By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
It's not going great for the Boston Bruins right now, but it ain't going much better for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Twitter let them know.
Even as the B's blow the No. 1 seed before our eyes, Boston fans can at least take solace in the fact that the Leafs are still capable of blowing a three-goal lead in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins' comeback in 2013 was unforgettable, and now the Leafs can add a collapse against the Columbus Blue Jackets to the list.
Spurring this latest comeback against Toronto was Jackets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, who after two straight point-less games exploded for a hat trick on Thursday night, including the game-tying goal in the third period and the game-winner in overtime. The Leafs are now down 2-1 and on the verge of bowing out of the playoffs altogether.
Dubois may finally be starting to emerge as the force he was projected to be as the third overall pick in the 2016 draft, and that's scary for the rest of the Eastern Conference.
But let's keep the focus on the Leafs, and the series of slam dunks that Boston-area viewers gladly took on them. Twitter does few things better than petty grave-dancing. It's hard not to get caught up in the Twitter celebration, especially when it's the friggin' Leafs. So here's a sampling of the best reactions to them blowing the lead then losing the game.
No Title
Toronto blowing a 3-goal lead in the playoffs? Nature is healing
No Title
I know I'm usually very mean to the Leafs but I truly do genuinely appreciate what they're doing to make us feel normal in these trying times
No Title
When the Leafs have a 3-goal lead in the playoffs: pic.twitter.com/y8S9LALKSB
No Title
All of Toronto right now... pic.twitter.com/SfYTzeqRcP
No Title
Leafs need to score next.
No Title
Even in a pandemic, the Leafs still find a way to cough up a 3-goal lead.
No Title
This seems like a valid time to bring up the fact that the Maple Leafs once lost to their OWN zamboni driver pic.twitter.com/LW1XN4Lf8B
No Title
Gotta think Brad Marchand is just hangin out in the hotel lobby waiting for the Leafs like: pic.twitter.com/t3E1qfhGED
No Title
I went to bed with Toronto up 3-0. Upon seeing the result this morning, I just scream cackled at 5am. No regrets. LOL
No Title
Watching Toronto relive this hell over and over and over again really gives me life I these strange times.
No Title
Hey look, it's that time of year for Toronto fans to tell us how they actually "outplayed" their opponent but still lost. Third year in a row, come on now
Chad Finn from the Boston Globe wins, though. The COVID truthers must have been pissed at this.
No Title
If we'd all just worn a mask, the Leafs would have blown a three-goal lead three months ago.
Anyway, back to worrying about ourselves.
The Bruins themselves got killed by the Blue Jackets in a pre-playoff exhibition and have a lot of work to do if they want to engender more confidence when they reach the next round of the playoffs. Ty Anderson and I talked about that and more in this week's episodes of the Sports Hub Sidelines podcast. We'll be back with postgame thoughts after the B's play the Capitals on Sunday.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].