It’s not easy being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan.
The Original Six franchise hasn’t won or played in a Stanley Cup Final since 1967, and the Leafs finally made the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2004-05 NHL lockout.
After a horrendous collapse to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of Round 1 last year, the Leafs appeared to be headed back to the playoffs this season before an eight-game losing streak in March sunk their chances to single digits. According to Sports Club Stats, Toronto had just a 8.5 percent chance of reaching the playoffs entering Wednesday’s games.
The Leafs host the Bruins on Thursday in a game that either can revive Toronto’s playoff hopes or make qualifying for the playoffs unrealistic.
