I'm not saying were not gonna win a playoff game for another 11 years like the Cubs but this is getting a littlescary.
Chicago Cubs
2003 - Probably didn't deserve to be in the playoffs, only won 88 games and got in in a weak division. Up by 3 runs late in an elimination game that would have been a big upset. They choke away the 3-run lead, but management uses the sample size to determine they're contenders and buyers.
2004 - All looks fine. Cubs go after Derrek Lee, Nomar Garciaparra and Greg Maddux for their upcoming playoff run. Safely in a playoff spot, they choke away the season with three weeks left, only win five of their last 16 and miss the playoffs.
2005 - Team is in no-man's land. Streaky, treading water but not a playoff team
Toronto Maple Leafs (ten years later)
2013 - Probably wasn't a playoff team, only a half-season, could load up on toughness because of a shortened schedule, could rely on good sh% and save% a little more than most years. Up 3 goals in an elimination game that would have been a big upset. They choke away the 3-goal lead, but management uses the sample size to determine they're contenders and buyers.
2014 - All looks fine, Leafs go after Dave Bolland and David Clarkson for their upcoming playoff run. Safely in a playoff spot, they choke away the season with three weeks left, only win three of their last 16 and miss the playoffs.
2015 - Team is in no-man's land. Streaky, treading water but not a playoff team
Sprinkle a little anti-analytics in there, compare Dusty Baker to Randy Carlyle and you're set.
Is this getting a little weird?
Sadly, DownGoesBrown called it
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/torontos-game-7-gut-punch/