The Toronto Maple Leafs are under more pressure than any other team in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
They need to win, and they need to win big.
That is why their 7-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night is the worst possible start to the postseason for them, their fans and pretty much everybody associated with the team.
What puts the Maple Leafs under such much scrutiny, aside from playing in a hockey-mad market that has not won a championship since 1967, is the fact the organization has not won a playoff series since 2004.
Even worse is that this current core, led by Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares, has lost in the opening round of the playoffs in six consecutive seasons.
They have lost in every possible way.
As favorites, underdogs, by blowing big series leads, and by getting downright outplayed.
Every series loss, and even every game loss, brings back feelings of the “same old Leafs” that can’t get it done.
This year was supposed to be different.
It has to be different.
Not only were the Maple Leafs one of the league’s best teams during the regular season, but the matchup with Tampa Bay is actually seen as somewhat favorable for them.
Even though the Lightning have been in the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past three seasons, that is a lot of hockey to be played and that has to take a toll on a team physically.
They have also really struggled down the stretch and have not been playing their best hockey going into the playoffs. Combine the fact that Toronto has home-ice advantage, and that the Lightning could be vulnerable, and another first-round loss is not going to be acceptable in Toronto.
The big issue on Tuesday was starting goalie Ilya Samsonov giving up six goals on 29 shots before being pulled. Goaltending was the big question mark for Toronto entering this season as management gambled on the duo of Samsonov and Matt Murray, two goalies that were among the least productive netminders in the league a year ago.
Murray struggled again this year and is currently sidelined with an injury, while Samsonov had a miserable start on Tuesday.
Expectations are high this team. Demands are even higher from the fan base and Toronto media. Confidence has to be low after that opening game.
