Toronto Maple Leafs Reverse Probability, Get Lucky at Perfect Time

The Toronto Maple Leafs made what is arguably the best comeback in NHL history last night.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs best defenseman, Morgan Rielly, fell down, and Columbus walked in alone to beat Andersen to make it 3-0, I have to admit, I was dreading writing this post game article.

I knew everyone would be calling for big (unnecessary) changes, ripping the players and laying down ridiculous but well-meaning narratives that I’d have to spend the next four months trying to tear down.

Because – win or lose – I do believe in this team. I also don’t think four random games in the summer five months after the season paused should really enter into anyone’s evaluations of the Toronto Maple Leafs players or management.

Especially when, after four games, the Leafs deserved to have won all four of them, with three of them being decisive victories.

But when the Blue Jackets made it 3-0, it didn’t look good, even for the most optimistic guy in Leafs Nation.

 The Best Comeback in NHL History

Hockey is a funny game.  In game three, the Leafs blew a 3-0 lead, but they sandwiched the first Columbus goal with two goal posts, each of which would have put them away and ended the game, and most likely the series.

The Leafs lost a game in which they literally had a 99% chance of winning.  Like a nerd with a correct explanation to annoying to make anyone care, I blathered on about not being too mad about losing in such a bizarre way.

Fast forward to the next night, and what happens?

Columbus hits the crossbar on the goal that would make it 4-0.   Then proceed to blow a game game in which they had a 99% chance of winning.

Now, we can anoint the Leafs as a team that finally gets it, we can talk about grit, determination and a never quit attitude until the cows come home, but the fact is, they got insanely lucky.

I mean, you gotta be good to be lucky – and they threw 57 shots on Elvis Merzlikens over one-and-a-half games and the B-list goalie still put up a 100% save percentage.   That is a lot of shots, and they were due.

But you don’t expect the symmetry to occur instantly.  Things tend to work themselves out over a long time, not five minutes.

It was insane to watch, amazing to behold, and my voice still sounds rough from screaming so much.

Totally worth it.  Go Leafs!