The Toronto Maple Leafs are a storied NHL franchise but the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been a problem. Looking at the teams postseason history and more.
When you think about the NHL, one of the first teams that’s bound to come to mind is the Toronto Maple Leafs. They are one of the most storied franchises in hockey with a massive fanbase that is ironically passionate about the team. When it comes to the NHL Playoffs, though, those fans tend to get a bit perturbed.
The postseason, to put it plainly, has been extremely unkind to the Maple Leafs, particularly in recent history. Toronto is a staple in postseason play, but it’s been advancing that’s been the seemingly impossible task for the franchise.
So how bad has the Maples Leafs playoff history gotten? Let’s take a look at the last series win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for Toronto in addition to the last time the team won the Stanley Cup.
When was the Maple Leafs last playoff series win?
It’s been since 2004 since the Maple Leafs last won a series in the NHL Playoffs. Yes, that’s nearly two decades since Toronto has seen a postseason win. That victory came in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Ottawa Senators in seven games.
What’s worse is that the Leafs haven’t just lost these series as they’ve been a perennial playoff team, including going to the postseason for the seventh straight year in 2023, they’ve found ways to break the hearts of every fan in brutal fashion.
Whether it was blowing a 3-2 series lead to the Lightning in 2022, blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Canadiens the year prior, or the worst heartbreak of all in 2011 when they had a 4-1 lead over the Bruins in the third period of a decisive Game 7 and then allowed three goals in the final period before losing to Boston in overtime.
In a word, it’s been brutal. Almost beyond belief.
Maple Leafs playoff history: Results since 2000 for Toronto
While the 2023 first round series is still being played, here’s a look at the Maple Leafs playoff history since 2000 with the results of each year.
- 2022: Lost in First Round to Lightning (4-3)
- 2021: Lost in First Round to Canadiens (4-3)
- 2020: Lost in Qualifying Round to Blue Jackets (3-2)
- 2019: Lost in First Round to Bruins (4-3)
- 2018: Lost in First Round to Bruins (4-3)
- 2017: Lost in First Round to Capitals (4-2)
- 2016: Did Not Qualify
- 2015: Did Not Qualify
- 2014: Did Not Qualify
- 2013: Lost in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to Bruins (4-3)
- 2012: Did Not Qualify
- 2011: Did Not Qualify
- 2010: Did Not Qualify
- 2009: Did Not Qualify
- 2008: Did Not Qualify
- 2007: Did Not Qualify
- 2006: Did Not Qualify
- 2005: Season Cancelled (Lockout)
- 2004: Won in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Senators (4-3), Lost in East Semifinals to Flyers (4-2)
- 2003: Lost in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to Flyers (4-3)
- 2002: Won in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Islanders (4-3), Won in East Semifinals vs. Senators (4-3), Lost in East Finals to Hurricanes (4-2)
- 2001: Won in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Senators (4-0), Lost in East Semifinals to Devils (4-3)
- 2000: Won in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Senators (4-2), Lost in East Semifinals to Devils (4-2)
When did the Maple Leafs last win the Stanley Cup?
Given that it’s been nearly 20 years since the last playoff win for Toronto, you can imagine how long it’s been since they won it all. In fact, the Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup back in 1967 as they beat the Canadiens 4-2.
In fact, it’s also been 30 years since a Canadian NHL team — any of them — have won a Stanley Cup as the aforementioned Canadiens were the last team to do so in 1993.