TORONTO — Where in the Shanaplan did it say the Toronto Maple Leafs would lead the Presidents’ Trophy winners 2-1 in a playoff series just a year finishing in 30th place? Washington grabbed an early 2-0 lead in Game 3, while the Leafs looked flat. But a physical shift by Nazem Kadri’s line preceded one of the strangest post-season goals the Leafs and rookie Auston Matthews will ever get. The young Leafs appear to be coming of age so far in this series against the Presidents’ Trophy winner. If they can handle it, there might be no better teaching atmosphere for a young team than the game’s most dramatic stage.

Source: National Post April 18, 2017 21:11 UTC