Series wrap-up: Saved by Oldie’s butt, Maple Leafs force final game

What caused the Maple Leafs to win?

First, it’s worth noting that captain Auston Matthews stepped up and scored an important goal (which is not in the house), the game-winning goal and the first of the game. For all the times we criticize him, we’ll say it when it’s going well for him, you know.

Hats off to Max Pacioretty, who scored his team’s second (and insurance) goal.

But clearly, the reason the Maple Leafs won was because Paul Bissonnette sent Oldie, the famous Maple Leafs fan, to show his ass during the Panthers’ warm-up.

He even wore Biz’s signature shirt.

Of course, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Maple Leafs, who took just 17 shots on goal. But this is a league of results, and they won.

This will give us a game #7 tomorrow night (7:30 p.m.), a format in which the Maple Leafs don’t excel at all. Because when it comes to qualifying, the Maple Leafs often miss out.

Will they chase their demons with Joseph Woll in net? We’ll have to wait and see. But the fans are ready for the Hurricanes, anyway.

extension

– Matthew Knies present for Sunday’s game? Who knows.

– All lined up for Game 7.

– How to be bad faith 101.

– Tonight at 8pm in Dallas, the Jets take on the Stars. The Stars lead the series 3-2.

– The series chart.