A top player from a heated rival reveals that he believes the Leafs ARE different

For years, Leafs fans have been spouting off the line ''this team feels different''. But, naturally, when that phrase finally becomes true, and when the Leafs have found themselves in a winner take all Game 7 situation against the defending Stanley Cup Champs, fairweather fans and fans in rival markets brush it off as ''same old Leafs''.

We as fans know what we think. We know what we feel. We have seen so many iterations of the Leafs try and fail, but this is one version of the team that, more often than not this year, has tried and succeeded. The only thing left to do now is to do what they couldn't on Thursday night. Close out the series. Once they've done that, hockey fans in other markets may finally acknowledge what we already know. This team IS different.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun had the opportunity to speak with Brendan Gallagher on Friday and the Montreal Canadiens forward had some surprising things to say about one of their most heated rivals. The first comment he made was that the Leafs do indeed look like a different team.


If you don't want to take Leafs Nation's word for it, how about someone who has actually played against the Leafs in the playoffs last year and then multiple times this season?

Gallagher revealed that when doubt starts to creep in, that's a really tough thing to overcome, but he also acknowledged that once you've built up that scar tissue and you know what losing feels like, it does push you to make changes, learn valuable lessons and better prepares you for those situations in the future.


The Leafs have a chance to do something special this year. To end their 18-year drought in epic fashion by winning a Game 7 at home to knock off the defending Champs. Let's hope they're up to the task and that they can avoid falling behind early for the third consecutive game. If they can come out hot and carry the same focus and intensity that they've played with through much of the series, we could be in for a pleasant surprise.