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Toronto Maple Leafs Season Is on the Line Tonight in Game 4

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 02: Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs falls as Joonas Korpisalo #70 and Vladislav Gavrikov #44 of the Columbus Blue Jackets defend in the first period of Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 02, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 02: Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs falls as Joonas Korpisalo #70 and Vladislav Gavrikov #44 of the Columbus Blue Jackets defend in the first period of Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 02, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs season could be over in a few hours from now.

Midway through Game 3, the Toronto Maple Leafs thought it would be an elimination game for the Columbus Blue Jackets, instead it’s the other way around.

Say what you want, but at the end of the day the Leafs lost and are now facing elimination.

It was such a Leaf-y way to lose yesterday too.

When you go up 3-0, you have to win the game. This collapse wasn’t as bad as the last three goal playoff lead I remember (*cough cough, Game 7, 2013), but it was still ugly.

The Leafs bedtime alarm went off right after that third goal and they went to sleep.

Toronto Maple Leafs Face Elimination Tonight

Although it wasn’t pretty to watch the team collapse, they had a few opportunities to close out the game but didn’t capitalize.

Auston Matthews played one of his most complete games I’ve ever seen. Not only was he buzzing in the offensive zone, but his defensive play and stick-lifting ability was at its best.

It’s crazy to say this, but I almost think i’d rather watch a highlight-reel of his defensive plays than his top goals. It’s so impressive how he’s able to back-check and stick lift every single player in the NHL, no matter their skill-level.

It felt like Matthews should have scored five times last night too. Not only did he have a bullet-shot that hit the post but with three minutes left, he had a great chance in front which Columbus somehow blocked.

 Leafs Need to Reward Freddie Andersen

Andersen has been the best player for the Leafs in all three games thus far and the fact that the team is down 2-1 in this series is a discredit to the hard-work he’s put in.

When Andersen is on his game, the best way I like to describe him as is “Carey Price-like.”

If you watch Price every night, you’ll notice that he’s the most stoic goaltender in the NHL and is calm in critical situations. He’s always in the right position and is never bothered by anything.

After watching Andersen the past three games, that’s exactly how he’s looked. He’s been incredibly calm and the four goals he allowed last night were all good goals.

Andersen has a .948 save percentage (SV%) and 1.52 goals against average (GAA) in three games played, which is more than you can ask for from him.

In five career playoff elimination games as a Leaf, Andersen has a 2-3 record, which isn’t great but at least he has some experience.

In their 2017-18 playoff series against Boston, Andersen was brilliant in Game 5 and 6, which were elimination games and was the reason why the Leafs were able to force a Game 7 in that playoffs.

He only needs one great start tonight and then we’ll roll the dice for Game 5.

Next. Which Type of Toronto Maple Leafs Fan Are You?. dark

I’m not ready to give up on the Leafs season yet, so let’s hope the team shows up tonight.

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