The Toronto Maple Leafs Recent Game 1 History
The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to take on their archrival the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and with Game 1 just a few days away, let's take a trip down memory lane and take a look at the Leafs recent Game 1 history.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are officially set to take on their rivals, the Boston Bruins, in round one of this year's playoffs. It's no secret the Leafs have lost to the Bruins in three playoff series in the last 11 years, but this year they'll be aiming for a different outcome.
With game 1 just around the corner, I thought it'd be fun to take a look at the Toronto Maple Leafs success in game 1s during the current Matthews-Marner era.
The Leafs (funnily enough tied with Boston) currently own the NHL's longest active playoff streak, qualifying for the postseason every year since 2017. During this streak, the Leafs have an abysmal 2-6 record in game 1s. As my girlfriend would say, "That sucks".
While one game does not define an entire series, it's still fun to look at. With that being said, let's take a deep dive into each of these game 1s.
Part 1: 2017-2020
All stats via hockey-reference.com .
2017 Round 1: @ Washington Capitals
The Leafs headed into this game as huge underdogs, being the second wild-card team and taking on the President's Trophy winners, the Washington Capitals. The Leafs put up a strong effort in this game but unfortunately fell 3-2 in overtime. Mitch Marner and Jake Gardiner gave the team a 2-0 lead, and Tom Wilson scored the game-winner for Washington. The Leafs did manage to win the next two games in the series, however, but lost the series in six games.
2018 Round 1: @ Boston Bruins
This game was absolutely brutal to watch from the perspective of a Leafs fan. The Leafs again went into this series as underdogs, but many thought they still had a solid shot against the Bruins in this series.
This Game 1 was rough for the Leafs. The Bruins won the game 5-1, with David Pastrnak recording three points for Boston, and the Leafs lone goal coming from Zach Hyman.
The Leafs bounced back to force a game 7, but ultimately lost the series 4-3.
2019 Round 1: @ Boston Bruins
The Leafs finally won a game 1 in the 2019 first round, taking down the Bruins 4-1. This game was huge for the Leafs, as they overcame an early 1-0 deficit on the road to take down their rivals in a massive game.
Mitch Marner led the way with two goals, including a highlight-worthy penalty shot goal.
The Leafs led this series 3-2, but ultimately fell to the Bruins in game 7 for the second straight year, and third time in seven seasons.
2020 Qualifying Round: vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Switching back to another game 1 to forget, this year brought us the 2020 bubble playoffs where the Leafs took on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the qualifying round.
The Leafs got shutout by Joonas Korpisalo in this one, falling 2-0 in this series' opening game. Frederick Andersen did his best, stopping 33/34 shots, but the Leafs offense was nowhere to be seen.
In game 4 of this series, the Leafs pulled off one of the greatest comebacks of all time, rallying from a 3-0 deficit in the final minutes of the game to force a deciding game 5, but ultimately lost that one as well, getting shutout for the second time in the series, losing 3-0.
With 2017-2020 now out of the way, let's move to 2021-2023.
2021 Round 1: vs Montreal Canadiens
This game is another one many will want to forget. Not only did the Leafs lose a game they probably should've won, but John Tavares also got injured early in this game, knocking him out for the entire series.
The Leafs lost this game 2-1, with the lone goal coming from William Nylander. The Leafs went on to win the next three games in a row but ultimately lost the series in seven games.
2022 Round 1: vs Tampa Bay Lightning
After losing 4/5 game 1s in the Matthews-Marner era, the Leafs were looking to right the ship against the then back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Leafs blew the Lightning out of the water in this one, and I was lucky enough to see it live in person.
In one of the most electric games that Scotiabank Arena has ever seen, the Leafs won 5-0. Jake Muzzin opened the scoring, Auston Matthews scored twice, and Jack Campbell recorded the shutout.
The Leafs were oh so close from winning this series, but ultimately lost in seven games.
2023 Round 1: vs Tampa Bay Lightning
In another series vs the Lightning, this game 1 unfortunately was not as successful as the previous year's.
The Leafs got whacked 7-3 on home ice, and many fans anticipated another first round exit.
However, the Leafs went on to win three games in a row, and clinched the series in game six on the road. Captain John Tavares scored the winner in overtime, and the Leafs advanced to the second round for the first time since 2004.
2023 Round 2: vs Florida Panthers
In their first second-round game in 19 years, the Leafs came up short in game 1 for the second time in the same playoff year.
The Leafs lost 4-2 to the Florida Panthers, with goals coming from Matthew Knies (his first NHL goal) and Michael Bunting.
The Panthers won the series in five games, but this year was still a strong step in the right direction for the Leafs.
Prediction For Game 1 vs Boston
In just a few days, the Leafs are going to take on the Boston Bruins in game 1 of their first round series. If I had to make a prediction, I'll pick the Leafs winning.
If we look at a pattern over the last 8 game 1s, the Leafs have lost twice, then won one, then lost twice, then won one.
After last year's series, they have lost two in a row, which means if this pattern stays true, they're due to win this year.
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Now anyone's guess is as good as mine, and the Leafs game 1 pattern is obviously pure coincidence. But regardless, it's going to be a fantastic series between Toronto and Boston.