The feeling around the Maple Leafs is very different from what the Montreal Canadiens are experiencing, for example, after losing to their first-round series to the New York Rangers in six games. The Canadiens, after winning the Atlantic Division, expected a long playoff run. The Maple Leafs can view just making the playoffs as a success when few expected that to be possible this season.
"We've got to grow our group; we've got to get deeper as an organization," Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. "It was an unbelievable positive year for us, we made the playoffs, but we finished eighth (in the Eastern Conference) and we're out, so we've got a lot of work to do and we understand that as an organization."
Compared to recent ends of seasons, the mood was night and day. This year, for the first time in a long time, a clear path to success can be seen.
"Very different, there's a lot of positivity in the air," Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri said. "Even though we lost and we felt like we had a good chance of advancing, there is that part of the disappointment, and it [stinks] that it's kind of all starting to set in that we have to go home now, which is unfortunate because I know all of us wanted to keep playing. It's certainly positive, we've had a great year and we're proud of ourselves."
Defenseman Morgan Rielly played three seasons for Toronto that ended far short of where this one did.
"When you're not in it and you're not trying to compete in playoffs, you kind of start booking flights and whatnot," the 23-year-old said. "In our position, you wanted to do everything to keep playing. We were intending to play tonight, so when it ends that quickly, it's tough.
"I think having that chance to play in the playoffs and enjoy that atmosphere around it, it just makes you more motivated and it makes you want to do it every year."