William Nylander's embarrassing slip-up: accidentally exposes Bruins' dominance over the Maple Leafs

While it's no secret the Toronto Maple Leafs haven't found much success in the playoffs recently, the main culprit behind their losses seems to be the pesky Boston Bruins, who consistently have had the Maple Leafs number for over 10 years and fans bring out their most heated insults and chirps when these two teams meet. Whether it's Patrice Bergeron having controlled the ice for the Bruins, or when pest Brad Marchand makes life a nightmare for Maple Leafs players, or even when their former Maple Leafs prospect Tuukka Rask led Boston to a Stanley Cup it feels like Groundhog Day year after year.

At least that's the sentiment that Maple Leafs forward William Nylander can attest to. In a game of "Guess the Horn", in which Maple Leafs forwards Nylander, Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies are quizzed on what goal horns are being audibly played. On the final one, the interviewer gave a hint that made the answer fairly obvious to Matthews and Knies; however Nylander gave a surprisingly candid and honest answer.

That has to sting for Maple Leafs fans and Nylander must also be feeling it from the countless years the Bruins have beaten Toronto. First it was the 2013 Stanely Cup Playoffs where Boston stormed back in Game 7 to beat Toronto after being down 3 goals. Then fast forward to 2018 and Boston once again defeated Toronto and the following year did the same again. It was a nice little reprieve for a few years, including a glorious 2022-2023 when they advanced to the second round of the playoffs, but in 2023-2024 it was once again the Beantown Bullies who ended the Maple Leafs season...in seven games.

It's the boogeyman of the Maple Leafs and in order for them to get over their playoff hump they need to exorcise their demons. If Toronto can get off to a hot start and leave Boston trailing, and give themselves an advantage, then it could pay huge dividends at season's end. Another first round matchup this year wouldn't scare me as much as it normally would given the defense and depth the Maple Leafs added; but questions still remain. Is Brad Marchand going to do his normal thing and run around the ice? Are the Maple Leafs going to get production from their superstars? Can Jeremy Swayman and Joseph Woll lead their team as young #1 netminders?

Only time will tell, but the rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins is one that is over a century old, and much like Nylander; lies in the minds of Leafs fans everywhere as whenever we see Boston it's always: Oh not again.