After a four-month layoff, the Toronto Maple Leafs season ended in seven days.
In one week, the Toronto Maple Leafs provided numerous highs and lows for fans.
When you look back at the series and season that was, inconsistency is a word that fits.
After losing Game 1, the Leafs stormed back and played one of their most complete games of the season in Game 2.
John Tavares put the team on his back and showed why he was worthy of the captaincy, while Auston Matthews also shined. It was a full-team effort and a bounce-back game that was needed to keep their season alive.
Midway through Game 3, it felt like the Leafs had taken a stranglehold on the series and would finish it off in Game 4. But then, like many years before, they blew a huge lead and our hearts sank.
It was such a defeating loss and begged us to ask the question as to why we cheer for the Leafs in the first place.
As Game 4 approached, the hope of another bounce-back was in our minds, but at the same time, the season seemed finished. How do you blow a 3-0 lead and lose?
After finding themselves in the same situation with four minutes left in Game 4, the Leafs did the unthinkable. They tied the game to force overtime and in the extra-frame, Matthews sealed the win.
Game 5 was now do-or-die and the momentum felt in Toronto’s favor.
When you make a huge comeback like they did in Game 4, it’s impossible to lose Game 5, but in classic Leafs form, they found a way.
The Blue-and-White were shutout once again and the series ended.
The roller-coaster ride of emotions was finally finished and the Leafs had officially been eliminated.
With the season in the rear-view mirror, the Leafs organization held their year-end press conference on Wednesday and here are three key takeaways from it.