Despite the greatest regular season in franchise history, the broken record for the Toronto Maple Leafs after dropping tonight's Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning by a 2-1 margin, sending them home for an early summer yet again.
It was depth forward Nick Paul, acquired from the Ottawa Senators at the Trade Deadline, who scored both goals for the visiting Lighting, who will now move on to face their in-state rival Florida Panthers in Round 2. Meanwhile, there will be heavy scrutiny upon the Maple Leafs organization, which dropped their fifth consecutive first-round playoff series.
Not only did the Leafs fail to advance, but they once again failed to capitalize on both of their chances to do so. And not surprisingly, fans were quick to pour salt into their wounds on social media.
http://gty.im/1240673552
https://twitter.com/niranjangfx/status/1525656529831075840?s=20&t=eG0xQkHd6KE69twrDy7v0A
— Roberto (@PassItToBoeser) May 15, 2022
Sweet Dreams #StanleyCup #isles pic.twitter.com/3FBsMU4dG2
— B.D. Gallof (@BDGallof) May 15, 2022
The rest of the NHL watching The Maple Leafs lose pic.twitter.com/mHtewxQ4tV
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) May 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/avatarrant/status/1525654638074150912?s=20&t=eG0xQkHd6KE69twrDy7v0A
The Maple Leafs showing up to lose in the 1st round of the playoffs every year pic.twitter.com/oC8OVWd3PW
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 15, 2022
We're long past frustration. This is basically a holiday it happens so frequently. See you same place next year folks!
— Trevor D Bedard (@Trev_olution) May 15, 2022
Nobody outside of Toronto is frustrated we’re enjoying this very much
— Abby (@Hockey2L) May 15, 2022
Maple Leafs fans right now pic.twitter.com/9DmXu4TtBc
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) May 15, 2022
The Buffalo Sabres are gonna win a playoff series before the Leafs end their streak
— Stringfellow Hawke (@whereissinjin) May 15, 2022
— Love this Team (@husbeast15) May 15, 2022
— tim (@timnyr1) May 15, 2022
BREAKING: Kyle Dubas signs 4 Year/$15 per hour deal with McDonalds. pic.twitter.com/utxMQoz7mj
— Sean Avery Burner (@AveryBurnerAcct) May 15, 2022
— Bob Frapples (@Wylie_888) May 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Fadel/status/1525658378302808064?s=20&t=eG0xQkHd6KE69twrDy7v0A
https://twitter.com/to_girlsonfire/status/1525660149326684162?s=20&t=eG0xQkHd6KE69twrDy7v0A
Same church, different pew 😒 pic.twitter.com/d04fjt0FCZ
— Scott Fitzgerald (@sfitz_840whas) May 15, 2022
Not tonight. Sorry @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/rNVdf8rsir
— Kyle (@JustKyle51) May 15, 2022
Nobody ever say that "this team is different" ever again. They may have played better but they lost. One goal in game 7 again. They had their chances and couldn't do it
— nathan hillier 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@nathanhillier71) May 15, 2022
— Eric (@NJD_Eric) May 15, 2022
— AnhVu (@VuTrangBao) May 15, 2022