Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Devastating Losses That Crushed Their 2012 Season

The 2011-2012 season seemed to one of rebirth for a Toronto Maple Leafs organization that had not reached the postseason since the dawn of the "new NHL" after the cancelled 2004-2005 season.

After starting the season 28-19-6, there was a sense of joy in Toronto, from the players, to management, to the fans and media.

Then everything changed.

The Leafs returned to being the team we've seen for the last handful of years.

Sloppy defense, silly penalties, horrendous special teams and a major lack of secondary scoring.

From February right up to the end of the season, the Leafs made it a routine to embarrass themselves night-in-night-out on the ice. During that span, there were a few key games that helped demoralize the Leafs and keep them down.

Let's take a look at the five most devastating losses of 2012.

Feb. 7 Against the Winnipeg Jets

How can one put together a list of this season's devastating losses without including the game that sparked the entire downfall.

Before heading to Winnipeg, the Maple Leafs were the owners of an impressive 28-19-6 record, and appeared to be well on their way to be participants in the postseason for the first time since the lockout season of 2004-2005.

The game started off well with the Leafs limiting Winnipeg's scoring chances and eventually picking up the first goal of the game on a wrist shot from Phil Kessel (his 30th of the season), effectively neutralizing the rowdiest crowd in the NHL.

From there, however, it was downhill.

The Jets were able to get themselves back to even with just under six minutes left in the period and went on to dominate the game. Shots on goal for the second and third periods favored the Jets by a total of 20-12 (including 12-5 in the third).

Unfortunately for Toronto, it seems like the momentum shift carried over from this game until the end of the season.

Feb. 11 at Home to the Montreal Canadiens

Just four days after managing a paltry 18 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Leafs returned home to faceoff against their arch-rival Montreal Canadiens.

Trying to end a small two game slide, you would think the Leafs would seize the opportunity to get back on track against the cellar dwelling Habs in front of their own fans.

Problem is, despite outshooting the Canadiens 32-18, the Leafs coughed up four second period goals and were embarrassed by the lowly Habs 5-0 (goaltending anyone) to extend the losing streak to three games.

Dropping a game in such fashion to a team hanging around the basement of the conference who happen to be your number one rival cannot do anything but hurt your playoff chances.

Feb. 21 Against the Devils

The loss at home to the New Jersey Devils presents another lost opportunity for the Leafs.

With the Leafs being 1-5-0 in their previous six games, each and every game was becoming more and more important (especially home games).

Down by one with a minute left in the game, it seemed like Leafs fans were ready to throw in the towel and accept a sixth defeat in seven games.

That is until Phil Kessel netted goal number 31 of the season to send the game to overtime.

It is here that heartbreak struck the Leafs and their fans.

1:18 into the extra frame, Devils' defenseman Mark Fayne took a simple wrist shot that was heading wide of the net, when inexplicably, Jonas Gustavsson reached out and knocked the puck into his own net.

While the Leafs may have stolen a point in this contest, the false hope it provided was devastating, especially when one considers how the final goal was tallied.

A comeback win could have done wonders for this team, and is the type of win that can turn a season around.

Unfortunately for Toronto, it was not to be.

Feb. 28 at Home to the Florida Panthers

By the time the Florida Panthers arrived in Toronto, the Maple Leafs had begun their free fall.

Entering the Feb. 28 matchup with Florida, the Leafs were 1-8-1 in their previous 10 games, and dropping rapidly in the Eastern Conference standings.

A win against a team they were competing with for a playoff position could be instrumental in getting back to their winning ways and securing a playoff position.

It was also their final game of a four game homestand, so a win would have been crucial in lifting their play for a stretch that would include three of their next four games on the road.

I personally remember the tension in the building, sitting in the 20th row. Fans were anxious and hoping for a good start and a crucial win.

Those hopes were dashed rather quickly, however, when the Panthers marked two goals in the first 2:21 of the game.

The fact that they were scored by Marcel Goc and Mike Santorelli (who would later tally his second of the game) did nothing to ease the minds of disgruntled Leafs fans.

In the end, the Panthers would go on to a 5-3 victory, and drop the Leafs to 1-9-1 in their last 11 games.

Feb. 29 in Chicago

The next night, the Maple Leafs would head to Chicago for a date with the Blackhawks at the "Madhouse on Madison".

Desperately needing a win, the Leafs came out firing on all cylinders, managing to jump out to a 3-1 lead 17 minutes into the game.

What seemed like it was becoming an important win for the buds quickly turned sour as they allowed a Blackhawks goal with 30 seconds remaining in the opening frame to pull the Hawks within one and get the crowd back into the game heading into the second period.

Within the first 12 minutes or so of the second period, the Blackhawks buried another two goals and were suddenly up 4-3. The score would stay that way until Marian Hossa added an empty netter and sealed the Leafs fate.

This loss dropped the leafs to 1-10-1 over their past 12 contests, ensuring they would only pick up three of a possible 24 points.

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