Maple Leafs Blow 3-1 Series Lead, Fall to Canadiens in Seven Games

The Toronto Maple Leafs seldom fail to disappoint their fans, and the 2020-21 season is no exception. The Leafs played the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs—the first time the two have met in the post season in 42 years—and won three games in a row after dropping the opener. But then, on the brink of victory, Toronto lost three in a row including a 3-1 loss in Game 7 at home on May 31st, losing the series four games to three. Montreal will now move on while Toronto will go home.

Toronto has now lost six straight playoff series in the first round, and hasn’t won a series since the 2003-04 season. Although the Leafs have won 13 Stanley Cups, they haven’t won any since 1967—the last year of the Original Six NHL teams. Montreal will face the Winnipeg Jets in the next round of the playoffs.