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Top 5 Games Toronto Maple Leafs Should Have Won This Year

By Stephen Nixon

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 05: Gabriel Vilardi #42 of the Los Angeles Kings shoots the puck against Frederik Andersen #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 05: Gabriel Vilardi #42 of the Los Angeles Kings shoots the puck against Frederik Andersen #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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With the postponement of the NHL for the near future, it’s time to reflect on the games that got away from the Toronto Maple Leafs this year.

Every team is going to lose games that they should have won, but that narrative seems more common than not with this current Toronto Maple Leafs team.

Whether it was a lead that got away, or a back-up goaltender that stole the show, below are the top five games the Leafs should have won this season.

Let’s count it down:

#5. January 12, 2020 – Florida Panthers defeat Maple Leafs 8-4 

With three days between games, the Leafs were given the ability to fly into Florida early to enjoy some team-bonding.

After losing back-to-back games and playing a team they were fighting against for a playoff spot, this seemed like it’d be a statement game for the Leafs. Instead, the team went down 5-0 early and couldn’t recover, en route to an embarrassing defeat.

#4. November 29, 2019 – Buffalo Sabres defeat Maple Leafs 6-4

Coming off three straight wins, the Toronto Maple Leafs were flying high after the departure of Mike Babcock.

Sheldon Keefe seemed like the savoir, and life looked good heading into an American Thanksgiving tilt against Buffalo.

After starting the game up 2-0, the Leafs gave up four unanswered goals eventually losing 6-4 in a game they desperately needed to win.

#3. March 5, 2020 – Los Angeles Kings defeat Maple Leafs 1-0 (SO)

Heading off to California for a three-game road trip, everyone thought that six points was feasible.

Toronto had just won three consecutive games with two huge wins against divisional rivals in Tampa Bay and Florida.

Things didn’t go as planned quickly, when the Leafs lost to San Jose in their first game of the road trip, so this game against Los Angeles seemed like an easy win.

Unfortunately, the Leafs couldn’t even a score a goal in this game and ruined a great performance by Frederik Andersen, losing 1-0 in a shootout.

#2. February 3, 2020 – Florida Panthers defeat Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3

After the NHL All-Star break, the Leafs were once again playing great hockey.

They had won their first three games after the break and were looking good against a Panthers team they desperately needed to beat.

After an Auston Matthews goal early in the third period, the Leafs were up 3-1 looking destined to win. However, in a matter of minutes the Panthers scored four unanswered goals to win this game 5-3.

Not only did the Leafs need to win this game for playoff position, but it was an embarrassing finish to a game that looked so promising.

#1. February 22, 2020 – Carolina Hurricanes defeat Maple Leafs 6-3

In terms of a game the Leafs should have won this season, there is no game that sticks out more than this.

After the Hurricanes went up 4-1 midway through the second period, both Hurricanes goalies got injured, so 42 year-old emergency back-up goaltender David Ayres came in for relief.

Next. Lack of Hockey Makes Us Appreciate It More. dark

The Leafs were able to get two past Ayres, but he shut the door in the third securing a 6-3 victory for Carolina, in a game that NHL fans will never forget.

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