The Top Ridiculous Excuses for the Toronto Maple Leafs

No one likes to make excuses but we’ve got the Toronto Maple Leafs covered for how they can explain their early exit from the bubble.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had their playoff hopes smashed by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night.

With a team composed of talented players, it’s a very disappointing end to a weird season for the Buds.

Instead of looking for the most probable reasons that Toronto fell short such as the Jackets’ strong defensive play and goaltending, the Leafs should consider going another route. To explain their shortcoming, the team should embrace the rediculous and provide only unique explanations.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Thought It Was the First Round

The Leafs haven’t played past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2003-04. They’ve also been eliminated in the first round the past three seasons. In an attempt to be consistent, the Buds attempted to play their way into another first-round exit at the hands of Columbus.

The problem was, although the games were played in a series format, it wasn’t officially the first round. The Leafs were supposed to get passed the Jackets and then lose.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Wanted to Be Gracious Hosts

When the city of Toronto was chosen to be one of the NHL bubble cities, the Maple Leafs decided to take their hosting duties seriously.

The goal of course was to make everyone feel welcome and happy while their visitors were in town. Unfortunately, the Leafs being gracious hosts, felt they should allow the Jackets to stay even though Torts and company overstayed their welcome.

Kyle Dubas Wants to Win the NHL Draft Lottery

As talented as the current Leafs roster is, Kyle Dubas would gladly add another young player next season. More importantly, he’d love to do it cheaply.

No doubt Dubas would love to see the top prospect Alexis Lafreniere from the Rimouski Oceanic in blue and white next year. The only way the Leafs were able to get a shot at winger was to avoid being a playoff team.

They were successful in achieving that goal, putting them in the Draft Lottery.

The Players Were Waiting for the Right Score

In Game Three, the Leafs had a three-goal lead before dropping the game in overtime.

Game Four once again had the same score, but in reverse. It allowed Toronto to have its legendary comeback and win. With Columbus up two to nothing in Game Five, the Toronto Maple Leafs were waiting for the Jackets to score a third goal so that they can maintain consistency in the series.

Unfortunately, Nick Foligno scored the Blue Jackets’ third into an empty net with just 23 seconds remaining. There just wasn’t enough time remaining in the game for things to play out as they were supposed to.

Elliotte Friedman’s Beard

There is a very good chance that Elliotte Friedman’s beard jinxed the Maple Leafs. Clearly,  that chin bush was up to no good.

Friedman is either channeling a mad scientist or Cruella de Vil with his new look. There is no proof at this time that Friedman’s chin curtain played a hand in Toronto’s losses but there is also no proof that it didn’t.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Needed Carlton

The Buds probably never found their groove because something very important was missing. With them being uniquely at home in their own building, they couldn’t have fully felt comfortable without Carlton the Bear.

That cuddly giant might have its critics but perhaps if Carlton was banging on the glass, the players might have found the energy they needed to get the job done.

Sadly, the Maple Leafs will not see playoff hockey this year but at least they’ll have can’t miss excuses lined up for the strangers they meet on the golf course.