Game #7 Toronto-Florida: the Maple Leafs, for the honour of the North

Is anyone in Quebec torn this morning?

The Montreal Canadiens’ sworn enemies, the Toronto Maple Leafs, have the chance to complete the comeback against the Panthers and reach the Eastern Final for the first time since 2002.

It would be an emotional release for the city of Toronto, whose hockey fans are definitely among the least fortunate on the planet.

It would also be a first for Canada since 1994, with two Canadian teams in the Conference Finals. As a result, it would be a two-in-four chance – in lazy math – of bringing the Cup north for the first time since the Canadiens in 1993.

Is your desire to see the Stanley Cup return to Canada stronger than your hatred of the Maple Leafs, of your amusement at seeing them lose year after year?

Answers will vary. Now that the average fan is expecting a very competitive team in the next few years, jealousy sets in. There are many who would be jealous to see Toronto bring the Cup back to Canada before Montreal.

And let’s be honest. If the Maple Leafs were to win the Stanley Cup, we wouldn’t stop hearing about it. Their fans are vocal when they lose, imagine when they win. Hell.

The CN Tower created controversy in 2021 when it was lit up blue-white-red to support the Canadiens in their final against the Lightning.

Tonight the #CNTower will be lit red, blue, and white for the @CanadiensMTL who will go on to represent Canada’s hope for a 2021 @NHL Stanley Cup! pic.twitter.com/cEqsXqBefZ

– CN Tower / Tour CN (@TourCNTower) June 8, 2021

That said, some fans still decided to support Montreal, right from the Final Four, as there was no other Canadian team left. In an article with a very negative connotation, this Toronto editor states that he will reluctantly support Montreal.

Another question: is Canadian pride the same in Quebec? Clearly not, but here’s another: is it the same, more specifically in hockey, in a context of rivalry with the Americans?

To a certain extent, yes. It’s also the pride of our national sport, which can get on board.

Lightning, Panthers, Golden Knights, Stars, Hurricanes…

Teams from the South, from the Sun Belt, have been very successful in recent years. Beyond Canada, maybe it’s time to bring the Stanley Cup back to where the snow is, no?

Prolongation

The Maple Leafs have had the best regular season of the five remaining teams right now. Which means that if they beat the Panthers at home tonight, they’ll maintain home-ice advantage for the rest of the playoffs.

Let’s not fall into the trap of saying that the Canes would be an easy opponent. Rod Brind’amour’s club reached the Eastern Final for a reason, beating the best team in the Conference, but it’s fair to say that Toronto will have faced the toughest challenge against Florida, not only because they are the defending champions, but because they could have overcome a two-game deficit to win.

Finally, the stars could finally align for an all-Canadian final. When the Oilers had just drafted McDavid and the Leafs had just drafted Matthews, we figured a Toronto-Edmonton final was inevitable. It would have taken longer than expected, but it would be just as exciting to see it happen… much more so than Florida-Dallas …