Toronto Maple Leafs Must Win This Series The Hard Way

The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again doing things the hard way.

Of course this series always felt destined for a Game 7, especially as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. This team doesn’t know any other way in the playoffs, at least in recent years.

With that said, this year actually feels different. The team didn’t blow a win in quite the same fashion as they have in the past. Yes, they allowed a lead to slip but they didn’t simply roll over.

The overtime period in Game 6 really was anyone’s game. It wasn’t as if they simply gave up and surrendered a significant lead. There were other elements of that game that might not have favoured the Leafs, but it’s in the past now.

Toronto Maple Leafs Must Succeed The Hard Way

It almost feels like if the Toronto Maple Leafs are finally to clear the hurdle and rid themselves of the demons of the first round, they absolutely must do it the hardest way possible.

At this point, it’s almost as if they need to go down by a goal in Game 7 and as painful as it’ll be to watch, claw their way through to the second round. The hardest lessons are often learned with the highest amount of effort, after all.

With the winner of this series already locked in to play the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners, the challenges aren’t about to get any easier even if the Toronto Maple Leafs can advance.

Hence why it’s so vital that the lessons of a series that has been incredibly hard-fought, with maximum effort and minimal lucky breaks, result in the right final score.

To defeat the reigning Stanley Cup champions would be a huge accomplishment in itself. To do so in a Game 7 with all of their past history weighing so heavily on their shoulders. That’s a team defining moment.

So much has been written about the core group, but not a single one of them has backed down this time around. The likes of William Nylander, John Tavares, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews have all stepped up. It really feels like the entire Toronto Maple Leafs roster is 100% focused on finally dispelling the narrative that they’re a regular season side that can’t compete when their backs are against the wall.

Twice already in this series, we’ve seen them show great character in fighting back from going behind. That hasn’t been part of the story in recent seasons. Hence why this year feels different.

A win in this Game 7 opens up a whole world of possibilities. The Toronto Maple Leafs just need to get out there and finally get it done.