Deep breaths, Maple Leafs fans — there’s always next year.
A heavy cloud of disappointment sits over the city this morning, as Toronto hockey fans try to process another early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs, this one coming after a nail-biting 2-1 loss to the Lightning in Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena.
The Leafs haven’t won the Stanley Cup in 56 years, and haven’t won a single playoff round since 2004, back when Jean Chrétien was prime minister.
Still, fans are taking solace in the fact that the Maple Leafs — who fought hard against Tampa and had a franchise-best 115 points in the regular season — are in good shape for next season.
Meanwhile, a few time zones over, the Edmonton Oilers advanced to the second round with a Game 7 win over the LA Kings.
Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win, while 40-year-old goaltender Mike Smith made 28 saves for his second shutout of the series.
The Oilers will now advance to play the winner of the Calgary Flames/Dallas Stars series — which will be decided in a Game 7 of its own on Sunday.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free)