*This text was printed forward of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Toronto Maple Leafs superior previous the Tampa Bay Lightning for his or her first sequence 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. Quite a bit has modified within the final 20 years, whether or not it’s in society or sports activities, nothing is similar. 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. Additionally they missed a whole season in 2005 because 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 crew and followers. We have now seen quite a few coaches get fired, and a number of other gamers and basic managers (GM) come and go, however the one factor that continues to be is the shortage of postseason success. Have you ever ever puzzled what else has modified, or what was widespread the final time the Maple Leafs made it previous the primary spherical? Properly, 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. Nonetheless, 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. Properly, the Pistons made fast work of them, profitable Recreation 1 87-75. The Lakers bounced again to win Recreation 2, 99-91 in extra time (OT), however that’s all of the profitable the Lakers did within the sequence. Detroit went on to win the following three video games, 88-68, 88-80 and 100-87 respectively, and received the NBA championship.
MLB Champion
Sadly, much 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 dwelling 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 sequence 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 sequence went to Recreation 7, till 2020.
The Crimson Sox and Cardinals had been set to sq. off within the 2004 World Sequence, in what each groups hoped could be a fast sequence. Properly for one crew, it was. Boston took Recreation 1, 11-9, and Recreation 2, 6-2, taking a 2-0 sequence result in Busch Stadium. St. Louis now again at dwelling down 2-0 wanted to tug their weight or else they’d see themselves on the point of elimination. Recreation 3 went the Crimson Sox’s approach, by a rating of 4-1, and with a 3-0 sequence lead was trying to get the brooms out in Recreation 4. That recreation couldn’t have been extra disappointing for the Cardinals; they misplaced 3-0 and acquired swept by the Crimson Sox.
NHL Champion
On April 20, 2004, the Maple Leafs superior previous the Ottawa Senators however met their match towards 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 towards the Lightning.
This sequence had all of it, together with a Flames no-goal name that was questionable in Recreation 6. The primary two video games had been break up however had been each received 4-1, because the sequence headed again to Calgary tied at one. The subsequent two video games in Calgary had been additionally break 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 sequence again to Canada with a 3-2 lead. Recreation 6 additionally noticed further durations, this time in double OT, the place Tampa acquired the higher hand profitable 3-2 to tie the sequence. 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 is no such thing as a Canadian crew to cheer for. Nonetheless, for followers of the NFL, the 2004 Playoffs noticed the start of the Tom Brady period. He and the New England Patriots had 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 probability 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 towards the Patriots. The Tremendous Bowl was an in depth 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 number of the greatest motion pictures of the 2000s produced that 12 months. Of the highest 10 grossing motion pictures in 2004, the highest film was Shrek 2. Among the runners-up had been Spider-Man 2, The Incredibles, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Nonetheless, 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 world wide and made $441,226,247 in whole gross revenue.
Prime Track of 2004
Within the music world, 2004 gave the impression to be the 12 months of Usher. He had track primary and two on Billboard’s year-end prime 100 songs. His hit single “Yeah!” that includes Lil Jon and Ludacris earned the highest track of the 12 months. Within the second spot on the checklist, his track “Burn” had many pondering that he was the singer of the 12 months. Just a few notable runner-ups to his two hits had been “If I Ain’t Acquired 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 whole factors with 41 objectives and 48 assists, which was adequate to place him on the quilt of the most recent NHL recreation.
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 obtained 87/100, giving it an excellent total ranking for a recreation that launched new options resembling adorning the GM workplace and the addition of groups abroad.
Prime Video Recreation of 2004
2004 was an fascinating 12 months for video video games, the highest recreation based mostly on total ranking was “Half-Life 2” which obtained a 96/100 ranking. It was launched on Sept. 14, 2004, solely on PC, which restricted its promoting elements, nonetheless, it was nonetheless voted to be the most effective recreation of the 12 months. The runner-up for greatest recreation of the 12 months, and an iconic recreation for a lot of, was Grand Theft Auto (GTA): San Andreas. Among the finest GTA video games to ever be launched scored a 95/100 total ranking and got here in second for greatest recreation 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 crew can get the job executed this season, nonetheless, we as Leafs followers have seen this story earlier than. Within the blink of a watch, it goes from a 3-1 sequence lead for the Maple Leafs to a 3-3 tie and a Recreation 7.
