Leafs Postgame: Heartbreaker

4,757.

That’s the number of days it’s been since the Toronto Maple Leafs last played a playoff game after a full 82-game season. Tonight marked the end of that streak.

The Buds took to Washington for game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Capitals. Calling Toronto the underdog would be an understatement – no one picked them to win the series. Regardless, the Leafs came out and played a hell of a game that ended in typical Toronto fashion.

Here’s what happened in Toronto’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Capitals.

No one took the Leafs to win this series. Not the fans, not the experts.

That’s why many, okay, everyone was surprised when the Leafs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead courtesy of who else but Mitchell Marner.

Aaaaand the crowd goes wild!

Remember, last year Marner was an absolute beast with London during the playoffs, scoring 44 (!!!) points in 18 games. The guy is a big game player and, this goes without saying, but he will have to be a massive piece if the Leafs have any hopes of getting past Washington. His first ever postseason goal came just 1:35 into his first ever postseason game.

Then, midway through the period, Toronto strikes again.

Jake Gardiner was fantastic for the Leafs during their series against Boston a few years ago, and he’s been great this season as well. The goal was immediately called back for goaltender interference but, after the Leafs challenged, the call was reversed. Toronto takes a 2-0 lead? Toronto takes a 2-0 lead.

However, just a few minutes later, the Caps get their first of the playoffs. I’ll give you ONE guess as to who scored. Anyone? Yes, that’s right – Justin Williams.

This one stung not only because the Leafs were rolling, but because it came just seconds after they had killed off a 5-on-3. Also, I know it’s trendy to laugh at Roman Polak, but this one isn’t on him. Anyways, Toronto took an impressive 2-1 lead to the second.

In said second frame, Toronto played about as well as a road team trying to keep a lead possibly could. They basically shut the Caps down and, had it not been for a post, would have gone up 3-1. Unfortunately, that’s not what happened. Can someone tell Justin Williams this isn’t game seven and he can calm down? Here’s his second of the game – a lucky one, might I add.

It’s really hard to blame Freddie on this one. He was great up until this point but, ideally, that’s one you’d like your goalie to have. Regardless, Williams’ second of the game tied this baby up.

The third period was where Toronto started to slip. The Caps started to play their brand of hockey and controlled most of the play. Toronto kept trying to dump ‘n chase, but Washington had no problem retrieving the puck and making an easy first pass. Look, you can actually see the tables start to turn!

Regulation Freddie Andersen was absolutely massive for the Leafs, making a number of key stops to get this game to overtime.

However, overtime Freddie Andersen pissed this game away. Sorry, I don’t care how well he played (and he played really, really well) – this goal is garbage and should never go in. Vesa Toskala makes this save ten times out of ten.

Of course it was Tom Wilson who scored, too. God hates the Toronto Maple Leafs.

All things considered, the Leafs played a very good game.

Again, the third period is where things started to turn, but for the most part, it was an extremely encouraging effort. Tom Wilson. I still can’t believe it.

I thought Toronto’s fourth line of Martin-Boyle-Kapanen had a great game. Yeah, Martin took a dumb penalty, but as a whole, they played very well. Hunwick deserves an honourable mention as well. He had a really good game and has pulled a complete 180 from the player he once was.

Toronto’s in Washington for at least one more game, as game two is set for Saturday night. Let’s hope it isn’t the last contest the Buds play in (the other) nation’s capital this season.