It’s been five years since the Toronto Maple Leafs were on the wrong side of one of the worst collapses in NHL history.
In 2013, after holding a 4-1 lead over the Boston Bruins in the third period in Game 7, Toronto surrendered three straight goals before the end of regulation. With the momentum on their side, Boston took home the series after Patrice Bergeron beat James Reimer to give the B’s a 4-3 series win.
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It was nearly deja vu for Leaf fans, who had to witness another scare in Game 5. After going up 4-1 in the second period, Boston scored two straight goals and nearly tied things up in the final frame. As soon as the Leafs recaptured their forgettable lead, former Leaf and TSN personality Jeff O’Neill reminded fans of what went down the last time the team was in a similar position.
Leafs nation was also quick to share out their feelings on having the dreaded lead.
Toronto ironically came back from a 3-1 lead in the 2013 series and will look to force another Game 7 when they take on the Bruins in Toronto on Monday night. Another 4-1 lead would be nice, but Leaf fans will always feel a bit uneasy when seeing those two numbers associated together.
(H/T Jeff O’Neill)
