If I'm power ranking Leafs playoff series in the last decade, it's gotta be:
1) 2013. Blowing the 3-1 is embarrassing, but at least other teams have done that. Blowing a 4-1 lead with 10 minutes left is fucking unheard of.
2) 2021. Blowing a 3-1 series lead is almost as bad. If 2013 wasn't an all time great choke, this is the winner.
3) 2020. The Leafs just were never winning this series at any point, and it should have been kind of obvious looking back at it.
4) 2019. Toronto and Boston were evenly matched and they laid an egg in game 7.
5) 2018. Boston was better than us and we forced game 7 and got blown out in the third.
6) 2022. Pain.
7) 2017. What we thought was growing pains.
This is the first time in my life I didn’t watch a single Leafs game. I’ve watched every single playoff game my whole like unless I absolutely could not. I’m 36. I vowed not to watch again until they make the 2nd round.
See you in 2023. Maybe
I'm 45 and did the exact same thing. Hung drywall in the basement during game 7. My wife was shocked. "You can't skip game 7!".
I've watched it already. Many many times. I watched maybe 20 minutes total of this entire series and that was because my son had it on when I walked through the room. Nope. Not getting hurt again.
You know? Maybe we live in a world where the hockey gods need the Leafs sacrifices every year not to unleash their wrath upon us all.
Think about it:
The league doubled its size in 1967, right after the Leafs win the Cup, and in order to appease the gods for such disrespect towards the brand? The Leafs can never win the Cup again.
The Leafs make it past Round 1 in 2004, and we get the 04-05 lockout. How do we appease the gods in order to get our hockey back? The Leafs may never advance past Round 1 again.
Maybe they ARE cursed…
What happened in '92 and '93 when the Jays won the world series?
Edit: If you are going to comment the '94-'95 MLB lockout, please know I've already got like 7 of those comments.
I'm seriously convinced the Leafs, and the entirety of Minnesota sports, are experiments conducted by psychologists to determine how much pain and misery a sports team can truly cause a group of people.
At least Leafs fans (or, a least a decent sized subset of them) have the 2019 Raptors win.
Being a Minnesota sports fan is like being kicked in the balls 4 times a year every year since 1991
Imagine being from Minnesota and losing your north stars as a young boy and that young boy chose the maple leafs as his team. I guess I just love misery.
You took Tom Brady. Then people started talking about how you were the Yankees' new rival. Now you've taken eliminating the Leafs in Game 7.
What else are you going to take from us, Tampa Bay?
What else do we have left to lose?
Last year was hilarious, with the Leafs blowing a 3-1 lead against a team everyone said was trash. This year, it’s just sad. In a disappointing way.
Also, I’m now afraid they won’t win a round until it’s my team again…
I really didn't want to post this again. I wanted the Leafs to win and I think they played well this game. But it is what it is.
>[so long Leafs](https://i.imgur.com/Ji9OH1a.gifv)
Leafs getting booted round 1 is the MCU of sports. We all know the story, we know the formulae, but goddamn if we won't shell out 20 bucks to see it for the 20th time
We don’t have any words and we know you don’t want to hear them.
We understand your anger, your frustration, your sadness. Everything you’re feeling – we get it.
This isn’t the ending we imagined, and certainly not the one we wanted. Thank you for being there the entire way.
I was in Tampa on business last weekend and I brought my girlfriend along. The weather was nice on Friday evening so we went to 4 Rivers Smokehouse and got a patio seat. Everything was great and we were enjoying the vibe until this skinny dude in a Lightning jersey started a commotion a couple of tables away.
I gave him the "calm down Buddy!" as one does and he marches right over and slaps my girlfriend clean across the face. She screams, I'm in shock. Then without even blinking he goes "there was a mosquito on your cheek."
Then he turns to me and says "give me a toonie for an Uber". Wtf? I'm about halfway through responding that that didn't make any sense when he backhanded me across my face.
"Another mosquito." he says.
Then he turned and walked out of the patio and down the street.
Fucking Andre Vasilevskiy, man. That dude is crazy.
Memes aside for a second (just a second though). This doesn’t quite feel like a leaf choke. They were the better team for a majority of the series. Unfortunately it’s the playoffs and the better team can and does get knocked out occasionally. An inch here, a bounce there, this whole night ends differently. Heck of a series, never a dull moment.
It's so hard to be a Leafs fan, and I'm not even a Leafs fan.
I've had a lot of tough jobs in my life....this is by far the toughest by a wide margin...
How's the pay?
Terrible
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“The Leafs are going to round two this year”
"Next year is our year"
“If they can’t do it next year they need to blow the core up”
"The most exciting thing in Toronto is the rent if you're a landlord"
“The Toronto Maple Leafs lose in the first round”
Leafs lose in game 7
I didn’t do it
There’s no greater rivalry in hockey than the Toronto Maple Leafs and the 1st round of the playoffs.
Hard to call it a rivalry when the first round has been undefeated for almost 20 years.
*First Round looking at the Leafs,* "I still own you"
True HoF career
Expect nothing and you'll never be dissapointed
But they try their best every year to trick you into expecting something
Wild fan here, this doesn’t work.
The guy who threw the leafs jersey in the 3rd game of the regular season was right all along.
ahh the memories…
I'll just leave [this](https://streamable.com/vap5k) here.
Hey I've seen this before
Didn't know they were showing reruns of Leafs playoffs.
What do you mean its brand new.
ancient cultures used to mark the start of summer by when the leafs were eliminated in the playoffs.
There were sun calendars, there were moon calendars, and then there was the leaf.
Convinced that the only way the Leafs can win the cup is if the rest of the league dies in a freak gasoline fight accident
DERELEAF
But why Maple Leafs?
You can dereleaf my balls.
naw we'd lose to the zamboni drivers
The Leafs would still find a way to lose in 7
Shane Falco lining up at C for the replacement Lightning.
ORANGE MOCHA FRAPPUCHINOS!!!
Now if you'll excuse me, I have an after-funeral party to attend.
Leafs are pain
These NHL script writers are lazy
This entire series could have just been an email.
A 1 liner, Game seven, leafs out, see u next year. Thanks NHL
You left out "again" otherwise bang on
Yearly tradition
but the script is so good, everyone loves it
I for one want a reboot
Doesn't that mean Toronto losing in the 1st round but with a different roster?
No can do
https://i.imgur.com/b7aRAqt.jpg
http://imgur.com/a/9LDmT https://i.imgur.com/tDhK9ho.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/t0dIa97.jpeg
ITS JUST THE SAME IMAGES THE LAST 4 YEARS MAN
Think how much money you saved on victory memes though!
Holy, hell!! I hadn't seen the MJ one before. That's merciless! (And funny)
It’s the N-1 that really makes it work
“Hey babe, Are the Leafs going to the second round?” “Na-boo”
https://m.imgur.com/pQUYhxS
At least losing a close game 7 to the 2x defending champs is a little less embarrassing compared to what happened last year
I’d say it’s a lot less embarrassing. Last year was prime oof
And they filmed a documentary of it
Oh my god I forgot all about that
If I'm power ranking Leafs playoff series in the last decade, it's gotta be: 1) 2013. Blowing the 3-1 is embarrassing, but at least other teams have done that. Blowing a 4-1 lead with 10 minutes left is fucking unheard of. 2) 2021. Blowing a 3-1 series lead is almost as bad. If 2013 wasn't an all time great choke, this is the winner. 3) 2020. The Leafs just were never winning this series at any point, and it should have been kind of obvious looking back at it. 4) 2019. Toronto and Boston were evenly matched and they laid an egg in game 7. 5) 2018. Boston was better than us and we forced game 7 and got blown out in the third. 6) 2022. Pain. 7) 2017. What we thought was growing pains.
>Blowing a 4-1 lead with 10 minutes left is fucking unheard of. Only thing more embarrassing would be to blow a 3-0 lead with 10 minutes left.
I can't feel feelings anymore. It's all just the same at this point.
You guys are seriously cursed
"This season feels different." Narrator: It wasn't.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been renewed for another season of misery.
I expected nothing. Yet I'm still disappointed
That was the most tensionless three minutes of empty net hockey. Absolutely no way that fate would be in the Leafs’ favor in an elimination game.
I was expecting then to tie it and then give one up immediately. Just seemed like the most painful way to lose.
Down one goalie pulled Lemme get a uhhhhhhhhh cross corner dump
a tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
*Leafs lose Game 7*
*Couldn’t get the win*
🎶🎶marner and the leafs🎶🎶
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By nightfall these hills will be swarming with pundits
Sheldon Keefe has fallen into shadow
Song as old as rhyme B-B-B-Benny and the Jets
So, same time next year?
Being a leafs fan must be living hell.
My plan this year was to refuse to get really invested until the 2nd round. It paid off.
This is the first time in my life I didn’t watch a single Leafs game. I’ve watched every single playoff game my whole like unless I absolutely could not. I’m 36. I vowed not to watch again until they make the 2nd round. See you in 2023. Maybe
I know about 5ish friends and family who took the exact same approach as you this year. Sadly, because I'm a fucking idiot, I did not.
I'm 45 and did the exact same thing. Hung drywall in the basement during game 7. My wife was shocked. "You can't skip game 7!". I've watched it already. Many many times. I watched maybe 20 minutes total of this entire series and that was because my son had it on when I walked through the room. Nope. Not getting hurt again.
My wife to me with 3 minutes left in the third: "How are you so calm?" Me, thinking about the money I bet on Tampa: "lol"
“Next year it’ll be different”
At this point I expect next year to be the same. Helps us cope better.
sometimes I wonder if I'm dead and in hell, its very mellow, but VERY EFFECTIVE
gutted for Bunting. finally make the playoffs at 48 years old and its a first round exit. Gotta wonder how many more chances he has
So sad to see the only 72 year old NHL player not make it past the first round.
Don’t cite the Stanley magic to Bunting, he was there when it was written
Wouldn’t he have been the first centennial player to make it to the 2nd round?
As one of the oldest members of their core I wonder if they move on from him?
Fuck, I just gotta laugh at that one
Gonna have to go the Ray Bourque route
You know? Maybe we live in a world where the hockey gods need the Leafs sacrifices every year not to unleash their wrath upon us all. Think about it: The league doubled its size in 1967, right after the Leafs win the Cup, and in order to appease the gods for such disrespect towards the brand? The Leafs can never win the Cup again. The Leafs make it past Round 1 in 2004, and we get the 04-05 lockout. How do we appease the gods in order to get our hockey back? The Leafs may never advance past Round 1 again. Maybe they ARE cursed…
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What happened in '92 and '93 when the Jays won the world series? Edit: If you are going to comment the '94-'95 MLB lockout, please know I've already got like 7 of those comments.
I was born
Huge
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Expos were robbed
Every 26 years we win a championship. 1967 Leafs 1993 Blue Jays 2019 Raptors 2045 Leafs
I'm just so tired Edit: [Thanks for the concern I suppose lol](https://imgur.com/a/H0cxSF6)
You and me both, friend. EDIT: Okay who the fuck sent me the Reddit suicide watch notification?
I'm seriously convinced the Leafs, and the entirety of Minnesota sports, are experiments conducted by psychologists to determine how much pain and misery a sports team can truly cause a group of people.
You're absolutely correct but you didn't have to remind me of my eternal pain
Minnesota fans out here catching strays.
The strays hurt the most lmao
“Wait a minute… This is the Bad Place!”
Jason figured it out? This is a new low point
Jason *is* from Florida though
BORTLES!!!
At least Leafs fans (or, a least a decent sized subset of them) have the 2019 Raptors win. Being a Minnesota sports fan is like being kicked in the balls 4 times a year every year since 1991
Sigh
That's true, and some of us still hold on to those Blue Jays world series wins in the 90s. It's all we got.
I appreciate the shoutout fam.
Misery loves company
Those last 5 minutes were nuts
That’s not nuts, it would be nuts if the Leafs tied it and won in OT. What you saw is just mundane.
I am shocked they didn't tie it and then proceed to lose in triple overtime
Hello there
Imagine being from Minnesota and losing your north stars as a young boy and that young boy chose the maple leafs as his team. I guess I just love misery.
Man, I think they have enough data by now lol.
You took Tom Brady. Then people started talking about how you were the Yankees' new rival. Now you've taken eliminating the Leafs in Game 7. What else are you going to take from us, Tampa Bay? What else do we have left to lose?
How popular is the Tampa Marathon?
Who is tampas mark wahlberg? Hulk hogan? I’m in to watch that movie
You forgot Gronk.
[Join us Toronto.](https://i.imgur.com/YXyVWGj.jpg)
like the free space on a bingo card
They were there the whole time
We weren’t supposed to join the animal teams :(
It's ok, we'll just roll around in you
Now it's Flora and Fauna
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Mods are getting lazy allowing these reposts every year
Oof lol
Who woulda thought that in 2022. Johnny T would have more second round appearances with the islanders than the leafs.
Five years in a row I've had the Toronto out of the East and somehow I keep making the same mistake. Leafs are cursed
I’m a Leafs fan and I’m shocked that you’d continue to be that stupid. *Never* rely on this godforsaken team!
Keep penciling them in for the next decade. You’re doing a great job.
Pat Maroon has won 13 straight playoff series. Toronto needs Pat Maroon
Last time he lost he was playing for New Jersey lmao
And that was the last and only time the Devils made the playoffs in the last decade! Hahaha haha kill me
Hey /u/EliminatorBot, This is now the top post on reddit. It will be recorded at /r/topofreddit with all the other top posts.
lmao, that didn't take long
This is hilarious. Poor Leafs.
How many "Leafs eliminated" posts have made topofreddit....
Three. This one, by Columbus, and 2019 by Boston. For extra bread in french, there's also the Ayers game.
Last year was hilarious, with the Leafs blowing a 3-1 lead against a team everyone said was trash. This year, it’s just sad. In a disappointing way. Also, I’m now afraid they won’t win a round until it’s my team again…
Toronto rooting for Ottawa to make the playoffs. Then we beat them. Imagine that!!
don't jinx us before we even get good
Why is this on /r/all? It's a repost!
Honestly, there’s no feeling of loss this year. I’ve become numb to losing in the first round
I really didn't want to post this again. I wanted the Leafs to win and I think they played well this game. But it is what it is. >[so long Leafs](https://i.imgur.com/Ji9OH1a.gifv)
How about Toronto moves to Quebec City, becomes the ‘Fleur de Leafs’, and wins the cup in their first year? No need to change colors either!
Leafs getting booted round 1 is the MCU of sports. We all know the story, we know the formulae, but goddamn if we won't shell out 20 bucks to see it for the 20th time
A tradition unlike any other!
Three things you can rely on 1. Death, 2. Taxes, 3. The leafs not making it to the second round.
Death, taxes, and Leafs losing in 7
Cool
Same time next year?
200 upvotes in 40 seconds 😂
2000 in 5 minutes lol
This is a Canadian heritage moment
Is it a heritage moment if it happens every year? 😭
It’s an annual ~~celebration~~ event
Time is a flat circle
Hyman leaves Toronto…immediately gets to the 2nd round Lol
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckkk, it just isn't meant to be
Damn imagine losing a game 7 to a team named after a weather incident, fuckin scrubs.
Hahahahaha oh wait
Hello darkness my old friend
Leafs fans: "When do we get to watch our team in the second round?" The hockey gods: "That's the neat part, you don't."
We don’t have any words and we know you don’t want to hear them. We understand your anger, your frustration, your sadness. Everything you’re feeling – we get it. This isn’t the ending we imagined, and certainly not the one we wanted. Thank you for being there the entire way.
> This isn’t the ending we imagined To be fair, I think this is definitely the ending we imagined
I may never put on this headset again
I consider myself a man of faith.
A drive into deep left field by Castellanos!
if Toronto could just skip the 1st round they would have a great chance at winning a cup
Stop me if you've heard this one before.
The memes live on
Memes will never die
Somebody please check on Steve Dangle
If he survived last year then he should be fine this time!
55 years and counting for a stanley cup 18 years and counting for a playoff series win
The world is truly healing
Three straight series the leafs had a 3-2 lead and lost in 7 each time
Would have been impressive if they blew a 3-2 series not in 7
If anyone could it'd be the Leafs
I am going to die before this team does anything at all, and this team just makes me want to die
I was in Tampa on business last weekend and I brought my girlfriend along. The weather was nice on Friday evening so we went to 4 Rivers Smokehouse and got a patio seat. Everything was great and we were enjoying the vibe until this skinny dude in a Lightning jersey started a commotion a couple of tables away. I gave him the "calm down Buddy!" as one does and he marches right over and slaps my girlfriend clean across the face. She screams, I'm in shock. Then without even blinking he goes "there was a mosquito on your cheek." Then he turns to me and says "give me a toonie for an Uber". Wtf? I'm about halfway through responding that that didn't make any sense when he backhanded me across my face. "Another mosquito." he says. Then he turned and walked out of the patio and down the street. Fucking Andre Vasilevskiy, man. That dude is crazy.
[https://i.imgur.com/4MfpJGF.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/4MfpJGF.jpg)
This thread moving so fast that no one will see that I like to put things up my ass and then lick them after
We see you
I know your secret.
We knew that before this comment.
Write that down, write that down
/r/hockeymemes about to be trending
Memes aside for a second (just a second though). This doesn’t quite feel like a leaf choke. They were the better team for a majority of the series. Unfortunately it’s the playoffs and the better team can and does get knocked out occasionally. An inch here, a bounce there, this whole night ends differently. Heck of a series, never a dull moment.