Quote from: Goaliedave31 on January 27, 2023, 06:53:40 PMNot sure about the "flaming out". They lost last year in 7 games to the two time Cup winner in a game which featured the only time I have seen in 50 years that a goal was called back on a "pick". They've been more unlucky than anything, eg. - being in a division that features three of the best teams in the league, two egregious giveaways in the Montreal series that led to winning goals, Kadri being suspended in two different years. The Columbus series was the only "flame out"- bad goaltending, lack of scoring.
Perhaps the wrong choice of wording. Pushing to make the playoffs that first season against the Caps hasn't created this battle hardened winning machine. It's lead to a team that has gone to an elimination game in the first round of the playoffs for 5 straight years, and lost all 5.
If the Leafs had made the decision to focus on stocking the cupboard some more and then trying to make the playoffs, the Leafs may be further along now with some sacrificing back then.