TORONTO (Apr. 28) — At no point, and deservedly so, in the Core–4 era have the Maple Leafs been granted a full playoff mulligan. Until Saturday night, that is, when a defeat in overtime at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa prevented a four–game sweep of the pesky Senators. The prevailing sentiment among fans and local media seems to be “hey, this kinda thing happens. It’s hard to win four straight. We’ll get ’em back home on Tuesday.” As if the Leafs are polished and shiny at eliminating Stanley Cup opponents. The heartfelt wish of Toronto hockey zealots may, in fact, materialize. My prediction, in this corner, was Toronto in five and I’ll be not at all surprised if the series ends tomorrow night. With yet another razor–close encounter at Scotiabank Arena (can’t help but wonder, as I write this, whether Ottawa will win the Stanley Cup before the Leafs?). The teams will shake hands — the Leafs moving on with much respect fpr the Senators — and Toronto will await the survivor of the Florida–Tampa Bay series, which could go the distance. That’s the “endorphine” scenario for fans of the Blue and White; collectively relaxed more than 24 hours before Game 5. Do any of you see where I’m going here? Even if cautiously?

Whatever deferment the Leafs obtained after Saturday’s match will endure only until the conclusion of Game 5. If the series ends, it will have been well–earned amnesty on the part of fans and media. If the Leafs lose again, the playoff ugliness of the Core–4 era will gush forth and quickly flatten the gay narrative. Hockey sphincters around here will become severely taut. Two more defeats and not even a toothpick will fit (if you’ll excuse the visual).

That’s where we’re heading if the Leafs fail to rinse the Senators for a second time, ensuring a Game 6 in the nation’s capital on Thursday. No–such storyline will be received gracefully by fans and media in the Greater Toronto Area. More than likely, we’ll bear witness to a full–fledged crisis of optimism and expectation. With anxious people wondering how, rather than if, the next franchise calamity will evolve. Just waiting for it to happen.

So, enjoy the calm before the potential storm.

 
IF THE LEAFS LOSE AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT, THIS BECOMES… THIS!

Were the Leafs to lose another match, perhaps, in overtime, the measured response would be “okay, this is a tough, annoying opponent on the rise. Ottawa isn’t going down without a mega fight. But, there are still two more opportunities to eliminate a weaker division rival.” Of course, no–such response will occur in these parts amid the onset of panic. Should the Senators rout the Leafs on Tuesday (say, 5–1, which has happened repeatedly to good teams early in the playoffs), all hell will break loose. Stories will lead with the four teams in Stanley Cup history that have gagged on a 3–0 lead in a best–of–seven round — the 1942 Red Wings (vs. the Leafs); 1975 Pittsburgh Penguins (vs. the Islanders); 2010 Boston Bruins (vs.Philadelphia) and the 2014 San Jose Sharks (vs. Los Angeles). Tortured Leaf rooters will learn these teams and dates by heart. Churches, synagogues and mosques around town will be deluged by hockey fanatics praying for a turnabout in the inevitable pattern. Columnists lionizing Toronto skaters for early series exploits will dump all over the team; aforementioned subjects included.

If you haven’t noticed, folks, this isn’t an elegant, forgiving hockey market. Not while enduring the deep playoff wounds since 2004 (starring the 2013 collapse in Beantown and the 2021 embarrassment against the Habs).

Remember the goalie mask Gerry Cheevers wore for Boston in the 1970’s? With stitches painted in black?

That should replace the blue maple leaf as primary franchise logo. Starting each April.

Ultimately, common sense will prevail… albeit briefly. I posted on Twitter (or ‘X’) the other day that if the Leafs need merely three goals to win playoff games, they will seriously challenge for the Stanley Cup. As would any club. Saturday night was only the second time in the past 11 starts (dating to Mar. 25) that Anthony Stolarz has allowed more than two goals. Should that level of performance continue, Ottawa has no chance of becoming the fifth team to rebound from 0–3 in a best–of–seven. It’s too deep a canyon. Stolarz is enabling the Leafs to rely less on the big gunners up front. In turn, this seems to have relaxed the usual playoff culprits; all of William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and The Marvel, himself, John Tavares are contributing against Ottawa.

Though the actual games have been closer than I anticipated, the Leafs still have a commanding lead.

They won’t let it slip away.

Even with a ghastly 1–12 record in close–out playoff attempts.

Even if the local hockey scene would be entertaining as hell, beyond tomorrow night.

THE DATE PROVIDES AN OMEN

If looking for a four–leaf clover, stop wasting your time. Tomorrow’s date should provide fans of the Maple Leafs plenty of ammunition. It will be 47 years, on Tuesday, since Lanny McDonald scored the most–iconic goal of the otherwise–bleak Harold Ballard era — fooling Glenn (Chico) Resch with a low shot in overtime at the Nassau Coliseum; lifting the euphoric Leafs to a Game 7 conquest of the New York Islanders. Apr. 29, 1978. Anyone old enough to remember will never forget. Toronto had trailed in the series 2–0 and 3–2. Since that night, three playoff rounds have ended with the Leafs prevailing in overtime: the 1993 opening series against Detroit, when Nikolai Borschevsky scored at Joe Louis Arena; 1999, when Garry Valk clicked in Game 6 at Pittsburgh and, of course, the 2023 first round against Tampa Bay that John Tavares closed out in the first extra period of Game 6.

Will Toronto hockey fans merrily recall Lanny’s long–ago heroics?

FRONT PAGE OF TORONTO STAR SPORTS THE MORNING AFTER LANNY SLAYED THE ISLANDERS.

YES, CALL ME NUTS…

While browsing eBay last week, I came upon this — a ticket stub at the old CNE Stadium from my first Argonauts game: a 34–27 loss to the Ottawa Rough Riders two months after the first moonwalk. Went with Dad. Got hooked very quickly on the Argos and the Canadian Football League.

EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM