Kevin McGran
TorontoStar
Canada
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Recent articles by Kevin:
The curse of the Leafs beat, and Stanley Cup playoff predictions for round two
The NHL playoffs continue. I’m sure we’ll all be glued to our TVs to watch the Battle of Alberta and the Battle of Florida, and those other two series. → Read More
There’s a lot to unpack after another lost season for the Leafs
Is it the personnel? Is it players not executing the coach’s plan? Was it the wrong plan, or the wrong coach? Tuesday’s exit interviews and final availability should shed some light on what’s to come. → Read More
Leafs mailbag: Buy out Tavares? Trade Matthews? Game 7 sure did strike a nerve
In the end, the Leafs-Lightning showdown came down to goaltending — you can look it up — but as for what to do in the off-season, let’s say there’s a range of emotions among the faithful. → Read More
Seven Musings: High-sticking calls haunt the Leafs. The hockey gods still aren’t fans
From the high stick that was missed, to the high stick that never was, maybe the Leafs have some sort of life-altering curse associated with that particular penalty. → Read More
‘Hard to fathom.’ Leafs’ Stanley Cup drought continues after crushing Game 7 loss to Lightning
Two goals by Nick Paul send the two-time defending champions to the second round, and the Leafs still haven’t won a playoff round since 2004. → Read More
Seven Musings: No one’s blowing up the Leafs if they lose Game 7
Fans would be livid, calling for heads. But the core has shown up against the Lightning, and cooler heads within MLSE would prevail. → Read More
The Leafs and Lightning are going to Game 7 after OT thriller in Tampa
Tampa’s Brayden Point ends the suspense in overtime and sets up a winner-take-all showdown at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. → Read More
Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews nominated for Hart Trophy, hours before Game 6 vs. Lightning
Oilers captain Connor McDavid — who won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points — is also up for the award along with Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin. → Read More
Maple Leafs know value of veterans like Jason Spezza: ‘When he talks, everybody listens’
Jason Spezza, Wayne Simmonds and Mark Giordano have played 1,000 NHL games each but haven’t had their names engraved on the Stanley Cup and are running out of chances. → Read More
Maple Leafs winger Michael Bunting nominated for Calder Trophy as NHL’s rookie of the year
The 26-year-old Bunting led all rookies with 23 goals, 40 assists for 63 points in 79 games. → Read More
Seven Musings: As the Leafs and their fans know all too well, the next step is the hardest
The Leafs have earned two shots at their first series win since 2004. Here’s hoping faithful fans, who truly deserve better, will be saying something other than “Good grief” in the end. → Read More
Comeback Leafs one win away from eliminating Lightning after Game 5 rebound
It was the big names who did the damage on a Tuesday night that ended with thunderous cheers at a packed Scotiabank Arena. → Read More
Seven Musings: Leafs-Lightning series is being decided by starts and stops
The team that starts strongly has won every game in the series; the team that has finished strongly has won the next. → Read More
Lightning strike early and often to even series with Maple Leafs
Defending champions dictate the game from the start, build a five-goal lead in the first 26 minutes. → Read More
Leafs not taking anything for granted as Sheldon Keefe juggles the lines again
Alex Kerfoot practises with the top line before Game 4 while Michael Bunting heads to the fourth unit. → Read More
Seven Musings: Passengers on the Leafs bandwagon can enjoy the ride for a spell
The series against the Lightning has been punches and counterpunches so far. Adjustments and readjustments. Tampa coach Jon Cooper will have something up his sleeve for Game 4. → Read More
Maple Leafs get to Vasilevskiy early and take a 2-1 series lead on Tampa Bay
Toronto has scored 11 goals in three games against the former Conn Smythe and Vezina winner. → Read More
No changes in the works for Russia policy or playoff format, NHL commissioner says
Between periods in Tampa, Gary Bettman also said that despite the effects of the pandemic, the league is heading toward record revenue with new highs in U.S. television ratings. → Read More
Maple Leafs take bus to Buffalo before flying to Tampa to avoid COVID-19 test at airport border
It’s a loophole that other professional teams have used to cross the border into the United States. Crossing by air requires proof of a negative COVID test. Crossing by land does not. → Read More
Seven Musings: Rough stuff gives Leafs fits in Game 2
There’s a line between being aggressive and going too far, and the Leafs haven’t walked it well in the series to date. → Read More