A veteran of 112 playoff games, Reaves has been down two games in a series and fought all the way back.
A veteran of 112 playoff games, Reaves has been down two games in a series and fought all the way back.
BOSTON — The Toronto Maple Leafs have spent the last few days trying not to dwell too much on their past. But sometimes the past can help draw in some motivation during difficult times.
Down 3-1 in their best-of-seven series against the Bruins and facing early playoff elimination for the seventh time in eight seasons, the Leafs are doing their best to put a positive spin on their situation. No matter how dire.
"I think this group knows that the series is not over," Reaves said.
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Reaves brought up that the Bruins held a 3-1 series lead against the Florida Panthers in the opening round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, only to see them lose three in a row in what was stunning upset.
"This team gave up a lead last year, an exact same 3-1 lead last year. Sports is a crazy thing," Reaves said. " I think we've all seen some crazy comebacks in our lives and I've been part of a few. I think we're just excited to start it up today."
Reaves was a part of the 2022 New York Rangers team that went down 3-1 in their first-round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins, only to storm back with three consecutive victories. They ended up going to the Eastern Conference Final that year, before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
But when it comes to playing in Game 5, Reaves cautions not putting too much focus on winning three consecutive games.
"If you dwell too much on that, I think it kind of creeps in your mind a little bit. You just have to take it game by game," Reaves said. "I think you've got to look at what you've done in the regular season. We've put three games together before. It's not out of the realm to do it again."
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe agreed.
"It's a fresh reminder that these things happen," Keefe said. "These things are possible. Obviously, they're not possible if you don't start with one. So, that's where we're at here tonight."
The Maple Leafs have been the recipient of their own 3-1 series collapses over the years. The most recent one came in the opening round of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. Toronto, an overwhelming favorite, was up 3-1 in their best-of-seven series before losing the next three.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Lk5FsFct0[/embed]
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