After 6,949 days, the Maple Leafs feel the exhilaration and jubilation of winning a playoff round as the knock off the three-time defending Eastern Conference champions thanks to their core players and the stellar play of Ilya Samsonov.

The Maple Leafs look tentative against the Lightning and as a result, fail to close things out in their playoffs series. We look at why it happened. How deflated Leafs fans should feel and what adjustments might be necessary for Game 6.

Michael Bunting has served his 3-game suspension but will not be in the lineup when the Leafs looks to punch their ticket to the second round on Thursday.  Is it the right call? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Maple Leafs pull off an absolute stunner fighting back from a 4-1 deficit to beat the Lightning in overtime and head home with a commanding 3-1 series lead. We break down the absurdity of it all and what it means for Toronto as they look ahead to Game 5.  Final Score/OT:Maple Leafs: 5 (Shots 37)Lightning: 4 (Shots 31) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a scrum broke out that resulted in 26 minutes worth of penalties, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said the Tampa Bay Lightning knew they weren’t going to get another call and took liberties on Auston Matthews. Is he right? Tampa coach Jon Cooper’s response and looking ahead to Game 4. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morgan Rielly comes up big in overtime and Ryan O’Reilly helps get them there as the Toronto Maple Leafs steal a win from the jaws of defeat to take a 2-1 series lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Final Score/OT:Maple Leafs: 4 (Shots 27)Lightning: 3 (Shots 39) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mitch Marner has arguably the best opening minute of his NHL career with a big power-play goal, setting the tone for the right response in evening up their series with the Lightning. John Tavares gets a hat trick and Morgan Rielly ties a franchise record for points by a defenceman. Final Score:Lightning: 2 (Shots 21)Maple Leafs: 7 (Shots 36) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a day to digest the Maple Leafs’ 7-3 loss, it’s time to look at what led to the disastrous effort. A look at Ilya Samsonov and why he’s staying in goal for Game 2 and what other adjustments the club will make.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Leafs have no answer to a Lightning team that imposed their will early and often in Game 1 of the their first-round playoffs series. Michael Bunting takes a match penalty, killing any chance at a comeback as Toronto is left soul-searching after one their worst losses of the year.

The Maple Leafs appear to have set their Game 1 lineup and rookie Matthew Knies appears to be on the outside of it. Will he get in at some point in the series? Plus a look all positions in the lineup. The power play and why this year might be different.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Leafs end the season on a four-game winning streak, William Nylander gets 40 goals for the season and has Matthew Knies done enough to get into Game 1?

No Auston Matthews, no Mitch Marner. No problem. Leafs outlast the Lightning in a penalty-filled affair. Joseph Woll makes 46 saves and Jake McCabe blocks five shots included a game-saver at the very end.  Final Score:Maple Leafs: 4 (Shots 24)Lightning: 3 (Shots 49) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Knies makes his unplanned NHL debut against the Panthers, Ilya Samsonov steals the show with a 45-save performance and yet another amateur goalie has to backup for the Leafs.

Mitch Marner gets closer to 100 points on the season, Jett Alexander gets the thrill of a lifetime, Ilya Samsonov has an injury scare and what’s next with Matthew Knies? Final Score:Canadiens: 1 (Shots 21)Maple Leafs: 7 (Shots 46) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Leafs fall to the Bruins but clinch home ice advantage in their playoff matchup with the Lightning and have firmly established their ideal fourth line for the playoffs and Ilya Samsonov has another solid performance in net without much goal support.

The Leafs down the Blue Jackets thanks to a pair of goals from Zach Aston-Reese. Is he forcing Toronto to rethink the 11 forwards and seven defensemen they have gone with? Mitch Marner avoids injury and the club celebrates Pride Night.

Matt Murray goes down to another injury and Michael Bunting is stuck in the crosshairs of NHL officiating once again. Is there a pathway out for the pesky forward?

Michael Bunting and William Nylander come up big and bust out of scoring slumps, and an unlikely hero is Radim Zohorna with his first Leafs goal in his first game with the club.

Leafs bow down to the Lyon King, Samsonov shows well in his return and Toronto has some issues generating some offence. Plus the “cleansing” tirade on the bench that turned things around for Florida.

Joseph Woll stands tall, John Tavares picks up a pair of goals and two assists and the Leafs hang on to edge the Predators to wrap up a 5-game road trip.

The Leafs fall short despite a big night from Auston Matthews. Calle Jarnkrok has made himself unmovable on the top line, and a look at Matt Murray’s game.

Auston Matthews scores twice, William Nylander breaks a points slump with a goal, Morgan Rielly sits this one out and finally, a 5-on-3 for Toronto this season, as the Leafs respond well following their worst loss of the season against the Islanders.

The Leafs commit some unforced errors and give up a season-high seven goals to the Islanders. William Nylander is unhappy with his game and are the mistakes piling up?

Matt Murray stands tall on a busy night in his return to Ottawa, Calle Jarnkrok is on fire and what to make of yet another new look on defence as Toronto picks up their first shootout win of the season.  Final Score/SO:Maple Leafs: 5 (Shots 29)Senators: 4 (Shots 52) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concern brews for Noel Acciari as he leaves the game after an awkward hit to the head. Morgan Rielly gets in the groove, Zach Aston-Reese pots two and the Leafs batten down the hatches while keeping the Hurricanes at the perimeter.