*This text was revealed forward of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Toronto Maple Leafs superior previous the Tampa Bay Lightning for his or her first collection win since 2004.
Earlier than 2023, the final time the Toronto Maple Leafs made it to the second spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was in 2004. Lots has modified within the final 20 years, whether or not or not it’s in society or sports activities, nothing is identical. Throughout these 19 seasons, the Maple Leafs have missed the playoffs a complete of 10 instances, made the playoffs 9 instances, and misplaced within the first spherical eight of these 9 instances. In addition they missed a whole season in 2005 as a result of a labour dispute between the NHL and NHLPA.
The Maple Leafs have struggled fairly a bit in that span of 20 years, with the eight years of first-round exits weighing closely on each the group and followers. Now we have seen quite a few coaches get fired, and several other gamers and common managers (GM) come and go, however the one factor that is still is the shortage of postseason success. Have you ever ever puzzled what else has modified, or what was standard the final time the Maple Leafs made it previous the primary spherical? Effectively, all through this text we are going to check out what life was like again in 2004, so buckle up for some nostalgia.
The World of Sports activities
NBA Champion
Sadly, for Toronto sports activities followers, the Toronto Raptors didn’t make the 2004 NBA Playoffs. Nevertheless, the 2004 NBA champion did border Canada. The third seed within the Japanese Convention was the Detroit Pistons, who made a run for the ages to the Ultimate. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks in 5 video games within the first spherical, then went on to beat the New Jersey Nets (Now the Brooklyn Nets) in seven video games to advance to the convention finals. Over within the Western Convention, the powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, pushed previous the Minnesota Timberwolves to advance to the Ultimate.
The Pistons defeated the Indiana Pacers in six video games, leaving just one extra hurdle; Kobe and Shaq. Effectively, the Pistons made fast work of them, successful Recreation 1 87-75. The Lakers bounced again to win Recreation 2, 99-91 in time beyond regulation (OT), however that’s all of the successful the Lakers did within the collection. Detroit went on to win the subsequent three video games, 88-68, 88-80 and 100-87 respectively, and received the NBA championship.
MLB Champion
Sadly, just like the NBA Playoffs, Toronto sports activities followers didn’t have the Toronto Blue Jays to cheer for in 2004. The Blue Jays arch enemy took house the World Sequence pennant. After beating their first-round opponents, the Boston Crimson Sox and New York Yankees met within the American League Convention Sequence (ALCS). The collection went seven video games, with the Crimson Sox popping out on prime to advance to the World Sequence. As for the Nationwide League, the NLCS was between the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros, which additionally went seven video games with the Cardinals popping out on prime. That was the final time that each convention collection went to Recreation 7, till 2020.
The Crimson Sox and Cardinals have been set to sq. off within the 2004 World Sequence, in what each groups hoped can be a fast collection. Effectively for one group, it was. Boston took Recreation 1, 11-9, and Recreation 2, 6-2, taking a 2-0 collection result in Busch Stadium. St. Louis now again at house down 2-0 wanted to drag their weight or else they might see themselves getting ready to elimination. Recreation 3 went the Crimson Sox’s means, by a rating of 4-1, and with a 3-0 collection lead was trying to get the brooms out in Recreation 4. That sport couldn’t have been extra disappointing for the Cardinals; they misplaced 3-0 and bought swept by the Crimson Sox.
NHL Champion
On April 20, 2004, the Maple Leafs superior previous the Ottawa Senators however met their match in opposition to the Philadelphia Flyers within the second spherical. Philadelphia went on to face the Tampa Bay Lightning within the Japanese Convention Ultimate however finally misplaced in Recreation 7. On the opposite facet, the Western Convention Ultimate noticed the Calgary Flames beat the San Jose Sharks in six video games to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Ultimate in opposition to the Lightning.
This collection had all of it, together with a Flames no-goal name that was questionable in Recreation 6. The primary two video games have been cut up however have been each received 4-1, because the collection headed again to Calgary tied at one. The following two video games in Calgary have been additionally cut up, with each groups getting a shutout. Recreation 5 again within the Sunshine State went into OT with the Flames popping out on prime 3-2, and taking the collection again to Canada with a 3-2 lead. Recreation 6 additionally noticed further intervals, this time in double OT, the place Tampa bought the higher hand successful 3-2 to tie the collection. Vincent Lecavalier and the Lightning then received a hard-fought Recreation 7 by a rating of 2-1, securing their first Cup in franchise historical past.
NFL Champion
The worst half concerning the NFL is that there isn’t a Canadian group to cheer for. Nevertheless, for followers of the NFL, the 2004 Playoffs noticed the start of the Tom Brady period. He and the New England Patriots have been trying to roll by to the Tremendous Bowl and make their mark on the NFL. The Patriots made fast work of the Indianapolis Colts beating them within the American Soccer Convention (AFC) Divisional Playoffs, 20-3. New England then moved on to face the Pittsburgh Steelers within the AFC Championship, the place they discovered success but once more, beating the Steelers 41-27.
Over within the Nationwide Soccer Convention (NFC), the championship spherical noticed the Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons battle it out for his or her likelihood to compete within the Tremendous Bowl. The Eagles got here out on prime of the Falcons, beating them 27-10 to advance to Tremendous Bowl XXXIX in opposition to the Patriots. The Tremendous Bowl was a detailed contest, however finally Brady and the Patriots got here out on prime beating the Eagles 24-21, to win the championship. This was Brady’s second ring, however he went on to win 5 extra earlier than retiring.
The World of Leisure
Prime Film of 2004
The film world in 2004 was historic, there have been a few of the finest films of the 2000s produced that 12 months. Of the highest 10 grossing films in 2004, the highest film was Shrek 2. A few of the runners-up have been Spider-Man 2, The Incredibles, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Nevertheless, as talked about Shrek 2 was the top-grossing film of the whole 12 months. It was launched on Could 19, 2004, in 4,223 theatres all over the world and made $441,226,247 in complete gross revenue.
Prime Track of 2004
Within the music world, 2004 appeared to be the 12 months of Usher. He had tune primary and two on Billboard’s year-end prime 100 songs. His hit single “Yeah!” that includes Lil Jon and Ludacris earned the highest tune of the 12 months. Within the second spot on the record, his tune “Burn” had many considering that he was the singer of the 12 months. A number of notable runner-ups to his two hits have been “If I Ain’t Received You” by Alicia Keys coming in third and “Hey Ya” by OutKast slotting in at eight.
NHL 2004 Cowl Athlete
The NHL 2004 cowl athlete was Dany Heatley, who was at that time on prime of the hockey world. Within the earlier 12 months, he had 89 complete factors with 41 targets and 48 assists, which was adequate to place him on the duvet of the newest NHL sport.
NHL 2004 was launched on Sept. 23, 2003, on PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube in addition to Microsoft Home windows (PC). General the sport was given an 85/100 ranking on all however PC. That platform acquired 87/100, giving it an excellent total ranking for a sport that launched new options similar to adorning the GM workplace and the addition of groups abroad.
Prime Video Recreation of 2004
2004 was an attention-grabbing 12 months for video video games, the highest sport primarily based on total ranking was “Half-Life 2” which acquired a 96/100 ranking. It was launched on Sept. 14, 2004, solely on PC, which restricted its promoting elements, nevertheless, it was nonetheless voted to be the most effective sport of the 12 months. The runner-up for finest sport of the 12 months, and an iconic sport for a lot of, was Grand Theft Auto (GTA): San Andreas. Top-of-the-line GTA video games to ever be launched scored a 95/100 total ranking and got here in second for finest sport of 2004.
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It’s been some time because the Maple Leafs have discovered success within the postseason previous the primary spherical. Followers are assured that the group can get the job performed this season, nevertheless, we as Leafs followers have seen this story earlier than. Within the blink of an eye fixed, it goes from a 3-1 collection lead for the Maple Leafs to a 3-3 tie and a Recreation 7.
