Even after a bad start to the game where the Leafs looked flat-footed and gave up two quick goals, I was always confident the Toronto Maple Leafs were going to get back into the game and maybe, somehow, win Game 5 to send the Montreal Canadiens packing. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but I carried that optimism because I didn’t see the Leafs get desperate at any points during the game.
Apart from Sheldon Keefe’s arguably correct benching of Rasmus Sandin, it was business as usual for the Leafs. They played to their system, never needing to overextend themselves because they were confident they could put up the goals.