Phil Kessel News

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a great season as they surprised many by making the playoffs for the first time in nine years.

Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Phil Kessel gets cross-checked by Buffalo Sabres left winger John Scott during the second period of an NHL game in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, March 21, 2013.

May 13, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel , defenseman Cody Franson , center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Jake Gardiner celebrate a goal during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.

It was unfolding perfectly for the visitors at Boston's TD Garden on Monday. In the best-of-seven opening playoff round, the Leafs had won the previous two games; surviving late Boston flurries for consecutive 2-1 victories that forced a Game 7 on the Bruins' home ice.

Euphoria returned for Toronto's hockey fans in 2013, as the Toronto Maple Leafs ensured they would be included in the playoffs after a nine year disappearance.

As Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis wrapped up his season-ending news conference, there was only one player on the roster who received his unwavering support: Phil Kessel.

Trailing by three goals in the third period and still by two with less than 90 seconds left in their season, the Bruins scored twice in a span of 31 seconds to tie it, then eliminated the Maple Leafs on Patrice Bergeron's goal at 6:05 of overtime to win 5-4 in Game 7 on Monday night.

There may be no joy in Leafs Nation today but the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans need to remember something - every great NHL team had to deal with playoff heartbreak on the way to winning.

There was a point on Monday when it appeared the second-round playoff picture was coming into focus, but like many things in the NHL postseason, it was all about to change in a hurry.

The Bruins' three-goal third-period comeback defies any and all explanation, but the Bruins and Maple Leafs did their best to try to describe what they experienced.

I'm still rattled. Reeling from that third-period breakdown and a heartbreaking overtime goal, all I can think is that Toronto did what they were supposed to do.

Pope Francis on Sunday gave the Catholic Church new saints, including hundreds of 15th-century martyrs who were beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam, as he led his first canonization ceremony Sunday in a packed St.

These Leafs will not go quietly. After another hard fought, fast-paced game with excellent goaltending, Toronto eked out a 2-1 win that has forced a seventh game tomorrow night back in Boston.

If only playoff games were just half a minute long, the Boston Bruins would be able to win every time.

Washington's Joel Ward watches as New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist makes a save with his chest in the third period of Game 6. - Henrik Lundqvist slammed his stick in disgust when an overtime loss in Washington put the New York Rangers on the brink of elimination.

The New York Times is reporting that Derek Boogaard's family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the National Hockey League.

Andrew Ference is unavailable to play in tonight's Game 6 at Air Canada Centre, staying back home in Boston with an undisclosed ailment.

Toronto Maple Leafs' Nazem Kadri takes to the ice for a practice session in Toronto on Saturday.

Goalie James Reimer backstopped his Toronto Maple Leafs to a Game 5 win against the Bruins at TD Garden in Boston on Friday.

Goalie James Reimer backstopped his Toronto Maple Leafs to a Game 5 win against the Bruins at TD Garden in Boston on Friday.