This is a day Toronto Maple Leafs fans have been waiting to see for nearly two decades.
On Saturday, the Maple Leafs bested the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in overtime in Game 6 to advance to the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. John Tavares scored the overtime winner for the Maple Leafs after Tampa Bay tied the game up early on in the third period.
After going up 3-1 in the series, the Maple Leafs allowed the Lightning to bring the series back to Tampa Bay for one more game. Thankfully for Maple Leafs fans, the team finally closed out a playoff series with a gritty victory for the first time in 19 years thanks to Tavares’ stunning overtime winner.
JOHN TAVARES WINS THE SERIES FOR THE MAPLE LEAFS IN OVERTIME!#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/2F2cy6TllV
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) April 30, 2023
Talk about a moment many, many years of playoff disappointments in the making! For years, the Maple Leafs have failed to make it out of the first round of the playoffs, with many a Game 7 loss to their name. Now, however, the team gets to play a new slate of playoff hockey with the weight of the world off their shoulders.
And clearly, it meant a lot to the team, as here’s how general manager Kyle Dubas reacted to the victory.
The reaction from Kyle Dubas: pic.twitter.com/DRyqT0VTR6
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 30, 2023
Plus, Maple Leafs radio went wild, as expected.
As called on Maple Leafs radio: pic.twitter.com/klDSGY13us
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) April 30, 2023
Here’s how Maple Leafs fans reacted on Twitter after the historic and cathartic victory.
It’s over. Wow.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) April 30, 2023
P A S S I O N
— EvolvingWild (@EvolvingWild) April 30, 2023
THEY DID IT pic.twitter.com/GLu2rt0dHY
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 30, 2023
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) April 30, 2023
After nearly two decades, and many crushing losses, for the Leafs, the exorcism has finally occurred.
— Rachel Doerrie (@racheldoerrie) April 30, 2023
You're one step closer to me, @MapleLeafs.
— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) April 30, 2023
Here are my thoughts on whether the Maple Leafs deserved it: I do not remotely care. I will not be taking further questions on this subject.
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) April 30, 2023
LEAFSSSSS WINNNNN GAME 6 IN OVERTIMEEEEE BABY JOHN TAVARES WINSSSS IT BABY AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 19 YEARS UR MAPLE LEAFS ARE GOING TO THE SECOND ROUND pic.twitter.com/UwKlplrr5s
— PROUD WINNER OF ONE (1) PLAYOFF ROUND (@lenaonfilm) April 30, 2023
Maple Leafs fans right now pic.twitter.com/i9U4oHRZkm
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) April 30, 2023
THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Y4ZOpMk5Ev
— Milk Boyz’ (@AustonStachews) April 30, 2023
