They summoned the power of Dart Guy but it was too little, too late for Leafs fans
Game 4 an emotional roller-coaster for Leafs fans who hope Friday will mean a comeback
After a thrilling set of back-to-back wins, hopes were high among fans that the Leafs would continue their streak into Game 4 and take a commanding 3-1 lead in their series against the Washington Capitals. But it was not to be.
Washington took the lead 2-1, just minutes into the 1st. And while Zach Hyman helped to cut that with Toronto's only goal in the period, the Capitals quickly solidified their lead ending the period with 4-1 score.
This wasn't the start Leafs fans were hoping were.
Well, this escalated quickly. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash">#Leafs</a> need <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DartGuy?src=hash">#DartGuy</a> ON the ice. <a href="https://t.co/sf91cIdIwT">pic.twitter.com/sf91cIdIwT</a>
—@tjconnorstweetsNellie watching the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash">#Leafs</a> game. Enough said. <a href="https://t.co/GlxbLAnFlU">pic.twitter.com/GlxbLAnFlU</a>
—@lawandchocolateAnd not the one the Leafs wanted either.
Leafs going to the dressing room to experience this face probably <a href="https://t.co/kEf1oMgs7S">pic.twitter.com/kEf1oMgs7S</a>
—@m0ntgomerybooneBut not long into the 2nd period, the Leafs found new life when James van Riemsdyk narrowed Washington's lead.
Suddenly a comeback didn't seem impossible.
2 goals? We can come back! 5-4 win tonight. That's the way uh huh uh huh I like it uh huh uh huh! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TMLtalk?src=hash">#TMLtalk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash">#Leafs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash">#StanleyCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/8YXjPnD3fr">pic.twitter.com/8YXjPnD3fr</a>
—@Liquid_AreaThey ARE alive! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash">#Leafs</a>
—@jpavelitz932 more boys go leafs go <a href="https://t.co/YiDCk921Rt">pic.twitter.com/YiDCk921Rt</a>
—@wowbesterBut that momentum started to wane by the end of the 2nd. And even with a five-on-three power play to start the 3rd, the Leafs couldn't break through.
That had some getting desperate.
The leafs are going to score. The leafs are going to score. <a href="https://t.co/kGp0o1qKkI">pic.twitter.com/kGp0o1qKkI</a>
—@MissChris416I call upon the power of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dartguy?src=hash">#Dartguy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash">#Leafs</a> <a href="https://t.co/7CrEtmp5eU">pic.twitter.com/7CrEtmp5eU</a>
—@MLGarden67And things almost got more desperate when the Capitals nearly scored their fifth goal. But while a lucky goalie interference call kept Washington from widening their lead, things still weren't looking good for Toronto.
For a brief moment, hope was renewed when Auston Matthews scored to pull the Leafs within one, bringing Toronto fans to their feet.
Auston Matthews scores his second goal of the playoffs and the Leafs are back in this game, 4-3 in the third period. <a href="https://t.co/Rtj2hD3Clg">pic.twitter.com/Rtj2hD3Clg</a>
—@JeffVeilletteBut Washington's TJ Oshie quickly fired back to the dismay of Leafs fans.
The emotions of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash">#Leafs</a> fans right now... <a href="https://t.co/fqEB59DjBm">pic.twitter.com/fqEB59DjBm</a>
—@BarDownThat was about the moment some fans gave up.
The maple leafs right now <a href="https://t.co/oYmyUibzEy">pic.twitter.com/oYmyUibzEy</a>
—@ZendikarIslandBeen there kid, been there. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/leafs?src=hash">#leafs</a> <a href="https://t.co/wjpEwvh0M0">pic.twitter.com/wjpEwvh0M0</a>
—@Nic_0215That is, until a heart-stopping goal in the last minute of the game narrowed the score to 5-4 for Washington.
If the leafs tie this game up...
—@BlkontheinsideThe Leafs would finish the game on a high note, but it was too little too late.
For their part, fans had some parting messages for their team.
Be Better Friday Leafs
—@nowayjose14567Some more encouraging than others:
Don't worry, Leafs. "Return of the Jedi" comes after Empire. <a href="https://t.co/3S64YUX8mh">pic.twitter.com/3S64YUX8mh</a>
—@mr_lois_lane