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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

10-minute-quarters-3-2-fix (1)

Live Event

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Ray Ratto

Mikal Bridges celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs.

New York Knicks v Boston Celtics – Game One

The Knicks And Maple Leafs Are Refusing To Stick To The Script

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Barry Petchesky

TORONTO, ON - MAY 5 - Referee Chris Rooney (5) blows the play dead as Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) lays on the ice as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in the first game of their second round series of the NHL Stanley Cup Play-offs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. May 5, 2025. Steve Russell/Toronto Star

Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in the first game of their second round series of the NHL Stanley Cup Play-offs

It Wouldn’t Be A Panthers Postseason Without A Cheap Shot By Sam Bennett

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 29: John Tavares #91, Max Domi #11 and Scott Laughton #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warm-up before Game Five of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at the Scotiabank Arena on April 29, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ottawa Senators v Toronto Maple Leafs – Game Five

Do Not Say The Leafs Could Blow This Series. Don’t Even Think It!

OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 24: Ridly Greig #71 of the Ottawa Senators battles for puck possession during a faceoff against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 24, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by André Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

Toronto Maple Leafs v Ottawa Senators – Game Three

The Leafs Are In Uncharted Territory

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I’m Having Trouble Thinking Of A Funnier Goal

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 10: Simon Benoit #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs fights against Michael Kesselring #7 of the Utah Hockey Club during the second period of a game on March 10, 2025 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Toronto Maple Leafs v Utah Hockey Club

Was It Worth It?

TORONTO, ON - MAY 2: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with mascot Carlton the Bear after defeating the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 2, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

Boston Bruins v Toronto Maple Leafs – Game Six

It’s Autumn And The Leafs Are Falling

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 04: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his over time winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 04, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by China Wong/NHLI via Getty Images)

Toronto Maple Leafs v Boston Bruins – Game Seven

The Leafs Are Not Enough

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 18: New York Rangers fans cheer on after the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series game between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders at MetLife Stadium on February 18, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

2024 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series – New York Rangers v New York Islanders

Dear Long-Suffering Fans: Keep It To Yourself

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Lauren Theisen

Nick Suzuki steps onto the ice for warm-ups

Toronto Maple Leafs v Montreal Canadiens

I Was A Habs Fan For A Night And That’s Plenty

Felix Kent

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Life Lessons

Why Can’t I Turn Off The Game?

Toronto Maple Leafs v Washington Capitals

The Caps Can’t Waste An Ovechkin Night Like That

Morgan Rielly cross-checks Ridly Greig after an empty-net slap shot.

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Ridly Greig’s Empty-Net Clapper Has Turned Into A Provincial Scandal

Toronto Maple Leafs v New York Islanders

John Tavares On Long Island Is No Longer Outrageous

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 8: Joseph Woll #60 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reaches for the puck against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on November 8, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Michael Chisholm/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ottawa Senators v Toronto Maple Leafs

God Bless The Maple Leafs’ Defense

Mikhail Sergachev grabs the stick of Auston Matthews

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The Leafs Are As Nerve-Racking As Ever

Sam Bennett and Jake McCabe hit each other

NHL: MAY 10 Eastern Conference Second Round – Maple Leafs at Panthers

The Leafs Return Home With Bruises, Nerves, And A Win

TORONTO, ON- MAY 7 - Toronto Maple Leafs fans leave after the Leafs fall 3-2 in Florida for game three in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, Toronto fans gathered at Maple Leaf Square outside Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. May 7, 2023. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Toronto Maple Leafs fans leave after the Leafs fall 3-2 in Florida for game three in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, Toronto fans gathered at Maple Leaf Square

The Leafs Are The Hockey Knicks, Unless It’s The Other Way Around

TORONTO, CANADA: Anthony Duclair #10 of the Florida Panthers battles against Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Two of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 4, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anthony Duclair; Mitchell Marner

Florida Panthers v Toronto Maple Leafs – Game Two

The Panthers Don’t Give An Inch

Toronto Maple Leafs play the Florida Panthers in game one in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs

Carter Verhaeghe Makes Other Teams Feel Bad

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - APRIL 10: Eetu Luostarinen #27 of the Florida Panthers tangles with Mark Giordano #55 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the FLA Live Arena on April 10, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

Toronto Maple Leafs v Florida Panthers

No Canadians Allowed In Sunrise

Toronto Maple Leafs fans watch, cheer, react to game 6 of their first round NHL playoffs series against Tampa Bay Lightning on the big screen in Maple Leaf Square outside Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. April 29, 2023.

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