Go Leafs!

In my head I keep hearing the opening lines from Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities; “it was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” As a long-suffering Leafs fan, I’m used to the combined excitement and trepidation the start of the playoffs brings. It really can be both the best and the worst for a fan. And after last year’s unexpected premature first round exit, this year that trepidation has been turned up to 11.  

Last year at this time, I drafted a blog focused on my life-long love of the Leafs and how I felt going into the first series against Montreal. But change Montreal to Tampa Bay and my piece could have been written this year. With last year’s outcome, it obviously didn’t age well, but that was then and this is now and once again, hope springs eternal. I don’t want to be redundant so will not rehash it here, but if you’re interested, here it is from last year’s archives. A Long-suffering Leafs Fan Dares to Dream. 

As for this year, no, wait. The rest of this is for fellow Leafs fans only, those who know the thrill of victory, but the agony of defeat much, much more. If you aren’t in this club, stop reading now. Move along. There’s nothing to see here.  

Are they gone? Good. As fellow Leaf fans, we know only too well what we have endured over the, let’s just say over the past while. The taunting, the memes, the jokes, the Maple Laffs. Yep, we’ve heard them all, and we were prime for the picking. And probably like you, I’m full up to here with “Wait until next year.” 

Photo credit: editorinleaf.com

But here’s the point. We’re a better team now. More skilled. More grit. More mature. Better in every position, more depth, better equipped to handle an injury, except if it’s to Campbell but we won’t go there. And I heard on CBC’s The National last night that “the curse” that has caused this 55-year Stanley Cup drought has been lifted, so there’s also that. I was optimistic we’d easily handle Montreal last year, and that optimism was obviously misplaced. But even though the Lightning are a much better team than the Habs, I’m back to being optimistic, as the record shows we play better against the stronger teams.  

As so many commentators have been saying, the Atlantic division is the best one in the league and some very good teams are not going to make it past Round One. Oh hell, I’m making myself nervous again. And I’m rambling.  

Why have I even written this blog? Am I trying to convince you we’ve got this, or myself? Frankly, I don’t know. 

But the start of the playoffs really is the best of times for a hockey fan. Or the worst of times.  

Go Leafs!

Thanks for reading. Share if you think it’ll help us. (because if you read ths far to have to have been a Leafs fan)

Cover Photo Credit: Scott Gummerson