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Toronto Maple Leafs Didn’t Win Game 5, But There’s Always Game 6

By Stephen Nixon

Apr 18, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole (28) goes to check Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (16) during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole (28) goes to check Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (16) during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs thought they were attending a wedding on Thursday night, but it turned out to be a funeral, instead.

How are you feeling Toronto Maple Leafs fans? If you ask me, I’m already bracing for the worst and expecting there to be a Game 7 played on Monday night.

For the past three seasons, I’ve written an article about this team almost every day, but somehow I was surprised and shocked about the Game 5 loss. After two big overtime wins, it felt like Thursday night was going to be a celebration.

The sun was shining when I woke up and it was a beautiful day in the city. Auston Matthews jersey’s were worn throughout the streets and there was a buzz in the city.

It’s been 19 years since this team has won a playoff round and after the blew another potential series-clinching loss, we’re going to have to wait another 48 hours to figure out if that drought will reach 20 years or not.

Can the Toronto Maple Leafs Finally Win a Playoff Series?

The Leafs didn’t lose Thursday night’s game, as much as the Lightning went out and won it. Although Ilya Samsonov played great, stopping 35 of 38 shots, Tampa Bay was the better team and they deserved to win.

As much as we all thought the Leafs would close out the series, did we really think the Lightning weren’t going to go down without a fight? This is a team that’s been to three straight Stanley Cup Finals and has one of the best goaltenders in the world.

Speaking of which, Andrei Vasilevskiy was the difference-maker in Game 5 and was deserving of the second-star of the game. That was the first time we’ve seen that type of performance out of the former Conn Smythe winner this series, so if he plays like that in Game 6 and 7, Toronto may be screwed.

If you asked every Leafs fan, they would take a 3-2 series lead with two opportunities to close out the series right now, but at the same time, why can’t this team just take the kill-shot?

Why do they have to continuously give us hope and break our hearts? It’s like the Leafs are that cute girl you’ve had a crush on your entire childhood and then she finally leans in for a kiss and goes “just kidding, nerd!”

They tease us with hope and make us think that there’s a world where they’re not the laughing-stock of the NHL, but here we go again. As Michael Scott once famously said, “I’m ready to get hurt, again.”

Most Boring Leafs Regular Season?. dark. Next

Game 6 is going to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions and I can’t wait.

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