Turn back the calendar to Saturday, April 14th. The Leafs were dominated for the second time losing to the Bruins 7-3. Everyone and everything was put into question. ‘Frederik Andersen doesn‘t show up in the playoffs,’ ‘Auston Matthews can’t find a higher gear’ and, ‘Is Mike Babcock the right coach?’, were some of my favourite headlines on Sunday morning.

The Leafs needed a response for Game 3 in Toronto, and they got one with a 4-2 win. Then came Game 4, the night where Twitter and Reddit went up in flames. There was absolutely no sense of optimism from a large portion of the fanbase. And then the turn around came to be, and we sit here on Tuesday morning with the same thought in mind:

THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS ARE STILL ALIVE!!!

Andersen had another game of standing on his head, Mitch Marner is still doing Mitch Marner things, and the second-round pick given to the Montreal Canadiens for Tomas Plekanec was totally worth it.

Now, it’s no longer our backs that are against the walls; it’s an open playing field. Both teams have something to lose, and although the final match is taking place in Boston, the Leafs are riding the momentum wave all the way to TD Gardens.

Bring on the fans and their boos. Bring on Rene Rancourt and his fist-pump-lawnmower-arm thing that he always does. And most importantly, bring on the Bruins. The Leafs have yet to reach their final form, and they’re hungry for a second-round apperance.

Are you ready? Because we at PPP are! Take it away Mr. Bowen!

In Case You Missed It

Frederik Andersen: goat to hero in the space of two days - Pension Plan Puppets
If something ain't broke, don't fix it. That's the line right? But if something needs to constantly covered with bandages and masking tape, call on Freddie Andersen.

Also, don’t touch Mitch!

Around the Hockey World

Capitals eliminate Blue Jackets behind Ovechkin's 2 goals - Sportsnet.ca
Alex Ovechkin scored twice and Braden Holtby had 35 saves as the Washington Capitals advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 6 on Monday night.

The Mighty Martyrs of Anaheim - Battle of California
Either the 2018 Anaheim Ducks are as brave as the second Marty McFly that went back in the past at the end of Part 1 or this is really funny (I hope it's the former).

Calgary Flames Hire Bill Peters - Matchsticks and Gasoline
Eddie Lack was one season away from another run-in with his former coach. All jokes aside, this hiring was one of the worst-kept secrets in a while.

The NHL should say “no” to Voynov - Arctic Ice Hockey
The title says it all folks.

Should the Buffalo Sabres follow the Winnipeg Jets team building model? - Die By The Blade
Today's edition of NHL Heuristics. The Winnipeg Jets were bad and are now good, and the Buffalo Sabres are still bad. Therefore, the Sabres could be the next Jets. It will take some extensive work from Jason Botterill, but anything is possible nowadays.

Enjoy your Tuesday and get ready for tomorrow!

From The Branches