TORONTO (Feb. 29) — It was there… for two stunning, impeccable weeks.

Even if it ended with a face–plant on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, led by their highest–paid stars, won seven consecutive games and played to near perfection on a four–game road trip, dismantling the defending Stanley Cup champions in Las Vegas (7–3) and rebounding from a 2–0 deficit to knock off the National Hockey League’s best home team (and champion from two years back), Colorado. It looked almost too easy and it begged the obvious question: Why can’t the Maple Leafs perform in such a manner when the stakes increase in April, May and June? After the utter dominance of the mid–February run, there can be no more excuses. Auston Matthews has the skill and savvy to lead a club through the lengthy playoff slog. That he’s consistently and repeatedly failed demands a plausible explanation. Is there one?

Yes, we know the playoffs are different than the regular season. But, it’s always been that way. And, it rarely impeded the truly great players in modern NHL history. From Maurice Richard to Gordie Howe… Jean Beliveau… Dave Keon… Bobby Orr… Phil Esposito… Bobby Clarke… Guy Lafleur… Mike Bossy… Bryan Trottier… Denis Potvin… Wayne Gretzky… Paul Coffey… Mario Lemieux… Patrick Kane… Jonathan Toews… Anze Kopitar… Drew Doughty… Sidney Crosby… Nikita Kucherov… Victor Hedman… Nathan MacKinnon… Cale Makar. And, several in–between that I’ve surely missed. You cannot be classified an all–time great until you lug your team through the toughest portion of the spring. The way the abovementioned players so immaculately elevated performance in each playoff round. Why hasn’t it occurred over the better part of a decade with the Core–4 Leafs?

And, what is it about the recent surge that should not be expected when the 2024 Stanley Cup chase begins?

VEGAS ROUTED THE LEAFS, 6–2, AT SCOTIABANK ARENA. BUT, MEMORIES LINGER OF A SEVEN–GAME WIN STREAK, INCLUDING A LOP–SIDED ROAD VICTORY OVER THE CUP CHAMPS LAST WEEK.

I long ago stopped paying attention to the “we’ll get it done” malarkey from Brendan Shanahan and his general manager of the day. Or, the cheerleading and encouragement from large factions of the electronic and print media, most of which is (literally and figuratively) owned by the Leafs. It should have happened already… at least once. Not necessarily winning the Stanley Cup, because that requires a Norris Trophy candidate. Which the Leafs have been devoid of for nearly a half–century, since Borje Salming was in his prime. But, surely embarking on a deep and concerted playoff run led by the regular–season stars gobbling up half the salary cap figure. All of whom performed marvelously during the seven–game roll that solidified a playoff stance in the Eastern Conference.

We saw it… and mostly against elite competition. Without their No. 1 defenseman, Morgan Rielly, the Leafs showed they were capable of sustained excellence over two–plus weeks — more than enough time required to dominate a Stanley Cup round. That it’s occurred only once in the Core–4 era is ridiculous. No person that watched the Leafs destroy the Golden Knights at T–Mobile Arena can rationalize the perennial playoff misadventure. Clearly, it is not related to skill, as proven when Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner put the team on their shoulders. Matthews was in such a zone, he could have scored blindfolded. No player in Leafs history made it look so effortless. The problem, therefore, has to stem from a lack of drive, determination and appetite to flourish when the ice becomes a mosh pit. As it does, exponentially, in every spring. And, how do you fix that?

Obviously not by going “all in” (sigh) at the trade deadline for a forward, as fans and media hilariously proclaimed when Kyle Dubas threw away more of the future, last year, for Ryan O’Reilly. As I’ve written, only an elite goaltender can lift a team beyond its capacity in the Stanley Cup tournament. Only such a figure (or a Norris Trophy type) is worthy of a sizable expenditure at the deadline. It hardly ever transpires, given general managers in the NHL are frightened to make a mistake that could impact employment. Neither does a front–line goalie on a middling team often become available, as with Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators. How tantalizing for fans of the Leafs to envision the Core–4 gaining swagger and confidence in front of a dependable playoff stopper. As did the Toronto clubs of the Curtis Joseph era (1998–2002) that twice advanced to the Stanley Cup semifinals, a highwater mark in the post–1967 era. Not since Cujo signed as a free agent, more than a quarter–century ago, have players in Maple Leafs blue been driven to perform without concern that a mistake will lead to an opposition score.

It’s a rare and enchanting scenario available to Brad Treliving in the next nine days. Do not, however, anticipate the Leafs assuming risk. It is far–more comfortable to promise lots and deliver minimally in a hockey region that neither expects nor demands a Cup challenge. Of course, it shouldn’t be that way, particularly after the extraordinary effort of the big–money boys during the recent and spectacular hot streak. This club has long been screaming for a difference–maker to accompany the skill and passivity up front. Such as Saros, who could excel in the big league for 10 or 15 more years. Instead, a rival playoff team will acquire the Finnish–born goalie… as will another foe his Scandinavian counterpart, Swedish veteran Jacob Markstrom of Calgary. The Leafs will put stock in one of Ilya Samsonov, Joseph Woll or Martin Jones coming up aces in through four grueling Stanley Cup rounds.

With predictable results. Quite a shame, really.

NOSTALGIC HOCKEY PHOTOS

THE SEATING CHART THAT HUNG ON THE WALL OF THE SPECIAL TICKET OFFICE AT MAPLE LEAF GARDENS.

THE ST. LOUIS ARENA ON MAY 5, 1968 PRIOR TO GAME 1 OF THE STANLEY CUP FINAL (vs. MONTREAL).

UPPER–LEVEL, INTERIOR VIEW OF THE OAKLAND COLISEUM–ARENA, HOME OF THE CALIFORNIA GOLDEN SEALS.

JOEY JOHNSTON OF THE SEALS IS ILLEGALLY THWARTED BY TORONTO DEFENSEMAN JIM DOREY (1971, IN OAKLAND).

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