The title is harsh, but so has been watching the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

The Maple Leafs are all but eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs, which will mark the first time since 2015-16 they’ve met that fate, and yet, they’re finding ways to grind out wins in the late stages of the season when the fanbase would prefer they do the opposite. First it was a 4-2 over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, ironically one of their best games against the Bruins in recent memory, and then it was a 4-3 win over the second-worst New York Rangers who vastly outplayed them. It ultimately came down to goaltending, and Joseph Woll severely outplayed Igor Shesterkin despite the lopsided shot clock.

Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli played well, tallying two points apiece and making the best of this stretch run despite the lack of playoff hopes. Maccelli in particular has been excellent since the Olympic break, with 13 points in 16 games, and whether it’s Brad Treliving signing contracts this offseason or somebody else, the Leafs should seriously consider bringing him back. Joshua’s contract might look like a bit of an anchor right now, but lately he’s been proving his ability to be a contributing bottom-six player, too, giving them hope that he might be able to pick up where he left off at the start of next season.

It might not have been the outcome that fans wanted, but at least they were able to give their baseball counterparts a win.

With nine games remaining on the schedule, the Leafs will continue their quest for the bottom (if the fans get what they desire) with a game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, who are also firmly in the tank race, before heading to California to face some teams still fighting for a chance at the playoffs next week.