Fans of the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs waited 42 years for the two teams to meet in the National Hockey League playoffs and the series didn't disappoint.
The Canadiens, who once trailed the best-of-seven series 3-1, defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 in Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Monday, winning the series 4-3 and advancing to the second round of the playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets.
Fans of both the Canadiens and Maple Leafs shared their thoughts and opinions on Game 7 throughout the evening Monday.
Here are some of those who chose to join the coversation on the Cape Breton Post social media platforms:
PRE-GAME
From Facebook:
Darrell MacDougall wrote: "4-2 Habs. They have nothing to lose and everthing gain against a powerhouse team like the leafs and will not choke like our rivals!!"
Dave Scott wrote: "Can they break Harold Ballard's curse? The hundred years isn't up yet!"
Christopher Earl wrote: "Time to Discover the Nature of Things with Nick Suzuki."
From Twitter:
GAME 7 Woo Hoo.
— Bob Edwards (@Redwood1678) May 31, 2021
Flags flying, dressed in Blue and White, drinks poured. #Leafs will prevail.#letsdothis #Game7 #GoLeafsGo #LeafsForever @CBPost_Jeremy
Ready to watch the @MapleLeafs in game 7. I have my storm chips, my liquid refreshments and a white towel. At the end of the night I hope to be waving the towel, not crying in it. #GoLeafsGo @CBPost_Jeremy
— Why am I here? (@jplabman) May 31, 2021
Former Caper here and i really need the Leafs to win for my sanity. Habs fans love to point out how they’re the most recent Canadian cup so they don’t feel the hurt as deeply.
— Tosha Morrison (@ToshaJolene) May 31, 2021
Bob and Norma Edwards were proudly representing the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday evening. Bob shared this picture via Twitter.
FIRST PERIOD
- The teams went to the dressing room scoreless after the opening 20 minutes of play. Montreal outshot Toronto 12-8 in the period.
From Facebook:
David Crocker Kelly wrote: "Neither team looks like much. Go (Winnipeg) Jets Go."
SECOND PERIOD
Montreal opened the scoring at 3:02 of the second period with Brendan Gallagher's shot beating Maple Leafs netminder Jack Campbell. The Canadiens added to their lead with Corey Perry's power play goal at 15:25 to make the score 2-0 heading into the intermission. Shots on goal were 18-14, Montreal.
Game 7 at home, against a team that is frankly not very good, and all they can muster is 14 shots through 2. This is not a team that is capable of a deep run.
— Big Bill Hell’s Used Cars (@Day_old_donutz) June 1, 2021
Also have to feel that the Sens would have been able to move through the North if they didn’t have that dismal start to the year.
— Big Bill Hell’s Used Cars (@Day_old_donutz) June 1, 2021
THIRD PERIOD
The game remained 2-0 throughout the period with Tyler Toffoli scoring into an empty net to make the score 3-0 at 17:22. The Maple Leafs would break Carey Price's shutout bid late in the period with William Nylander's fifth goal of the series at 18:24.
Montreal's Price made 20 saves. Toronto's Campbell stopped 20 of 22 shots.
POST-GAME REACTION
From Facebook:
Richard Globe wrote: "Unbelievable. Even the Hab fans are surprised.
John Parks wrote: "Woooooo never give up."
Paul Lee wrote: "Leafs didn't deserve to win... not how you play playoff Game 7 hockey. Not questioning heart but when you are pro, numbers have to do the talk."
From Twitter:
Congratulations #Canadiens. Great series #HabsvsLeafs @CBPost_Jeremy
— Bob Edwards (@Redwood1678) June 1, 2021
