Toronto Maple Leafs fans are preparing for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, which is tied 1-1, with a mix of excitement and anticipation.
The Leafs will face off against the Bruins at 7 p.m. at Scotiabank Arena, with tailgate parties for fans outside in Maple Leaf Square. The game is the first of the series where the Leafs will have home ice advantage.
For Jackie Middleton, a lifelong Leafs fan who has had season tickets for three decades, this game is a chance to see the team build on its Game 2 victory and take a 2-1 lead in the series.
But for Middleton, cheering for the Leafs has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with both highs and lows. She fondly remembers the team’s run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2018, but also the disappointment of last year’s playoff exit.
“There have been times where I have kind of stepped back a little bit and perhaps not been as full throttle a fan because sometimes it hurts too much,” said Middleton, who ran the team’s official fan club in the ’90s.
But despite the pain, Middleton always finds herself drawn back to the Leafs.
“But then, those old scars fade away,” she said, “And, you know, it’s in your blood. You’ve grown up with them. You love them.”
And with Auston Matthews leading the way, Middleton believes this year’s team has what it takes to make a deep playoff run.
“I think we have what it takes to get the job done,” she said.
For Hamilton-native Rob Luscombe, tonight’s game is a chance to see the Leafs take a step closer to winning their first playoff series since 2004. Luscombe has been a fan of the Leafs since the early 1980s, and he has seen his share of ups and downs.
“Some of my very first memories as a Leafs fan [are] watching them get crushed every weekend as a kid,” he said.
But Luscombe believes this year’s team is different.
“I think we have a good chance of winning this series,” he said, “We have a lot of young talent, and we have a lot of experience.”
And with the Leafs having home ice advantage in Game 3, Luscombe is hoping to see the team take a big step towards advancing to the second round.
“It’s going to be a great atmosphere,” he said, “I can’t wait to see the Leafs win.”
Leafs fans across Toronto will be watching tonight’s game with a mix of excitement and anticipation. After years of playoff disappointment, they are hoping this year will be different. The Leafs have a chance to take a 2-1 lead in the series and put themselves in a great position to advance to the second round. With the support of their fans, the Leafs are looking to make a statement in Game 3 and prove that they are a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup.
