It was a close one, but after seven thrilling games, the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
It was another disappointing postseason for the Maple Leafs, who continue to struggle despite having the most talented core group in the NHL.
The Boston Bruins avoided becoming the first team in professional sports to blow back-to-back 3-1 series lead in the playoffs, but it took until OT in Game 7 to secure a place in round two.
But for Matthew Tkachuk, there was never any doubt who would be the Florida Panthers’ opponents in the second round of the playoffs.
Despite the comeback attempt from the Maple Leafs, Tkachuk always pictured Boston as their next opponent.
”Without this coming out too badly, I think we all knew it was probably going to be Boston the way that series was going,” Tkachuk told media Sunday.
”I’m sure a lot of people expected that at the beginning of the series. Playoffs, I guess, you never know. But I think throughout the whole series we were probably expecting they were gonna come out and win that one way or the other.”
Of course, Tkachuk’s comments are up for interpretation. But many are reading them as an obvious dig at the Maple Leafs after yet another disappointing playoff performance.
The best-of-several series between the Panthers and the Bruins kicks off Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena, and the Bruins are out for revenge.
They dominated the 2022-23 regular season and held a 3-1 series lead in the first round against Florida.
But the Panthers came back and won three straight games, earning them the nickname ’Comeback Cats’ throughout last year’s playoffs. We’re sure to get another thrilling series this time around, too.
