For 18 years, Toronto hasn’t passed the first-lap barrier. If they ever made it to the playoffs. A whole generation of fans has grown up for the Canadian club who have no idea what the real challenge for the Stanley Cup is. And how many fans of the “leaves” are waiting for the same trophy, and it is scary to count. Someone went to a better world without waiting for their favorite team to become champions.

Another disgraceful departure from the Leafs in the first phase of the playoffs seems like a new reason for teasing. Not even to mention the kind of curse that haunts the Canadian club. What extraterrestrial thoughts come to mind after all these years of frustration. But the current departure from Tampa is on a slightly different plane. There must be much more optimism in it than sarcasm or grief.

“The Leafs have a crazy team. They’ve been knocking on that door for a very long time. The reason so much focus on the fact that Toronto couldn’t go any further is because they have a very good team. I think they’ve grown a lot as a group of hockey players. They have stars, they have very good coaches. It did the job. They need to keep their heads up.”– These words belong to John Cooper.

It seems that the on-duty words of a noble coach winner are addressed to a losing opponent. The Tampa mentor once again showed that he is professional and courteous. But behind the usual courtesy here, you can see an objective assessment of the work of Sheldon Keefe and his entire team. “Toronto” delivered a strong regular season, correcting many of its shortcomings and firing from the current champion to the last bullet.

“They have everything to win. We have everything.”– Captain of “Lightning” Steve Stamkos told very broadly what happened in the TV series “Tampa” – “Toronto”.

Cooper and Stamkos know what they’re talking about. They themselves lost more than once before reaching the Stanley Cup. This is now available for the third trophy in a row with “Tampa”, a note favorite status. They have been building a team for six years since the former coach of the Şimşek farm club entered the coaching bridge before they touched the trophy for the first time.

Not only Moscow, but also Tampa were not built immediately. An important turning point was the defeat of “Washington”, which later became the champion. Even then, Kucherov and Co. It was very good, but the thirst for the cup did not reach its maximum values. The fire in Ovechkin’s eyes burned everything around, the young leaders of the “lightning” only emitted sparks.

And a year later, there was a painful 0-4 from Columbus in the first round. Throwing a star attack into the sea, Sergei Bobrovsky forced Cooper to reconsider his approach to the composition. After this deafening defeat, Tampa began to play hockey more rationally, the regular season victory was no longer an end in itself, and Coleman – Gurd – Goodrow became almost a reference third ring.

What’s wrong with Tampa? The “Washington” campaign for the trophy – this is a story worthy of Hollywood. How many times was Ovechkin deleted? How many did he change? How many coaches were fired before Barry Trotz put this puzzle together? The Capitals, unlike Tampa, swung back and forth, but the numerous defeats in the seventh game did not leave Ovechkin, Backstrom and Kuznetsov losing. Regular sorties from the hated “Pittsburgh” made them angrier and tougher.

Against the backdrop of the stories “Washington” and “Tampa” “Toronto” has not yet suffered. Of course, if we are talking about the current team, not the club with a hundred years of history. From what date is the beginning of this period counted? From Keef’s date? Preparing Matthews? With the arrival of Tavares, did the same great quartet follow? Anyway, we’re talking about three or four seasons. Nothing on a historical scale. There is absolutely no question of closing the championship window. The leaders each have at least a two-year contract.

Cups can be taken in different ways. hastily. Through miracles and magic. To be stronger than all competitors, on order, but in the age of the salary cap it is almost unrealistic. But the most precious trophies are those that are covered in blood and soaked in sweat. You reach them with bumps on your head and bruises all over your body. Toronto is taking the wounds that currently grace the champions. Just not to succumb to suffering and not deviate from the path that seems right. And so, you see, this defeat from Tampa will be remembered as the last stop before the trophy breakthrough.