Sheldon Keefe and his players were set to head to the airport and board a plane they would have preferred see stay on the tarmac.
The Maple Leafs had allowed a chance to close out the Tampa Bay Lightning in their first-round playoff series slip away less than 24 hours earlier.
Tampa also took the play to Toronto to start proceedings for the fourth time in five contests before the Leafs turned it on late, similar to their overtime triumphs in Games 3 and 4 in Florida.Now the Leafs hit the road looking to once again chase away playoff ghosts that include six straight series losses since 2017, a blown 3-1 lead in 2021, a failure to advance in any fashion since 2004, and a Stanley Cup drought that stands at 55 years.
The Leafs have two more cracks at it, but a city and fan base that have seen epic collapses in the past woke up with an uncomfortable feeling after the first of three opportunities went begging Thursday night.“We haven't shown them our best yet.” “The game builds throughout 60 minutes as the situation arises because time starts to tick away,” captain John Tavares said. “The urgency picks up on both sides, but no doubt we want to come out and take control of the game.”
“Make the plays when they're there and skating off the puck and giving the outlets and the options,” Tavares said. “Especially when guys are under pressure, whether it's our or pucks are on the walls and those contested battles.The Leafs would have gladly taken a 3-2 series lead when the puck dropped for Game 1, after getting blown out in the opener, and when they were trailing late in Games 3 and 4.
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