Leafs beat Bruins 2-1, Toronto begins to be-leaf!

David Cooper, Lucas Oleniuk, Carlos Osorio, Rick Madonik & Steve Russell

 

CARLOS OSORIO - David Brown cheers on the runners and the Toronto Maple Leafs on the Key Gardner Beltline just south of Davisvile Avenue. Runners lace up their sneakers and hit the pavement for the 17th annual Sporting Life Run on Mother's Day.

 

Lead by James Reimer, Leafs win game 5.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

 

Wow! What a game!

And double Wow for James Reimer! He stole the game!

 

Bruins fans arrive at the TD Garden hoping to see the home team close out the series.

 

A day with the Toronto Maple Leafs from morning to bitter end.

Rene Johnston, Rick Madonik, Lucas Oleniuk, Steve Russell & Tara Walton

 

Five Toronto Star photographers follow the Toronto Maple Leafs through the morning skate and falling to the Boston Bruins 5-2.

 

TARA WALTON - Toronto Maple Leafs Jay McClement tightens his skates during Monday's afternoon practice.

Toronto Maple Leafs bust out with a big win against the Bruins.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

 

Right after the pre-game skate, the game nets are brought out.

 

Leafs drop their first playoff game in nine years.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

 

Baby steps, the first was to actually make the playoffs, the next step will have to be win a game.

In fairness, since the last time I covered Toronto's team, I bought a house, got married and had two kids.

Even scarier, there have been four generations of cameras since!

 

The Leafs skate in the morning of their first playoffs in nine years.

Our April, Trudeau wins, Leafs playoff bound and Jays are back, kind of...

 

DAVID COOPER - Justin Trudeau walks into the federal Liberal showcase at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

 

Did the Leafs blow the first Toronto vs Montreal playoff series since 1979?

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

 

Last night the Leafs dropped a game 4-1 to the Montreal Canadiens putting our first playoff meeting with the Habs since 1979 in jeopardy.

A Leafs win would have set the table for the 16th playoff matchup between the teams.

Even worse the Leafs' loss puts their playoff destiny into the hands of the dreaded Ottawa Senators who with a victory in regulation tonight against Boston would send the Leafs to open the playoffs in Beantown against the Bruins.

I'm sure ever Leaf fan dreads that matchup, the Bruins are 3-1 against Toronto this year, but I'm sure that they hate having the Senators in a position to dictate our playoff future.

 

Toronto Star writer Paul Hunter is honoured with a spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs' media wall of honour.

John Farrell and the Red Sox spoil the Boo Birds' party

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

 

The list of athletes that have asked out of Toronto teams is a long one.

The return of athletes like Chris Bosh, A.J. Burnett, Vince Carter to Toronto, on the other side of the Ice/floor/court/diamond brings out the boo birds in force.

The return of John Farrell is the first ime I have seen the boo birds for a former manager.

Sure we have seen some coaches and managers that the fans don't like get booed, but how rare is for a manager to demand a trade for his "dream job"?

Former Jays manager John Farrell talks to media before the game.

 

The 2013 Toronto Blue Jays drop their home opener.

 

STEVE RUSSELL - Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion relaxes before batting practice as the Toronto Blue Jays play the Cleveland Indians to kick off the 2013 MLB season at Rogers Centre.

No Fooling, we had a great March!

 

DAVID COOPER - Leafs  Frazer McLaren decks Senators Dave Dizurzynski during the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators  at the Air Canada Centre.