it comes to the playoffs. Can they overcome this legacy of losing? We’ll believe it when we see it.

There you have it: a helpful guide for Toronto Maple Leaf’s fans of the team’s tragicomic playoff history and why the 2023 Stanley Cup will likely remain a pipe dream. Keep those blue-and-white flags flying high and those expectations VERY low. There’s always next year.

It’s an essential tool in managing heartbreak.

Contributing Writers

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