Foreshadowing 101

I'm not here to throw shade on the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Montreal's win tonight has the North Division series headed back to Toronto tied at 3-3 following Jesperi Kotkaniemi's overtime heroics. It was Sportsnet who decided to post the statistics above about Maple Leafs, so don't get angry at me. I'm just the messenger.

They have one final chance to clinch the series against the Canadiens on Monday, but it would seem that the Leafs are letting past shortfalls creep into their minds subconsciously. Whether it be Mitch Marner's lack of goals or the shutdown blanket that's been thrown over Matthews or the cobbled-together second line of Foligno, Nylander, and Galchenyuk not finding any chemistry yet, fans of the Maple Leafs have to be a wee bit worried this 0-7 record in closeout games could turn into 0-8 by the time Monday evening is finished.

For those that need a history lesson,

• 2020: Toronto lost 3-2 to Columbus after forcing a Game Five.
• 2019: Toronto lost 4-3 to Boston after leading 3-2 in the series.
• 2018: Toronto lost 4-3 to Boston after forcing a Game Seven.
• 2017: Toronto lost 4-2 to the Washington Capitals.
• 2016: Toronto missed the playoffs.
• 2015: Toronto missed the playoffs.
• 2014: Toronto missed the playoffs.
• 2013: Toronto lost 4-3 to Boston after forcing a Game Seven.
• 2012: Toronto missed the playoffs.
• 2011: Toronto missed the playoffs.

That's a lot of missed opportunities in the last decade of hockey for the Maple Leafs. When you consider the talent they've had over that period of time and were unable to win a single playoff series, it's not the kind of record that one wants when heading into the fifth deciding game of a series in the last ten years.

Montreal's history should also be considered here.

• 2020: Montreal defeated Pittsburgh 3-1 before losing to Philadelphia 4-2.
• 2019: Montreal missed the playoffs.
• 2018: Montreal missed the playoffs.
• 2017: Montreal lost 4-2 to the New York Rangers.
• 2016: Montreal missed the playoffs.
• 2015: Montreal defeated Ottawa 4-2 before losing to Tampa Bay 4-2.
• 2014: Montreal defeated Tampa Bay 4-0 and defeated Boston 4-3 after trailing 3-2 in the series before falling to the New York Rangers in the Conference Final.
• 2013: Montreal lost 4-1 to Ottawa.
• 2012: Montreal missed the playoffs.
• 2011: Montreal lost 4-3 to Boston after forcing a Game Seven.

If you're keeping count at home, that's four playoff series wins for the Canadiens over the same decade of play. While there has been some disappointment in La Belle Province over Carey Price's career not having a Stanley Cup, it seems pretty clear that the Canadiens have had more playoff success than the bleu-et-blanc.

Based on these trends and the statistics shown aboe by Sportsnet, it would seem that the deck is stacked against the Maple Leafs heading into Monday's Game Seven against the Canadiens. As we all know, though, they still have to play the game, and this would be the best time for the Maple Leafs to snap that ugly trend they've put up over the last decade.

Then again, I'm sure this guy will factor into Game Seven's outcome.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!