TORONTO — The final buzzer brought sweet relief, like cold water quenching rising flames, ending the chaos. It felt like much-needed mercy.
The last time these teams met on the ice, the Toronto Maple Leafs appeared to have a real chance, poised for a potentially era-defining playoff run. They had defeated the defending champions twice and built a 2-0 series lead against the Florida Panthers, projecting quiet confidence as they traveled south.
But success isn`t solely about graceful movement or precise execution when things are going smoothly. The true measure of a team`s resilience isn`t revealed when everything aligns, shots find their mark, and the opponent is reeling.
It`s how you react when you take a hard hit.
Tristan Blackwood