Apr 8, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bozak (center) celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs: The New Leafs Are Not The Old Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs: The New Leafs Are Not The Old Leafs by Nick Desouza

The Toronto Maple Leafs have clinched a 2016-17 playoff spot, for real.

It’s the first full 82 game season that the Toronto Maple Leafs have made it into the playoffs since the 2003-04 campaign, which was over 10 years ago.

Yes, the Leafs made the playoffs in the 2012-13 season. Although it was a shortened season due to a lockout that saw just 48 games being played by each team. I don’t like to count that one, even more so with what occurred in said playoffs, the likes of which shall not be spoken of.

Yet.

It’s an exciting time to be a Leafs fan. The team had a heck of a regular season and deserves this. It’s nice to see the organization from the ground up being rewarded after so long.

Hard work does pay off.

2016-17 Regular Season and Playoff Berth

The Leafs clinched a playoff spot with a record of 40-26-15 and 95 points overall.

The much-anticipated clinch came after Saturday night’s 5-3 regulation win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, cementing their spot in the first round of the playoffs. The Leafs are set to play the Washington Capitals or the Ottawa Senators in the first round, depending on the Leafs last game results from Sunday.

A hard fought series against the NHL’s best or the battle of Ontario?

Take your pick.

Personally, I’d like to stay away from the Capitals, but I guess that’s not up to me.

To top it off, Auston Matthews scored his 40th goal of the season.

2012-13 Regular Season and Playoff Run

Now, this was a shortened season due to yet another lockout. Teams were limited to a 48 game season, thus the Leafs making the playoffs didn’t feel as sweet as it should have been.

They finished the regular season off with a 26-17-5 record and 57 points overall. Carried by former Leafs goaltender James Reimer, the team was set to play the Bruins in the first round. The Bruins took three out of four games and seemed like it was all over. But, the Leafs came ready to play for games five and six, tying the series at three apiece and sending it to game seven.

Long story short, the Leafs blew game seven when it looked like they had it in the bag. By far the hardest memory I have to recall of the Toronto Maple Leafs in my 21 years, but it’s nice to be passed that and onto greater things.

2003-04 Regular Season and Playoff Run

The Leafs finished the regular season off in 2003-04 with a 45-24-10-3 record and 103 overall points. Good enough for second in the Northeast Division, fifth overall in the league and entrance into the playoffs. The second last number (10) in the sequence represents ties.

They played the Senators in the first round winning four games to three, propelling them to the second round.

Three of those victories came off of a 2-0 win, for point of reference.

The team then met the Philadelphia Flyers who took the series four games to two. This eliminating the Leafs from the playoffs and sent the franchise on a downward spiral for over the next decade.