As we enter a new year, let’s look back at the past and figure out what Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7 loss would have been best avoided.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have continued to lose in the most critical game every season, but maybe this year will be different.
For whatever reason, this team can’t win when they need it the most, but if you could award the team one Game 7 win, which one would it be? I know it was only a Game 5 loss against Columbus, but it was a Best-of-5 series let’s add that to the mix.
The following options are: Boston Bruins #1 (2018), Boston Bruins #2 (2019), Columbus Blue Jackets (2020), Montreal Canadiens (2021) and Tampa Bay Lightning (2022).
Let’s get into it:
Toronto Maple Leafs Recent Playoff Losses
#5: Boston #1 (2018)
When the Leafs made the playoffs against the Washington Capitals the year before, they were just happy to be there. As for the Bruins series, it was redemption from 2013, which they couldn’t get.
As much as it would’ve been great for the team to win this series, this one doesn’t sting as much because this Game 7 loss should have been the fuel to help them win one down the road.
#4. Columbus Blue Jackets (2020)
The Toronto Maple Leafs were better than the Blue Jackets this year and they could’ve had home-ice advantage for most of the playoffs (because they played in a Bubble in Toronto), but it’s low on my list because of the circumstances.
The pandemic had just begun, and the team was stuck playing in front of zero fans. It’s a dumb and selfish reason, but I didn’t want to see the Leafs win a Stanley Cup with zero fans in the building, so I’m kind of happy they actually lost this year.
#3. Montreal Canadiens (2021)
This was very similar to the Columbus series, as the Leafs were only able to play in front of fans for one game (Game 7) and it didn’t have any impact because there were only 500 people in attendance.
However, this one stings a lot because they were up 3-1 against Montreal, who they were 10 times better than. Toronto should’ve won this series in five games and marched to the Stanley Cup Finals.
#2. Tampa Bay Lightning (2022)
For the first time in the Auston Matthews Era, Toronto had home-ice advantage with 19,000 fans in the building. This win would’ve been huge for the team as it would’ve snapped their five-year do-or-die game losing streak.
Beating the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions would’ve been amazing for this group and they could have been the team who played the Colorado Avalanche in the Finals, but it was all for not. That loss could be the defining factor for the team, as they may never get out of Game 7, so that one stung a lot, especially as the Leafs were up 3-2 in the series and had a third period lead in Game 6.
#1. Boston Bruins #2 (2019)
The biggest Game 7 “What If” for the Leafs over the Matthews Era for me is the second loss to the Bruins. Toronto held a 3-2 series lead with Game 6 being played at home and should’ve closed the series out then, not even forcing a deciding match.
Not only that, but a Game 7 win by the Leafs that year would’ve changed everything. The team would’ve advanced in the playoffs with it’s core players all on Entry Level Contracts and would’ve had Nazem Kadri for the Second Round.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the Leafs would’ve gained serious momentum and it’s possible that Kadri never leaves the team. The was a solid group with lots of depth and if they breakthrough in that game, the entire script is changed and there’s no doubts about whether or not this group can win in the playoffs forever.
Obviously you can’t change the past, but if I could, I’m going back and having the Toronto Maple Leafs win the second series against Boston more than any other match-up because it would’ve helped guide them to the promised land.