At this point, a devastating Maple Leafs’ loss in some shape or form should probably be expected. With one of the more talented cores in the NHL, Toronto has basically made it a time-honored tradition to waste that talent come the spring when the playoffs roll around.
On Wednesday night, during their season opener against the Canadiens (+200), the Leafs pivoted somewhat and started the year with a meltdown.
In a back-and-forth battle, Toronto seemingly couldn’t shake Montreal, taking the lead twice and surrendering it … twice in the second period. When the closing stanza came around, the Canadiens took the advantage with a 3-2 lead before the Leafs would tie it up in the final few minutes.
It seemed like we’d be heading for overtime until a Josh Anderson shot found the back of the net, on new goal Matt Murray no less, with roughly 17 seconds on the clock:
Oh, how we've missed late-game dramatics. 😌 #NHLFaceOff
Cc: @joshanderson_77 pic.twitter.com/quSPPZtdyF
— NHL (@NHL) October 13, 2022
How glorious and painful, at the same time, to lose to Montreal 4-3 in such a fashion. The Leafs couldn’t even contain themselves enough not to blow a potential win one game into their season. If this is how the Toronto 2022-2023 campaign begins, it might be another eventual agonizing year for the Leafs.
NHL fans roasted the Leafs for starting their season with a heartbreaking loss
Leafs suffering a heartbreaking loss is when the season really starts.
— Tony X (@soIoucity) October 13, 2022
I legitimately cannot believe the Toronto Maple Leafs are a real hockey team that exists pic.twitter.com/kB1hTzzAo6
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) October 13, 2022
the toronto maple leafs vs their diehard, incredible fans is the greatest rivalry in sports
— Ava (@avatarrant) October 13, 2022
Did the Leafs not realize this is regular season? They showed up playing like it's the playoffs. 🥴
— Pat Nadeau (@L4PatNadeau) October 13, 2022
The Toronto Maple Leafs pic.twitter.com/QSgvAHzxSW
— The Bratt Pack (@TheBrattPack63) October 13, 2022
"The Canadiens, who didn't win in the preseason, have won the season opener [against the Leafs]" 💀
— Trevor Shackles (@ShackTS) October 13, 2022
me leaving my room for once just to tell my mom the maple leafs lost and how amused I am over it pic.twitter.com/z7P0olcI9z
— alyssa (@lyssax86) October 13, 2022
Jays fans watching the Leafs lose to the Montreal Canadiens to open the NHL season.pic.twitter.com/tAHyf3Z5Dc
— Britton Gray (@BrittonGray) October 13, 2022
On the bright side for the Leafs, they weren’t up 8-1
— Don Taylor (@DonTaylor5) October 13, 2022
