I, too, am doing my best to detach myself from this debacle. Intellectually I grasp that it's just a game, only entertainment, and regardless of the outcome, the players are paid millions.
But after the choke job last year, following this season since day one, whether I want to be or not, I am emotionally invested.
With a 3-1 lead, the Leafs imploding, Matthews out, their lethal PP impotent, facing a backup goalie, on home ice to clinch and put last year behind them - they come out with an effort level so piss-poor every paying customer should have been issued a refund.
If/when they lose Saturday, that will be 6 games between the Panthers and Leafs they could've clinched, yet would be 0-6.
Look, all the players on the Bs are good guys. But blowing consecutive 3-1 series leads, they are chokers, plain and simple.
Playing scared isn't a recipe for success, but neither is what they are doing. I don't think Montgomery has it in him, so Cam Neely needs to address the locker room and pull a Herb Brooks. Tell them if they lose Saturday, they will take it to their graves; their f***king graves.