May 12, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer (34) makes a save against the Boston Bruins during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Maple Leafs have done a lot to their fans over the years, giving reason for angst and frustration. In all of the series I can remember in hogtown, the atmosphere inside and outside of the building on Bay may not be second to any from the last two decades. The first Leaf playoff win in Toronto in nine years therefore should be something to cherish, as it was the most beautiful game of the series. Each contest the team in blue has gotten better, and for longer stretches. Tonight was no exception, as the Leafs only had brief periods of letdown, and only one braincramp from a single player that allowed the Bruins to have a chance in the final 25 seconds.

This playoff series, regardless of how it ends, has been nothing short of spectacular for the Toronto Maple Leafs.  The demons in Toronto have hardly found time to expose themselves, while some demons from Boston past are very much alive. Toronto goes into Game 7 with nothing at all to lose, as the team was summarily written off by most experts when the Senators beat the Bruins to create the match. Boston, however, has much more to prove tomorrow, as with the exception of the Stanley Cup season, they have created a habit of blowing playoff series when in clinching position.

The story of the game has to be the one in goal for Toronto, as James Reimer has been nothing short of spectacular. His performance since being called out by Randy Carlyle after Game 4 has been reminiscent of Eddie Belfour and Curtis Joeseph from playoff series of a decade ago. Making the pedestrian saves is one thing, but he had to make at least four three alarm saves between games 5 and 6 that have proven to have won those games. Those hall of famers kept playoff hockey alive in Toronto a lot longer than they deserved as well. While much has to be proven to be considered among the goaltenders listed above, he is doing his part with these nostalgia inducing performances.

Highlights from the game:

- Mikhail Grabovski owes James Reimer a steak dinner. That shutout was coming, and that icing call was selfish. He had room to work off the wall and gain the red line before dumping the puck and quite simply he cost the Leafs a goal, and kept the game alive longer than it should have been.

- The Leafs have been hitting the Bruins like they have a deathwish. They actually look like the Bruins normally appear when they are playing Toronto. When this series ends, win or lose, here is hoping this pays dividends for a long time because the Leafs have not been this difficult to play against in some time.

- Tonights Maddies Mark player of the game was without question James Reimer. His second stellar performance stole a game from the Bruins, and made it one of the best days ever for the Morweena Miracle. For more information on how you can provide many ”best days ever” for sick children, visit www.maddiesmark.org

- Happy Mothers Day mom, and to all mothers out there.

Apr 20, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) makes a save while Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek (9) looks on in the second period at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Toronto Maple Leafs have qualified for a post-season berth. You have to forgive the title, but having never as a fan going through a drought of this magnitude and length, this feels fantastic. The city will be lively for the next week and I can not wait to see what the building is like for game one of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal. Sometimes words don’t express how great this is, so I will turn to YouTube for some memories of the great atmosphere of years past. Below is a highlight video of the last playoff game that the Maple Leafs were in back in 2004.

While this team has no Sundin, Roberts, or Tucker, it does have a lot of young hungry players that like to hit everything that moves, and regardless of how they got there, they deserve credit for the playoff games Toronto is about to take in.

On to the game.

There are some elements of this game that are inexplicable, but getting out-shot by double digits against the best statistical goaltender in the NHL is usually the way that losing teams are talked about. Those are not advanced statistics (those were really ugly tonight), but this team is as advertised.

James Reimer has not had two consecutive bad games in some time. His performance tonight was Belfour like, at least while he was with the Leafs. Hopefully the team remembers a bit more defensive hockey and Reimer can keep his hand hot.

James van Riemsdyk found the back of the net twice, Nazem Kadri ended his eight-game scoring slump, and Joffrey Lupul fittingly sealed the deal with a breakaway goal late to give the Leafs a 4-1 victory.

The matchup game starts now, and it should be obvious the two teams Toronto needs to avoid like the plague are Washington and Boston. It seems far-fetched that they would drop to eighth to have to play Pittsburgh, but sixth would be a death wish. The Capitals are playing better now than they did in their  Presidents Trophy season, and the Bruins need no explanation as to why they have to be avoided. Here is hoping for a classic Montreal matchup.

Tonight’s Maddies Mark player of the game needs no introduction, Mr James Reimer. With 50 shots against and only one getting by, making it literally one of his best days ever. For more information on how you can help give kids their best day ever, visit www.maddiesmark.org