Look on the bright side after embarrassing losses to CBJ and Mon the past 2 years there really is no where to go but up from here as they were already sitting at the bottom after those performances.
Being up 3-1 games on the #18th ranked Montreal Canadiens that wouldn't even have qualified to make the playoffs without a Pandemic rule change and alignment, would already have costed a coach and perhaps a GM their jobs when expectations were so high going into the playoffs and the path of QofC never going to be easier.
Some would say Leafs young management is already on borrowed time if being judged on performance of the past playoffs , and so lets hope this is the year after ex Gm Lou Lam who gifted them a 60 goal and potential best all-time generational player before his departure, that they make the most of this what should be "last chance" opportunity in most organizations.
Hopefully the Leafs do break through because haven't won a playoff round since 2004 and since the salary cap was instituted, is weighing heavily on the franchise, and current management is squandering years before these current contracts expire, as this window closes.
As a long time suffering Leafs fans since the 1960's I be thrilled with playoff success, and understand that its likely going to be driven by Auston Matthews, and the current management can ride those coattails of his Hart, Rocket Richard, and hopefully Conn Smythe playoff MVP of his success all the way to hoisting the Cup, and then when the dust settles history will show it was Lou Lam that turned it all around for the organization and provided the KEY component Matthews so that future management can bask in any and all future playoff success he provides.
That wouldn't bother me one bit, as that is what I'm hoping for to happen, and sooner rather than later !! Its the losing that is bothering me not any potential winning.
