Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
Toronto

'Hell of a fight, hell of a season': Fans applaud the Leafs after stunning playoff loss to Washington

It was do or die for the Maple Leafs Sunday night, with fans on pins and needles for the game that would determine whether a shot at the Stanley Cup was in the stars for Toronto.

A familiar, nerve-wracking overtime period ended in heartbreak as the Leafs lost 2-1 to Washington

CBC News ·
It was do or die for the Maple Leafs Sunday night, with fans on pins and needles for the game that would determine whether a shot at the Stanley Cup was in the stars for Toronto. But it was not to be. (Devin Heroux/CBC)

It was do or die for the Maple Leafs Sunday night, with fans on pins and needles for the game that would determine whether a shot at the Stanley Cup was in the stars for Toronto.

While hopes were high in Maple Leaf Square, it was not to be.

The Leafs lost 2-1 to the Washington Capitals, giving away the series. But it wasn't without a fight.

After two and half periods with no scoring, Leafs rookie Auston Matthews brought home the first goal of the game, giving fans a glimpse of what a chance at the cup might look like.

But within minutes, Washington tied up the score, sending those in the stands, in the square and across the city into a now-familiar but no less nerve-wracking sweat as the two teams battled it out in overtime for what felt like the millionth time this series.

In fact, it was the fifth time this season that the two found themselves in facing sudden death.

And their death was sudden, after Washington scored a heart-breaking goal about six minutes into overtime.

But while the disappointment was palpable, many remained proud of their team for fighting the good fight.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News
Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|

Related Stories