Just don’t pat down the grave quite yet.
Simply put, this version of the Leafs is far too talented of a group to scurry off into the moonlight without so much as a whimper. There’s another gear, or two, or three, waiting under the surface to be found.
In fact, the rookie-laden Leafs just so happened to find that gear 12 months ago, pushing the Presidents Trophy-winning Washington Capitals to six games.
That team had Martin Marincin in a top-four role. Don’t tell me this team isn’t better.
Yes, the path to Toronto’s first second-round playoff appearance since 2004 looks largely untenable at this point.