'Game stopped my heart a few times': Leafs fans have forgotten the stress of the playoffs
Fans swing between the agony and the ecstasy as the Maple Leafs fall to Washington Capitals
The Toronto Maple Leafs gave both their fans and the Washington Capitals a hard ride in their first playoff game in four years — with diehards suffering the stress of an overtime game and then the agony of a 3-2 loss.
Goaltender Frederik Andersen shone for most of the game, making stellar saves that set Twitter ablaze.
Freddie from all Leafs fans I just wanted to say we love you but the heart attacks you're giving us is not good! Lol <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tmltalk?src=hash">#tmltalk</a>
—@DJSums17Freddie is a monster. Not the one from Elm Street. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoLeafsGo?src=hash">#GoLeafsGo</a>
—@WaterboyViewsMitch Marner needed just 95 seconds
Fans packed Maple Leaf Square as well, all of whom went wild as Mitch Marner scored the team's first goal in the first two minutes of the game.
The Twitterverse lit up for Marner as well, but fans also acknowledged what it meant for all nine of the team's rookies hitting playoff ice for the first time.
<a href="https://twitter.com/OlPally86">@OlPally86</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mirtle">@mirtle</a> No one would have guessed in October we would be where we are. I guarantee it. And it is amazing. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TMLtalk?src=hash">#TMLtalk</a>
—@kreebs29Win or lose the experience from these playoff games are priceless for our rookies. Go Leafs Go! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TML?src=hash">#TML</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLPLAYOFFS?src=hash">#NHLPLAYOFFS</a>
—@Astr0b0y8When the third period ended with a 2-2 tie, however, the stress level hit the roof.
I'm having heart palpitations watching the hockey game. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TML?src=hash">#TML</a>
—@ZaraAlexisGood thing for free healthcare in Canada. <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs">@MapleLeafs</a> game stopped my heart a few times already. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tmltalk?src=hash">#tmltalk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/leafsin7?src=hash">#leafsin7</a>
—@Cdennie24Although a few people celebrated the fact that the Leafs had made it as far as overtime.
First playoff game in years?<br>Overtime? Sure. Why not!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash">#Leafs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TMLTalk?src=hash">#TMLTalk</a>
—@lance_s_ryanShake it off
Tom Wilson's winning goal provoked a collective wail of dismay, both in Maple Leaf Square and on social media. But after the agony subsided, fans tried to shake off the loss and celebrate the fact that their team was looking pretty good in advance of Game 2.
What a way to start the series though. Freddy stellar to keep the boys alive. Now we know we can compete. Game on. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/standwitness?src=hash">#standwitness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TML?src=hash">#TML</a>
—@SpecialEdDemI know we lost, but that game gives me so much more hope then I had 4 hours ago for this series <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tmltalk?src=hash">#tmltalk</a>
—@JDanielClayton5